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The Pi8 is the flagship model, featuring all-new 12mm drive units with proprietary Carbon Cone technology, as used in the company’s Px8 (HFC 500) over-ear headphones. It adds support for both aptX Adaptive at 24-bit/96kHz and aptX Lossless, and is supported by a dedicated DSP, DAC and amplification from ADI.

The latest Bluetooth 5.4 specification allows multipoint support for two devices, while the all-new 12mm bio-cellulose drive units are derived from the cones used in the company’s Px7 S2e over-ear headphones.

Both the Pi6 and Pi8 have IP54-rated protection, while Made for iPhone support allows integration with iOS devices and onboarding into the Bowers & Wilkins Music app. Google Fast Pair support is planned to follow shortly after launch. Once configured, Pi8 owners can also access a user-adjustable B&W five-band Advanced EQ function to fine-tune the sound to their personal taste. Bass and treble tone-control adjustments are also included.

B&W says these improvements to setup and usability are partnered by significant revisions to the user interface: “The top of each earbud represents a large capacitive touch surface with more advanced sensors that improve the responsiveness and reliability. The new industrial design also repositions all antenna and microphones within the earbud to avoid the possibility of accidental blockage of wireless or audio signals, while a new IR proximity sensor provides more reliable and responsive wear sensing.”

The Pi6 and Pi8 both come with reshaped charging cases that are slimmer and easier to slip into a pocket. The Smartcase supplied with the Pi8 retains support for both wireless charging and its Wireless Audio Retransmission technology, which allows listeners to retransmit audio to their earbuds wirelessly from connected analogue or digital sources, such as in-flight entertainment systems, home computers or the latest generation of USB-C enabled iPhones. Pi8’s Smartcase can retransmit in aptX Adaptive at up to 24-bit/96kHz quality.

This is teamed with new noise cancellation, including a proprietary ANC algorithm newly developed by Bowers & Wilkins. Both models offer more battery life than those that preceded them. The Pi6 can deliver up to a claimed eight hours of listening and the charging case provides an additional 16 hours. Meanwhile, the Pi8 – with its upgraded DSP/DAC– offers 6.5 hours and a further 13.5 from the Smartcase. The company says these figures are quoted with ANC on and both models can be recharged, with just 15 minutes of charge providing enough energy for two more hours of use.

The Pi6 is available in Storm Grey, Cloud Grey, Forest Green and Glacier Blue finishes, while the Pi8 comes in Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green and Midnight Blue options. The Pi8 is priced at £350 and the Pi6 at £220.

You can find out more about the Pi6 here and the Pi8 here.