Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds Anthracite, Black
Introducing the Pi8 from Bowers & Wilkins. The new reference in earbuds. Class-leading audio performance from a 24-bit wireless connection delivers all the audio excellence you'd expect from Bowers & Wilkins.12mm Carbon Cone drive units in each earbud combine our award-winning over-ear headphone technology with an all-new industrial design featuring a premium look and feel, optimised for perfect fit and supreme comfort. Work, stream and call effortlessly without interruption thanks to bespoke ANC and listen in high resolution for longer with enhanced battery life of up to 6.5 hours. Award-winning headphone excellence. Now available in earbuds. The latest highest-resolution audio support, finding the best possible connection between your earbuds and your listening device for the best audio experience. By reducing distortion and improving high-frequency detail, the Carbon Cone captures nuances in your music that other headphone drive units miss. A quick and convenient wireless charging case that works with any wireless charging pad to allow seamless charging on the go without overloading yourself with cables. Up to 6.5 hours for earbuds (with ANC additional 13.5 hours from charging Charge time = 2 hours 15-minute charge = 2 hours playback Whether you want to get back to your music or have an urgent call, a quick 15-minute charge offers you a further 2 hours of listening and extended communication time.
Introducing the Pi8 from Bowers & Wilkins. The new reference in earbuds. Class-leading audio performance from a 24-bit wireless connection delivers all the audio excellence you'd expect from Bowers & Wilkins.12mm Carbon Cone drive units in each earbud combine our award-winning over-ear headphone technology with an all-new industrial design featuring a premium look and feel, optimised for perfect fit and supreme comfort. Work, stream and call effortlessly without interruption thanks to bespoke ANC and listen in high resolution for longer with enhanced battery life of up to 6.5 hours. Award-winning headphone excellence. Now available in earbuds. The latest highest-resolution audio support, finding the best possible connection between your earbuds and your listening device for the best audio experience. By reducing distortion and improving high-frequency detail, the Carbon Cone captures nuances in your music that other headphone drive units miss. A quick and convenient wireless charging case that works with any wireless charging pad to allow seamless charging on the go without overloading yourself with cables. Up to 6.5 hours for earbuds (with ANC additional 13.5 hours from charging Charge time = 2 hours 15-minute charge = 2 hours playback Whether you want to get back to your music or have an urgent call, a quick 15-minute charge offers you a further 2 hours of listening and extended communication time.
Introducing the Pi8 from Bowers & Wilkins. The new reference in earbuds. Class-leading audio performance from a 24-bit wireless connection delivers all the audio excellence you'd expect from Bowers & Wilkins.12mm Carbon Cone drive units in each earbud combine our award-winning over-ear headphone technology with an all-new industrial design featuring a premium look and feel, optimised for perfect fit and supreme comfort. Work, stream and call effortlessly without interruption thanks to bespoke ANC and listen in high resolution for longer with enhanced battery life of up to 6.5 hours. Award-winning headphone excellence. Now available in earbuds. The latest highest-resolution audio support, finding the best possible connection between your earbuds and your listening device for the best audio experience. By reducing distortion and improving high-frequency detail, the Carbon Cone captures nuances in your music that other headphone drive units miss. A quick and convenient wireless charging case that works with any wireless charging pad to allow seamless charging on the go without overloading yourself with cables. Up to 6.5 hours for earbuds (with ANC additional 13.5 hours from charging Charge time = 2 hours 15-minute charge = 2 hours playback Whether you want to get back to your music or have an urgent call, a quick 15-minute charge offers you a further 2 hours of listening and extended communication time.
Introducing the Pi8 from Bowers & Wilkins. The new reference in earbuds. Class-leading audio performance from a 24-bit wireless connection delivers all the audio excellence you'd expect from Bowers & Wilkins.12mm Carbon Cone drive units in each earbud combine our award-winning over-ear headphone technology with an all-new industrial design featuring a premium look and feel, optimised for perfect fit and supreme comfort. Work, stream and call effortlessly without interruption thanks to bespoke ANC and listen in high resolution for longer with enhanced battery life of up to 6.5 hours. Award-winning headphone excellence. Now available in earbuds. The latest highest-resolution audio support, finding the best possible connection between your earbuds and your listening device for the best audio experience. By reducing distortion and improving high-frequency detail, the Carbon Cone captures nuances in your music that other headphone drive units miss. A quick and convenient wireless charging case that works with any wireless charging pad to allow seamless charging on the go without overloading yourself with cables. Up to 6.5 hours for earbuds (with ANC additional 13.5 hours from charging Charge time = 2 hours 15-minute charge = 2 hours playback Whether you want to get back to your music or have an urgent call, a quick 15-minute charge offers you a further 2 hours of listening and extended communication time.
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The lowest price for Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds Anthracite, Black right now is $451.25 at TechCart, compared across 24 retailers.
The all-time low was $445.16 on 11 Feb 2026 — today's price is 1% above the lowest ever. This is at or near its all-time low — a good time to buy.
Prices last updated 22 June 2026.
