Darling Buds Bowers & Wilkins PI7

Simply next-level stuff – these true wireless earbuds have ingenious features and a truly heavenly sound

SPECIFICATIONS

Drivers 2 per bud (9.2mm driver, high-frequency ‘balanced armature’ driver)

Frequency range 10Hz - 20kHz

Connectivity Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX Adaptive

Microphones 3 per bud

Weatherproofing IP54

Battery life 4 hours buds; 20 hours total Dimensions 60x28x57mm (case)

Weight 7g per bud; 61g case

You know when you bite into a perfect steak, or a delectable desert, and you just feel this instant sense of relaxation and comfort? And it’s usually accompanied by a sigh and a slight slump into your seat? That’s what Bowers & Wilkins PI7 do to you the second you fire up your first song.

Bowers & Wilkins has gone in hard when it comes to features for its new premium true wireless earbuds. The sound is provided by a dual-driver system in each ear: a 9.2mm custom driver and a high-frequency ‘balanced armature’ driver, each with its own separate amplifier. Backing that up is support for aptX Adaptive Bluetooth connectivity with compatible devices, and the connection between the two earbuds is 24-bit/48kHz.

B&W has also included an excellent feature that means high-quality audio is more accessible than ever. You can plug the PI7’s case into a USB-C or analogue audio source, effectively using it as a wireless adapter, and it will send sound to the headphones over aptX LL. Plug the case into a computer, choose it as the audio output, and suddenly you’re listening to Qobuz in aptX from a Mac that doesn’t support it.