I have the Technics AZ80's, the Beoplay EX's, Denon Perl Pro's, had the Momentum 3's and as of last week the Pi8's are now in my collection, and quite frankly the B&W's are in a different league as far as sound quality alone, but certainly not for features. The Pi8's are the best sounding earbuds I have ever heard, particularly in detail, clarity and soundstage. If SQ is your priority, there is no contest IMHO.
@Tropicalistico For features, the AZ80's are unbeatable, but for sound quality and comfort alone, the Pi8's are definitely better and much more comfortable that the Denon's, which I find uncomfortable. I've owned them all and the Pi8's are absolutely the best earbuds I have ever listened to. I think they will likely be the kings for awhile - B&O may come up with something compelling to replace the Beoplay EX's, long overdue.
I loved them, too, until I had the R earbud having a few drops out. That was a bummer for how expensive they are. Good that I kept the packaging, so I sent them back. I'm still happy with my Sennheiser M4s. Their sound is not too far from B&W Pi8.
I own AirPods Pro 2 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi8. I was going to keep one or the other, but have ended up with both. They have different strengths: the AirPods have more effective ANC and are particularly suited to listening while out and about (in traffic etc), but the Pi8s have superior sound quality and perform better in quieter environments. AirPods work really well with iPhone and in the Apple ecosystem, as you would expect (e.g. controlling with Apple Watch). They have a rich and full presentation which is immediately impressive with a wide variety of music. The Pi8s are leaner, and I would say are somehow more natural, realistic and effortless in their presentation. I’m currently using the AirPods with my iPhone Mini, listening mainly to M4a files while on the road or travelling. At home though I’m getting superb results pairing the Pi8s with a Sony NW-A306 playing flac hi-res files. I don’t know how much the superior sound quality is due to the Sony or the B&Ws, but I’m certain that I prefer the Pi8s which are more detailed and nuanced in the way they deliver music in this setup.
I have both, b&w pi8, sm4, and even the b&o ex As much as i love them both ( sm4 and the ex ) The sound quality of the pi8 is just superb and thats why its my winner 🏆
Great video! I consider myself a music and sound aficionado. I was disappointed by these buds and just returned them. I honestly felt the sound stage, quality and overall EQ ability of the new Bose QC's were far superior. I tested them side by side for over an hour and I was blown away by Bose and they are $180 less. I really wanted to like the B&Ws but I was not and am very surprised. I expect to be blown away by the B&Ws.
You probably shouldn’t consider yourself a sound aficionado if you think Bose even comes close to B&W. Bose is a typical consumer tech brand trying to do Hi-Fi, B&W is a Hi-Fi speaker brand putting their tech and quality into earbuds. That’s why their tech features like noise canceling and other stuff isn’t as good as Bose/apple/sony. They are not good at that. What they ARE good at is sound. And they do that so much better.
Handy review, thanks! Wow dropped your airpods pro 2 a lot? I've never dropped them (so far - tempting fate!!), the small case means they slip straight into my pocket. However, i did take out apple care on them as it wasn't that expensive and 2 years is up in Feb so I'm hoping I might get a chance to use it! Part of why I got the Airpods pro 2 was the ability to get the battery replaced and I'll pass them onto a family member if I ever get round to a replacement (might get that person one of the thin silicone tpu cases you can get for the Airpods pro 2 case as she does drop things a lot). The Bowers and Wilkins pi8 is the first buds I've considered to fully replace my airpods pro 2 (which I also use with android and get the benefits of their size, transparency, ANC and excellent audio quality. Through I also use Status Between ANC which sound fantastic and stunning battery life.
Hi! I'm interested in the Bowers & Wilkins in-ears, but I'm concerned about potential Bluetooth issues when connecting them to a Mac. Could you share your experience with that? Thanks!
Great question! I have it paired to both my Mac and iphone and the experience is seamless for me. I can put the buds on and play media on either devices without having to tell the Pi8s to connect to a specific one.
Honestly as much as I love the B&W sound quality, I chose the AirPods Pro 2 over it. THE ONLY REASON for that is, I own the B&W PX7 S2s for when I need quality sound. But for daily commutes, AirPods Pro 2 all the way cuz of how good the noise canceling is
They sound a bit better than AirPod Pro 2’s but the ANC in my ears totally sucks and basically I can hear no real difference between on and off it’s slightly muted but it’s still there.
Thanks for the sub! Transparency wise, the AirPods Pro are unbeatable. The MTW4 are the next best but nowhere near as good as the AP. The Pi8's are just "ok".
I have the Technics AZ80's, the Beoplay EX's, Denon Perl Pro's, had the Momentum 3's and as of last week the Pi8's are now in my collection, and quite frankly the B&W's are in a different league as far as sound quality alone, but certainly not for features. The Pi8's are the best sounding earbuds I have ever heard, particularly in detail, clarity and soundstage. If SQ is your priority, there is no contest IMHO.
Hello,
In terms of sound quality & comfort the Pi8’s wins over the Denon pearl pro’s and the AZ80’s?
@Tropicalistico For features, the AZ80's are unbeatable, but for sound quality and comfort alone, the Pi8's are definitely better and much more comfortable that the Denon's, which I find uncomfortable. I've owned them all and the Pi8's are absolutely the best earbuds I have ever listened to. I think they will likely be the kings for awhile - B&O may come up with something compelling to replace the Beoplay EX's, long overdue.
@ thanks for share your experience
The PI 8’s are my new go to…love them!