Last updated at 22/06/2026 18:59:05
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with Bluetooth aptX, 24-bit Wireless Connection, Audio Retransmission, and 6 Built-in
Free delivery
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Bowers & Wilkins PI8 True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Anthracite Black)
Delivery $50
Mastercard $100 OFF | Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless In-Ear Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones - Black
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Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless ANC Earbuds | Groove Central Anthracite Black
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Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds (Anthracite Black)
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Bowers & Wilkins PI8 True Wireless Earbuds (Black)
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Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless Earbuds - Anthracite Black
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Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds (Colour: Anthracite Black)
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Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless Earbuds (Anthracite Black)- Free Express Delivery
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Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Reference in-ear True Wireless earbuds Anthracite Black
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originally posted on audio46.com
I’m massive on sound quality and would have to be held at gunpoint to allow another feature to take precedent over fidelity. For me, the speaker that sounds best wins, even if I have to connect it through a fiber optic cable strapped to a leprechaun. I’ll do it. But software that actively interferes with the basic principle usage of the device is infuriating.I personally think these sound excellent and rival (in some ways) my technics AZ-80’s, which I consider a marvel of engineering and a seriously overlooked contender for the goat of earbuds. Compared to the Pi7 S2’s, these are far and above better. I thought the B&O EX’s and Az-80’s were in another league from those.Although these have objective superiorities to the technics, lying mainly in their natural ... MoreI’m massive on sound quality and would have to be held at gunpoint to allow another feature to take precedent over fidelity. For me, the speaker that sounds best wins, even if I have to connect it through a fiber optic cable strapped to a leprechaun. I’ll do it. But software that actively interferes with the basic principle usage of the device is infuriating.I personally think these sound excellent and rival (in some ways) my technics AZ-80’s, which I consider a marvel of engineering and a seriously overlooked contender for the goat of earbuds. Compared to the Pi7 S2’s, these are far and above better. I thought the B&O EX’s and Az-80’s were in another league from those.Although these have objective superiorities to the technics, lying mainly in their natural vocals and bright (somewhat sibilant (which can be considered both good and bad)) presentation, their lack of depth in bass, which is clearly compensated for with a bass heavy tune, is laughable in comparison to what Panasonic cooked up with the technics. The technics also manage a natural sound without speaking parseltongue to me and I respect them evermore for it. If I had to have one of these only, I’d take the technics over these any day even given the same price tag. Luckily I’m fortunate enough to not have to make that choice, and that’s the only reason I’m keeping them as daily carrying these has been a nightmare.The Pi8’s do possess detail prioritization that is irrefutably better than any other set of earbuds I’ve heard, bringing what other high end earbuds would present as ‘distant details you’ve never heard before’ to the foreground as integral parts of the song. In short, it’s like a magical portal to a land of fidelity that’s also demented and full of snakes hissing loudly. It is, however, like listening to your favorite songs for the first time, but not the original. More like a re-recording.My largest gripe with these is the horrendous software. Now I've always been one to scoff at software complaints and minor feature difficulties in reviews as a spectator when there are easy-enough solutions to their problems and life should just go on. But these are some next level tomf*ckery. Allow me to name some of the bugs I’ve found off the top of my head:App not detecting the case (after multiple reconnects)App getting battery wrongApp changing battery reading drastically after reconnectingCase giving its own inconsistent signals with its LED that don’t even match the disheveled app readingsOnly one headphone working requiring multiple reconnectsCrackling when turning anc on (I don’t use ANC but it automatically turns it on)Inconsistent starting position for ambient sound (one day it starts on anc, the next it’s ambient)Blatant refusal to detect tap gestures (which I despise but when they’re all I’ve got I need them to work)One of these for a first generation product is fine, but this is insanity at this price range when the competition has come so far.The lack of touch control customization and barebones eq options are just insult to injury.There is no denying these objectively sound great, and that’s my Achilles heel. Anyone else who doesn’t have expendable income or who prioritizes having functional software should stay away.
originally posted on johnlewis.com
Since receiving these headphones, I have literally used them every day. They are a pleasure to wear and use for listening to music whether I have been at the gym running on the treadmill, doing housework, travelling or just relaxing at home streaming music. Having previously come from using a well known other brand of in ear headphones, I was really shocked at the difference in terms of sound quality. I am now hearing base notes and parts of songs that I had previously missed before. The headphones really hold their battery charge and also have enabled wireless charging via the case on my existing wireless charging pad, which I thought was a good bonus feature. I liked the fact that I could easily pair these headphones with my iPad and iPhone simultaneously without ... MoreSince receiving these headphones, I have literally used them every day. They are a pleasure to wear and use for listening to music whether I have been at the gym running on the treadmill, doing housework, travelling or just relaxing at home streaming music. Having previously come from using a well known other brand of in ear headphones, I was really shocked at the difference in terms of sound quality. I am now hearing base notes and parts of songs that I had previously missed before. The headphones really hold their battery charge and also have enabled wireless charging via the case on my existing wireless charging pad, which I thought was a good bonus feature. I liked the fact that I could easily pair these headphones with my iPad and iPhone simultaneously without having to unpair and re pair etc. I have recently been abroad on holiday and I was really chuffed that I was able to use the headphones for a long haul flight to watch the inflight movies and listen to music whilst on the airplane. The headphones come with an additional free included cable that you plug directly into the charging case and the other part into the port by the airplane seat and they paired easily and were also a dream to use during the flight. The headphones really blocked out the aircraft noise and when I compared them with the free inflight headphones that were provided and the difference was absolutely outstanding. The provided ones were bulky and not of the same quality as the Bowers and Wilkins headphones, which were first class to use. The only thing to flag was that there was no mains charger plug included in the box, so you will need to either connect the USB-C charging cable into your own USB-C compatible power plug or a power socket that is USB-C enabled or have a wireless enabled charging pad to use.
