After being able to spend some time with Bowers and Wilkins’ new Pi8, there are plenty of reasons to be excited. The completely redesigned headphone is meant to precede the Pi7 S2 and is similarly priced at $399. Some audiophiles appreciated these advantages, while others found better alternatives for their needs. Most notable was the Sennheiser Momentum 4. In my extensive testing, I wanted to see if B&W addressed these concerns to justify the price and how they stack up against one of the best Sennheiser products in the catalog. Let’s see how the Pi8 performs compared to the Momentum 4.
What's in the box?
- Momentum 4 Headphones
- Earplug Sets (XS/S/M/L)
- Ear Fin Sets (S/M/L)
- Charging case and USB-C cable
- Quick Start Guide and Safety Guide
- Pi8 True Wireless Earbuds
- Extra small/small/medium/large ear tips
- 60cm USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable
- 3.5mm jack to USB-C audio cable 80cm
Design
The Pi8 features a 12mm Carbon Cone Dynamic Driver which has been completely redesigned, promising a huge leap in sound quality compared to the Pi7 S2. aptX™ Lossless, aptX™ Adaptive, aptX™ Classic, AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecsThis ensures perfect audio transmission.
With a IP54 waterproof ratingThe Pi8 is perfect for exercise and the DSP with true 24-bit decoding ensures that you will enjoy your lossless streaming to the fullest. A built-in app 5 band equalizer allows you to customize the sound signature to your liking, while the 3 microphones in each earpiece Ensure clear call quality.
Rather than go into the technical specifications of the Momentum 4, I think it's best to compare the differences between the two models. For more details, check out our original Momentum 4 review.
Right off the bat, the 7mm driver is noticeably less sensitive than the Pi8’s 12mm driver. This impacts sound quality, but what’s more noticeable is the effect on battery life. The Pi8’s 20-hour total playback time is average compared to the Sennheiser’s 30-hour battery life.
As for the CODECs, there’s one major difference in how they’re implemented. The Pi8 features true 24-bit decoding, while the Momentum 4 TWS only goes up to 16-bit. While that’s less than the Pi8, the Sennheiser can oversample up to 24-bit, meaning you’ll get a sound close to that. Those who are into lossless streaming or FLAC files will likely prefer the Pi8 for this reason.
Comfort and fit
One of the biggest improvements to the Pi8 is its ergonomic design. Gone are the rigid corners of the Pi7 S2, but instead there is a more comfortable and secure fit. 7 grams per earphoneThe Pi8 is perfect for walking, working out, or sitting in the office. Four different eartip sizes make finding the right fit easy and intuitive.
Looking at the nozzle side of both earbuds, it would be easy to convince a layman that these are identical designs. I’m not saying that B&W copied Sennheiser’s design, but the similarities are undeniable. It’s not surprising considering that the fit of the Momentum 4 TWS is top-of-the-line. At 6.2 grams per earbud, they are insignificantly lighter. When comparing both earbuds, I could barely find a difference between them. For this reason, I give them a tie in terms of comfort.
Auditory impressions
Sound scene
The Pi8 offers a Intimate sound stage which stands out in the image, making it feel precise and engaging. While not the most expansive, it offers fantastic verticality and accurate detail. The ANC doesn’t significantly affect the soundstage, making it perfect for those who appreciate an analytical and intimate listening experience. Compared to the Momentum 4, there is more emphasized distance, but it feels like a much flatter type of sound. The ANC is noticeable, but it doesn’t reduce the width of the sound.
Listening to “Storm” by Winter Sun It will make you appreciate the lush, full vocals, though they don't extend as far as some would like on the Pi8. The verticality is fantastic, capturing every detail from textures to room reverb. While the staging isn't headphone-like, there's a very nice detailed presentation in the 3D quality. The Momentum 4 doesn't capture the same height in its staging, but the reverb is more dramatic.
The Pi8 has a unique soundstage that is unlike many other headphones in its price range and is something audiophiles will want to hear. The Momentum 4 offers a more horizontal soundstage, more reminiscent of an earbud. Whether it's the reduced bitrate or the size of the driver, it's hard to compete with the Pi8 in terms of soundstage.
