Customer Ratings & Reviews

[Employee of bestbuy] I couldn’t be happier with my decision to purchase these. The clarity, the soundstage, and the total immersion of the audio of these little earbuds is CRAZY. I can’t say how they compare to their competitors, but what I can say is that they dont leave me questioning what the competitor’s earbuds sound like. They don’t have me questioning if there’s better out there, these are IT. They have just completely hit the nail on the head and the sound is insanely clean. You’re not gonna have BOOMING bass, but your gonna have enough of it that it doesn’t over-power the mids, highs, and overall tone. It’s a punchy and clean bass. If you’re wanting eardrum-shaking bass these aren’t it, but if you want true clarity and to hear the full beauty of music, these are indeed it. Overall, they’re incredibly balanced and a true audiophile’s earbud, to get this sound out of these little earbuds baffles me honestly. They connected to my iPhone seamlessly and are very comfortable to wear, on top of looking great in your ears. If you’re craving true clarity and complete immersion, go push the buy button. After weeks of resesrch and opinion-browsing, I’m so happy I chose these and you will be too!

I am a little surprised to have this in my possession after my previous order for the midnight blue earbuds ended in disaster. BB lied to me all the while (and documented). I guess they tried to make amends because this pair arrived early. Was it worth it? Setup was relatively easy, but even I succumbed to some of the connectivity issues some people are reporting. It was later in the day, and out of the blue, but resetting the buds fixed that (on a pixel 8a). During the day, I listened first to XTC's Wake Up from their remastered Big Express album, followed by a couple tracks from Steely Dan's Royal Scam, Ozzy and Type O-Negative's take of Matchstick Men, Alan Parsons Fall of The House of Usher, and Iceland, The Eternal Music by the Choir of Clare College Cambridge. Blown away. Reference audio from two little pieces of metal and plastic - I'm amazed by the technology that is capable of this level of musical quality. My home theater system is a mix of KEF's (Q75's and a Q95c) DCM, and Mirage. These buds are better in many respects. They create your own little studio bubble inside your head. It's the 2am drive through the Mojave desert with just you and your music. Now all one has to do is put these earbuds on. I just hope that the connectivity issues are at a minimum, and that they redesign that case. It is a little wonky, but with this audio quality, I can't really complain (yet).

These are by far the best selling earbuds I have ever bought in my life. They blew away the AirPods Pro Gen 2 in sound. I gave this 4 starts instead of 5 due to not being able to control volume and ANC from the buds at the same time (AirPods Pro Get 1 had this issue but not Gen 2). While this is a little annoying I find myself taking out the buds and even the AirPods over passthrough mode anyways. The fit is different then the stemmed AirPods Pro which took a little getting use to but this is by far the best REFERENCE audio you will find in an earbud and worth the cost if you want to hear the music the way it was intended by the studio with top tier build quality. The pair well with my Px8's also from B&W. You will not regret this purchase!

I bought these after my Sennheiser Momentum TW2 finally died after a few years and I wanted something new. Initial thoughts are that these are primarily targeted for people who prioritize sound quality over everything else. Pros: Sound quality is phenomenal and I rank it higher than my old Momentum TW2s. The aux passthrough the case is a nice feature and the build quality is extremely nice. I have absolutely started noticing sounds I've never heard before in songs I've listened to for years. The range is also super solid. Sound quality: 9/10 Range: 8.5/10 Comfort: 8.75/10 Neutral: The ANC is passable and the battery life is medicore. Both of these were a decent amount better on the MTW2. ANC: 7.5/10 Battery: 6/10 Cons: Absolutely the worst part about these is the mic quality. I've had several phone calls where people could not hear me at all with these. Call Voice quality: 2/10

Let's start with the most pertinent concern any audio file must have when purchasing a HI-Fi premium product: sound. None better, Sony, Bose, Denon, Jabra Elite, JBL, Beats ( which I have invested in the last 5 years) can reproduce the premium sound stage these Bowers & Wilkins PI8 do. They do this without spatial sound or Dolby Atmos, just a basic 5-band EQ, which you can bypass completely by selecting true sound, which gives you a balanced neutral reproduction of your music. When you listen to the PI8, you perceive a genuine Bowers and Wilkins two-speaker. If that doesn't grab your interest, nothing else will. Are they perfect, NO! Bose has better noise cancelation, Jabra Elite 10 gen 2 has a more comfortable fit, and the Denon Pro has better natural Bass. The app needs upgrades. It has too many glitches. I can live with that for the same reason I overspent on these: the grand sound stage. Imagine sitting in your living room, or patio and enjoying earbuds at audiophile standards. You can put a price on that. Some of us can't afford 6 figures on high-end HIFI equipment and have had to enjoy them from afar at audio showrooms, friends' homes, conventions, and audio exhibitions. With this PI8, you have carved out, if just for a while, a place where you need nothing else.