I loved them, too, until I had the R earbud having a few drops out. That was a bummer for how expensive they are. Good that I kept the packaging, so I sent them back. I'm still happy with my Sennheiser M4s. Their sound is not too far from B&W Pi8.
I own AirPods Pro 2 and Bowers and Wilkins Pi8. I was going to keep one or the other, but have ended up with both. They have different strengths: the AirPods have more effective ANC and are particularly suited to listening while out and about (in traffic etc), but the Pi8s have superior sound quality and perform better in quieter environments. AirPods work really well with iPhone and in the Apple ecosystem, as you would expect (e.g. controlling with Apple Watch). They have a rich and full presentation which is immediately impressive with a wide variety of music. The Pi8s are leaner, and I would say are somehow more natural, realistic and effortless in their presentation. I’m currently using the AirPods with my iPhone Mini, listening mainly to M4a files while on the road or travelling. At home though I’m getting superb results pairing the Pi8s with a Sony NW-A306 playing flac hi-res files. I don’t know how much the superior sound quality is due to the Sony or the B&Ws, but I’m certain that I prefer the Pi8s which are more detailed and nuanced in the way they deliver music in this setup.
Thank you for the detailed insight! I’m glad you’re enjoying the Pi8’s!
I have both, b&w pi8, sm4, and even the b&o ex
As much as i love them both ( sm4 and the ex )
The sound quality of the pi8 is just superb and thats why its my winner 🏆
I had the Sony XM5s and my new pi8 are far superior.
How much of a difference is there between Pi8 and SM4
Great video! I consider myself a music and sound aficionado. I was disappointed by these buds and just returned them. I honestly felt the sound stage, quality and overall EQ ability of the new Bose QC's were far superior. I tested them side by side for over an hour and I was blown away by Bose and they are $180 less. I really wanted to like the B&Ws but I was not and am very surprised. I expect to be blown away by the B&Ws.
You've got to be kidding me! How can you compare B&W to Bose in terms of sound quality!
You probably shouldn’t consider yourself a sound aficionado if you think Bose even comes close to
B&W.
Bose is a typical consumer tech brand trying to do Hi-Fi,
B&W is a Hi-Fi speaker brand putting their tech and quality into earbuds. That’s why their tech features like noise canceling and other stuff isn’t as good as Bose/apple/sony. They are not good at that. What they ARE good at is sound. And they do that so much better.
Handy review, thanks!
Wow dropped your airpods pro 2 a lot? I've never dropped them (so far - tempting fate!!), the small case means they slip straight into my pocket. However, i did take out apple care on them as it wasn't that expensive and 2 years is up in Feb so I'm hoping I might get a chance to use it! Part of why I got the Airpods pro 2 was the ability to get the battery replaced and I'll pass them onto a family member if I ever get round to a replacement (might get that person one of the thin silicone tpu cases you can get for the Airpods pro 2 case as she does drop things a lot).
The Bowers and Wilkins pi8 is the first buds I've considered to fully replace my airpods pro 2 (which I also use with android and get the benefits of their size, transparency, ANC and excellent audio quality. Through I also use Status Between ANC which sound fantastic and stunning battery life.
I like your style man. Saw you on threads and now a subscriber. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Great review! What kind of apple wallet/magsafe are u using in this video. It looks great! Subscribed!
Hi! I'm interested in the Bowers & Wilkins in-ears, but I'm concerned about potential Bluetooth issues when connecting them to a Mac. Could you share your experience with that? Thanks!
Great question! I have it paired to both my Mac and iphone and the experience is seamless for me. I can put the buds on and play media on either devices without having to tell the Pi8s to connect to a specific one.
@@MichaelSoledad Thanks for the input
As someone with noble fokus pros I'm scared to change to these
Honestly as much as I love the B&W sound quality, I chose the AirPods Pro 2 over it.
THE ONLY REASON for that is, I own the B&W PX7 S2s for when I need quality sound. But for daily commutes, AirPods Pro 2 all the way cuz of how good the noise canceling is
Totally get this. Not a bad decision at all.
Still on back order ay Best buy
Amazon
They sound a bit better than AirPod Pro 2’s but the ANC in my ears totally sucks and basically I can hear no real difference between on and off it’s slightly muted but it’s still there.
how's the transparency compared between the three? Nice style, subscribed!
Thanks for the sub! Transparency wise, the AirPods Pro are unbeatable. The MTW4 are the next best but nowhere near as good as the AP. The Pi8's are just "ok".
@@MichaelSoledad Got it, so far the AZ80s have offered the best transparency for me.
unfortunately bad calls with pi8, especially in noizy situation
If you are in Apple's ecosystem, Airpods are still the best. BW may be better in music, but, microphones, ANC and Transparency are not so good.
Video time-stamps please..😢
to get the most out of these earbuds use an android phone. iPhone is stuck with aac which isn't as good
The lack of find my makes the others a nonstarter for me
I like that feature as well but my bose quiet comfort 2 had so much better sound quality I miss them
400 usd is ridiculously expensive 😂
B&W PI8 are lacking bass. Full stop
Your "opinion" is lacking full stop
It’s not lacking bass, not at all. It’s just accurate. Accuracy over quantity. I’m in! I love them.
@@FocalAria that is what all the paid reviews teached us to believe, thank you for the reminder
@Amateur2K This is not a paid review LOL
@@Amateur2k no you just want bass at all costs. You just like bad bass