Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 vs. Pi6 vs. Cambridge Melomania Touch: Which Is the Best Travel Companion?
My daily routine involves commuting across various forms of transport: a car ride to the train station, a trip to São Bento Station in the heart of Porto, then Metropolitan to Vila Nova de Gaia, and finally, a brisk 12-minute walk to the office. At the end of the day, the same journey in reverse. Ah, the joys of city life!
Music is my companion throughout this urban adventure, and earbuds are my crutch to get through it. Recently, I’ve been testing two models from Bowers & Wilkins — the Pi8 and Pi6 — and comparing them with my faithful Cambridge Melomania Touch, which have accompanied me on this journey for quite some time.
Build Quality & Reliability
Cambridge Melomania Touch: Lightweight… with a troubled past
My relationship with Melomania models goes way back. It started with the original Melomania 1 shortly after launch. A few months later came the 1+, intended to fix connectivity issues. Then another replacement of the same model, this time in white. The result? Still the same: sync issues between the earbuds and the source. Three pairs in under two years.
Stability finally arrived with the Melomania Touch — although I preferred the form factor of the 1 and 1+. These still work today (now mostly used by my wife at home). They’re practical, lightweight, and made of unpretentious but effective materials.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 & Pi8: Subtlety and excellence
B&W enters the scene at another level of attention to detail. The matte plastic finish on both the Pi6 and Pi8 exudes a premium feel. The Pi8 adds a decorative metal accent and a case with refined design touches — the kind of object you enjoy pulling from your pocket.
After several months of heavy use, neither B&W model failed me: no dropouts, no sync issues, no erratic behaviour. While I haven’t had them long enough to speak for long-term durability, promising is the word I’d use so far.
User Interface & Features
Melomania Touch: Simple and effective
The design is lightweight and ergonomic. Pairing is direct, and the Cambridge app is intuitive enough for its purpose. Battery life is unbeatable. That said, the Touch lacks modern features like active noise cancellation or adjustable transparency modes.
Pi6 & Pi8: Control, app integration, and innovation
B&W’s interface is more refined. Both models offer customizable touch controls via app (volume, sound modes, voice assistant), and the Pi8 case has a rare ace: it doubles as an audio transmitter — ideal for non-Bluetooth devices.
Battery life is solid, too: around 6.5 hours on a single charge for the Pi8, with an additional 13.5 hours from the case. A quick 15-minute charge provides roughly 2 extra hours — perfect for those constantly on the move.
Where B&W really shines is in noise cancelling. The Pi8’s ANC reaches impressive levels for IEMs. Subway tunnel noise, for instance, is still a tough one for any in-ear monitor to cancel out completely. I mostly preferred using transparency mode. I’m one of those purists who doesn’t like adding filters to the sound — but it’s always good to have the choice.
Sound Quality
Melomania Touch: Fun sound with soul
The Melomania sound is surprisingly engaging for the price. On tracks like “Man Next Door” by Massive Attack, bass response is rich and deep. Trebles can be a bit sharp for sensitive ears, but they carry detail and sparkle. Tracks like “Starman” by David Bowie feel alive — and that’s where the Melomanias shine: energetic delivery and pure listening pleasure.
Pi6: Energy and balance
The Pi6 sound signature seems tuned with similar intentions — made for listeners who want great sound without high-end audiophile pretensions. The audio packs a punch. Bass is full-bodied, mids and highs blend naturally. On “Big Time Sensuality” by Björk, the vocals and rhythm coexist in a well-shaped soundstage. Compared to the Melomanias, the Pi6 adds texture and nuance without losing the fun. They’re not as refined as the Pi8, but they’re thrilling in their own way.
Pi8: Top-tier experience
The Pi8 steps up — or rather, leaps up. The sound is clean, balanced, spacious, and mature. There’s warmth in the mids, depth in the bass, and extended (yet never harsh) treble. On “No Surprises” by Radiohead, the soundstage feels wide. On “Querelle” by Pop Dell’Arte, the bass vibrates with authority. The real magic is in the details: “Lágrima” by Maria Bethânia sounds so natural I forget I’m standing in a Metro station.
I was worried about the opening highs in “Echoes” by Pink Floyd — but the Pi8 handled it flawlessly. I personally preferred the sound with ANC off — it is more natural that way. But in public transport, ANC is a blessing for staying focused. B&W clearly inherited his ANC from their flagship Px8: discreet, effective, with a handy transparency mode — though slightly sharp in the upper frequencies, to my ears.
Conclusion: Which Pair Is Right for You?
Each pair of earbuds offers a different experience. The Melomania Touch brings me back to the simpler, slower days of early lockdown. The Pi6 gives me energy on grey mornings. And the Pi8… is pure sonic escape — like stepping into a private concert hall in the middle of the urban chaos.
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are, without a doubt, the best true wireless IEMs I’ve ever used. Sophisticated sound, effective ANC, luxurious build, and advanced features — everything adds up to an exceptional experience. A real upgrade for those who want the best without compromise.
The Pi6 delivers much of the Pi8 DNA at a friendlier price. It lacks some of the sonic polish of the flagship, but keeps the energy and musicality. Ideal for those who want it all without going all in.
As for the Cambridge Melomania Touch — their sound is joyful, the battery life is outstanding, and despite the rocky road of earlier models, they still have a place in my audio lineup.
Looking for your perfect sound companion for busy days? One of these will surely fit your needs. It all comes down to how much you want to invest in your auditory pleasure.