Noble FoKus Rex5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 Comparison Review

True wi-fi earbuds are among the many most versatile and modern items of audio expertise immediately. Whereas manufacturers like Sennheiser and Sony dominate the market with fashions just like the Momentum True Wireless 4 and WF-1000XM5, audiophiles searching for elevated audio high quality could look elsewhere. Luckily, premium audio manufacturers like Bowers & Wilkins and Noble Audio have entered the true wi-fi area, providing fashions that cater to discerning listeners. On this overview, we’ll evaluate two standout choices: the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 and the Noble Audio FoKus Rex5, priced at $399 and $449, respectively. Let’s break down their options to find out which could fit your wants greatest.

What Comes In The Field

Aesthetics and Performance

With regards to design, the Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 and Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 exhibit distinct traits that cater to completely different consumer preferences. The Rex5 encompasses a daring aesthetic, with its vibrant inexperienced end accented by luxurious gold particulars, making an announcement of favor and class. Then again, the Pi8 takes a extra understated method with a collection of elegant coloration choices, together with jade inexperienced, dove white, and anthracite black, interesting to customers preferring a basic and refined look. Each fashions embrace a number of ear tip sizes to make sure a snug match, however the Pi8’s compact design presents a extra discreet and seamless look when worn.

By way of performance, the Rex5 and Pi8 present intuitive controls, albeit with completely different approaches. The Rex5 makes use of a bodily button for pairing and mode changes, which presents a tactile and dependable interface that minimizes unintentional activations. Conversely, the Pi8 employs touch-sensitive controls, which permit for easy navigation by playback, mode switching, and name administration. Whereas the contact controls on the Pi8 are extremely responsive and handy, some customers could discover the bodily button on the Rex5 to be extra reliable, significantly in lively or outside eventualities.

One other vital side of usability is the general consolation and match throughout prolonged use. The Pi8’s light-weight construct and ergonomic design make it a wonderful alternative for lengthy listening classes, because it nestles snugly into the ear with out inflicting fatigue. The Rex5, whereas barely bigger, nonetheless manages to keep up a snug match due to its considerate design and the inclusion of a wide range of ear tip sizes. Nonetheless, its extra pronounced kind issue could also be much less interesting to customers searching for a minimalist profile.

Each earbuds are designed with practicality in thoughts, however the Pi8’s emphasis on light-weight consolation and modern aesthetics provides it an edge for customers prioritizing ease of damage and refined design. Then again, the Rex5’s daring styling and tactile controls make it a compelling alternative for many who worth a particular look and dependable performance.

Tech Specs

these lists, the technical specs between these two earbuds appear fairly starkly completely different. The Pi8 depends on solely a 12mm carbon cone dynamic driver, whereas the Rex5 is provided with 3 various kinds of drivers. Nonetheless, upon nearer inspection, they really solely have just a few notable variations. They every have multipoint connection and Bluetooth 5.4, and help the identical codecs. You get ANC, Transparency, and Primary modes in all three, and an app to do some advantageous tuned changes. The Rex5 takes this tuning a degree up with Audiodo, a customized sound software program the place the earbuds take a studying of your ear. The Pi8 doesn’t have this, however as an alternative comes with a high-performance DSP with a devoted DAC/Amp. 

Listening Overview

Soundstage & ANC

The Pi8 presents a wider soundstage with a deal with peak and depth, creating an immersive listening atmosphere with exact imaging. Its ANC is efficient, sustaining constant frequency response whereas decreasing ambient noise. Conversely, the Rex5 presents a extra intimate soundstage, positioning audio nearer to the listener whereas excelling in spatial imaging and depth. Its ANC is equally efficient, isolating exterior noise to boost the listening expertise. Whereas the Pi8 appeals to these searching for a spacious and immersive sound, the Rex5 caters to listeners preferring a extra targeted and intimate audio presentation.

Low Frequencies

The Pi8 delivers a strong and dominant low finish, pushed by its carbon cone dynamic driver. Sub-bass frequencies are distinguished, creating a powerful basis for tracks, although they could require adjustment for higher stability. In distinction, the Rex5 achieves a well-balanced bass response, providing heat and depth with out overpowering different frequencies. It excels at sustaining readability and definition, even throughout bass-heavy passages. The Pi8 is right for listeners who take pleasure in a bass-forward sound, whereas the Rex5 is best suited for many who favor a refined and balanced low-frequency presentation.

Midrange Frequencies

The Pi8 emphasizes midrange readability and texture, rendering devices and vocals with precision. Its pure placement of parts makes it appropriate for a wide range of genres and even movie scores. Then again, the Rex5’s midrange shines with tonal accuracy and coherence, delivering a wealthy and pure timbre that excels in advanced preparations. Whereas each fashions deal with midrange frequencies exceptionally properly, the Pi8 leans towards dynamic presentation, and the Rex5 presents a extra harmonically balanced and interesting expertise. 

Excessive Frequencies

The Pi8’s excessive frequencies, whereas detailed, really feel barely overshadowed by its dominant low finish. Nonetheless, with changes, the treble positive aspects stability and provides refined coloration to tracks with out being piercing. The Rex5, in distinction, delivers a vibrant and detailed treble that enhances its bass heat, providing a easy and pure response. Its treble extension enhances refined nuances, sustaining an natural high quality. Listeners searching for vibrant and ethereal highs will gravitate towards the Rex5, whereas the Pi8’s highs cater to those that favor a softer and extra understated treble presence. 

Abstract

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 and Noble Audio FoKus Rex5 are each glorious choices for true wi-fi earbuds, catering to completely different preferences and wishes. Sitting at solely $50 aside in value, the earbuds are proper on the identical value for somebody trying to splurge on a present for themselves. For those who worth a spacious soundstage, light-weight consolation, and intuitive usability, the Pi8 stands out as the higher alternative. Then again, the Rex5 excels in customized sound, tonal accuracy, and a balanced frequency response, making it ideally suited for listeners who prioritize a refined and interesting audio expertise. Each fashions showcase distinctive craftsmanship and audio efficiency, proving that premium sound may be achieved in a compact, wi-fi kind. 

You may get the Noble FoKus Rex5 and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 at Audio46.