Tech-N-Things

The “Muad’Dib”. This is the name for my favorite IEM. It represented what  realistic expectations are in the world of  IEM for sound vs. cost difference. Are there superior sounding IEM’s? Yes, but for the cost of those vs. these, I found no such jusfication. I have $1000 iems from theiaudio and 64 audio, still considered the best in IEM today, and they didn’t have much difference between my Dunu Sa6 Mk2. Small differences were found, but nothing ever amounted to the cost of double the $500 I paid for the Dunu’s. And then when I took into account that these were custom-made …with nobody having the design I have, much less given the rare opportunity to pick their design…I was hooked.

All my IEMs were sold because of my inception moment. I was attached by something special along with the addicted feeling and emotions that came with amazing realistic sound and perfect fits in ears.

So when a company like Bowers and Wilkins steps up to the plate P series… something very similar happens. The sound quality, the fit, and the feel stand on top of the world of their Bluetooth category. And as I have said before… they are the first Bluetooth earphones to break the ceiling of bluetooth, finally landing in the realm of IEM in sound quality, fit, and quality.

But the question now remains; is the Bowers and Wilkins PI8 better than IEMs now that they have exceeded into their realm?

First off, I’m blessed beyond what I deserve by God to be able to have such a dilemma. To have even one of these in your position, you would be blessed more than you deserve, let alone both of these. So, let’s get that out of the way first.

Now, onto the question…

First off, there is no question in my mind that the PI8s are the world’s best sounding earphones, period. No brand and no item can beat it in sound, comfort, and quality in bluetooth. But the world of IEM is a different beast. As great of a sound and as great of a timbre, tonaily, separation, and soundstage that exist on the Pi8s… My Dunu Sa6 Mk2 still takes it to another step. Even after I tuned my ears to the pi8 for the last few weeks …the moment I put the Sa6 MK2 in, things just took over. Bass that I thought couldn’t better, got better, vocals I thought were perfect, were more perfect, separation that I thought was the best, were just that more separated. Basically, everything the Pi8 did, was beat by the Dunu’s. And by right, at $600 it should.

 

However, when you take into account that price difference and ask me if that difference equaled in sound… I would say no. And if you asked me which one did the most, in the best way, I would say the Pi8 all day. It’s wireless, has anc, hear through, connects to two different devices, and takes phone calls. There isn’t a question which one lives up to their cost and performance the best. But if you simply asked which sounded better, it would be the Dunu’s still because it’s still a wired connection. Actually, I’m running my balance. So you just can’t get the same level of sound from bluetooth, no matter how well it’s done.

At the end of the day, I have the very best in the world in bluetooth earphones, and I have my absolute favorite wired IEM. Both can be used for what they are used for the best, and they don’t have to fight for room to allow them to do it.