Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds (Midnight Blue)
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.
in 29 offers
The lowest price for Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds (Midnight Blue) right now is $481.66 at 友和 Yoho, compared across 26 retailers.
The all-time low was $347.11 on 1 Mar 2026 — today's price is 39% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 10 June 2026.
Last updated at 10/06/2026 14:25:14
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!
Mastercard $100 OFF | Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless In-Ear Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones - Blue
Delivery $18.15
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds (Midnight Blue)
Free delivery between Fri – Tue
Bowers & Wilkins PI8 True Wireless Earbuds (Blue)
Delivery $6.99
Bowers and Wilkins PI8 Noise Cancelling Earbuds Blue
Next-day delivery $4
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds (Midnight Blue)
Delivery between 16–19 June $21.20
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 24-Bit In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds In Midnight Blue
Free delivery between 12–19 June
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds (Colour: Midnight Blue)
Free delivery
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds - Midnight Blue
Free delivery
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Earbuds Midnight Blue
Free delivery between 17–19 June
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
These headphones are exceptional. The quality of sound is the best I have ever experienced on a headphone, it's like having a concert direct to your ears - crystal clear. The base is excellent, something often lacking in a headphone but it's just the perfect balance, plus you can amend the sound settings in the app to tailor to your listening preferences, although personally I think they've nailed the standard settings!!They are supremely comfortable, fitting perfectly into my ear, they come with a range of ear bud sizes to suit comfort levels. Noise cancelling works excellently too. I love using them for my commute and know they will be perfect for flying too. The case is great for travelling, it feels secure and holds vast amount of charge at 20 hours between ... MoreThese headphones are exceptional. The quality of sound is the best I have ever experienced on a headphone, it's like having a concert direct to your ears - crystal clear. The base is excellent, something often lacking in a headphone but it's just the perfect balance, plus you can amend the sound settings in the app to tailor to your listening preferences, although personally I think they've nailed the standard settings!!They are supremely comfortable, fitting perfectly into my ear, they come with a range of ear bud sizes to suit comfort levels. Noise cancelling works excellently too. I love using them for my commute and know they will be perfect for flying too. The case is great for travelling, it feels secure and holds vast amount of charge at 20 hours between the buds and the case.My only negative was that I didn't find the initial set up as easy as other Bluetooth devices which are usually a simple pair and go. You do need to download the app and set them up, it doesn't take more than 5 minutes but felt a bit of a faff at the time! The pairing since though has been fantastic, it automatically connects and I find the transition from listening to my music in the car via Bluetooth to the headphones totally seamless. I've found them very intuitive to use, the touch control on the buds is simple and works well. You also have the option to switch off certain features through the app to personalise it to your needs.These headphones have really blown me away, they are totally worth their price and I would highly recommend to anyone who values sound quality and wants to really elevate their listening experience.
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.
| Variant | |
| color | Midnight Blue |
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!
Mastercard $100 OFF | Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 True Wireless In-Ear Noise Canceling Bluetooth Headphones - Blue
Delivery $18.15
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-ear True Wireless Earbuds (Midnight Blue)
Free delivery between Fri – Tue
Bowers & Wilkins PI8 True Wireless Earbuds (Blue)
Delivery $6.99
Bowers and Wilkins PI8 Noise Cancelling Earbuds Blue
Next-day delivery $4
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.
