Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 In-Ear Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

The Pi8 Put B&W Flagship Know-How in an Earbud

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are in-ear true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.4 and aptX Lossless support. Bowers & Wilkins calls them its reference earbuds, and they pair Carbon Cone drive units with a smart charging case.

Each earbud weighs 7 g and is rated IP54 for dust and water resistance. Four sizes of ear tip come in the box, from extra small to large. Three microphones per earbud handle calls and noise cancellation.

A Charging Case That Doubles as a Transmitter

The case has a USB-C port and a 3.5 mm analog jack. Plug in a source with no Bluetooth, and the case sends the audio to your earbuds wirelessly in aptX Adaptive quality.

Both cables you need are in the box. One is an 80 cm 3.5 mm to USB-C audio cable. The other is a 60 cm USB-C to USB-C charging cable.

Battery is up to 6.5 hours from the earbuds with noise cancellation on, plus 13.5 hours from the case. A 15-minute charge gives about 2 hours of playback, and the case charges wirelessly or by USB-C.

Where the Carbon Cone Drivers Earn Their Keep

Each earbud has a 12mm Carbon Cone drive unit. Bowers & Wilkins says it reduces distortion and improves high-frequency detail. A dedicated DSP and a separate amplifier and DAC work with a true 24-bit audio connection.

Bluetooth 5.4 carries aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX Classic, AAC and SBC. The Pi8 are Made for iPhone. Multipoint keeps two devices connected at once, so a phone and a laptop can both be ready when you need them.

The Bowers & Wilkins Music app is free on iOS and Android. It gives you a five-band EQ and a TrueSound mode that turns the EQ off. Noise cancellation adapts to your surroundings, and Ambient Pass-Through lets announcements in. Wear Sensing pauses the music when you remove an earbud.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Becky Scarrott of TechRadar, September 22, 2024: "These earbuds offer the most zealous, nuanced, detailed and balanced audio I've heard in a true wireless earbuds design."

What Hi-Fi? named the Pi8 a 2024 Awards winner in its review, last updated November 5, 2024: "the detail and refinement on show are breathtaking."

Who Are the Pi8 Earbuds Best For?

• You fly or commute a lot: adaptive noise cancellation quiets the trip, and the case sends an in-flight screen to your earbuds without a cable
• You want the best wireless codec support: Bowers & Wilkins says aptX Lossless gives real hi-res sound from compatible sources
• You like to shape your sound: a five-band EQ and TrueSound mode let you tune it or turn the tuning off
• You work out or walk outdoors: IP54 protection and four tip sizes keep them secure and ready for the weather
• Your phone lacks aptX Lossless: it needs a compatible source, and other sources use another codec, while the case can send aptX Adaptive audio from a wired source instead

How Do They Connect to Your System?

Pair the Pi8 with your phone, tablet or computer over Bluetooth 5.4. Open the Bowers & Wilkins Music app for setup, EQ and noise control. Multipoint lets you stay connected to a second device.

For a source with no Bluetooth, use the case instead. Plug the supplied cable from the case to the source, and the case retransmits the audio to your earbuds.

Pair once, or plug in and go.

Pairs Well With

What rounds out your listening beyond the earbuds:

• Headphones — an over-ear pair for long sessions at home
• Headphone amplifiers — power those home headphones
• Digital-to-analog converters — a desktop DAC feeds a wired headphone setup
• Earbuds — a second pair for a different use

Frequently Asked Questions

What comes in the box with the Pi8?

You get the earbuds and the smart charging case. Extra small, small, medium and large ear tips are included. So are an 80 cm 3.5 mm to USB-C audio cable and a 60 cm USB-C to USB-C charging cable.

How long does the battery last?

Bowers & Wilkins quotes up to 6.5 hours from the earbuds with noise cancellation on and 13.5 hours more from the case. Charging takes about 2 hours, and fast charging gives 2 hours of play from 15 minutes.

How does the case send audio to the earbuds?

Connect the case to a source through its USB-C port or 3.5 mm jack. The case then sends that audio to the earbuds in aptX Adaptive quality, with no Bluetooth needed on the source.

Do the Pi8 work with iPhone and Android?

Yes. They connect over Bluetooth 5.4 and are Made for iPhone. Supported codecs are aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX Classic, AAC and SBC.

Can I wear the Pi8 in the rain or at the gym?

The earbuds are rated IP54, which covers dust and splashing water. The rating applies to the earbuds, so keep the case dry and never submerge either one.

What's the warranty?

Bowers & Wilkins covers the Pi8 with a two-year warranty for the original owner when bought from an authorized dealer.

See It in Action

The Absolute Sound reviews the Pi8:

InsideTech reviews the Pi8 in depth:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about wireless earbuds, Bluetooth codecs, or active noise cancellation? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.