Overall it’s okay. Sound is great but not that much better than other earbuds. The fit is okay on me. Too loose, keeps falling out. One ear just doesn’t sit right. Lots of connection issues where I’ll put it on and it just won’t connect. Or it’ll randomly loose connection. Not sure what the issue is but I’ll just get random beeping noises. Sometimes the beeps go on for a long period of time and I’m unsure what it is. The noise cancelling is good but not even close to the top tier.

Really matches what I need! Awesome sound maker for fun run, for relax before sleeping!

The best earbuds hands down the sound is no words no regrets in getting these earbuds. Even though I have AirPods 2 I reach for my bowers the sound is so immense and it’s worth me sacrificing the convenience with the AirPods.

Amazing sound. That was my priority buying ear buds. Tried Sony and Apple Pro. Have over the ear Sony XM5 and the sound is almost identical. XM5 better on airplane for cancelling sound.

I'll tell you up front these earbuds are for those who want some of the best sounding earbuds you can buy with great active noise cancellation but without some of the bells and whistles (like spatial audio or similar) of some competitors. Bowers & Wilkins has long been known as one of the top audio companies in the world. It's obvious with these earbuds that the primary focus was on producing the best possible sound and they do not disappoint! ANC is also great and adds to the overall sound experience. And I love the design and fit, though that's something personal and may be different for different shaped ears - but for me, they fit perfectly. PROS - Possibly the best sound you can get in wireless earbuds right now - Great Active Noise Cancellation - Brilliant Design that both looks and fits great - Simple touch controls - Excellent Mics for Phone Calls - Case Dubs as Wireless Transmitter CONS - App UI not as Premium as the sound - Can't Control Volume AND ANC/Voice Assistant with touch - No Spatial Audio / 3D Audio if that's your thing - Not Cheap I love these earbuds. I've owned many brands in the last several years including Sony, LG, and Samsung. These are my new favorites. The sound is impeccable. As clear as it can get from the lowest lows to the highest highs. It's like being in a sound studio. This carries over from music and movies into phone calls where I've been able to have a conversation while walking by a busy road and the wind blowing and the person I'm talking to hearing me just fine and me hearing them like I'm standing in the room with them. Very impressive! Sound quality is the #1 most important thing with earbuds and these premium Pi8 earbuds from Bowers & Wilkins do not disappoint. Design and fit is the second most important thing to me. I've had earbuds that I've been super happy with in terms of sound and features, but that didn't fit in my ears just right or I couldn't have in my ears for long before they'd start bothering me. I am super impressed with the Bowers and Wilkins design team on these. The earbud tip fits perfectly in my ear canal (there are many size tips to change for the perfect fit) but perhaps most impressively, they've implemented a rear wingtip that is almost hidden. I have always found earbuds with wingtips to fit better and stay in my ear better - I honestly didn't realize these had that until I was putting them in my ear for the first time. The wind tip is so well integrated into the design it's easy to not notice it's there. Fit is personal, of course, and no earbuds are gonna provide the perfect fit for every ear shape and size, but these are the perfect design for me. They are comfortable and stay in place. And they also look great! My last "most important" feature is Active Noise Cancellation. The ANC on these seems to be on par with most of the other high end earbuds from LG, Apple, and others. With no music or anything playing, loud sounds can be heard as a faint distant sound. With music or a movie, I can't hear any outside sound at all. I also love the pass through feature which allows me to easily switch to hear what's going on around me. And the auto-pause feature which will pause whatever you're listening to if you remove an earbud is a nice bonus. For those who care about spatial sound, these do not support that. I have earbuds that do, but I've always been on the fence about it - does it enhance the sound or is it just a gimmicky "fun" thing that doesn't really make for a better sound experience? Anyway, I'll take superior sound quality over that myself any day. Although Bowers & Wilkins definitely put their greatest focus on the sound quality, they also do have some great additional features. The touch control via the outside of each earbud is fairly easy to use and intuitive. Pause and Play with a tap makes sense. Other options with multiple taps work fine. And a long press can EITHER control volume OR control ANC and call up your Voice Assistant. I am disappointed that you can't have both of those. I wish there were a swipe or something for volume control. I like being able to switch the ANC from active to pass-through and to call up Siri, so for volume control I'm left with only using my device for that. The case is another design and feature success. It's small enough, but carries a lot of charging power. It can be charged wired or wirelessly. And, it has one of my favorite features that I first experienced on another brand of earbuds - the case can serve as a wireless transmitter. So if you're on a plane, you can plug the case into the Aux port and transmit the sound from the plane's entertainment system to your earbuds wirelessly. That is an excellent bonus feature! The app that you use to set these up and change settings is good enough. It's not the best or most feature rich app for earbuds/headphones I've seen, but it's fine. You can change basic settings and can create a custom equalizer or use True Sound which I prefer since it means you're hearing things the way the professional sound team who produced the music or movie wanted you to. These are obviously high end earbuds from one of the top sound companies on the planet and the price reflects that. But if you have the money and if superior sound is important to you, I'd say these are a worthwhile investment.