These headphones are exceptional. The quality of sound is the best I have ever experienced on a headphone, it's like having a concert direct to your ears - crystal clear. The base is excellent, something often lacking in a headphone but it's just the perfect balance, plus you can amend the sound settings in the app to tailor to your listening preferences, although personally I think they've nailed the standard settings!!They are supremely comfortable, fitting perfectly into my ear, they come with a range of ear bud sizes to suit comfort levels. Noise cancelling works excellently too. I love using them for my commute and know they will be perfect for flying too. The case is great for travelling, it feels secure and holds vast amount of charge at 20 hours between ... MoreThese headphones are exceptional. The quality of sound is the best I have ever experienced on a headphone, it's like having a concert direct to your ears - crystal clear. The base is excellent, something often lacking in a headphone but it's just the perfect balance, plus you can amend the sound settings in the app to tailor to your listening preferences, although personally I think they've nailed the standard settings!!They are supremely comfortable, fitting perfectly into my ear, they come with a range of ear bud sizes to suit comfort levels. Noise cancelling works excellently too. I love using them for my commute and know they will be perfect for flying too. The case is great for travelling, it feels secure and holds vast amount of charge at 20 hours between the buds and the case.My only negative was that I didn't find the initial set up as easy as other Bluetooth devices which are usually a simple pair and go. You do need to download the app and set them up, it doesn't take more than 5 minutes but felt a bit of a faff at the time! The pairing since though has been fantastic, it automatically connects and I find the transition from listening to my music in the car via Bluetooth to the headphones totally seamless. I've found them very intuitive to use, the touch control on the buds is simple and works well. You also have the option to switch off certain features through the app to personalise it to your needs.These headphones have really blown me away, they are totally worth their price and I would highly recommend to anyone who values sound quality and wants to really elevate their listening experience.
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.
Pure luxury from the minute you open the box.A premium wireless charging case which looks stylish with a colour contrasting band wrapping around the middle with the Bowers & Wilkins Logo .Midnight Blue with gold lettering oozes luxury.There is a choice of four ear tip sizes to ensure a comfortable listen,finally the right size for my small ear opening ..The advantage of connecting the case to I-Phone or Android is a plus point and gives you 6.5 hours of earbud life .The case itself holds an extra 13.5 hours which is great as I travel a lot for work .The ear buds themselves look and feel great , the quality and even the detail of gold on the Midnight Blue pair ......gives these earbuds the premium touch .They don't have the plastic feel that other brands ... MorePure luxury from the minute you open the box.A premium wireless charging case which looks stylish with a colour contrasting band wrapping around the middle with the Bowers & Wilkins Logo .Midnight Blue with gold lettering oozes luxury.There is a choice of four ear tip sizes to ensure a comfortable listen,finally the right size for my small ear opening ..The advantage of connecting the case to I-Phone or Android is a plus point and gives you 6.5 hours of earbud life .The case itself holds an extra 13.5 hours which is great as I travel a lot for work .The ear buds themselves look and feel great , the quality and even the detail of gold on the Midnight Blue pair ......gives these earbuds the premium touch .They don't have the plastic feel that other brands have.I also found that they are comfortable to wear I didn't have to push them into my ear.I installed the Bowers & Wilkins Music App as you need to create an account using your email.This guided me through the pairing process which was fairly easy ,I could configure my earbuds in detail to my needs as I found that there was no volume on the buds .However having the App really helped me in navigating this and it meant changing the settings so that the capacitive touch button allows for volume control.Using the ear buds is pretty straightforward and I found that there is a simple touch input on either bud , touch sensitive controlsI love music and these certainly deliver , there is definitely a feeling of being right there with the musicians as you hear every note. The sound quality is extraordinary even at the highest volume there is no loss of qualityANC is a boost and they seal in sound in noisy environments and taking calls even on a windy day are crystal clear . Even with noise cancelling off outside noise is still quiet, it's flawless .These buds are an investment worth having , sound quality excellent and once you try them there is no turning back .
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.
