Bowers & Wilkins Pi6
Technics EAH-AZ80
What Buyers Say
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 earbuds receive high praise for their exceptional sound quality, with many users describing it as reference-level and superior to competitors like AirPods Pro and Beats. Comfort and build quality are also positively noted, though several reviewers mention issues with fit, connectivity, and the case design. The main drawbacks are the mediocre microphone quality for calls, limited app features, and average ANC and battery life.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Comfortable fit
- Premium build quality
- Good battery life
- Effective noise cancellation
Cons
- Poor microphone quality for calls
- Fit issues for some users
- Connectivity issues
- Case design difficult to open
- Limited app features
Technics EAH-AZ80
The Technics EAH-AZ10 earbuds receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their exceptional sound quality, featuring clear separation, wide soundstage, and natural tuning that rivals higher-end models. Users praise the comfortable and secure fit, effective noise cancellation that doesn't muddy the audio, and impressive battery life lasting up to 7 hours. However, a few critical reviews highlight poor touch controls that are unresponsive, and one user experienced a significant volume imbalance after 1.5 years, with the company offering only a 10% discount on a replacement rather than a fix. Overall, these are highly recommended for audiophiles and daily use, but potential buyers should be aware of possible durability and control issues.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality with clear separation
- Comfortable and secure fit
- Effective noise cancellation without audio degradation
- Impressive battery life up to 7 hours
- Great call quality
Cons
- Unresponsive touch controls
- Volume imbalance after extended use
- Poor customer service for defects
- Bulky design for some users
- ANC not sufficient in very loud environments
Scores
Specifications
| Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 | Technics EAH-AZ80 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | true wireless | true wireless |
| Ear Tips | XS, S, M, L | XS, S, M, L, XL |
| Weight | 0.01 kg★ | 0.05 kg |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 12 mm★ | 10 mm |
| Drivers | 1 | 1 |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 40 kHz★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC | AAC, LDAC, SBC |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.4★ | 5.3 |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP | A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Range | — | 10 m★ |
| Earbud Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 8 hrs★ | 7 hrs |
| Charge Time | 2 hrs★ | 2.5 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 15 Minutes for 2 Hours | 15 Minutes for 1.1 Hours |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Battery | ||
| Case Battery | 24 hrs★ | 16 hrs |
| Case Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Capacity | — | 85 mAh★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 3 | 8★ |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | — | Alexa, Siri |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | Bowers & Wilkins Music App | Technics Audio Connect |
| Volume Limiting | ✗ | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | — |
| Bone Conduction | ✗ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
Pros & Cons
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6
- Strong anc (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong sound (97th percentile)97th %ile
- Strong comfort (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong connectivity (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Below average build (34th percentile)
Technics EAH-AZ80
- Strong mic (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong connectivity (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong anc (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
Pricing
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 offers 1.3x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 85 overall, wins 5 of 7 usage categories and 6 of 37 specs.
