PI3 - Earphones BOWERS & WILKINS - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Wireless Bluetooth In-Ear Headphones
Brand	Bowers & Wilkins
Model	PI3
Weight	31 grams
Battery Type	Rechargeable Lithium Polymer
Battery Life (Bluetooth playback)	Up to 8 hours
Fast Charging	2 hours playback with 15 minutes charge
Full Charge Time	Up to 3 hours
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX-Adaptive technology
Bluetooth Codecs	aptX-Adaptive, aptX-HD, aptX-Classic, AAC, SBC
Bluetooth Profiles	A2DP v1.3.1, AVRCP v1.6.1, HFP v1.7.1, HSP v1.2, BLE GATT
Speakers	2 x ø 9.2 mm full range + 2 x Balanced Armature
Frequency Response	10 Hz - 30 kHz
Distortion (THD)	< 0.3% (1 kHz / 10 mW)
Microphone	1 microphone for calls (CVC1)
Charging Connector	USB-C (charging and audio)
Included Accessories	USB-A to USB-C cable (20 cm), storage case, ear tips (S, M, L), stabilizing wings (S, M, L)
Main Features	Play/pause, volume, track skip, call management, secret mode activation, call waiting, auto sleep, multipoint pairing (up to 8 devices)
Care and Cleaning	Clean with a slightly damp microfiber cloth; remove ear tips and wings for separate cleaning; do not use abrasive products, detergents, or immerse in water
Repairability	Spare parts available through Bowers & Wilkins support; reset possible via buttons or app
Environmental Compliance	RoHS, REACH, WEEE

Frequently Asked Questions - PI3 BOWERS & WILKINS

How to turn on and off the Bowers & Wilkins PI3 headphones?

To turn on the headphones, press and hold the Power button (on the left earpiece) for 2 seconds. You will hear a tone and the indicator light turns on. To turn off, press and hold the same button for 2 seconds until the indicator turns off.

What is the battery life of the PI3 and how to charge it?

Battery life during Bluetooth playback is approximately 8 hours at moderate volume. A full charge takes up to 3 hours via the included USB-C cable. A 15-minute charge provides 2 hours of playback. During charging, the indicator blinks green, then becomes steady green when fully charged.

How to wear the PI3 headphones correctly?

Identify the left (L) and right (R) earpieces. Put the neckband around your neck, insert the ear tips into the ear canal and ensure the stabilizing wings fit securely. Use the appropriate size ear tips and wings (S, M, L) for a good seal.

How to connect the PI3 via Bluetooth?

Turn on the headphones. If not already in pairing mode, press and hold the Power button for 5 seconds until the indicator blinks blue. Enable Bluetooth on your source device, select 'PI3' from the list. The indicator becomes solid blue and a tone confirms the connection.

Can I connect the PI3 to multiple devices simultaneously?

Yes, the PI3 can be paired with up to 8 devices and connected simultaneously to 2 Bluetooth devices. To switch between them, pause playback on the first and start playback on the second. Incoming calls on a second device will automatically pause playback.

How to use playback and call controls?

Use the multi-function button on the right earpiece: one press for play/pause or answer/end call, two presses for next track, three for previous. Volume + and - buttons adjust volume. For calls, press and hold 2 seconds to reject a call, double press to switch between two calls, etc.

What to do if the headphones won't turn on or connect?

Make sure the battery is charged. Perform a reset by pressing and holding the Volume +, Volume -, and Power buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds until the indicator turns off and then on again. This clears the paired device list and restores default settings.

How to clean and maintain the PI3?

Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe the headphones. Remove the ear tips and stabilizing wings to clean them separately. For the acoustic grilles, use a cotton swab or soft brush. Do not use chemical products, detergents, or immerse the headphones in water.

Where to find the Bowers & Wilkins Headphones app and what is it for?

The 'Bowers & Wilkins Headphones' app is available for free on iOS and Android. It allows you to configure the sleep timer, voice prompts, manage Bluetooth connections, and perform firmware updates for the headphones.

How to store the PI3 in its case?

Turn off the headphones. Form a loop with the neckband, gather the loop and controls in one hand, clip the two earpieces together. Open the case, slide the headphones inside, then close the case securely, making sure no cable is sticking out.

USER MANUAL PI3 BOWERS & WILKINS

Welcome to Bowers & Wilkins and PI3

Thank you for choosing Bowers & Wilkins. When John Bowers first established our company, he did so in the belief that imaginative design, innovative engineering and advanced technology were keys that could unlock the enjoyment of audio in the home. His belief is one that we continue to share and inspires every product we design, tailored for new audio experiences outside of the home.

The Bowers & Wilkins PI3 are high performance in-ear headphones designed to deliver the highest quality mobile personal audio experience combined with the convenience of wireless operation in a compact easy to wear design. This manual will tell you everything you need to know to get the most from your PI3 headphones.

PI3 features exclusive custom designed Hybrid Dynamic-Balanced Armature drive units, paired with two separate dedicated amplifiers producing a wide, accurate soundstage.

PI3 incorporates a rechargeable battery pack. When fully charged the battery pack can provide up to 8 hours of continuous wireless media streaming at average playback volume levels.

1. PI3 Carton Contents

PI3 headphones

Storage case

USB-C charging cable

Ear tips (small, medium and large)

Ear stabilisers (small, medium and large)

Document pack

2. Getting to know your PI3

2.1 Switching Headphones On and Off

Diagram 1 illustrates Power button functionality.

