beyerdynamic AMIRON 100 vs Bowers & Wilkins Pi8
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| beyerdynamicAMIRON 100 | Bowers & WilkinsPi8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | November 2024 | August 2024 |
| Sound | ||
| Type | In-ear | In-ear |
| Noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Driver size | – | 12 mm |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC and AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless |
| Drivers | Dynamic, closed; 20 – 22,000 Hz (datasheet; the product page says 20 – 20,000 Hz); 32 ohms; max. 95 dB SPL; THD < 0.5% at 100 Hz, 500 Hz and 1 kHz | 12 mm Carbon Cone dynamic drivers with dedicated DSP, amplifier and DAC |
| Noise cancelling detail | Active noise cancelling and transparency mode | Noise cancelling and ambient Pass-Through modes; a seal in the ear canal is needed for the strongest reduction; wear sensors pause playback when an earbud is removed |
| Audio features | 5-band equaliser in the beyerdynamic app | aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive on compatible source devices; five-band customisable EQ and TrueSound mode in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app; case retransmits over aptX Adaptive |
| Battery | ||
| Listening time (maker's claim) | Up to 6 hours | Up to 6.5 hours |
| With the case | Up to 35 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Battery life detail | Up to 8 hours per charge with noise cancelling off, 6 hours with it on; 27 more hours from the charging case, 35 hours in total (the September 2024 announcement said 19 hours from the case); talk time up to 5 hours (noise cancelling off) | Up to 6.5 hours per charge with ANC on and an additional 13.5 hours from the case, based on Bowers & Wilkins' pre-production tests |
| Charging case | USB-C (USB-A to USB-C cable included) and Qi wireless charging; earbuds charge in under 1 hour | Can retransmit audio from USB-C and 3.5 mm analogue sources to the earbuds; USB-C and wireless charging; 65 × 29 × 52 mm |
| Fast charging | 15 minutes of charging gives 3 hours of use | 15 minutes of charging gives up to 2 hours of playback; listed charging time 2 hours |
| Design | ||
| Weight (each earbud) | 4.15 g (better) | 7 g |
| Water and sweat resistance | IP54 | IP54 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| Two devices at once | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | Touch pads for playback, volume, calls, switching noise cancelling and transparency, and the voice assistant; customisable in the app; automatic play and pause when the earbuds are put in or taken out | Touch-sensitive multi-function button on each earbud; hold the left button to switch between ANC and Pass-Through; controls can be customised in the Music app |
| Microphones | Six omnidirectional MEMS microphones with noise reduction for calls | Three microphones per earbud for calls and noise cancelling |
| Fit and ear tips | Silicone ear tips in five sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL); weight 4.15 g per earbud without ear tip | Silicone ear tips in extra-small, small, medium and large sizes (medium fitted) |
| Case weight | 41.57 g | 46 g |
| Water resistance detail | IP54 splash-proof and sweat resistant | – |
| Works with | Bluetooth 5.3 with HFP, A2DP and AVRCP; range 15 m; multipoint; beyerdynamic app for settings and firmware updates (the September 2024 announcement also listed LE Audio and LC3, which the current spec page and datasheet don't) | Bluetooth audio with phones, tablets and computers; Bowers & Wilkins Music app on iOS and Android; Apple MFi; multipoint connection to two devices |
| Colours | Black, cream | Anthracite Black, Dove White, Jade Green, Midnight Blue, Dark Burgundy and Pale Mauve |
| In the box | Earbuds, five pairs of silicone ear tips, charging case, USB charging cable, quick start guide | Earbuds, charging case, four sizes of ear tips, 60 cm USB-C to USB-C charging cable, 80 cm USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable and documentation |