originally posted on johnlewis.com
My first concern with in-ear headphones is- will they stay in my ears! Previously I haven't got on well with any earbuds that didn't have a wing tip to make it more secure. But these are the first ones that I have had that are very stable in my ear without any wing tip. You need to put them in and give them a bit of a twist as it explains in the user guide and then they fit really nice and securely. They have multiple sizes of earbuds in the box but the standard ones have been fine for me.In terms of sound quality they are brilliant, I can't claim to be an audiophile but these sound great and better than other earbuds I have previously owned. The noise cancelling is very good as far as earbuds go. Obviously not as good as over ear headphones, but I used them on a ... MoreMy first concern with in-ear headphones is- will they stay in my ears! Previously I haven't got on well with any earbuds that didn't have a wing tip to make it more secure. But these are the first ones that I have had that are very stable in my ear without any wing tip. You need to put them in and give them a bit of a twist as it explains in the user guide and then they fit really nice and securely. They have multiple sizes of earbuds in the box but the standard ones have been fine for me.In terms of sound quality they are brilliant, I can't claim to be an audiophile but these sound great and better than other earbuds I have previously owned. The noise cancelling is very good as far as earbuds go. Obviously not as good as over ear headphones, but I used them on a plane just to block out the noise and they were brilliant.The case is slightly larger than some others but is more just a bit wide and isn't very chunky so it fits nicely in my jean pocket.The battery seems very good, I have yet to have to really worry about the battery life. I have used them for some extended sessions when travelling and as long as I have occasionally put the case on charge then they have lasted very well.There is an app available, it is useful if you want to change the function of the touch buttons on the side of the buds from toggling noise cancelling and passthrough to volume controls. On the side of the bud you can switch between noise cancelling and passthrough mode. There is an option on the app to use neither of these that is useful, so I am not sure why you can't select that without the app as I think it would help the battery life even more!One feature that when I opened the box I didn't really understand the use for but now I wish I had used. There is an AUX to USB-C cable that you can plug from an AUX into the case. This then passes the audio from the AUX into your headphones. So for air travel this would be perfect to plug in and use your own earbuds instead of need
| Manufacturer Warranty | 2 Years |
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with Bluetooth aptX, 24-bit Wireless Connection, Audio Retransmission, and 6 Built-in
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Bowers & Wilkins PI8 True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Anthracite Black)
Delivery $50
Mastercard $100 OFF | Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless In-Ear Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones - Black
Delivery $18.22
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless ANC Earbuds | Groove Central Anthracite Black
Free delivery
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds (Anthracite Black)
Free delivery between Wed – Fri
I’m massive on sound quality and would have to be held at gunpoint to allow another feature to take precedent over fidelity. For me, the speaker that sounds best wins, even if I have to connect it through a fiber optic cable strapped to a leprechaun. I’ll do it. But software that actively interferes with the basic principle usage of the device is infuriating.I personally think these sound excellent and rival (in some ways) my technics AZ-80’s, which I consider a marvel of engineering and a seriously overlooked contender for the goat of earbuds. Compared to the Pi7 S2’s, these are far and above better. I thought the B&O EX’s and Az-80’s were in another league from those.Although these have objective superiorities to the technics, lying mainly in their natural ... MoreI’m massive on sound quality and would have to be held at gunpoint to allow another feature to take precedent over fidelity. For me, the speaker that sounds best wins, even if I have to connect it through a fiber optic cable strapped to a leprechaun. I’ll do it. But software that actively interferes with the basic principle usage of the device is infuriating.I personally think these sound excellent and rival (in some ways) my technics AZ-80’s, which I consider a marvel of engineering and a seriously overlooked contender for the goat of earbuds. Compared to the Pi7 S2’s, these are far and above better. I thought the B&O EX’s and Az-80’s were in another league from those.Although these have objective superiorities to the technics, lying mainly in their natural vocals and bright (somewhat sibilant (which can be considered both good and bad)) presentation, their lack of depth in bass, which is clearly compensated for with a bass heavy tune, is laughable in comparison to what Panasonic cooked up with the technics. The technics also manage a natural sound without speaking parseltongue to me and I respect them evermore for it. If I had to have one of these only, I’d take the technics over these any day even given the same price tag. Luckily I’m fortunate enough to not have to make that choice, and that’s the only reason I’m keeping them as daily carrying these has been a nightmare.The Pi8’s do possess detail prioritization that is irrefutably better than any other set of earbuds I’ve heard, bringing what other high end earbuds would present as ‘distant details you’ve never heard before’ to the foreground as integral parts of the song. In short, it’s like a magical portal to a land of fidelity that’s also demented and full of snakes hissing loudly. It is, however, like listening to your favorite songs for the first time, but not the original. More like a re-recording.My largest gripe with these is the horrendous software. Now I've always been one to scoff at software complaints and minor feature difficulties in reviews as a spectator when there are easy-enough solutions to their problems and life should just go on. But these are some next level tomf*ckery. Allow me to name some of the bugs I’ve found off the top of my head:App not detecting the case (after multiple reconnects)App getting battery wrongApp changing battery reading drastically after reconnectingCase giving its own inconsistent signals with its LED that don’t even match the disheveled app readingsOnly one headphone working requiring multiple reconnectsCrackling when turning anc on (I don’t use ANC but it automatically turns it on)Inconsistent starting position for ambient sound (one day it starts on anc, the next it’s ambient)Blatant refusal to detect tap gestures (which I despise but when they’re all I’ve got I need them to work)One of these for a first generation product is fine, but this is insanity at this price range when the competition has come so far.The lack of touch control customization and barebones eq options are just insult to injury.There is no denying these objectively sound great, and that’s my Achilles heel. Anyone else who doesn’t have expendable income or who prioritizes having functional software should stay away.
