Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Review

When it comes to legendary audio companies, few are as accomplished as Bowers & Wilkins. For decades, the company has been an industry leader, offering some of the best and most luxurious loudspeakers money can buy. Since 2017, it has broken into wireless headphones in a big way, and since 2021, the true wireless market. 

Today, the company has unveiled its latest flagship, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8. Coming in at $399, they’re luxurious and feature-rich. Featuring the same carbon-cone driver technology found in the over-ear Px8, they offer even better sound, improved ANC, a revamped shape for enhanced comfort, and the popular wireless re-transmission case that transforms wired audio sources into high-res wireless. Last generation’s Pi7’s were good, but with the Pi8, Bowers & Wilkins stakes its claim on the high-end TWS market.

Specifications

• Current Price: $399 (Bowers & Wilkins, Best Buy) 
• Wearing Style: In-Ear Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds
• Technical Features
  • High-performance DSP with dedicated DSP and amplifier/DAC
  • True 24-bit audio connection
  • 5-band customisable EQ + TrueSound™ mode
  • Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX™ Lossless technology
  • Multipoint connectivity
  • Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
  • Audio retransmission from charging case (aptX™ Adaptive)
  • Wireless and USB-C charging
  • Fast charging support
  • Apple MFi Made for iPhone support
• Finishes: Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green, Midnight Blue
• Bluetooth Codecs
  • aptX™ Lossless
  • aptX™ Adaptive
  • aptX™ Classic
  • AAC
  • SBC
• Drive Units: 12 mm Carbon Cone
• Microphones: 3 per earbud for telephony and ANC
• Battery Type: Rechargeable Lithium-ion (earbuds and charging case)
• Battery Life & Charging
  • Up to 6.5 hours for earbuds (with ANC on)
  • Additional 13.5 hours from charging case
  • Charge time = 2 hours
  • 15-minute charge = 2 hours playback
• Wireless Charging Support: Yes
• Water Resistance: IP54 (earbuds)
• Audio Inputs
  • Earbuds: Bluetooth
  • Charging case: USB-C & 3.5 mm analogue jack (wireless audio retransmission via charging case)
• Accessories