Bowers & Wilkins is expanding its earbuds lineup with two new entries. The new True Wireless earbuds – the Pi6 and Pi8 – are designed by the same team behind the category-leading Px7 S2e and Px8 headphones and represent a new leap forward from the previous Pi7 S2.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6: Taking a Swing with Affordable, Premium Sound and Superlative Comfort
The Pi6 is the more affordable option of the two, designed to deliver excellent sound, features, and performance at a competitive price point. The company touts that the buds will be on par with the previous Pi7 S2.
The new wireless earbuds come with an unnamed advanced Qualcomm Chipset for improved wireless stability and reliable connectivity. The same chipset enables Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity with Multipoint for connecting to two devices simultaneously. It also allows the Pi6 to stream high-quality audio at 24-bit and 96KHz with aptX Adaptive Wireless Transmission.
The Pi6 isn’t just about chipset and transmission technologies either, it also leverages 12mm Bio-cellulose Drive Units that allow for crisper high frequencies and fuller sound. The drive units also allow for brighter sounds and better audio clarity. The earbuds come with up to 8 hours of usage on a single charge with ANC on. You’ll be able to top this up twice with the case. The buds can get 2 hours of playback on 15 minutes of charge thanks to fast charge support and it’s even got IP54 water and dust resistance.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: The New Flagship B&W Sound
Together with the Pi6, Bowers & Wilkins are reimagining its flagship sound when it comes to wireless earbuds with the Pi8. The new flagship one-up the Pi6 will be taking the spotlight from the Pi7 S2 with updated performance and features compared to the Pi6.
The Pi8 is gunning for higher quality and fuller sound with 12mm Carbon Cone Drive Units. These units allow the earbuds to reproduce sound with exceptional accuracy and depth. The earbuds support aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless Support over Bluetooth 5.4.
In addition to this, they come with a dedicated DSP, DAC, and Amplification that allow for high-resolution audio with support for up to 32-bit audio. You’ll also be able to personalise your sound with a User-Adjustable 5-Band EQ that will be accessible from the Bower & Wilkins app.
The Pi8 comes with a smart charging case that supports wireless charging. However, the high-quality sound does take a little bit of a toll on the battery life. The Pi8 has up to 6.5 hours of playback time on a single charge with ANC on. You’ll be able to get another 13.5 hours with the casing.
Improved Design and User Experience
Both Pi6 and Pi8 benefit from a comprehensive design overhaul, focusing on comfort, usability, and aesthetics. The new design is created ergonomically for a wider range of ear shapes and sizes. However, it also maintains its stemless design that is now iconic of B&W.
The wider earbuds also come with improved touch controls that provide more responsive and reliable interactions. They also come with IR Proximity sensors that allow for more accurate wear detection. The earbuds also have enhanced antenna placement to prevent accidental blockages and disconnects.
Both models also prioritize call quality with strategically placed microphones for clear voice calls. Additionally, they boast advanced noise cancellation technology. The Pi6 utilizes the same noise-rejection platform as the Pi7 S2, offering effective noise cancellation. However, the Pi8 adopts the noise cancellation technology found in the flagship Px8 headphones for industry-leading performance.
The new Pi6 and Pi8 are also Google Fast Pair and Made for iPhone certified for platform agnosticism and better compatibility across both Android and Apple devices.
Pricing & Availability
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 and Pi8 will be available in Malaysia from October onwards.
The Pi6 will be available in Storm Grey, Cloud Grey, Forest Green, and Glacier Blue. It will be priced at RM1,399. Internationally, it’s priced at USD$249.
The Pi8 will be available in Anthracite Black, Dove White, and Midnight Blue. The Jade Green colourway will be available at a later date. It will be priced at RM2,399. Internationally, it is priced at USD$399.
Both models will be available for purchase through the TC Acoustic web store and the physical TC store – Sonos Concept Store by TC Acoustic – in Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.