John Darko
Bowers & Wilkins has announced two new ANC-loaded true wireless IEMs. The Pi6 – which reportedly matches the performance of the previous Pi7 S2 flagship – and the Pi8 – which reportedly exceeds it.
From the press release: “The Pi6 is built around the same noise-rejection platform used in the outgoing Pi7 S2, while the Pi8 adopts the technology found in the flagship Px8 over-ear headphones.”
Like the Pi7 S2, the Pi6 use a (12mm) bio-cellulose driver derived from Bowers & Wilkins’ Px7 S2e over-ear headphones and the Pi8 steps those drivers up to (12mm) ‘carbon cone’ technology – as found in the Px8 over-ears – and upgrades the internal DAC, DSP and amplifiers.
On Android codecs, the Pi6 supports Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive but only the Pi8 adds aptX Lossless to the mix (more on that here) — readers are reminded that no Bluetooth headphone on the planet can do hi-res audio losslessly.
Also from the press release: “Every aspect of the design of the new Pi6 and Pi8 has been engineered with purpose. The overall shape of both models was inspired by an extensive Bowers & Wilkins research project into the variation in human ear form across both gender and ethnicity. Bowers & Wilkinsโ industrial design team used the results of this study to create an all-new earbud form that delivers exceptional comfort and fit plus outstanding noise cancellation for the broadest possible range of listeners.”
Both the Pi6 and Pi8 offer multipoint connectivity via upgraded antennae. A second device can now be paired without removing the earbuds from the ears. According to Bowers & Wilkins, support for Made for iPhone (MFi) and Google Fast Pair (coming soon after launch) means better iOS and Android integration. The accompanying Music app (iOS, Android) offers a one-touch-bypassable 5-band EQ to Pi8 users but only bass and treble tweaks to Pi6 users.
Back to the press release: “The top of each earbud represents a large capacitive touch surface with more advanced sensors that improve the responsiveness and reliability of touch-based interactions. The new industrial design also repositions all antenna and microphones within the earbud to avoid the possibility of accidental blockage of wireless or audio signals, while a new IR proximity sensor provides more reliable and responsive wear sensing.”
The charging cases have been slimmed down for easier pocketability and their material look and feel made more (cough) “premium”. Only the Pi8’s case offers wireless recharging and Wireless Audio Retransmission technology where analogue and digital sources connected to the case can be retransmitted to the earbuds via aptX Adaptive. That’s useful for in-flight entertainment systems!
The Pi6 promise up to 8 hours of listening time with AND enabled and another 16 hours come from the case. Total: 24 hours. The Pi8 offer 6.5 hours via a single charge, 13.5 more from the case. Total: 20 hours playback when ANC is enabled. A 15-minute quick charge returns two hours of playback time to either model.
The Pi8 begin shipping on 28th August for โฌ399, US$399 or ยฃ349. Your choice of Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green or Midnight Blue.
The Pi6 will come later – in early September – for โฌ249, US$249 or ยฃ219. Your choice of Storm Grey, Cloud Grey, Forest Green or Glacier Blue.
Further information: Bowers & Wilkins
