Apple devices have long since stopped supporting the high-quality aptX codec (compressor/decompressor) used in many Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, likely due to Apple’s long-running — and extremely expensive — legal battle with Qualcomm, from which the company acquired the aptX technology in 2015.
Many audiophiles believe that aptX delivers better sound quality. But for whatever reason, Apple AirPods are stuck with the older AAC codec when it comes to listening to high-resolution audio formats from Apple Music or other streaming services. And even when Mac, iPhone, and iPad users use headphones and earbuds from other manufacturers that support aptX (like the best wireless earbuds ), they won’t always get the best sound quality.
The Pi8 earbuds from Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) support AAC, so you can easily pair the earbuds with your Apple devices using standard Bluetooth settings on your Mac, iPad, or iPhone. But the Pi8 also supports both aptX Adaptive and the latest aptX Lossless, offering an innovative solution that lets Apple users enjoy aptX quality audio as well.
Instead of a traditional charging case, the Pi 8 includes a “smart” case—first introduced a few years ago with the Pi7 earbuds—that can not only charge the earbuds but also act as an aptX transmitter. Sure, at $399, it’s considerably more expensive than the AirPods Pro, but B&W’s high-quality sound and versatile smart case make it worth it.
The Pi 8 also features a completely new design with a more curved earpiece for a more comfortable fit, and an angled design that ensures sound hits your ear canal directly for the best possible sound quality. The earpieces are still on the large side, but B&W includes four sizes of eartips to help you get used to them.
The earpieces have gotten bigger, allowing for larger, higher-quality 12mm drivers and a larger battery than on other models. While the Pi 7 only got five hours of use on a single charge with noise cancellation turned off, the Pi 8 now gets 6.5 hours of use with noise cancellation turned on (compared to six hours for the AirPods Pro), and with the smart charging case, that goes up to a total of 20 hours.
As mentioned earlier, B&W’s Smart Case has another big advantage that we haven’t seen on other manufacturers’ Bluetooth earbuds. The USB-C port on the back is used to charge the internal battery, but it also accepts wired audio input from a variety of devices. The case can also act as an aptX transmitter, allowing the earbuds to receive high-quality wireless audio streamed through the Smart Case.
B&W includes two cables with the Pi 8: a standard USB-C cable and one with a 3.5mm connector. With the 3.5mm cable, you can connect the Smart Case to wired audio devices, like an airplane’s in-flight entertainment system, or a vinyl turntable. You can also use the USB-C cable to connect the Smart Case to a USB-C port on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad, and the case will transmit wireless signals to your earbuds as aptX rather than the standard AAC.
The sound quality is excellent in both AAC and aptX. The Pi8 also pairs well with the Beatles’ “Come Together” in high-res on Apple Music. The soft bass riff in the introduction immediately grabs your ears with its solid, deep sound, and the Pi8 sustains the note to build tension before sliding down with an infectious rhythm. This version has also been mixed for Dolby Atmos, and the movement of Ringo’s percussion is felt as if it is gently skipping from side to side, before the Pi8 rolls up its sleeves and lands on a powerful guitar riff as it enters the chorus.
The noise cancellation on the AirPods Pro is a bit more effective at blocking out high-frequency sounds, like the various commotions and noises of a busy airport. However, the Pi 8 is very effective at eliminating low-frequency sounds, like the engine noise of an airplane cabin, so it would still be a good choice for long-distance train or plane trips. If you don’t care too much about technical details like AAC or aptX, you might also be interested in the upcoming $249 Pi 6 without the Smart Case.
Should you buy the B&W Pi 8?
The high price tag will likely appeal primarily to audiophiles who want the best possible sound quality, but the sound is excellent, and the ability to use the smart charging case as an aptX transmitter for Apple devices and wired audio systems is a real innovation.
editor@itworld.co.kr
Source: www.itworld.co.kr