Headphones are started to get better each and very year I promise. I’ve had many different in ears but ver the last 10-15 years. And each upgrade is better than the last. These cases and headphones are getting smaller with more crisp and powerful sound. These B&W noise cancellation earbuds are great. From the perfect fit(with the right size tips of course) to the small siz and weight to the sound quality. B&W in my opinion have a more audiophile sound that is warm and clear. They are a flat sounding headphone but with a nice punch on the low end and great clarity. If you don’t care for a flat sound you can customize the EQ to your liking through the app. If you care about them fitting into your ear especially if you plan on using them in the gym or the outdoors, then I can assure you that these fit properly and I would even say they are the most comfortable I have had thus far and that is saying a lot. I work out 3 days a week and even while running they do not fall out. They are not bulky or heavy either. The case is also very small as well which I appreciate as I have to carry the case while I am at work and I’m using them so that is great since they don’t take up much space In My pocket. Battery life is very good as well. I didn’t have to charge for a few days. Tho I tend to charge my stuff more often so they never run out. Design is solid as well and they seem to be pretty sturdy too. I have not dropped them yet so time will tell. Honestly if you want some great sounding headphones that fit perfectly in your ear and have a small form factor then give these a shot. Tho I have to say they priced higher than other name brand competitors unfortunately. But I’d say you definitely get what you pay for. I’m very happy with just the sound profile and the fit alone. So I can recommend if you are in the market. PS- while I don’t usually make calls with Bluetooth headphones I did once to my wife and the audio quality was amazing. She could not hear any background noise at the gym. Also touch controls are basic and work well.

[PROS] Awesome Audio: I'm not an audiophile, but there's a clear difference in sound quality when I listen to these earbuds compared to several premium yet cheaper options that I own. I'm a bass guy, and I can confirm that these earbuds definitely have punch to them. The treble is distinct, and vocals are more pronounced in my opinion. Out of the box, these sounds great, but I was able to tweak them a bit to suit my preferences. Long Term Comfort: I found the Pi8 quite pleasant to wear. My typical routine is to listen to music for hours on end while I work with very few interruptions that require me to remove them. Simplistic App: The Bower & Wilkins App pairs well with these earbuds. I can adjust EQ settings, toggle modes, and configure functionality with relative ease. Superb Connectivity: The Pi8 maintained a stable connection as I roamed freely through my home. Furthermore, latency was extremely low when I decided to connect the case directly to my phone. [CONS/MIXED BAG] Subpar Mic: I had high expectations of the microphone performance. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed when it didn't separate itself enough from other devices I own. It didn't do worse than them, but the I was hoping for more clarity with my voice when I spoke through it on calls. Mostly Great Battery Life: As earbuds without active noise cancellation or passthrough enabled, battery life is pretty great. I'm talking 8+ hours easily. With ANC on, that number drops to be within the 6-6.5 hr range before needing to recharge. It's not full workday worth of ANC action, but it's satisfactory for most of the day especially with quick charge abilities. [CONCLUSION] The Pi8 Earbuds are an excellent choice for a more definitive audio experience. For sound, it works well and for a decent amount of time I may add. The ANC and Pass-through mode function fine, but the microphone falls a bit short. Overall, I'm still planning to use this product as my daily driver.