Since receiving these headphones, I have literally used them every day. They are a pleasure to wear and use for listening to music whether I have been at the gym running on the treadmill, doing housework, travelling or just relaxing at home streaming music. Having previously come from using a well known other brand of in ear headphones, I was really shocked at the difference in terms of sound quality. I am now hearing base notes and parts of songs that I had previously missed before. The headphones really hold their battery charge and also have enabled wireless charging via the case on my existing wireless charging pad, which I thought was a good bonus feature. I liked the fact that I could easily pair these headphones with my iPad and iPhone simultaneously without ... MoreSince receiving these headphones, I have literally used them every day. They are a pleasure to wear and use for listening to music whether I have been at the gym running on the treadmill, doing housework, travelling or just relaxing at home streaming music. Having previously come from using a well known other brand of in ear headphones, I was really shocked at the difference in terms of sound quality. I am now hearing base notes and parts of songs that I had previously missed before. The headphones really hold their battery charge and also have enabled wireless charging via the case on my existing wireless charging pad, which I thought was a good bonus feature. I liked the fact that I could easily pair these headphones with my iPad and iPhone simultaneously without having to unpair and re pair etc. I have recently been abroad on holiday and I was really chuffed that I was able to use the headphones for a long haul flight to watch the inflight movies and listen to music whilst on the airplane. The headphones come with an additional free included cable that you plug directly into the charging case and the other part into the port by the airplane seat and they paired easily and were also a dream to use during the flight. The headphones really blocked out the aircraft noise and when I compared them with the free inflight headphones that were provided and the difference was absolutely outstanding. The provided ones were bulky and not of the same quality as the Bowers and Wilkins headphones, which were first class to use. The only thing to flag was that there was no mains charger plug included in the box, so you will need to either connect the USB-C charging cable into your own USB-C compatible power plug or a power socket that is USB-C enabled or have a wireless enabled charging pad to use.
My first concern with in-ear headphones is- will they stay in my ears! Previously I haven't got on well with any earbuds that didn't have a wing tip to make it more secure. But these are the first ones that I have had that are very stable in my ear without any wing tip. You need to put them in and give them a bit of a twist as it explains in the user guide and then they fit really nice and securely. They have multiple sizes of earbuds in the box but the standard ones have been fine for me.In terms of sound quality they are brilliant, I can't claim to be an audiophile but these sound great and better than other earbuds I have previously owned. The noise cancelling is very good as far as earbuds go. Obviously not as good as over ear headphones, but I used them on a ... MoreMy first concern with in-ear headphones is- will they stay in my ears! Previously I haven't got on well with any earbuds that didn't have a wing tip to make it more secure. But these are the first ones that I have had that are very stable in my ear without any wing tip. You need to put them in and give them a bit of a twist as it explains in the user guide and then they fit really nice and securely. They have multiple sizes of earbuds in the box but the standard ones have been fine for me.In terms of sound quality they are brilliant, I can't claim to be an audiophile but these sound great and better than other earbuds I have previously owned. The noise cancelling is very good as far as earbuds go. Obviously not as good as over ear headphones, but I used them on a plane just to block out the noise and they were brilliant.The case is slightly larger than some others but is more just a bit wide and isn't very chunky so it fits nicely in my jean pocket.The battery seems very good, I have yet to have to really worry about the battery life. I have used them for some extended sessions when travelling and as long as I have occasionally put the case on charge then they have lasted very well.There is an app available, it is useful if you want to change the function of the touch buttons on the side of the buds from toggling noise cancelling and passthrough to volume controls. On the side of the bud you can switch between noise cancelling and passthrough mode. There is an option on the app to use neither of these that is useful, so I am not sure why you can't select that without the app as I think it would help the battery life even more!One feature that when I opened the box I didn't really understand the use for but now I wish I had used. There is an AUX to USB-C cable that you can plug from an AUX into the case. This then passes the audio from the AUX into your headphones. So for air travel this would be perfect to plug in and use your own earbuds instead of need
Overall: These headphones offer exceptional sound quality in indoor or quiet environments. Controls are a bit fiddly, unintuitive and don't allow you to change the volume. If audio fidelity is your top priority, they are definitely worth considering, but be aware of their limitations.Setup and App: The setup process involves downloading an app and creating an account, which was straightforward enough. Sharing the headphones with others can be cumbersome as they also need to go through the same app+account process.Sound Quality: Wow, the sound quality (when indoors) is outstanding. The highs are crystal clear, the bass is meaty. I tested them with various music genres and spoken word audio, and the sound was consistently clean, pure, and well-balanced. If audio ... MoreOverall: These headphones offer exceptional sound quality in indoor or quiet environments. Controls are a bit fiddly, unintuitive and don't allow you to change the volume. If audio fidelity is your top priority, they are definitely worth considering, but be aware of their limitations.Setup and App: The setup process involves downloading an app and creating an account, which was straightforward enough. Sharing the headphones with others can be cumbersome as they also need to go through the same app+account process.Sound Quality: Wow, the sound quality (when indoors) is outstanding. The highs are crystal clear, the bass is meaty. I tested them with various music genres and spoken word audio, and the sound was consistently clean, pure, and well-balanced. If audio quality is really important to you, these earbuds are an excellent choice. They also perform well with phone calls, with clear communication for both the wearer and the caller.The pass-through mode is good - where the headphones allow in external sounds - but I found the noise cancellation disappointing. I've worn them in noisy environments like London's Tube or busy streets and I find that some noise still leaks through, requiring me to increase the volume to hear clearly. They also struggle with wind noise when used outdoors.They're comfortable to wear and stay securely in place, even while walking. Can sometimes feel a little deep in my ear canals, but they're light, fit inside my outer-ears relatively well, and don't stick out too much.Controls: This is where these headphones fall short. The controls involve tapping on the headphones, which I find to be inconsistent, require multiple attempts to activate, and quite uncomfortable. Different combinations of taps and long presses perform different functions - I find these to be unintuitive and required learning. The confirmation/feedback sounds are excessively loud and harsh. The biggest drawback for me is being unable to control volume on them.
