Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 Vs Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Comparison Review

While Bowers & Wilkins is often seen as the benchmark for luxury audio aesthetics, the Noble FoKus Rex5 brings a bold, audiophile-grade hybrid driver setup that challenges the status quo. Both models offer advanced Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, custom EQ tuning, and high-resolution codec support like LDAC and aptX Lossless. But which pair delivers the superior balance of audio fidelity, comfort, and everyday functionality? Let’s compare the FoKus Rex5 and Pi8 across sound quality, design, battery life, and more to help you decide which is the better fit for your ears and your lifestyle.

What You Get

Look & Feel

Usually, it’s the Bowers and Wilkins model comes out strong as the most stylish option, but the Rex5 offers great competition. They both look like luxury items which works in their favor considering their respective price ranges. The Pi8 are the ones that look most like consumer earbuds compared to the Rex5’s flashy gold design. In terms of fit, both earbuds have a large shell that has the chance to stretch out the ear a bit. I feel more of a form-fitting factor with the Rex5, but they can still feel a bit cumbersome.

Design & Functionality

Both the Rex5 and Pi8 have similar features but very different components. The Pi8 uses a single 12mm carbon cone driver, while the Rex5 uses a hybrid configuration that combines dynamic, planar, and balanced armature units. This makes the Rex5 much stronger in terms of power, and it also makes it a more advanced design. It’s also more advanced in terms of some of its features, such as its personalized sound courtesy of Audiodo. Where the Pi8 takes a leap is its noise canceling and call clarity. If you’re still looking for the best smartphone companion, the Pi8 is the more intuitive option.

Bluetooth

The Rex5 and Pi8 are similarly advanced when it comes to Bluetooth compatibility. They both offer Bluetooth version 5.4, with lightning-fast pairing, stability, and multipoint. Where the Pi8 has a bit of an advantage is that it features aptX Lossless, but if you like LDAC, the Rex5 offers that.

Battery Life

Neither the Rex5 nor the Pi8 have a particularly impressive battery life. The Rex5 has a marginally longer battery life at 7 hours on one charge, while the Pi8 only offers 6 and a half. When it comes down to it, the Rex5 and Pi8 are close to each other in this area so it shouldn’t inform much about your purchasing decision.

Soundstage

Out of the few hi-fi true wireless monitors on the market, the Rex5 and Pi8 are the ones that feel the most like IEMs. Their soundstages convey the most out of any other sonic properties they may have. The way they both separate the left and right channels feels way more precise than most earbuds. With the Rex5, you get slightly more dimension from the instruments, as the imaging does a better job of individualizing the performances to their specific zones. You get a similarly balanced presentation with the Pi8 but with a more linear mix. Vocals are slightly raised with the Pi8, but the Rex5’s headspace is more open and aimed toward you.

Low End

Through EQ controls, you can get more of the bass you want from either set of earbuds. Their default sound is still quite enjoyable, giving you evenly distributed helpings of low-end detail. The Rex5 grants bass notes a clearer shape than the Pi8, but the Pi8 has a more consistent punch and impact. I prefer the Rex5 for its simple elegance and clarity, but you may prefer the Pi8 for its extended thickness and consistent texture.

Mids

Both the Rex5 and Pi8 show good midrange clarity. The Pi8 lets the frequencies sit a bit more forward in the mix, while the Rex5 seems flatter in comparison. Neither sound signature relegates instruments to the background to make room for others though, as both the Pi8 and Rex5 feature balanced and concise midrange clarity. If you want to go for the sound that’s better for vocals, I gravitate toward the Pi8, but the Rex5 is a bit lusher. If this was the FoKus Prestige vs the Pi8, there would be a clearer winner in my opinion, but the Rex5 and Pi8 are closer to each other in terms of resolution.

Highs

The Rex5 very concretely has more definition in the high-end compared to the Pi8. Those who prefer to hear distinct treble clarity will prefer the height and transparency of the Rex5, while those who prefer softer treble will find the Pi8 more their style. That’s not to say the Pi8 doesn’t have treble clarity because it actually has quite a bit, going as far as featuring moments of glimmer on cymbals. A/B testing these earbuds reveals more high-end articulation on the Rex5 though, at least in more technical terms.

Summary

The Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 both deliver impressive performances but cater to slightly different types of listeners. The Rex5 wins in terms of technical sound quality, with its hybrid driver setup offering greater treble definition, richer imaging, and more nuanced spatial detail. It’s a standout choice for audiophiles looking for IEM-like performance in a true wireless form. On the other hand, the Pi8 is better suited for those who want a sleek, reliable everyday companion, with superior noise canceling, clearer call quality, and a more balanced midrange that flatters vocals. Ultimately, your choice between the FoKus Rex5 and Pi8 will depend on whether you value sound precision or lifestyle convenience more. Either way, you’re getting one of the most refined listening experiences the true wireless market currently has to offer.

The Noble FoKus Rex5 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are available at Audio46.