Bowers & Wilkins has released their next-gen earbuds - the Pi8's - that provide a great sound, regardless of content. The box includes the earbuds, charging case, USB-C charging cable, 3.55mm-to-USBC audio cable, different sized earbuds, and quick start guide/paperwork. The earbuds comes with a manufacturer's 2-year warranty. DISCLAIMER: I connected these earbuds to a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra for primary use. PROS: ----------- * The main reason someone will fork over high dollars is for exceptional sound quality - and these earbuds deliver just that. They are the best-sounding "in-ear" earbuds I have ever listened to. The bass/treble and everything in between are insanely great. * The rubber ear inserts are quite comfortable providing a longer listening time before possible irritation sets in. * The case has all rounded edges/corners so they can go in pants pockets or bags without having to worry with hard corners tearing material or poking your leg if in your pocket. This design does limit the case to only lying on its back (or front). * Battery life was good for this size unit... B&W claims 8 hours on a full charge, and I didn't have an issue using them all day (8-5 while charging during lunch). * The app was adequate in features, showing both case battery life and earbuds battery life separately. You can also change the single long-press settings along with the integration of some online audio services into the app. There is also a 5-band EQ that can be utilized for getting a better overall sound rather than just having treble/bass settings. The primary feature on the home page is the Noise-Canceling function which can be turned on/off or in a mid-range called "Pass-through" which allows some sounds to come thru so the user can be aware of their surroundings. There are a few other features in the app like a wear sensor (music pauses when a bud is removed) and also the ability to factory reset and update earbud firmware. * Earbuds can be connected to 2 devices at a time but audio can only be played from one or the other. This can come in handy if playing audio from one device, but answering calls on another device. * The single light on the front of the case has visual confirmation of what's going on with the buds whether charging or connecting via BT. * A crazy feature I have never seen any other buds have is the ability to connect the buds case via the 3.5mm-to-USBC cable provided - then wirelessly connect the earbuds to the case itself. This will be useful for non-BT devices, and a feature unique to the Pi8's. This is great thinking outside of the box. * Good magnetic connection inside the case. They fit one way only, pop in easily, and stay put. * When taking phone calls, microphone quality was very good according to my people on conference calls. They stated I was as clear as a regular wired office headset with boom mic. CONS: ----------- * Though the case is meant to lie on its back to charge (wired or wirelessly), I would much rather have my case stand up (flat bottom) to charge. This would mean a rear USB-C charging connection. This would take up less front-to-back space on a desk though already minimal, but it also looks better standing up rather than lying down. This would force the bottom to be flat, but the edges can still be rounded so it doesn't have sharp corners in the event they are transported in a pants pocket. * This is a minor issue, but if the buds disconnect after non-use, they will reconnect when they are tapped; however, I found the 2nd bud wouldn't connect until 10-15 seconds. B&W stated they should both be connected much quicker. Perhaps a firmware update may correct this issue for those buds affected. This is not something that would prevent me from purchasing though. OTHER OBSERVATIONS: ----------- * If the buds are disconnected from your device but still out of the charging case, they will still discharge at a decent rate... perhaps up to 20% loss overnight due to signaling still occurring while in sleep mode. Buds should go in the case when not in use so they will have a better/full charge when you use them. * Earbuds connect automatically once the case top is opened. They do not have to be out of the case before they connect. * There is no wall charger, so you'll have to use an existing wireless charging pad, wall charger, or USB charging port on a PC. * My buds are black, so they can attract dust easily as shown by some of my pictures. * 4 sets of rubber inserts are provided. Medium size is the most common and already installed in the box. XS/S/L are available to swap out. CONCLUSION: ===================== Overall, these are the best "in-ear" earbuds I have ever used. They don't surpass the quality of over-the-ear headphones of course. When running or riding a bike, they stay put securely. Features in the app are good enough for what I need it for. They don't have to be super-advanced since they aren't really used for sound booth listening. The sound provided is so good though, that they have become my go-to earbuds, and I don't even have the desire to use my previous pair of earbuds from another manufacturer. I'm sold, even at a high retail price. They are worth the money if you want great sound and good comfort in the ear. Well done, B&W.