For music lovers and audiophiles, sound quality is often at the forefront of our purchasing decisions; in most instances, budgets will be a bit higher than what most would want to spend. Nevertheless, audio quality, specifically lossless quality support, should be an absolute priority regardless of the device. However, we must recognize that quality will undoubtedly mean something different from person to person. For me personally, over the last decade I have dedicated myself to the joys of extensively collecting physical music and analyzing the technical intricacies of lossless audio; quality for me is controlling the listening experience at every possible variable from the source file, the main device, and the end speaker. Naturally, for some this may sound like ... MoreFor music lovers and audiophiles, sound quality is often at the forefront of our purchasing decisions; in most instances, budgets will be a bit higher than what most would want to spend. Nevertheless, audio quality, specifically lossless quality support, should be an absolute priority regardless of the device. However, we must recognize that quality will undoubtedly mean something different from person to person. For me personally, over the last decade I have dedicated myself to the joys of extensively collecting physical music and analyzing the technical intricacies of lossless audio; quality for me is controlling the listening experience at every possible variable from the source file, the main device, and the end speaker. Naturally, for some this may sound like quite an undertaking, but life would be incomplete without hearing music as it was intended. Thus, I was extremely excited to test the latest high end wireless headphones from Bowers and Wilkins: the reference Pi8!For most people, the Pi8 setup should be very familiar as it is essentially the same with every other wireless earbuds. As typical of every manufacturer, the first step would be to download their specific application; unfortunately an account is required to use the application, a seemingly recent trend that I am not fond of at all. On the one hand, the good news is that at least they will still work and pair without the application. However, once you get your device paired with the Pi8’s, and you are signed in, you will then be able to access the various settings such as the tap behavior, noise cancelling, and the 5 band EQ setting (there are no sound presets). In addition, you can also see the battery levels of the case and the earbuds. For accessories, the Pi8 comes with a USB Type C charging cable and also a USB Type C to 3.5mm cable so you can connect another device via the 3.5mm to the charging case and transmit audio wirelessly to the earbuds. In addition, the other USB Type C cable will also let you transmit audio to the charging case for wireless transmission. On my Xperia 5 III, both the 3.5mm and USB connection worked flawlessly, but obviously Bluetooth should be disabled first. I was quite pleased with this feature as you don’t usually see that on wireless earbuds. Lastly, the Pi8s come with a set of ear tips; medium sized ones are pre-installed. I would also like to recommend you take a look at the full manual found on the website, as it goes into more detail with respect to the color LED statuses found on the charging case as well as paring information.Before I discuss the sound quality, I first would like to mention the noise cancelling as I was honestly surprised at the implementation. With noisy environments, the Pi8s did a fabulous job in sealing in the sound. In my living room with the TV volume set 25, I could not hear anything coming from the TV. With my music paused, I was quite surprised at how good of a seal these provided; perhaps even more surprising was that even with the noise cancelling off, outside noise was still relatively muffled! Even walking outside at a shopping center next to a busy intersection, with noise cancelling on, I could barely hear the traffic. Simply put, I was quite impressed with the Pi8s and its sound insulation. Furthermore, they are quite comfortable; long listening sessions never caused any discomfort. As for call quality, I was also quite impressed with the sound. Voices were nice and clear and there was a noticeable difference from the cheaper earbuds that these replaced. Most should be please with regards to the noise cancelling perspective.As with sound quality, I first want to mention a couple of preliminary points before I discuss my observations; most importantly the Bluetooth protocols. As most are probably aware, the Pi8s support the newest APTX lossless protocol (or Snapdragon Sound with APX Lossless). Unfortunately, depending on your device, the implementation of codecs may or may not be supported. Initially, I was under the impression that my Sony Xperia 5 III would be new enough to support the latest codec, but unfortunately it wasn’t added until the next generation (aside from the fact that my phone on Qualcomm’s website is listed as Snapdragon Sound compatible but not lossless). Upon opening the developer options, my only choices was SBC, AAC, APTX (presumably APTX Classic as listed on the Pi8 spec sheet), and APTX adaptive audio. Now keep in mind that APTX adaptive audio is listed as 276 kbps to 420 kbps and it will shift depending on the connection environment so unfortunately this is limiting the