When British design and technology come together, something special happens. This time, Bowers & Wilkins donned the McLaren racing jacket and created the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition – wireless headphones that are not only stylish, but also sonic beasts.
Bowers & Wilkins have been pampering passengers with sound for a decade McLarens supercars – from 600LT to the hybrid beast of Arturo. This time, the speakers aren't under the dash, but directly in your ears. And not just any kind – the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition redefine the portable audio experience.
In a limited edition, these headphones are dressed in McLaren's iconic Galvanic Grey and Papaya Orange color scheme that will get Formula 1 fans' hearts racing at first glance. The casing? Grey on the outside, orange on the inside – like opening a mini McLaren engine.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition sound that Hamilton would approve of
Of course, they are not just beautiful. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition contain completely redesigned 12 mm drivers with Bowers & Wilkins Carbon Cone technology – that means almost zero distortion and insanely clear sound. They are joined by a 32-bit digital processor that processes sound with the same precision as F1 telemetry.
The biggest ace up your sleeve? Qualcomm aptX Lossless Bluetooth – the first choice for anyone who swears by wireless hi-res audio without compromise. Translation: it's almost like having a cable. Almost.
Active noise cancellation that brightens your world
While Bose and Sony still hold the ANC crown, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition is a serious contender. The triple microphone combo constantly adjusts to your surroundings and cancels out everyday noises, like a baby crying on a plane or a coworker's Zoom call in the coffee shop.
They can do more than many smart gadgets: Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition
- Battery life: 6.5 hours with ANC on + 13.5 hours with case.
- Bluetooth 5.4: stable and ultra-fast connection.
- Multipoint: two devices at the same time – because you're modern and have multiple screens.
- IP54 protection: resistant to sweat, dust and light British spray.
- Audio retransmission via case: connect to devices without Bluetooth. Yes, you read that right.
Price? Exclusive is never cheap
For $499 (around €470), you get not just a headset, but a ticket to a world of sound, aesthetics, and speed. It's $100 more than the standard Pi8 version - but hey, even the McLaren isn't exactly a Renault Clio.
Unfortunately, they were sold out before you could say “pole position” twice, but they do occasionally pop up on the secondary market. For anyone who wants more than just sound – this is a collector’s item.
Final round
Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 McLaren Edition are not just headphones. They are a statement. About style, about speed, about uncompromising quality. They combine premium sound, design you can put on a podium, and technical candy that will make any geek's eyes light up. If you want sound that takes you further than your car - you have it here.