INTRODUCTION: I own B&W’s Px8 Over-The-Ear (OTE) Headphones. They are remarkable to say the least. B&W has just released the Pi8 Earbuds. If you don’t want to read a long review just know they are without reservation the best sounding earbuds I’ve ever had the pleasure to listen to. And I have quite a nice collection of higher-end earbuds. Can they come close to the sublimely smooth sound of the Px8? Read on to find out. B&W’s HISTORY: B&W was founded by John Bowers and Roy Wilkins. Starting as a Radio and Electronics shop providing public address equipment, they went into the loudspeaker business in 1966 earning recognition for producing loudspeakers which are faithful to the live performance. For decades, B&W loudspeakers have been the Reference Monitor in some of the world’s best recording studios. PACKAGING/WHAT YOU GET: These come nicely packaged including the warranty and quick start guide. The earbuds are in a compact wireless charging case with medium sized ear tips pre-installed. Two cables; one USB C to 3.5mm headphone cable and one USB C to USB C charging cable. Plus, additional ear tips (Large, Small and Extra Small). DESIGN: The earbuds are beautiful! This is a completely new, from the ground up, design from B&W. The top of each earbud has the Bowers & Wilkins name embossed over a glossy touch sensitive surface, with a metal lip just below the top, housing the sensors and microphones, ensuring they are obstruction free. GETTING STARTED/CONTROLS: Charge the earbuds and download the Bowers & Wilkins Music App to your cell phone. Set up an account and the app helps you pair them as well as tell what each button does. These are Bluetooth 5.4, the latest and greatest which helps to ensure no latency. In terms of controls, one tap on either earbud and you play music or answer the phone. Two taps on either and you advance to the next track. Three taps and you go back to the previous track. Two taps with a long hold and you end a phone call. Tap and hold the left earbud for one second to cycle between ANC and Passthrough. Hold the right earbud control for one second for your digital assistant. There is a 5-band equalizer if you want to customize the sound more. While there aren’t many programmable features in the app, there is one thing less than ideal. You can program the earbuds to control ANC and your Digital Assistant, or you can program them to control volume, but you can’t program them to do both which is an odd omission for a premium set of earbuds. ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION/CALL QUALITY/FEATURES: The ANC on the Pi8 is as good as any other higher end earbud I own, if not better. B&W built the ANC system in these earbuds from the ground up and it’s very effective. There may be other Bluetooth headphones which block out more noise but often at the sacrifice of sound. Passthrough is quite good if you need to be aware of sounds in your environment. Using these for phone calls has been uniformly excellent. Everyone I’ve spoken with said the call was clear. With multi-point pairing, I’m now connected to my iPhone, iPad and MacBook Pro, switching seamlessly from one device to the other. The drivers in the Pi8 are not your standard small 7mm driver found in lesser buds. B&W uses Carbon Cone drivers in these just as they do in the Px8. It is a rigid cone 12mm driver which is larger and able to move more air. This helps the Pi8’s sound fuller, with a wider sound stage, and better stereo imaging. The Pi8 offers AAC, SBC, aptX, aptX Adaptive AND aptX Lossless Codecs. If you want these to sound their best you need to use a music source which is 24bit like Tidal or Qobuz, which you can buy and use directly in the B&W Music App. B&W has incorporated something special in these earbuds called “re-transmission.” If you plug the charging case into a cell phone or computer using a high-quality streaming service, your Bluetooth connection will then be through the charging case so iPhone or computer users can listen with aptX Adaptive. You can plug the case into an airline seat and listen to inflight entertainment through your earbuds as well. The Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) and Digital Signal Processor (DSP) in the case bypasses the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip in the earbuds. Awesome! With an IPX54 rating, the Pi8 aren’t waterproof, but can handle sweat, rain or dust. They only offer up to 20 hours of combined playtime without having to recharge the case. This isn’t even close to industry leading. The earbuds themselves can play for about 6.5 hours (ANC on) on a single charge which for most is enough. A charge of 15 minutes will give you 2 hours of playtime. ABOUT SOUND! To me, sound matters most. I’ve now listened to a LOT of music such as, Mason Bates - Alternative Energy; Libera – For the Future; Adiemus – Songs of Sanctuary and Camile Saint-Sans - Organ Symphony. Bass is tight and controlled, NEVER Boomy. Treble is brilliant, never Sibilant. Midrange is up front and natural and vocals sound like they are directly in front of you. No matter how complex the music every instrument has a presence that is hard to believe. There really isn’t anything you could throw at the Pi8 that wouldn’t sound great. I asked at the beginning if the Pi8 earbuds could compare to the Px8 headphones. It’s a resounding YES, THEY CAN! CONCLUSION: The Pi8 is astounding in just about every way. They’re great looking, exceedingly comfortable for long listening sessions, made of premium materials and employ even better technology. The Pi8 are not inexpensive but the price, in my opinion, is beyond justified. They are simply about as perfect as earbuds can get. I had high expectations to begin with, which have been exceeded and then some!

