TLDR Review: Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Earbuds
Pros
- •Sound quality is exceptional, offering clear, rich, and nuanced audio with tight bass and sparkling highs that rival many hignd over-ear headphones.
- •The earbuds deliver Cuality AptX lossless streaming, including a unique feature where the charging case can transmit audio via USB-C or aux, ideal for airplane use.
- •Comfort and fit have significantly improved compared to previous models, staying secure during use without discomfort.
- •Volume output is impressively loud, requiring less than half the volume compared to similar earbuds for the same loudness.
- •The charging case supports both US fast charging (including a quick 15-minute charge boost) and wireless Qi charging, adding convenience.
- •Noise cancellation is adequate and comparable to other hignd earbuds, especially when ear tips fit well, though not the absolute best in class.
- •The companion app is simple and useriendly, offering essential features like EQ, noise cancellation settings, firmware updates, and button programming without overwhelming complexity.
- •Premium and sleek design for both earbuds and the charging case, reflecting solid build quality consistent with the Bowers & Wilkins brand.
Cons
- •Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) performance is often reported as underwhelming, sometimes introducing hiss rather than eliminating background noise effectively.
- •Connectivity can be unreliable with occasional multipoint connection glitches and general instability reported.
- •The earbuds lack advanced customizations for touch controls and do not support features like conversation awareness, Find My integration, or Spatial Audio, which are available on some competitors.
- •Battery life is average, and charging speed is sometimes criticized as slow despite the quick charge feature.
- •The companion app requires access to use the earbuds but offers limited customization, raising some privacy concerns.
- •No visible indicator lights on the earbuds themselves; the single light on the case doesn’t clearly communicate charging or connection status.
- •Missing support for advanced sound features such as Dolby Atmos or adjustable ANC levels, which could be dealbreakers for users seeking cuttindge tech.
- •Build quality, while premium, is not especially standout for the price, with some users expecting more durability or refinement.
Bottom Line
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds shine brightest when you crave top-tier sound quality, detailed and immersive, paired with a unique charging case that doubles as a lossless audio streamer — a fabulous perk for audiophiles and travelers. That said, if active noise cancellation and connectivity are your highest priorities, these earbuds fall short of the elite in those areas. The app’s limited customization and privacy concerns might also put off power users. For those focused on pure sound without a heavy feature set, the Pi8 is an excellent pick. If you want stronger ANC and more advanced features, consider other high-end options that specialize in those areas, but few deliver this level of audio fidelity in true wireless form.
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