Pi8’s in that regard. It is also a shame that the Pi8’s do not support LDAC as that would have at least allowed an increase in the transfer rate up to 990kbps on my device, though the bit rate on some of my FLAC files do exceed over 1,000 Kbps. Undoubtedly, this naturally raises the question can you fully have lossless quality over Bluetooth? Personally, with such a question I have always tried to argue that it is best to assume the worst and say no. Given the nature of wireless transmission (packet loss), even if the smallest fraction of a byte is lost during its transfer at any point regardless if its audible or not, the end result cannot be called not lossless. As such, perception is not the same thing as reality. In that regard, it is why I have always preferred wired connections with any audio device, stereo, or home theater system. However, I certainly do not want to diminish the Pi8’s and their fairly high quality sound; it is merely difficult to minimize the technical context that accompanies such products and audio in general.As noted earlier, my lossless collection has blossomed over that past decade; currently, my library consists of 3,573 songs with my FLAC backup at around 265 GB across over 13 genres. As such, the majority of my songs are 44.1 KHz/16 Bit sourced from my physical CDs. All songs were ripped by EAC 1.3 using the secure rip feature and are encoded to FLAC 1.30. I have also personally scanned each file and analyzed every single song using a spectrogram (Spek 0.8.5) to make sure it is of proper quality (just because it’s on CD doesn’t guarantee someone knew what they were doing; music sourced from lossy sources have made it on to official CDs which will also make it on to streaming platforms and digital stores. I do not stream for this reason nor do I own the music). All songs were played from my Sony Xperia 5 III over APTX adaptive audio.As for sound quality, the quality of the Pi8’s is quite exceptional given their size. It is a clear upgrade over my old Bose Soundsport headphones. Starting with my metal and rock genres, I was quite surprised here as I noticed instrument separation was quite good. A couple of standout tracks worth noting was on Crypta's "Stronghold" starting at 5:16 the guitar solo has some really good separation from the low end. On "Lullaby For The Forsaken" the bass at 0:50 is extremely clear. On Trivium's "Torn Between Scylla And Charybdis" the bass line intro comes in perfectly. Shockingly, you can hear the whole thing; for comparison, most laptops I own can barely replicate this part. Next on Epica's "Victims Of Contingency" from 0:45-1:20 the drastic vocal changes were handled quite well; towards the end of the song, I heard more choir and background vocals than on my other earbuds. Lastly I was quite pleased with Elysion's "What Lies Beneath" and "Break Free" as vocals were nice and centered. Next, I wanted to test a few other genres, specifically with a focus on more instrumental tracks. On Fat Jon's "Risk It All" there is a bass line that starts at 0:43 that runs on top of smaller bass notches; the Pi8 held its own here and completely produced the line throughout. On "Your Purpose" at 0:39, the middle tapping sound is centered perfectly over the bass line along with the ambient string like sound that plays throughout. Lastly, on "How You Feel" is an absolute joy to listen to; the tapping and bass line are just perfect. Next, I moved on to Septicflesh's "Dogma Of Prometheus (Orchestra Version)" one in which has a good balance of choir and orchestra. At 2:10, the brass sections really come alive; at 4:09 there is a nice clap with choir vocals over it. The Pi8 is quite the performer. Next, I moved on to Si-Sé's "Mariposa En Havana" in which the crisp middle frequency percussion taps and viola at 0:20 are quite delightful with distinct separation. As for the low end, there is a slight occasional rumble but nothing too crazy. On "Slip Away" there is a nice bass line that picks up at around 2:00 mark, and the song finishes with a nice piano arrangement at the end; when it merges with the low end, the Pi8 really shines here. Lastly on "Steppin' Out" the intro bass line is quite low; to even produce a fraction of this rumble is quite extraordinary. At around 1:04, the higher chime like notes are crystal clear. Lastly, on Nujabes "The Space Between Two World" is just pure gold. Every section of the song from lows to middles are rendered perfectly clear. Overall, the Pi8's is perfectly natural across all genres and most should be completely satisfied.In conclusion, the Pi8s are perhaps the best wireless headphones I have personally used; even more impressive was given their relatively small size and weight, they were still able to replicate parts of my music that I wasn't expecting. In addition, the noise cancelling is spectacular and I was able to drown out most of all the external noise during my testing. Furthermore, they are extremely comfortable. Aside from the codec situation, the Pi8s are still worth a strong look as they do sound that good; understand that the lossless claim should be taken with a grain of salt and that your device will also determine if you can use the proper codec. Despite this, if the budget allows, the Pi8's still come highly recommended.
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.
| Variant | |
| color | Midnight Blue |
