Bowers & Wilkins Pi6

The Pi6 replaces the Pi5 S2 which launched in January 2023, and comes with a sleek new look and improved fit developed following research into the human ear. Under the hood, there are new 12mm drive units, which are larger than those found in the Pi5 S2s - they’re made from the same bio-cellulose material found in the Px7 S2e over-ear headphones, in a push for improved clarity. 

There’s also a longer battery life, a slimmer charging case, and features such as multi-point pairing and support for the aptX Adaptive codec. On paper, the Pi6 looks like it offers plenty more bang for your buck - but in reality, is it a case of ‘too good to be true’?

Sound Quality 

Living up to Bowers & Wilkins’ reputation for good audio, the Pi6 offers a soundscape that’s clear and balanced, and loaded with detail. Vocals and the top end are given equal amounts of prominence - in fact, listening to the haunting vocals and gentle piano of Autumn by Paolo Nutini through the earbuds is enough to make the hairs on my arms stand on end. However, it’s a controlled sound - and as Nutini reaches his crescendo, there’s none of the distortion that less capable earbuds sometimes allow to creep in. 

The earbuds cope well with low frequencies too. The gentle thud of the bass notes in These Walls by Dua Lipa is clearly audible, but without impacting on the melodic vocals. Meanwhile, She’s Gone, Dance On by Disclosure offers powerfully thumping low notes for an energetic sound that never stumbles into the frantic. 

The delivery of electronic tones and robotic vocals is just as smooth, with Tek Yuh Time by Leftside and Sean Paul shining brightly.  

It’s not only music that sounds good through these earbuds. Listening to an episode of Parenting Hell gives me the feeling I am in the room during the conversation, as the sound is clear and warm. Meanwhile, using the Pi6s to make calls ensures both parties are comprehensible without any distortion. 

The earbuds come with noise-cancelling technology, which utilises six microphones across the pair of earbuds to block unwanted sounds. But while it removes a large percentage of external noise when listening to music, the noise-cancelling can’t quite hold its own against a busy High Street on a Saturday morning. I certainly wouldn’t feel confident relying on these on a long-haul flight, either.

Living with 

Gone is the bulky, unrefined two-level design sported by the Pi5 S2s. Instead, there’s a new oval aesthetic which is more streamlined, and which means the headphones don’t protrude from my ears enough to be truly noticeable. This also means the fit isn’t as snug as I’d like. 

It’s not just the earbuds that have been redesigned - the charging case has also had an overhaul and is now slimmer and easier to slip into the front pocket of my jeans. That said, it doesn’t support wireless charging - which is a missed opportunity. 

Music control comes from tapping once, twice, or three times on the left or right earbud. While these controls are responsive, they lack the level of customisation I have come to expect. When using the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, the only level of personalisation is in choosing between volume adjustment or noise-cancellation and voice assistant when tapping and holding each earbud. The EQ in the app isn’t all that extensive either, and only offers the ability to tweak the bass and treble rather than more granular frequency control. 

The headphones are loaded with plenty of cutting-edge tech – they connect using Bluetooth 5.4, offer multipoint pairing and have support for AAC, SBC, aptX and aptX Adaptive. This last is especially good for reducing latency and signal drop-outs in the wireless connection. 

The earbuds offer around eight hours of listening from one charge with ANC on, while the charging case holds enough juice to recharge the earbuds a further couple of times. The claim of a 15-minute charge providing two hours-worth of playback time is accurate, too. 

Conclusion

There’s no denying the Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 earbuds sound great, as well as offering plenty of listening time and a more streamlined design than the model they replace. But the more affordable price does mean there are some compromises you’ll have to live with: – they lack the wireless audio re-transmitter case that comes with the pricier Pi8, and when it comes to noise cancelling the Pi6 isn’t in the same league as models from Bose

Listening Notes

He Wasn’t Man Enough Toni Braxton

This early 00s RnB track sounds sublime with the Pi6s - Braxton’s gravely vocals are perfectly balanced against the rhythmic guitar and the well-rounded low notes, which are warm without becoming uncontrolled. 

Island Girl Elton John 

The piano and Elton’s melodic vocals are the stars of the show in this track. But they’re not allowed to overshadow the rhythmic guitar and lower frequencies - the result is a sound that’s fresh and vibrant. 

APT ROSÉ featuring Bruno Mars

The chanting vocals and the repetitive drum beat sound vibrant, and the Pi6s can’t fail to get your shoulder swaying when playing this new release. They allow the soulful vocals to shine, too, making for a very pleasant listen.   

If you’re desperate to own a pair of Bowers & Wilkins true wireless earbuds and don’t have the funds to purchase the Pi8s, then these are a worthy alternative - because you still get great sound. 

While the price is more affordable in Bowers & Wilkins-land, these earbuds are relatively expensive when compared to other entry-level models from premium brands we’ve tested recently - and they don’t offer the same level of smarts, so they’re best suited to anyone that prefers clear-sounding earbuds that are simple to use and don’t require top-drawer effective noise cancelling.