Bowers & Wilkins ( B&W ) has totally revamped itswireless earbudswith a new shape for greater consolation , hi - resandlossless audio frequency , better unmarried - charge bombardment spirit , and the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously . Its new flagship , the Pi8 , is available originate August 21 for $ 399 , while the midrange Pi6 will follow in former September for $ 249 . Both will be available in a choice of four colors .
B&W say the shape of the new earbuds was “ inspired ” by an extensive enquiry project into the variation in human pinna form across both gender and ethnicity . The results of this written report were used to create a form that “ deliver exceptional solace and fit , plus outstanding dissonance cancellation . ” The charging suit have also been redesign and are now slight .
Both the Pi6 and Pi8 are equipped with Qualcomm’saptX AdaptiveBluetooth codec , which can transmit hi - re audio at up to 24 - bit/96kHz if you ’re connected to a compatible smartphone . The Pi8 also have aptX Lossless , a bit - perfect , CD - timber codec that need a smartphone withQualcomm ’s Snapdragon Soundplatform .
Like its predecessor , the Pi7 and Pi7 S2 , the Pi8 ’s charge type can be used to retransmit audio frequency to the earbuds from both analogue and digital sources using the included USB - ascorbic acid and 3.5 mm cables . The late models used aptX Low Latency ( LL ) for this wireless audio signal . The Pi8 uses aptX Adaptive ’s lossy , 16 - bit scummy - rotational latency mode for analog author , but when used with USB - C digital sources , it can switch to HD mode with support for up to 24/96 . For iPhone 15 and newfangled models with a USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate port , it ’s a fashion to get around the iPhone ’s limited Bluetooth codec financial support , which lacks any hi - res choice .
The inner computer hardware on the fresh earbuds has also undergo wide change . The Pi6 utilise new 12 mm bio - cellulose drivers made from the same material used in thePx7 S2and Px7 S2e over - ear phone . B&W says this gives the Pi6 similar audio quality to the party ’s previous flagship , the Pi7 S2 .
Meanwhile , the Pi8 stick new 12 mm driver made using B&W ’s Carbon Cone technology — the same textile used in itsPx8 over - ear headphones . Powering these number one wood are dedicated digital signal processing ( DSP ) , digital - to - analog conversion ( DAC ) , and elaboration from analog devices .
The acceptation of audio technology from the caller ’s wireless headphone is n’t a happenstance . B&W yield responsibility for developing the Pi6 / Pi8 to the same squad that created the Px7 S2 and Px8 . It carry into the earbuds ’ noise cancellation , which has also been ported from the over - ear products .
As before , both manakin getIP54 protectionfrom junk and water , but improvements have been made to stamp battery life . The Pi6 gets a big boost for a single tutelage — from 5 hours on the Pi5 to 8 hours of ANC listening for the new good example . Its charging typeface , however , degenerate from 19 minute of extra meter to 16 hr , which mean the 24 - hour total sentence remains unchanged .
In a similar vein , the Pi8 , offers 6.5 hours on a heraldic bearing ( 1.5 more than the Pi7 S2 ) , but just 13.5 hours from the case , yielding only 20 hours of total use ( one hr less than the previous model . ) Both models have tight - charging , with 15 minutes of saddle providing two hour of use .
A boastful plus for the new models is the addition ofBluetooth Multipointfor touch base two devices at the same time , something B&W ’s former models have n’t offer . The company also says that Google Fast Pair will be sum via a future firmware update .
If you do n’t find these new models compelling , consider buying the company ’s old models , which have been steeply discounted . B&W is currently selling thePi7 S2 for $ 259 , while thePi5 S2 is more than 50 % off at just $ 129 .