I need to use in ear headphones due to my ear shape and sometimes struggle to find a good pair, these ones hit all the marks! First off the item is well packaged and comes with easy to follow instructions with a 'quick start guide' and imagery provided to help get use to the functions. The earbuds are good quality and form to your ear nicely, there's 4 sizes in total (including the set from the factory) and they are also easy to clean. The headphones come in a nice, stylish charging case, very ergonomic and easy to store safely in a bag or pocket. The headphones themself hold charge very well, calls do drain it a bit more than music but that's always going to be the case. Recharge from case to headphone seems pretty quick too, within 15/20 mins I was right back to ... MoreI need to use in ear headphones due to my ear shape and sometimes struggle to find a good pair, these ones hit all the marks! First off the item is well packaged and comes with easy to follow instructions with a 'quick start guide' and imagery provided to help get use to the functions. The earbuds are good quality and form to your ear nicely, there's 4 sizes in total (including the set from the factory) and they are also easy to clean. The headphones come in a nice, stylish charging case, very ergonomic and easy to store safely in a bag or pocket. The headphones themself hold charge very well, calls do drain it a bit more than music but that's always going to be the case. Recharge from case to headphone seems pretty quick too, within 15/20 mins I was right back to full charge. Charging time for the case will vary depending on your outlets but for a standard uk one without a fast charger plug you'll be good to go within the hour. Sound quality is very clear and crisp, it also has a noise canceling feature which is great for blocking out external sound and also quieting the sound coming from the speak, great for when you are on calls and don't want others to hear the conversation. Leading nicely onto the phone setting. Easy to follow steps and call quality is very good with no interruptions. I've found in the past that other bluetooth headphones can stutter or cut out while making calls but so far there hasn't been any issues with these ones. The aesthetic off the headphones is also very nice, I went for the Midnight Blue colour but there are others to choice from. The headphone itself is verging on the chunkier side of in-ear headphones but they don't look absurdly big. All in all I would highly recommend.
There are many things I love about Bowers & Wilkins products, but one thing that stands out in particular is their willingness to invest their resources into even the most seemingly insignificant aspects of their products. From start to finish in both research and development, they just don’t slack on anything. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds are yet one more example of their commitment to excellence.One of the first things I noticed was how visually pleasing the Pi8’s case is. It like looking at something that would come out of an expensive jewelers’ shop. It’s sleek and smooth, like what a well-polished stone might feel like, with the Bowers & Wilkins logo adorning a seamless band encircling the entire case. As I opened it up, I was greeted ... MoreThere are many things I love about Bowers & Wilkins products, but one thing that stands out in particular is their willingness to invest their resources into even the most seemingly insignificant aspects of their products. From start to finish in both research and development, they just don’t slack on anything. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds are yet one more example of their commitment to excellence.One of the first things I noticed was how visually pleasing the Pi8’s case is. It like looking at something that would come out of an expensive jewelers’ shop. It’s sleek and smooth, like what a well-polished stone might feel like, with the Bowers & Wilkins logo adorning a seamless band encircling the entire case. As I opened it up, I was greeted by a pair of the most elegantly-designed earbuds I have ever seen. As if to match the impressive design of the case, the earbuds were like looking at a pair of exquisite cufflinks. Just like I said in beginning this review, it was obvious that a willful commitment to excellence was at work here. And although I could keep on and on about how the beautiful design, the real beauty lies in their performance.Following the Quick Start guide, he first thing needed is to download the Bowers & Wilkins Music app so that you can setup and adjust the earbuds. Pairing the earbuds was as simple as opening the case and activating the Bluetooth search function on your phone. It’s that simple. B&W recommends using the appropriately-sized tips not only for comfort, but also to ensure the best listening experience possible. The Pi8’s come with four different sizes of tips, XS, S, M, and L. They come pre-fit with the medium tips. Now, I know I began this review by gushing over the amazing commitment to quality by B&W, but a tad bit more thought could have gone into the tip holder. After removing one of the earbuds to look at it, the rest of the earbuds went rolling and flopping all over. Trying to get them back in their appropriate slots turned out to be more effort than I wanted to spend, so I left them as they were and decided I would mess with getting them back in order later. Most earbud tips are straight pass-through tips, that is, if you hold them up and look, you can see straight through them. Not so with the Pi8s. They have fine-mesh filters to keep debris and earwax from reaching the internal components of the earbuds which could greatly diminish the sound quality.The earbuds themselves have three different microphones, two of which are used for the ANC, and the third is used to insure high quality voice transmission for phone calls and other purposes which require voice, such as apps and so on. Of the two used for ANC, one is located on the outside of the earbud to monitor outside sounds, and the other is located on the inside to monitor the sounds that are reaching the ear. The Pi8s pick up outside noises and then transmit the exact opposite frequency to cancel out the outside noises. To be fair, the Pi8s do not have a limitless frequency range, so they will not block every single noise you might encounter. However, they do a superior job of cancelling out most. When I was testing them out, I wore them without any music or anything playing. I was just listening to how well they blocked out noise. I alternated between the different sizes of earbud tips to make sure I was wearing the correct size. And this is one of those situations where size really does make a difference. If the tips are too large or too small, unwanted noise will get through, making your listening experience much less enjoyable. But as I was saying, as I sat in my family room with the Pi8s in my ear and with ANC activated, I was able to hear very few sounds. But once I began playing music tracks at very low volume, I detected only the occasional loud noise. With