Low
Most high-end earbuds go out of their way to convey low-end information. Too often, I describe TWS earbuds as having a “bass sound” rather than a “bass experience.” The Pi8 is unique in that I can honestly say I’m “experiencing” the bass rather than hearing it. The sub-bass is palpable and exciting, while more discernible mid- and high-bass round out the entire sound signature. The Pi8 provides a bass experience which is booming and palpable, perfect for topics like “Rise into madness” by Candiria. The bass is powerful and full, without being muddy, and works well even on warmer tracks like “I have seen the sky” by Felix Ames.
Those familiar with Sennheiser's sound know that they have earned their reputation with flat sounding equipment. The Momentum 4 TWS are no exception, albeit with some differences. The bass is higher than the flat ones, but only by 3-4 dB. When listening to “Rise into madness“Still, the bass sound is still deep, even though it's not as heavy as the Pi8. Likewise, the bass punch and harmonics are more exaggerated. In short, those looking for a balanced sound will prefer the Momentum 4, while bass lovers will gravitate towards the Momentum 4.
Media
The Pi8's media is V-shapedwhich provides fullness and warmth without sacrificing clarity. Instruments and vocals are heard with excellent dynamics and detail. The Momentum 4 is significantly flatter, with a more dramatic boost in the upper mids.
In “Brand letters” by Allan Holdsworth, ghost notes on the snare are crisp and the guitar solo has great body and resonance on the Pi8. No matter how heavy the bass can get, there is enough detail in the guitar and drum sounds. The midrange timbre is excellent considering the amount of low end these frequencies have to compete with. The Momentum 4, on the other hand, seems to specialize in its mids. All of these elements present on the Pi8 come out with even more clarity but less warmth. The timbre is also very pleasant, but there is a distinct lack of heaviness to these sounds.
In “Oh my love” from FKA Twigs, there is a crispness to the mix that allows her vocals to stand out with fantastic clarity. The brightness of the vocals blends well with the rich bass of the Pi8’s sound signature and provides a fantastic listening experience that is sure to please even the most discerning audiophiles. Detail comes from the 1.5kHz to 2.5kHz regions, which have a very natural sounding boost. Nothing sticks out or is too overpowering. Meanwhile, the Momentum 4 is able to present the brightness of this mix more accurately. The bright vocals are not tamed down, but rather highlighted by the high-mid boost. The vocals are given more room to showcase themselves due to the more attenuated low end.
Maximums
The highs are relatively neutral and adhere to the Harman curve, making the cymbals sound clear without being sibilant. They complement the lower frequencies rather than competing with them.
Listening “Trucking” by the Grateful Dead (performed 4/12/1978 in Durham, NC), Jerry Garcia’s tone is controlled but still clear, perfect for live recordings. Jerry Garcia’s tone is synonymous with diamond-cut highs, which cut through almost any mix. On the Pi8 it is much more controlled but not reduced to a crawl in the mix. The Momentum 4 on the other hand is able to accurately present the bright qualities of this track. There are more bright/tactile qualities on the Momentum 4.
The Pi8s aren't a light-sounding headphone, so if you like that kind of sound, they might not be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you like bass and want detail and clarity in the sound, the way the Pi8s are tuned achieves that. The Momentum 4s are able to capture more highs because they're not competing with such a pronounced bass setting.
Conclusion
The Pi8 is not just a pair of headphones; it is a musical journeyWhether you’re working out, commuting, or relaxing at home, the Pi8 promises to deliver an unparalleled audio experience. I can safely say that the Pi8 is different enough from the Pi7 S2 to warrant the upgrade. Compared to the Sennheiser Momentum 4 TWS, there are a few noticeable differences. The Sennheiser has a more balanced sound that puts greater emphasis on detail. The Pi8, to me, has a more exciting, bass-heavy tuning that brings a lot of fullness to thin recordings. To me, I see the Pi8 as a truly high-end option that edges out the Momentum 4. Let me know which one you would pick in the comments below.
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