Is it truly the case that 400-euro headphones deliver superior audio quality?
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds retail at roughly 400 Euros, a substantial sum for Bluetooth headphones, allegedly offering top-notch sound and superior noise cancellation. However, we'll see if the price tag justifies the hype or merely leaves you with a ringing ear in our practical test.
Generally, premium wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation (ANC) cost between 250 to 300 Euros, with some even offering discounted prices. The new Pi8 by Bowers & Wilkins, priced at 499 Euros, boast to set a "new reference in in-ear headphones" and establish "new standards for technical excellence." Tech site ntv.de put the Pi8 to the test to inspect if the lofty claims hold true and if the exorbitant price difference is audible.
Aesthetically Pleasing and Comfortable
At least, the earbuds with the fine, shimmering logo on the polished exterior look stylish and exude a premium feel. Despite being mainly constructed from plastic, the Pi8 seamlessly mimics the premium quality of its more expensive rivals.
Despite its relatively small size, the Pi8 rest snugly and securely in your ear, thanks to its ergonomic shape and minor silicone fins. Bowers & Wilkins only provides four-size silicone tips, but they're widely available and standard-sized, so finding a suitable fit online shouldn't pose a problem.
Quality Charging Case
The charging case remains compact and pocket-friendly, but slightly larger than the Apple AirPods Pro to accommodate a built-in transmitter for connection to TVs, car systems, and other devices. Bowers & Wilkins includes both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5mm adapters for this purpose. The Pi8 supports aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs, ensuring an almost lossless Bluetooth connection.
To deliver precise audio to your ear, the Pi8 features top-tier 12mm drivers with carbon fiber diaphragms, backed by a custom digital-analog converter, signal processor, and amplifier.
Exceptional Sound Quality
Contrary to skepticism, the Pi8 delivers an exemplary audio performance, evoking the feel of a full-sized headphone.
The midrange is impressively clean and provides a rich soundstage, complemented by powerful, well-balanced bass without being overpowering. The treble produces fine details with high-resolution sources, revealing subtle nuances in music genres. The unusually wide soundstage is also praiseworthy.
Top-Class Noise Cancellation
The Pi8's active noise cancellation holds up well against its competitors, effectively filtering out specific ambient noise like bus or train rides. Higher frequencies may still penetrate, but that's a common issue across most noise-cancellation headphones. Office chatter, typing, or conversations are only minimally affected, making them effortlessly audible.
During phone calls, the Pi8 delivers clear, articulate conversations, even in noisy environments. The earbuds also handle strong wind well during testing.
The transparency mode is subtly effective, allowing for easy conversations or listening to announcements while minimizing interference. Although there's a tiny bit of self-noise, it remains within pleasant limits.
Limited Features
The touch control surfaces on the Pi8 are responsive and user-friendly, but limited in terms of customization. Users can switch between ANC and transparency mode via long presses and invoke a digital assistant or adjust volume. Unfortunately, only one command can be executed at a time.
The companion app offers no additional options or settings, apart from an equalizer. Popular features such as Dolby Atmos, 3D audio, and customizable presets are absent.
The battery life is satisfactory, providing around 6 hours of playback with ANC activated. A 15-minute charge in the case yields roughly two hours of playtime, with the full charging process taking approximately 120 minutes.
Conclusion
To answer the question in the headline: Yes, in this case, 400-euro earphones can offer discernibly better audio quality. The Pi8's sound is exceptionally good, all while providing superb noise cancellation and a compact charging case with added capabilities.
However, the British high-end earbuds don't provide any standout features not found in other, more affordable high-end options. If you can do without such frills, price isn't a major concern, and superior sound is your main concern, there's no avoiding the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8.
During the audio testing, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 delivered an impressive sound performance, outperforming expectations with its clean midrange, rich soundstage, powerful yet balanced bass, and detailed treble. Moreover, the Pi8 effectively filtered out ambient noise, leaving only minimal interference during office chatter or phone calls.