volume up to about 25% to 30%, I detected absolutely no outside noises other than the television when I turned its volume up. When I turned the music volume up to 50% on my phone, even the loud television was blocked out. Then I tried the same experiment with another brand of noise-cancelling earbuds. To my surprise, even at 50% volume on my phone there was quite a bit of television sound that was coming through. The difference was night and day between the Pi8s and the other brand. The Pi8 ANC actually has three settings to choose from: ANC, Passthrough, and Off. When ANC is turned on, well, it does what it is supposed to do. On Passthrough mode, it allows ambient sound to reach your ears. When turned off, the earbuds basically act like earplugs, deadening ambient sounds but not eliminating them. You actually hear more ambient noise on Passthrough mode than when ANC is off.But Active Noise Cancellation is not the premier feature of these earbuds. The sound quality is out of this world. Seriously, these earbuds are on a completely different level. The Pi8 supports aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs. Okay, I had to look these up to see what they are and how they help to deliver such high sound quality. In short, aptX Adaptive can adjust transmission quality based on what you are listening to, and/or how strong the Bluetooth signal is. AptX Lossless transmits audio with no compression, it can transmit at a higher bitrate, over 1 Mbit/s, and in situations where there is a lot of wireless interference it will dynamically adjust the transmission bitrate. That is a huge amount of technology at work being reduced down to very simple terms, but all I know is that it really works. The sound quality of the Pi8s is extraordinary! Because of the just-mentioned technologies, you can listen to music, podcasts, and gameplay exactly how it is meant to be heard. You can’t ask for any more than that! Bass is deep, sonorous and rich, the mids are sharp and clear, and the highs are crystal clear. At the highest volumes there is no loss of quality. I detected zero distortion of any kind. I mean none.In the end, the real selling point really isn’t about all the technologies involved, the materials used, or the research and development that went into these earbuds. The true selling point is how absolutely true to life the Pi8s sound. I said it once, and I will say it again, with the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 true wireless earbuds, you hear audio how it was meant to be heard. Not distorted, not diminished or truncated…but as fully and richly as earbuds can deliver.I am a loyal fan of Bowers & Wilkins, and yes I do own other B&W gear. Everything they produce is top of the line and knocks the socks off the competition. As I have done with my other Bowers & Wilkins products, I will continue to do with the Pi8 earbuds… recommend them to anyone who will listen! Once you try them out, there will be no turning back…ever!
The B&W Pi8 are easily some of the best sounding earbuds I have ever experienced. When it comes to earbuds at this point, the main deciding factors have become styling, comfort and sound quality. Two of those are mostly subjective and really depend on the user. For that reason, I will comment on some of those aspects, but will focus mostly on the sound quality from the earbuds as that’s what you should really be concerned about with $399.00 earbuds.As far as styling goes B&W tends to be more willing to make striking design choices with their products. In my opinion they make some of the most luxurious and imaginative designs. With the Pi8 they kind of took more of a conservative approach compared to their over the ear offerings. This might have been a design ... MoreThe B&W Pi8 are easily some of the best sounding earbuds I have ever experienced. When it comes to earbuds at this point, the main deciding factors have become styling, comfort and sound quality. Two of those are mostly subjective and really depend on the user. For that reason, I will comment on some of those aspects, but will focus mostly on the sound quality from the earbuds as that’s what you should really be concerned about with $399.00 earbuds.As far as styling goes B&W tends to be more willing to make striking design choices with their products. In my opinion they make some of the most luxurious and imaginative designs. With the Pi8 they kind of took more of a conservative approach compared to their over the ear offerings. This might have been a design strategy or because its hard to imprint a bold design on a small product such as earbuds. The important thing is they look and feel premium. The materials don’t feel cheap, and the earbuds should last through the rigors of being your everyday buds. This includes the case which once again is very conservative in design but feels well made.Comfort is a category that will depend on you and how earbuds generally feel in your ear. Theres nothing inherently unique to these earbuds that would make them more or less comfortable to use than other premium in earbuds. However, one cool function is that the usual kind of “wing” found on buds is more of a wedge with these being built into the buds. That gives them a clean look and keeps them secured in my ears. The one button UI function is simple to use and is similar to other earbuds/headphones. The case offers wireless charging which is fantastic and makes like a little easier.Now, the important stuff, sound quality. Its incredible. It feels like every once and a while we get new earbuds that sound 10-15% better than the previous “best” sounding earbuds. That’s an incredible achievement when you consider the size and form factor of earbuds. The name of the game with the Pi8 is codec support. It supports every good codec under the sun and then some. If you can use something like Tidal for music, you will take advantage of the full technological capabilities of these earbuds. The lossless sound is incredibly clear and superbly balanced. The lows, mids, and highs are all exactly where they should be for most songs I’ve listened to. This isn’t just great tuning, its also due to the incredible hardware packed into the Pi8. B&W used larger carbon fiber cone drivers which help translate what the audio engineers envisioned with this sound tuning. Sometimes you get a product like this where the hardware and the software matched each others potential and it shows. More companies need to understand this in the planning stages of product design. So many times software is way ahead of the hardware or vice versa and it becomes evident.In conclusion, the B&W Pi8 earbuds stand out as a remarkable blend of premium design, comfort, and exceptional sound quality. While styling and comfort may vary based on personal preferences, the Pi8’s sound performance is undeniably top-tier. With robust codec support and advanced hardware like larger carbon fiber cone drivers, these earbuds deliver a balanced and clear audio experience that truly sets them apart. For those seeking high-quality sound in a sleek, well-crafted package, the Pi8 is a worthy investment.
