Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 and Pi6 True Wireless Earbuds

[zevedeos]

I got the blue Pi8s yesterday and I'm already loving them! The sound is crisp and the bass is perfect for my taste. With my Samsung, I'm using the USB-C output to the Pi8 case to stream Tidal in AptX Adaptive 24bit/96Khz, and the sound quality is amazing. Direct Bluetooth connection to the phone via AAC/SBC is good, but not as clear. Unfortunately, when streaming through the case, I can't use the app for EQ or ANC adjustments (also you need to handle that cable between phone and the case when walking on the street). My next plan is to get a phone with native AptX Adaptive/Lossless support to avoid the codec limitations of Samsung/Pixel/Apple devices.

after 3 years using pi7s2 (satin black) i decided to upgrade and i order pi8 (blue navy), i am little anxious about the bass cause pi7s2 have incredible bass but also anxious about the connectivity stability, do you experience any of them with ios?

 

[balleklorin]

I got the blue Pi8s yesterday and I'm already loving them! The sound is crisp and the bass is perfect for my taste. With my Samsung, I'm using the USB-C output to the Pi8 case to stream Tidal in AptX Adaptive 24bit/96Khz, and the sound quality is amazing. Direct Bluetooth connection to the phone via AAC/SBC is good, but not as clear. Unfortunately, when streaming through the case, I can't use the app for EQ or ANC adjustments (also you need to handle that cable between phone and the case when walking on the street). My next plan is to get a phone with native AptX Adaptive/Lossless support to avoid the codec limitations of Samsung/Pixel/Apple devices.

I can recommend Sony Xperia 1 VI, excellent multimedia phone. Support all codecs. Never had any problems with dropouts or connecting issues with Pi8. I use USB Audio Player Pro and play flac files from a NAS or mp3 stored on a 1.5 TB microSDXC card. Works great!

 

[ZiChi]

after 3 years using pi7s2 (satin black) i decided to upgrade and i order pi8 (blue navy), i am little anxious about the bass cause pi7s2 have incredible bass but also anxious about the connectivity stability, do you experience any of them with ios?

As a metal fan, I enjoy a balanced sound more than overwhelming bass. However, these earbuds handle genres like EBM and Dark SynthWave/Electro with plenty of bass quite well, even without EQ adjustments. There's definitely room for the bass customization if needed. My main headphones are Dali io12, where I also favor the neutral sound over the bass preset. I haven't experienced any connection issues, but I use Android 14 on a Samsung S23 Ultra, not iOS.

 

[MrJudasPriest]

Could any kind soul compare the fit, ANC and (most importantly) the sound quality on these to the Denon Perl Pros which are the best TWS to date I've experienced. The DPPs just seem louder, wider and more exciting than any of the competition I've tried such as the Technics AZ80 (very good tho - pity ANC poor and fit cor my ears not stable) and the Sennheiser MTWS4 (good for, solid sound but no wow factor)

Thanks in advance.

 

[ZiChi]

I'm experiencing charging issues with my Pi8 earbuds now. Even though the case with buds inside charged to 100% (LED turned into green), the app showed the buds at 9% and the case at 74% after pairing. The buds just seemed to not charge inside the case, and the connection was unstable too (app kept reconnecting the buds).

I tried a factory reset and charged again (and I did pairing from scratch), but the app still showed the buds at 78% and the case at 54%. So the charging doesn't work properly or it is fault of SW that reads the battery status in a wrong way) I've read online that this is a common issue with BaW headphones, and the solution is to drain both the case and buds to 0% before fully recharging. I'll try this and see if it works. The connection looks stable now. There was never a problem with connection during listening to the music though.

 

[ZiChi]

I'm experiencing charging issues with my Pi8 earbuds now. Even though the case with buds inside charged to 100% (LED turned into green), the app showed the buds at 9% and the case at 74% after pairing. The buds just seemed to not charge inside the case, and the connection was unstable too (app kept reconnecting the buds).

