The new wireless earbuds from B&W boast better sound quality and active noise-cancellation (ANC), which results from their ground-up design. Furthermore, we are told it's the same design team who brought us the Applause Award-winning Px8 and Px7 S2e over-ear wireless headphones that's responsible for these new and improved earbuds, which bodes well.
BOWERS & WILKINS Pi8
The flagship Pi8 houses 12mm drive units made with carbon cone technology, as used in the Px8 headphones and derived from the British company's speaker cone technology featured in the 700 Series loudspeakers. The Pi8 buds feature dedicated DAC, amplification and DSP tech that they say translates to the "maximum possible resolution and accuracy" from your music.
The new wireless earphones support aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs, allowing 24-bit/96kHz music files to be transmitted from compatible sources.
BOWERS & WILKINS Pi6
Meanwhile, the Pi6 uses 12mm bio-cellulose drivers similar to the ones used in the Px7 S2e and features aptX Adaptive codec support for 24-bit streaming.
TECH SPEC
Both get the latest Qualcomm chips onboard, promising updated noise-cancelling and call quality. B&W tells us that both buds benefit from the same advanced ANC technology used in the premium over-ear models, and so "cancel as much unwanted noise as possible without impacting the musicality of the performance".
Improved Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint pairing joins a sleeker and more ergonomic shape, with high-quality materials used and four choices of ear tips aiming to offer a better fit and long-lasting comfort.
On the subject of stamina, Bowers says that the Pi8 offers 6.5 hours on a single charge with ANC on and 20 hours in total with the charging case, while the Pi6 offers eight hours on a single charge and 24 hours in total. B&W states that the flagship model demands more power, hence the lower battery life figures.
A refreshed user experience and updated B&W Music app offers bass and treble tone controls for the Pi6. A further five-band EQ is available for the Pi8, allowing you to fine-tune your own particular requirements.
The charging case also hosts the ingenious Bluetooth retransmitter feature, enabling you to connect the case to a TV or in-flight entertainment system via USB-C or 3.5mm and have 24-bit/96kHz music squirted to your wireless earbuds.
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are available from 28th August for £349/ €399. The Pi6 follows on 15th September, priced at £219/ €249.
The Pi8 is offered in Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green and Midnight Blue, while the Pi6 comes in Storm Grey, Cloud Grey, Forest Green and Glacier Blue.
Visit Bowers & Wilkins for more information
Posted in: Headphones
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