I find myself shocked at how comfortable these Bauer and Wilkins earbuds are with the exception on their size and shape. I thought they were going to be uncomfortable and hard to keep in place in my ears, and I'm shocked how well they fit and how comfortable they can be.I like that the case and the earbuds can charge wirelessly without having to plug them in using a cable I just set them on my phone charger and they start charging immediately. The sound quality is great with these I use them with both my phone as well as my tablet My phone is a Google Pixel 9XL and my tablet is a Samsung Galaxy tab S9 ultra.I already had the Bowers & Wilkins app on both devices as I have there over the ear PX8 headphones these paired with the app immediately as well as my phone ... MoreI find myself shocked at how comfortable these Bauer and Wilkins earbuds are with the exception on their size and shape. I thought they were going to be uncomfortable and hard to keep in place in my ears, and I'm shocked how well they fit and how comfortable they can be.I like that the case and the earbuds can charge wirelessly without having to plug them in using a cable I just set them on my phone charger and they start charging immediately. The sound quality is great with these I use them with both my phone as well as my tablet My phone is a Google Pixel 9XL and my tablet is a Samsung Galaxy tab S9 ultra.I already had the Bowers & Wilkins app on both devices as I have there over the ear PX8 headphones these paired with the app immediately as well as my phone and tablet without issue. The noise canceling option on these are great at blocking out outside sounds if you want to be able to enjoy your music or audio while watching videos on your device without being bothered by others.I find the battery life to be great on these they've lasted me so far with 3 days of heavy use without having to recharge the batteries. These don't feel very heavy while wearing my only complaint is their larger so you can't use these while laying on a pillow in bed or on the couch.Audio during phone calls is good He's also work well with Google Assistant on my phone and tablet I found no issues yet while using them with Google Assistant.These are easily transported in their plastic carrying case I just wish the lid to the case had a stronger spring as they seem to flip open very easily while reaching in my pocket to grab my keys or ChapStick.I would definitely recommend these to anyone in the market for quality noise canceling earbuds by a quality manufacturer.
As a big fan of Bowers & Wilkins headphones I was excited to try out their new Pi8 True Wireless Earbuds.The Pi8’s sound quality is truly impressive, with its use of a true 24-bit connection that gives that CD quality lossless audio you can really hear the rich, detailed sound signature along with the well-balanced across lows, mids, and highs, making them ideal for all types of music genres. The noise cancellation on these earbuds is another standout feature. The ANC effectively blocks out background noise, whether it's the hum of an airplane or chatter in a noisy office. This makes the earbuds ideal for commuting or focusing in noisy environments. The pass-through mode, which allows ambient sounds to filter in when needed, works smoothly as well, keeping you ... MoreAs a big fan of Bowers & Wilkins headphones I was excited to try out their new Pi8 True Wireless Earbuds.The Pi8’s sound quality is truly impressive, with its use of a true 24-bit connection that gives that CD quality lossless audio you can really hear the rich, detailed sound signature along with the well-balanced across lows, mids, and highs, making them ideal for all types of music genres. The noise cancellation on these earbuds is another standout feature. The ANC effectively blocks out background noise, whether it's the hum of an airplane or chatter in a noisy office. This makes the earbuds ideal for commuting or focusing in noisy environments. The pass-through mode, which allows ambient sounds to filter in when needed, works smoothly as well, keeping you aware of your surroundings.Battery life on the Pi8 is fairly solid, providing up to 8 hours of battery life for all day listening with the charging case. It also has quick charge support, providing 2 hours of use from a 15-minute charge making these perfect for daily use or travelAnother feature of the Pi8 is its touch-sensitive controls. You can pause/play music, change tracks, adjust volume, or switch between ANC and pass-through modes with simple taps or swipes. These touch controls are kind of hit or miss, in that when listening to music apps it would play, and pause correctly. I did run into some issues with video players where it wouldn't always register when I wanted to pause a video. Additionally, through the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, you can customize these controls to suit your preferences, whether you want it to be volume adjustment or ANC/voice assistant toggling.The app also allows you to adjust the EQ settings, giving you control over how your music sounds. This is a fantastic feature for those who like to fine-tune their listening experience.The earbuds come with a sleek, minimalist design, and the compact charging case is pocket-friendly, making it easy to carry them around. The earbuds have a premium feel with their matte and glossy finish and sturdy build, and comes with extra ear tips to get the fit for your ears.However, I did have some comfort issues over longer listening sessions. After wearing them for extended periods, I experienced some discomfort in the back of my right ear and not in my left ear, so I think I might just have a weird right ear. This is probably not going to be an issue for everyone, but felt the need to mention