These Premium Headphones Now Cost Over $100.
Premium wireless noise-canceling headphones aren’t cheap, and Bowers & Wilkins (a Samsung-owned brand) are definitely at the top of the segment. But in a market saturated with active noise-canceling headphones that offer little, these headphones justify their price thanks to thoughtful features, sound quality, and build quality that go beyond the basics. Right now, the new Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 headphones are on sale on Woot for $279.99 (originally $399), their lowest price ever.
Compared to the Pi7, the Pi8 features improved noise cancellation, higher-quality 12mm drivers with Carbon Cone technology, an upgraded digital-to-analog converter, and an updated digital signal processor. The charging case also functions as a Bluetooth receiver, making it convenient for use with in-flight entertainment systems. CNET, in a rave review, called them ” some of the best-sounding headphones on the market ,” noting that they have a more secure and comfortable fit than their predecessors, making them more ergonomic. The review notes that they lack a 3.5mm headphone jack, but a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter cable is included.
The Pi8 earbuds feature the latest Bluetooth 5.4 module with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless support for high-quality wireless streaming, and are IP54 dust and sweat resistant. The charging case provides approximately 6.5 hours of playback with active noise cancellation enabled, extending the battery life to 13.5 hours with the case removed, with a quick 15-minute charge providing two hours of playback. While 6.5 hours is a decent result, it’s not best-in-class compared to competitors, which achieve eight to ten hours of playback. And although the earbuds have three built-in microphones for calls, users also note that background noise can sometimes leak through.
Ultimately, if high-quality sound, accurate music playback, and rare features like wired playback are your top priorities, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 headphones are a comfortable and compact option with competitive active noise cancellation. However, if maximum noise cancellation and battery life are paramount, the (cheaper) Bose QuietComfort headphones might be worth considering.