Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Comparison Review

There are tons of great true wireless earbuds out there not named AirPods, and some of the best are offered by Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins. Both brands are known for delivering top-notch sound quality, stylish designs, and cutting-edge features. Is one truly better than the other though? Let’s break down these earbuds and get to the bottom of what the Momentum 4 and Pi8 bring to the table.

What You Get

Look & Feel

The Pi8 and Momentum 4 have very different designs. Both earbuds are very sleek, but only the Pi8 has this luxury-focused aesthetic common to most B&W products. With the Momentum 4, you get more of a compact design well suited for activities like running or working out. This makes the Momentum 4 the more comfortable option. Its structure is more ergonomic and feels more secure in your ear. The Pi8 has a more premium look, but its shell is bulkier than the Momentum 4, so its fit might not be as universal as the other seems.

Design & Functionality 

While the Momentum 4 keeps its main driver unchanged from other Sennheiser earbuds, B&W adds something new with its carbon cone units. In terms of controls, both earbuds have very responsive touch sensors. Playback controls have the right amount of sensitivity, and cycling through different options is simple and user-friendly. Then there’s noise-canceling, which both earbuds have. Both earbuds are very effective with their ANC, however, the Pi8 feels better adjusted to your surroundings.

Bluetooth

Both the Momentum 4 and Pi8 offer hi-res streaming through Bluetooth with aptX Lossless and feature a multipoint connection. Where the Momentum 4 is more cutting edge than the Pi8 is its support of Auracast, which is still developing but a great inclusion nonetheless.

Battery Life

Another area where the Momentum 4 has the Pi8 clearly beat is its battery life. Neither set of earbuds has the best battery life, but the 7 and a half hours of charge you get from the Momentum 4 is better than the Pi8’s  6.

Soundstage

In my review of the Momentum 4, I praised the soundstage for being one of the widest and most accurate I’ve heard over true wireless earbuds. The Pi8 comes very close to dethroning it, with its almost IEM-level channel separation and layering. If you’re listening to true wireless earbuds anyway, I’m not sure you need a sense of realism in your soundstage. In that case, the Pi8 appears the most immersive. They both have linear spatial imaging, but the Pi8 defines a more open space than the Momentum 4. Its spatial positioning isn’t as precise though, leading to floatier sounds with cool characteristics but less organization. If you’re not thinking too hard about what you’re listening to, the Pi8 will feel like the more open and dimensional soundstage, but the Momentum 4 still brings out better localization.

Low End

I don’t think anyone will find either bass response disappointing, but they definitely have their quirks. For instance, the Momentum 4’s bass feels much richer and warmer in tone than the Pi8, but I enjoy the tight balance and detail on the Pi8 too. It feels more separated than the Momentum 4, which is more solidified in comparison. This gives the Momentum 4 a lot more forward punch and impact though, so I can see some bass heads preferring its response. Electronic music and Hip-Hop tracks contain a more expressive timbre on the Momentum 4, but I felt the Pi8 had a more consistent clarity with a wider variety of genres.

Mids

Just like the bass, I don’t think either earbud does anything wrong in this section of the frequency spectrum. The Momentum 4 has more color and emphasis at the corners of the midrange, while the Pi8 has a more balanced presentation. Both the Momentum 4 and Pi8  have good clarity in this range, with physical notes that feel individualized and realistic. It should be noted that I used EQ far more with the Momentum 4 in this range to get a more defined presence from vocals.

Highs

Both the Momentum 4 and Pi8 have clear highs that are crisp and detailed. The main difference between the two comes with velocity. With the Momentum 4, high-frequency detail is arrived at quicker, with a tighter transient response that offers the right amount of power without being fatiguing. The Pi8 is much smoother and easy-going with its highs. It gives you a sparkly timbre, but it feels more delicate than the Momentum 4.

Summary

Both the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 are fantastic choices for anyone seeking high-quality wireless earbuds. However, the decision ultimately depends on your priorities. For most users, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 offers better value due to its balanced mix of features, comfort, and battery life. However, if you’re an audiophile willing to spend more for superior sound quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 won’t disappoint.

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 are available at Audio46.