it. I did change the right ear tip to the Large size tip, which did help a little in the comfort.While the Pi8 delivers in terms of sound, it does offer a lot of connectivity options in being able to be paired to 2 devices at a time, and my personal favorite is the ability to use a USB-C to 3.5mm Aux cord along with the charging case without having to connect to bluetooth. This is perfect for those who fly alot and want to use the in flight entertainment center but also get the best sound and ANC out of your headphones while not having to use the free ones the airlines offer. That being said, I did encounter some Bluetooth pairing and connection issues. At times, there was noticeable delay when connecting to my phone, and the initial pairing process wasn’t always seamless between the app and my phone's bluetooth settings. I also ran into issues if I had one earphone in and would put the other one in to take a call, the other earphone would not connect and audio would only come out of one. While this is a unique situation, it's something I dealt with a couple of times.Pros and ConsPros:Excellent Sound Quality: Rich and balanced audio signature, perfect for a wide range of genres.Effective ANC: Great for blocking out background noise in busy environments.Customizable Touch Controls: The ability to tweak touch controls via the app adds convenience.Compact Case: Small and easily pocketable, making it ideal for travel.Bowers & Wilkins Music App: EQ customization and control options are a great bonus.Cons:Pairing Issues: Occasional lag and difficulties when initially connecting to devices.Comfort Concerns: Potential discomfort after long periods of use, particularly in the back of the ear.Price Point: On the higher end of the spectrum, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers.ConclusionThe Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds are a solid option for those who prioritize sound quality and active noise cancellation. They deliver premium audio performance and provide helpful customization through their app. However, minor pairing issues and discomfort during extended wear could be dealbreakers for some. If you value top of the line sound quality above all else and don't mind occasional hiccups, the Pi8 is worth considering.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-Ear Headphones ReviewThe Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in-ear headphones are a premium audio experience that deliver exceptional sound quality, luxurious design, and advanced features that make them stand out in the crowded market of wireless earbuds.Sound Quality:The Pi8 truly shines in the sound department. The audio is rich, detailed, and well-balanced across the frequency spectrum. The bass is deep and punchy without overwhelming the mids and highs, which remain clear and crisp. The dual hybrid driver technology ensures that every note is delivered with precision, making them ideal for audiophiles who crave high-fidelity sound.Design and Comfort:These headphones are as stylish as they are functional. The sleek design is complemented by ... MoreBowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-Ear Headphones ReviewThe Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in-ear headphones are a premium audio experience that deliver exceptional sound quality, luxurious design, and advanced features that make them stand out in the crowded market of wireless earbuds.Sound Quality:The Pi8 truly shines in the sound department. The audio is rich, detailed, and well-balanced across the frequency spectrum. The bass is deep and punchy without overwhelming the mids and highs, which remain clear and crisp. The dual hybrid driver technology ensures that every note is delivered with precision, making them ideal for audiophiles who crave high-fidelity sound.Design and Comfort:These headphones are as stylish as they are functional. The sleek design is complemented by premium materials that give them a luxurious feel. They fit comfortably in the ear, with several ear tip options included to ensure a snug fit for different ear sizes. Even during extended listening sessions, the Pi8 remains comfortable, with no noticeable ear fatigue.Noise Cancellation:The active noise cancellation (ANC) on the Pi8 is impressive, effectively blocking out ambient noise without affecting the audio quality. Whether you’re on a noisy commute or working in a busy environment, the ANC feature helps you stay focused on your music or calls.Battery Life:With up to 5 hours of playback time on a single charge and an additional 19 hours from the charging case, the Pi8 offers more than enough battery life for a full day of listening. The fast-charging feature is also a plus, providing quick top-ups when you’re in a hurry.Connectivity and Features:The Pi8 supports high-quality wireless codecs like aptX Adaptive, ensuring a stable connection and superior sound quality over Bluetooth. The touch controls are intuitive and responsive, allowing you to manage your music, calls, and voice assistant with ease. Additionally, the Pi8 comes with a companion app that lets you customize the sound profile and control the ANC settings.Price:As expected from a brand like Bowers & Wilkins, the Pi8 is priced at the premium end of the market. While they are not the most budget-friendly option, the quality and features they offer justify the price for those who prioritize excellent sound and build quality.Final Verdict:The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 in-ear headphones are an outstanding choice for anyone looking for top-tier sound quality, sophisticated design, and robust features in a wireless earbud. If you’re willing to invest in a premium audio experience, the Pi8 will not disappoint.
| Manufacturer Warranty | 2 Years |
