With the new release of the Pi8, a lot of Bowers & Wilkins listeners are probably wondering the same thing: is my product out of date? If you’ve already got the Pi7 S2, you might think that you can wait for an even newer model to come out before you upgrade. But what makes the two different? Today, we compare the two true wireless earbuds side by side to see how they stack against each other. 

What Comes In The Box

There’s not much variation when it comes to what you get in the box. You get a charging case, charging cable, and a 3.5mm to USB-C cable for the DSP mode on the charging case. The Pi8 is a step above and offers four sizes of ear tips as opposed to three in the Pi7 S2, so you can find maximum comfort. Each comes with a quick start guide and warranty card with all the information you’ll need about the product. 

Aesthetics and Functionality

The look of these earbuds share a lot of similarities, but are still quite different. While they sport most of the same color options, the Pi8 takes a leap in downsizing the earbuds and charging case for a more compact design. They share the same metallic details, but the Pi8 keeps it a little more subtle. Both charging cases are still small and simple enough to be light for on-the-go listening. 

The Pi7 S2 is a little bulkier when it comes to the earbud design, with the metal touch pads sticking out during use. The Pi8 is more compact and nestles into your ear for a subtle pop of color. The metal details are just on the outer lining, and instead of putting the brand name along the edge, they put it right on the face of the earbud. The Pi8 is a smoother and more rounded design, and it fits snugly into your ear. The Pi7 S2 is more rigid and robotic when it comes to the in-ear wear, which could cause discomfort for some. For my personal preference, I liked the smooth design of the Pi8, especially since it was small and compact and not sticking out of my ear. 

The Pi8 forgoes the button the charging case, which means the initial Bluetooth pairing process differs across devices. With the Pi7 S2, you can hold down the button until your phone picks up the signal, but the Pi8 requires the sensors to be activated so the signal can be sent to your device. I always preferred the physicality of pressing a button when pairing, but for the sake of style and sleekness, the Pi8 wins me over. Either way, both devices connected via Bluetooth to my device very easily and there was no issue keeping the connection during listening. 

Tech Specs

Looking at the tech side by side, you’ll see that the drivers and other features are a bit different in the two earbuds. For the Pi7 S2, you’ll see that there is a smaller dynamic driver paired with a balanced armature driver. This gives the Pi7 a very powerful bass response, but also an exceptionally detailed treble response as well. The Pi8 only has the dynamic driver, but the carbon cone is something new that they have not explored before. Without listening, you can make a prediction on how these two will differ in sound.

Other than the drivers showing differences, you have the latest version of Bluetooth in the Pi8 compared to the Pi7 S2. Both have a high performance DSP, but the Pi8 takes it a step further by including an amplifier/DAC into their charging case. You can also adjust the EQ settings within the app with the Pi8, while the Pi7 S2 is bound to just the stock settings unless you use a third party software. 

Listening Review

Soundstage & ANC

These two earbuds carry sound signatures that are quite different from each other. They do share some similarities, like the wide soundstage and the incredible detailed frequency response. The Pi8 gives a soundstage that is very frontal yet immersive. You are instantly transported into your listening, but it all remains mainly in front of you rather than wrapping around your head. Conversely, the Pi7 S2 also gives you an immersive listen, but on a soundstage that widens around you a little more. They both have exceptional stereo imaging and the accuracy makes any instrumental ensemble crystal clear in front of you. 

The active noise canceling feature has definitely improved from the Pi7 S2 to the Pi8. In the older model, the noise cancelation was a feature you could turn on and off, but it wasn't as effective as you would think. You could tell the noise canceling had turned on, but it didn’t sound any different from when it was or wasn’t enabled. The Pi8 saw this downfall and responded. It was clear when the noise cancelation was on, and when it turned off, I could definitely hear more of my surroundings. The pass-through mode was highly effective, and I could tell the microphones were in full use. It was great to see that Bowers and Wilkins took the time to improve on this feature. 

Low Frequencies

The low end is the most noticeable difference in these earbuds. The Pi8 has such a strong bass response, it was the only noticeable thing when I first started listening. It is powerful and a driving force, guiding the rest of the frequencies to fall behind it. The sub frequencies are rumbly and tangible, which any bass lover will appreciate. For people who may not like a lot of bass, the EQ feature in the app allows you to tailor the bass response to something a little less offensive. The Pi7 S2, on the other hand, keeps it more reserved. Don’t be fooled: the Pi7 S2 can still pack a punch and delivers a quality low end full of warmth and depth. However, it is kept more in the background and serves as a foundation for the rest of the ranges rather than up in front. The downside to this is that the Pi7 S2 doesn’t allow for EQ adjustments in the app, so you are stuck with the default balance given to you rather than being able to adjust it to your liking. 

Mid-Range Frequencies

The mid range for both devices was detailed and clear. The timbers of the instruments each had a place to shine in the stereo field and I didn’t think anything got lost in any mix. Imaging was very accurate, and I would say that the Pi8 took that quality and more finely tuned it. I liked how widespread the frequencies in this range were, and how they were full of character in a host of different genres. I enjoyed listening to some indie rock, as well as some singer songwriter music and got to enjoy the full clarity and color of the vocals in each. 

High Frequencies

The high end also shows some stark differences in the two earbuds. Starting with the Pi8, you can tell that the low end got most of the driving power and left little for the high end. It was a bit lost behind the booming bass and needed some adjustment in the app. Meanwhile, the balanced armature driver brings out a detailed and crisp treble response that is a great balance to the low end. Everything is very smooth across the board on the Pi7 S2; the Pi8 mainly focuses on the low end and leaves the high end fighting for a place in the sound signature. Still, when the Pi8 high end comes through, it's incredibly bright and colorful, bringing some airiness and light to your favorite tracks. 

Summary

As you can see, there's a lot to love with both Bowers & Wilkins products. There’s also a lot of differences to consider. They both give you great detail and character in your tracks, making sure your listening experience is comfortable and entertaining. The Pi8 is a fantastic step up for bass lovers and people who like to fine tune their listening. The ANC is stellar and puts you in your own listening world. The older Pi7 S2 may be out of date now, but it has a great natural balance between the frequency ranges that is sure to make any track great. 

To know which one is best for you, I highly recommend trying both side by side. Perhaps you’ll like the slightly bulkier Pi7 S2, or you’ll be drawn to the strong bass in the Pi8. Either way, everyone hears a little differently, so it's up to you to choose your preference. 

The Pi8 and the Pi7 S2 are available for purchase and demo at Audio46.