The wireless earbud market has evolved significantly since Apple introduced AirPods in 2016. Today's premium earbuds pack impressive technology into incredibly small packages. Let's compare two standout models: the sports-focused Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ($169.99) and the audiophile-oriented Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 ($249).
Before diving into specifics, let's talk about what makes a great pair of wireless earbuds in 2024. The basics - sound quality, battery life, and comfort - remain crucial. But newer features like spatial audio, adaptive noise cancellation, and multipoint connectivity (connecting to multiple devices simultaneously) have become increasingly important.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 clearly targets active users. With military-grade durability certification and IP68 water resistance (meaning it can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes), these earbuds are built for everything from intense workouts to rainy commutes. Jabra's ShakeGrip technology - a specially designed rubber coating - helps them stay put during activities.
The B&W Pi6, on the other hand, aims at audio enthusiasts who prioritize sound quality. Their bio-cellulose drivers (a special material that's both lightweight and rigid) deliver exceptionally detailed audio, especially when paired with high-resolution audio sources. While they offer IP54 protection (resistant to dust and water splashes), they're more at home in an office or on a commute than at the gym.
The Pi6 supports more advanced Bluetooth codecs, including aptX Adaptive, which can stream high-quality audio up to 24-bit/96kHz when paired with compatible devices. This means you'll hear more detail in your music, especially in complex passages or with high-quality recordings.
The Jabra uses standard AAC and SBC codecs, which are perfectly fine for most users and music services. While they don't support the highest-resolution formats, they deliver punchy, energetic sound that works particularly well for workout playlists and podcasts.
In my testing, the Pi6's sound quality pulls ahead in side-by-side comparison, especially when listening to acoustic or classical music. The wider soundstage (how spread out the instruments sound) and better detail retrieval make for a more engaging listening experience. However, the Jabra's bass-forward tuning makes electronic music and hip-hop particularly enjoyable during workouts.
Both models offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect and cancel out external noise. The Jabra's system is particularly clever, adapting to both movement and wind noise - useful when running outdoors. The Pi6's noise cancellation seems more targeted at consistent background noise like airplane engines or office chatter.
Both also offer transparency modes (called HearThrough on the Jabra) that let you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds. The Jabra's implementation sounds more natural, likely due to its focus on outdoor use.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 leads in battery life, offering:
The B&W Pi6 provides:
Comfort is highly personal, but there are some objective differences. The Jabra includes three sizes of silicone ear tips and their ShakeGrip coating helps them stay secure. The Pi6 comes with four sizes of ear tips (including an extra small option), which helps ensure a good fit for more ear sizes.
The Jabra's slightly smaller size makes them more comfortable for side-sleeping or wearing under a hat, while the Pi6's slightly larger housing accommodates their more sophisticated driver system.
Both earbuds offer companion apps for customization, but their approaches differ:
Jabra Sound+ app features:
B&W's app provides:
At $169.99, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 represents excellent value, especially considering its durability and feature set. The B&W Pi6 at $249 asks for a significant premium, but justifies it with superior sound quality and premium materials.
Choose the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 if:
Choose the B&W Pi6 if:
After several weeks of testing both models, I've found that the Jabra's durability claims hold up well - they've survived intense workouts and unexpected rain without issues. The Pi6's sound quality advantage is most noticeable when listening to well-recorded acoustic music or watching movies with complex soundtracks.
For home theater use, the Pi6's aptX Adaptive support means lower latency (less delay between video and audio) when watching videos, though both models perform acceptably well. Neither supports multi-channel surround sound, so they're best suited as secondary listening devices for your home theater setup.
Both earbuds excel in their intended use cases. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers exceptional value for active users who need durability without sacrificing sound quality. The B&W Pi6 delivers superior audio performance for those willing to pay a premium for better sound quality.