I tried a factory reset and charged again (and I did pairing from scratch), but the app still showed the buds at 78% and the case at 54%. So the charging doesn't work properly or it is fault of SW that reads the battery status in a wrong way) I've read online that this is a common issue with BaW headphones, and the solution is to drain both the case and buds to 0% before fully recharging. I'll try this and see if it works. The connection looks stable now. There was never a problem with connection during listening to the music though.

OK, few minutes later I paired the buds with my phone again to listen to the music when coming home from the office and the batteries status were OK (98% case, 99% buds) - so it is rather SW issue

 

[zevedeos]

I can recommend Sony Xperia 1 VI, excellent multimedia phone. Support all codecs. Never had any problems with dropouts or connecting issues with Pi8. I use USB Audio Player Pro and play flac files from a NAS or mp3 stored on a 1.5 TB microSDXC card. Works great!

so you

As a metal fan, I enjoy a balanced sound more than overwhelming bass. However, these earbuds handle genres like EBM and Dark SynthWave/Electro with plenty of bass quite well, even without EQ adjustments. There's definitely room for the bass customization if needed. My main headphones are Dali io12, where I also favor the neutral sound over the bass preset. I haven't experienced any connection issues, but I use Android 14 on a Samsung S23 Ultra, not iOS.

the bass response in pi7's was impressive, however many connectivity issues with ios, i have to listen on my own for the sound quality, agree that the bass is not the only thing

I'm experiencing charging issues with my Pi8 earbuds now. Even though the case with buds inside charged to 100% (LED turned into green), the app showed the buds at 9% and the case at 74% after pairing. The buds just seemed to not charge inside the case, and the connection was unstable too (app kept reconnecting the buds).

I tried a factory reset and charged again (and I did pairing from scratch), but the app still showed the buds at 78% and the case at 54%. So the charging doesn't work properly or it is fault of SW that reads the battery status in a wrong way) I've read online that this is a common issue with BaW headphones, and the solution is to drain both the case and buds to 0% before fully recharging. I'll try this and see if it works. The connection looks stable now. There

OK, few minutes later I paired the buds with my phone again to listen to the music when coming home from the office and the batteries status were OK (98% case, 99% buds) - so it is rather SW issue

How do you find the sound quality, especially the bass resoonse (if you are bass lover)

 

[ZiChi]

so you

the bass response in pi7's was impressive, however many connectivity issues with ios, i have to listen on my own for the sound quality, agree that the bass is not the only thing


How do you find the sound quality, especially the bass resoonse (if you are bass lover)

In its category I found Pi8 as the best playing buds so far (but I am coming from Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, Huawei Free Buds Pro 2 that are not any bad but it is rather two floors below category, before I also used Sennheiser's IE 8 wired ones)) The sound is just much more open and clear (also the modern bt codecs play an important role here). I can also compare the sound quality with my lovely beasts Dali io12, but here we compare 12mm driver of pi8 and 50mm behemoth on Dali side. Here of course Dali music reproduction is more spacey and bass are more pronounced but they are suitable for relax home listening sessions via usb-c cable rather than for traveling. The main advantage of pi8 is their form factor that provides better isolation from noise (even without ANC) so you have more from your listening when traveling. Bass for me is punchy enough (tried on Carpenter Brut, Covenant, Daft Punk songs rich on bass tones) The bass is not just too aggressive that I like, when I tried adjusting EQ and raised lows up the basses were there definitely much more noticeable

 

[zevedeos]

I got the blue Pi8s yesterday and I'm already loving them! The sound is crisp and the bass is perfect for my taste. With my Samsung, I'm using the USB-C output to the Pi8 case to stream Tidal in AptX Adaptive 24bit/96Khz, and the sound quality is amazing. Direct Bluetooth connection to the phone via AAC/SBC is good, but not as clear. Unfortunately, when streaming through the case, I can't use the app for EQ or ANC adjustments (also you need to handle that cable between phone and the case when walking on the street). My next plan is to get a phone with native AptX Adaptive/Lossless support to avoid the codec limitations of Samsung/Pixel/Apple devices.

