The Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 headphones present a sophisticated aesthetic with their sleek white case and matching earbuds. But how do they perform in practical use? senses.se received a review unit to evaluate whether their performance lives up to their visual appeal.
Design & Comfort
The charging case boasts a stylish design that ranks among the best on the market. Its oblong, rounded shape and matte white finish provide a comfortable tactile experience and pocket-friendly portability. A silver-gray accent with the Bowers & Wilkins logo adorns the front, along with an LED indicator that displays charging status (green) and pairing mode (blue). The rear of the case is minimalist, featuring a USB-C charging port at the bottom. Beyond the white version, the Pi6 are also available in Storm Grey, Forest Green, and Glacier Blue.
The earbuds themselves maintain a similarly elegant design. Their glossy finish and thoughtful construction contribute to a luxurious feel. While generally comfortable, the fit may be subjective. For some users, the earbuds might feel slightly unsupported. However, experiences vary, and another tester found them to be very comfortable. The inclusion of four different ear tip sizes ensures a customized fit for optimal comfort and sound isolation.
Performance
Beyond aesthetics, performance is paramount. A forty-five-minute charge provides approximately two hours of playtime. A full charge yields up to eight hours of playtime with ANC enabled, according to the manufacturer, although real-world testing suggests closer to six hours. Disabling ANC offers a marginal increase of around two hours. This battery performance is somewhat underwhelming compared to competitors like the Jabra Elite 85t or Jabra Elite 8 Active (also reviewed by Senses), which offer significantly longer battery life with and without ANC. Moreover, the lack of wireless charging is a notable omission for a premium product in 2025 with a price exceeding two thousand kronor.
Pairing the headphones via Bluetooth is straightforward for standard audio usage. However, the Bluetooth range exhibited instability during testing. Even at a short distance of two to three meters, signal dropouts and crackling were observed across multiple devices (Android, iPhone, and iPad). This range limitation is a significant drawback considering the product’s price point.
The responsiveness of the touch controls is another area for consideration. The Pi6 utilize touch-sensitive surfaces instead of physical buttons, and the button layout is not customizable. The right earbud controls ANC and HearThrough mode, while the left earbud manages call answering/ending and play/pause functions. While the default layout is generally intuitive, a noticeable delay of approximately half a second occurs between pressing a touch control and the corresponding action. While seemingly minor, this latency is perceptible during use.
The Bowers & Wilkins companion application provides limited sound customization options, offering only bass and treble adjustments. This limited EQ functionality echoes a previous observation in our review of the Pi7 model. However, the default sound profile is exceptional, mitigating the need for extensive equalization. The primary issue lies in the unstable connection between the headphones and the app. Frequent disconnections necessitate manual reconnection, a recurring annoyance. Additionally, the multipoint functionality exhibits questionable prioritization. When audio playback initiated on a secondary device (e.g., a tablet), it overrides the actively playing audio on the primary device. This behavior is unexpected, and disabling Multi-Point requires either disabling Bluetooth on the interrupting device or actively connecting it to another audio output.
Soundstage
The soundstage is a definite highlight. The Pi6 deliver an impressive audio experience right out of the box. The synergy between the deep bass, warm midrange, and crisp treble creates a clear and detailed sonic landscape. Regardless of musical preference, these headphones offer a remarkably immersive sound. For example, in Lady Gaga’s Look What I Found (from A Star Is Born), the warm midrange provides a rich and enveloping sensation, akin to a comforting embrace. Despite the distinct elements, the sound remains cohesive and avoids muddiness. This balance is equally evident in Metallica’s Master of Puppets, where the focus shifts towards the bass and treble, delivering impactful drum beats and searing guitar solos while maintaining a unified sonic presentation.
However, the noise reduction capabilities are not as pronounced as expected. While not ineffective, ambient sounds remain audible even with ANC activated. Conversely, call quality is excellent, with clear and unmuffled voice transmission for the receiver. The microphones’ sensitivity also captures a significant amount of ambient noise outdoors, potentially leading to distractions during calls in noisy environments.
Comparison Pi6 & Pi8
Before concluding, a brief comparison between the Pi6 and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, the Pi6’s more premium counterpart, is warranted. The earbuds share a similar physical design, with color options being the primary differentiating factor. However, the Pi8 features 12 mm carbon fiber diaphragms, drawing inspiration from B&W’s flagship Px8, in contrast to the Pi6’s 12 mm bio-cellulose elements. The Pi8 also supports aptX Lossless for CD-quality wireless audio and boasts an advanced five-band EQ compared to the Pi6’s two-band EQ.
The most significant differences lie in three key areas: price, with the Pi6 priced around two thousand five hundred kronor and the Pi8 at a considerably higher four thousand two hundred; battery life, where the Pi8 offers a shorter battery life of just over six hours with ANC enabled compared to the Pi6’s eight hours; and the inclusion of wireless charging support on the Pi8.
Summary
In conclusion, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 present a mixed bag. While the audio quality is exceptional, the connectivity issues and lack of wireless charging are significant drawbacks. In today’s market, wireless charging is arguably a standard expectation for wireless audio devices. Considering the price of these headphones, the overall value proposition is questionable. The Pi6 deliver a fantastic sound experience within a compact form factor, but these performance flaws detract from the overall impression and impact the final rating. These issues may be addressed in future updates.
Songs Tested:
Lady Gaga – Look what I found
Mötley Crüe – Kickstart my heart
Metallica – Master of puppets
M.O.P – Ante up
Upon A Burning Body – Extermination
Bowers & Wilkins provided a review unit for this evaluation. Provision of review units does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted independently, prioritizing the interests of our readers and consumers.