Your choice should ultimately depend on your primary use case and budget. If you're tough on your earbuds or exercise regularly, the Jabra is the clear choice. If you're an audio enthusiast who primarily listens in controlled environments, the Pi6's superior sound quality might be worth the extra investment.
| Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ($169.99) | Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 ($249) |
|---|---|
| Water Resistance Rating - Crucial for workout and outdoor use | |
| IP68 (fully waterproof, submergible) | IP54 (splash resistant only) |
| Battery Life with ANC - Determines how often you need to charge | |
| 8 hours buds + 32 hours case | 8 hours buds + 24 hours case |
| Driver Size - Impacts sound quality and bass response | |
| 6mm standard drivers | 12mm bio-cellulose drivers (superior detail) |
| Bluetooth Codecs - Affects audio quality with high-res sources | |
| Basic (AAC, SBC) | Advanced (aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC) |
| Number of Microphones - Important for call quality | |
| 6 mics total | 6 mics (3 per bud) |
| Ear Tip Sizes - Critical for comfort and noise isolation | |
| 3 sizes (S, M, L) | 4 sizes (XS, S, M, L) |
| Special Features - Differentiating capabilities | |
| ShakeGrip coating, Spatial Audio, Adaptive ANC | Premium audio tuning, Multi-point connection |
| Fast Charging - Helpful for quick top-ups | |
| 5 mins = 1 hour playback | 15 mins = 2 hours playback |
| Wireless Charging - Convenience feature | |
| Yes | No |
| Use Case Optimization - Where they perform best | |
| Sports/outdoors, active lifestyle | Audiophile listening, office/commute |
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 ($249) offers superior sound quality for movies thanks to its larger 12mm bio-cellulose drivers and aptX Adaptive support. While the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ($169.99) provides good audio, it lacks the same level of detail and spatial awareness that makes the Pi6 better for home theater use.
Both models work well for TV watching, but the B&W Pi6's aptX Adaptive codec provides lower latency, meaning better audio-video sync. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is adequate but may experience slight delay depending on your TV's Bluetooth implementation.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers superior battery life with 32 total hours including the case, compared to the B&W Pi6's 24 hours. Both provide 8 hours per charge with ANC enabled.
While both can be used for gaming, neither is specifically optimized for it. The B&W Pi6's aptX Adaptive codec provides lower latency, making it slightly better for gaming applications.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is significantly better for exercise with its IP68 waterproofing and ShakeGrip coating. The B&W Pi6 is only IP54 rated and isn't designed primarily for athletic use.
Both offer effective ANC, but the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 has more adaptive noise cancellation that works better in varying environments. The B&W Pi6 excels in consistent noise environments like offices or airplanes.
Both models feature 6 microphones total and perform well for calls. The Jabra has slightly better wind noise reduction, while the B&W offers clearer voice quality in quiet environments.
Yes, both models are fully compatible with iOS and Android devices. However, the B&W Pi6's aptX Adaptive codec only works with supported Android devices, while iPhone users will use AAC.
The B&W Pi6 offers four ear tip sizes for a more customizable fit, while the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 provides three sizes but has a more secure fit design. Comfort is subjective, but both are designed for extended wear.
Neither model supports true surround sound, but both offer spatial audio features. The B&W Pi6 provides better sound staging and detail for movie watching, making it the superior choice for home theater use.
The Jabra Sound+ app offers more customization options and features like EQ adjustment and button customization. The B&W app is more basic but provides essential controls and firmware updates.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers excellent value at $169.99, especially for active users. The B&W Pi6 at $249 is worth the premium if sound quality is your priority, particularly for home theater use.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: tomsguide.com - soundguys.com - youtube.com - runnersworld.com - bestbuy.com - soundguys.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - stuff.tv - bowerswilkins.com - youtube.com - tomsguide.com - bowerswilkins.com - audio46.com - crutchfield.com - baybloorradio.com - skybygramophone.com - nfm.com - ofinet.es - bowerswilkins.com
