Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 Review

October 10, 2024 4:26 pm

The evolution of true wireless earbuds continues to impress, and the Pi6 True Wireless Earbuds from Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) are a testament to this advancement. Designed for audiophiles and casual listeners alike, the Pi6 promises not just cutting-edge technology but also a luxurious aesthetic that will appeal to discerning users. With features like active noise cancellation, premium sound quality, and customizable controls, can the Pi6 redefine your listening experience?

What You Get

Pi6 True Wireless Earbuds
Charging Case
Extra Small / Small / Medium / Large ear tips
60 cm USB-C to USB-C charging cable

Look & Feel

The outside of the Pi6 is quite different from the Pi5. It features a single glossy surface and a more ergonomic cavity that still reflects B&W’s luxurious aesthetic. It uses single solid colors, coming in storm grey, cloud grey, glacier blue, and forest green. Each color variation is equally as stylish, with personal taste being the real deciding factor. What the Pi6 does have in common with its former iteration is its fit. B&W’s earbuds require a small twist when inserted in the ear. The same goes for the Pi6, and its elongated shell might make your ears feel a bit more stretched. This has less of an effect on you once you start getting used to them though.

Design & Functionality

The Pi6 uses special 12mm Bio-cellulose driver units. They help reduce distortion while hoping to enhance high-frequency detail, as well as clarity throughout its sound signature. There are three mics on each side, which helps the Pi6’s noise-canceling and environmental capabilities. For the price, the ANC is very effective, quieting a significant amount of obstructive everyday sounds. You can download the app that will allow you to activate these features, as well as let you access EQ and customizable controls. These controls let you cycle through different modes and control playback, though, they take some time to properly register. The best way to control playback is through the wear sensor, which is much more responsive than the touch surface.

Bluetooth

You can expect the Pi6 to support Bluetooth version 5.4, with fast pairing and a stable wireless connection. The best CODEC you’ll get with the Pi6 is aptX Adaptive, missing out on low latency or lossless streaming.

Battery Life

B&Ws wireless earbuds have never had the best battery life, but for the reduced price the Pi6 is not too bad. You can enjoy 8 hours of playtime on one charge from the case. The case adds 16 hours of use with fast 2-hour charging.

Soundstage

Using the Pi8 as a reference wouldn’t be fair to the Pi6, but it holds its own when it comes to spatial imaging and width. While the sound is much more conjoined and less separated than the Pi8, the Pi6 adheres to a level of accuracy that is closer to Sennheiser’s Momentum true wireless 4. The linearity in its soundstage is apparent but works for its surface-level precision and positioning. Both channels have a good amount of identity and balance between them, displaying panned instruments and effects with ease.

Low End

The bass is certainly the heaviest region of the Pi6’s sound signature. Every track has a thick tone that dominates the frequency response. This response can be boomy and not have the greatest amount of clarity, but it can always be reduced with EQ. I quite like the EQ’s concentration on picking out specific bass notes from the region and making sense of some of the fog. While not the most detailed or technical, the Pi6 can be easily enjoyed by bass heads looking for a pair of thumpy true wireless earbuds.

Mids

Most of the midrange is either recessed or takes on a warm timbre. However, there’s still good clarity and detail to be had spread out across the frequency spectrum. Acoustic instruments have the ability to showcase specific artifacts that give the midrange personality. Vocals cut through well, featuring strong transparency and some crisp qualities in the upper midrange.

Highs

The highs are very smooth and offer a small glint of detail that makes all the difference. It’s a delicate presentation that coats the treble with a light flavor of crisp detail that anyone can enjoy. It never reaches anywhere near bright territory, but that doesn’t keep the Pi6 from dulling its high-end resonance. What you get is a stable balance between sparkle, height, and tightly controlled high frequencies.

Summary

The Pi6 provides an impressive combination of style, functionality, and sound quality. While they may not outperform more expensive models, their affordability and strong performance make them a viable choice for audio enthusiasts and casual users alike. With effective noise cancellation, customizable features, and robust bass response, the Pi6 is well worth consideration for those looking to enhance their audio experience. Whether you’re commuting, working out, or just enjoying your favorite playlist at home, the Pi6 earbuds are designed to elevate your listening pleasure.