There is a reason why Bowers & Wilkins are usually at the top of audiophiles list of speakers or headphones and the Pi8 is no exception. I own the Px7 and the Px8 over the ear headphones and love them to no end. I was excited for the Pi8's and they did not disappoint. For years I would use either Samsung's Buds Pro or the Sony WF-1000's and it was hard to pull me away from those 2. The Pi8's crushed them and I will daily drive them to the end of their life cycle. Sound, comfort, features etc beat all my expectations when listening to music or streaming videos. In the box are the buds in a solid feeling case, quick start guide, USB C to C cable, USB C to 3.5mm jack adapter (for streaming from a 3.5mm source) and a selection of different size tips. Since I already use the B&W app (which I highly recommend you use), setting up and pairing the buds was simple and easy. There is even a walkthrough if you want to know what the buds can do. App is what you need to unlock all the things the Pi8 can do. ANC, passthrough, presets and even manual EQ. The case is wireless charging compatible and the magnets the hold the buds in are super strong. Charging time is fast and during my lunch hour it can completely charge the buds back to 100% to finish off my work day. Comfort is great. I wear them for a full work shift and never had 1 complaint. I am using the already installed tips as they fit me perfectly. My co-workers cannot hear anything I am blasting at a loud volume. Phone calls were standard. No complaints from the caller when talking or when listening to me. ANC worked flawlessly. You can hear loud noises (like clapping right by your face) but everything else was tuned out. Pass through when trying it out worked but it was a little hard for me to make out what people were saying since I liked my volume up loud. Off really had no effect on what was playing but me being me I just kept ANC on the entire time. Sound quality is amazing. 11/10. Highs were highs and bass was thumping without anything at all sounding distorted. You can fine tune anything with the Equalizer to your liking. One thing I loved is that they are using the the aptX Bluetooth codecs that are compatible with my phone. Sound quality is beyond excellent. Audiophiles will love this as it is compatible with aptX Lossless, Adaptive and Classic Bluetooth codecs and AAC and SBC. As stated before the B&W are my new daily drivers and I won't be changing anytime soon, unless they make a better upgrade. Sound quality is excellent, comfort is excellent and even price to performance ratio to me is 100% worth it. You will be getting a lot of value and life out of these earbuds.

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 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!

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 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 travel Another 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 Cons Pros: 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. Conclusion The 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.

I am quite taken aback by the B&W Pi8 buds. While the case features an ordinary shape, it is small and easy to carry around -even in the watch pocket of my jeans. What is not ordinary is that the case is also a DAC. This means that I can connect it to a source and that will transmit to the buds. The buds also have a smaller footprint than their predecessors. I think the overall buds’ design is sleek, with a glossy touchpad with subtle branding. They just look great in the ear. They are also very comfortable and stay on while exercising. I wore them for a full charge -about 6 hours with ANC on, and I never felt fatigued. The battery features quick charge and wireless charging which is very convenient to me. Featuring Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint compatibility, they paired easily with my phone and laptop. I did not experience any lag or sync issues and kept a connection at a distance. The touchpads are responsive albeit a bit sensitive, and they control almost everything (one must choose what to do with the long press). The call quality is good enough. I was told I sounded a bit far and they heard some ambient noise. The noise cancellation is also good enough. It certainly helped during my subway commute. The ambient mode amplifies the sound as if I had superhuman hearing. What really floored me was the audio experience. Listening to 24bit/96kHz Ultra HD audio streaming with the aptX Lossless codec, the 12mm carbon cone drivers produce a sound quality that must be experienced. The bass was impactful, fast, and precise. There was plenty of sub-bass when called for. The midrange brought out a lot of what can rarely be heard with oher buds. The treble soared without being harsh or sibilant. The audio is super clear. The soundstage and imaging make it feel like the sound is outside of my head, without needing 360 software. No matter what genre I listened to, I was very satisfied. Even podcasts, games, and movies became more exciting. The case also produced amazing sound quality as it has its own amp and DAC, which converts analog signal into digital format. The companion app is very basic, but at least it allows for EQ customization, to which the buds respond well. It also allows for certain Hi-Res audio streaming services to be played there. Do they have a premium price? Sure. But I think once the sound quality and comfort are experienced, especially if you are a music enthusiast, that will not be an issue whatsoever.

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 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.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-Ear Headphones Review The 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.