as i can imagine you are not a bass lover

 

[chrisnyc75]

I got the blue Pi8s yesterday and I'm already loving them! The sound is crisp and the bass is perfect for my taste. With my Samsung, I'm using the USB-C output to the Pi8 case to stream Tidal in AptX Adaptive 24bit/96Khz, and the sound quality is amazing. Direct Bluetooth connection to the phone via AAC/SBC is good, but not as clear. Unfortunately, when streaming through the case, I can't use the app for EQ or ANC adjustments (also you need to handle that cable between phone and the case when walking on the street). My next plan is to get a phone with native AptX Adaptive/Lossless support to avoid the codec limitations of Samsung/Pixel/Apple devices.

While I just received my Pi8 and haven't had time to properly assess it yet, your post echoes the reasons I also ordered AZ80 as an alternative. It's unfortunate that in 2024 we are limited by which codecs our phone makers decide to support. In the days to come I will be comparing B&W case re-transmission aptx lossless vs Technics LDAC, although tbh I am not hopeful aptx will come out on top. Why Samsung insists on limiting us is beyond me, but as a former Samsung TV consumer who switched to LG largely because of Samsung's refusal to support Dolby audio or DolbyVision I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

 

[alsorkin]

I got the blue Pi8s yesterday and I'm already loving them! The sound is crisp and the bass is perfect for my taste. With my Samsung, I'm using the USB-C output to the Pi8 case to stream Tidal in AptX Adaptive 24bit/96Khz, and the sound quality is amazing. Direct Bluetooth connection to the phone via AAC/SBC is good, but not as clear. Unfortunately, when streaming through the case, I can't use the app for EQ or ANC adjustments (also you need to handle that cable between phone and the case when walking on the street). My next plan is to get a phone with native AptX Adaptive/Lossless support to avoid the codec limitations of Samsung/Pixel/Apple devices.

I had success in finding a used phone supporting ApX Lossless for around $400. It is the Moto Razr+. Just using it as a streaming source not as an active phone. This lightweight phone works out well as it just folds up into pocket carry.

 

[zevedeos]

and what is your feeling between apt loseless and the default limited codec? any noticeable difference?

 

[scarfacegt]

I have the momentum 4s. Great sound. But a little problem with connection issue, that effect sound quality. I have an meze alba wired iems in order. The albas are said to be delivered late September. Wondering if i should sell my momentum 4s. Cancel the albas. And get the Bowers & Wilkins i8 instead But them again, i also miss having some wired iems. Its something about that analog sound, and not having to deal with charging, and stuff. And i guess the albas will sound better than the Bowers?

 

[Beh0lder]

I can recommend Sony Xperia 1 VI, excellent multimedia phone. Support all codecs. Never had any problems with dropouts or connecting issues with Pi8. I use USB Audio Player Pro and play flac files from a NAS or mp3 stored on a 1.5 TB microSDXC card. Works great!

The I VI does not support aptx lossless. My I IV does and it sounds really good when it's on, but sometimes it downgrades to something else (I did not listen with my phone in hand to check what's really happening) and the SQ suffers quite noticeably. When I have the time I will check if the codec changes or what's going on exactly

 

[Beh0lder]

While I just received my Pi8 and haven't had time to properly assess it yet, your post echoes the reasons I also ordered AZ80 as an alternative. It's unfortunate that in 2024 we are limited by which codecs our phone makers decide to support. In the days to come I will be comparing B&W case re-transmission aptx lossless vs Technics LDAC, although tbh I am not hopeful aptx will come out on top. Why Samsung insists on limiting us is beyond me, but as a former Samsung TV consumer who switched to LG largely because of Samsung's refusal to support Dolby audio or DolbyVision I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

The case is aptx adaptive only, truly a pity. But a cool feature nonetheless as connecting the buds to a PC seems to be a PITA, at least in my experience. Now I just plug the case and I'm golden