Switching On

The Power button is located on the left control unit. Press and hold the Power button for 2 seconds. An audible cue will be presented and the LED indicator will light up in ether green, amber or red displaying the current charge level.

Switching Off

Press and hold the Power button for 2 seconds.

An audible cue will be presented and the

headphones will power down when the LED

indictor is no longer lit.

2.2 Headphone Controls

Diagram 2 illustrates the headphone controls. The following buttons on the right control unit are used to for media playback:

Function Action

Play or pause	Press the Multi-function button once.
Play to next track	Press the Multi-function button twice in quick succession.Note: functionality dependent on source device.
Play previous track	Press the Multi-function button three times in quick succession. Note: functionality dependent on source device.
Increase Volume Press the Volume + button.
Lower Volume Press the Volume - button.

The following buttons on the right control unit are used for phone call functionality:

Function Action

Answer or end call	Press the Multi-function button once.
Answer an incoming call	When incoming call occurs, press the Multi-function button once.
Decline an incoming call	When incoming call occurs, hold the Multi-function for 2 seconds.
Switch between two calls	With two calls active, press the Multi-function button twice.
Merge two calls	With two calls active, hold the Multi-function button for 1 second.
Toggle mute	While on a call, press the Multi-function button three times.

2.3 Status Indicator

The status LED indicator is located on the right control unit, Diagram 3 explains the illumination states.

Illumination Operational state

White Battery charge > 30%

Amber Battery charge between 30% and 10%

Red Battery charge < 10%

Red flashing Battery charge insufficient for headphone operation

Blue flashing Pairing mode enabled

Blue (2 sec solid) Pairing successful

Blue flashing (calls) Incoming call

Green flashing Rapid charging

Green solid Battery charge full, trickle charging

Diagram 3

Status indicator illuminations

3. Battery Charging and Power Saving

Your PI3 comes with the battery partially charged may be used immediately. For best practice we recommend to fully charge the headphones before first use. Please allow up to 3 hours for full charge. The headphones can be used while charging.

To charge:

1. Please use the supplied charging cable and connect the USB-A plug to a wall charger or a powered computer USB-A socket.
2. Then connect the USB-C end to the headphones USB-C socket

Note: During charging, the headphone indicator will flash green. When fully charged, the indicator will remain illuminated. See Diagram 3 for status indicator details.

3.1 Auto Power Off

PI3 features smart power management. If no audio is being streamed or played after 15 minutes, PI3 will automatically disconnect Bluetooth and power down to save battery life.

With the app, you can customise how long the headphones will wait before auto power off, please see Standby Timer under Settings in the app.

4. Wearing Your Headphones

Wearing your headphones correctly will help ensure you get the best possible experience, see Diagram 5. Like many in-ear headphones, the PI3 earpieces are designed to seal the ear canal in order to perform optimally. The earpieces are also designed be used with the stabiliser fins and must be installed prior to use.

Both ear tips and stabiliser fins come in three sizes (small, medium and large). Finding the proper size for your ear is critical to obtaining a good seal and ensure PI3 performs optimally.

1. Identify the left and right earpieces by finding the identification legends located on the interior of each cable near the earpieces. Hold PI3 by the left and right control units and hang the headphone around your neck comfortably, the earpieces should be at equal length.
2. Place the earphones in your ear so that the tips sit comfortably at the opening of the ear canal.
3. Ensure the stabiliser fins are sitting comfortably in the ear. Try another size if they do not fit. Different sized ear tips and stabiliser fins can be used to ensure the best possible fit.

Diagram 4

USB-C cable connection

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

Diagram 5
Wearing your headphones

Diagram of a pair of earbuds, one with a handle and the other with a curved blade (no text or symbols)

Diagram of a medical device with a bulb and connector, showing alignment lines (no text or symbols)

5. Bluetooth Connection

5.1 Pairing

PI3 is designed to stream media wirelessly from Bluetooth audio devices, such as smartphones, tablets or personal computers. To do so, the headphone and device (source) must first be paired, see Diagram 6.

1. The first time you switch on your headphones, Bluetooth pairing mode will be enabled, the indicator will flash blue. If pairing mode is not enabled, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds, let go when the indicator blinks blue and when an audible cue is presented.
2. Ensure the Bluetooth feature is enabled on the audio device, PI3 will appear in the discovery list, select it to pair.
3. The indicator will flash blue while pairing is in progress, this will change to solid blue and an audible cue presented when pairing is successful.

Your headphones will remember up to eight paired Bluetooth devices. Repeat the above steps to pair more devices.

Note: Your headphones will automatically exit Bluetooth pairing mode if no device is paired within 5 minutes. If pairing fails, the indicator will rapid flash blue, please try pairing again.

5.2 Multiple Bluetooth Connections

PI3 can connect up to two devices at the same time, but note that you can only play audio or take calls from one device at a time.

To switch between two devices:

1. Pause audio on the first device, or use the PI3 multi-function button.
2. Play audio from the second device and the headphone will switch over.

When streaming audio, receiving a call on the second device will automatically pause playback and the call will be routed automatically to your headphones. Ending the call will automatically resume playback from the first device.

5.3 Disconnect from a Device

You can quickly disconnect PI3 from a device by pressing the Power button two times in quick succession, an audible tone will be presented indicating successful disconnection.

Alternatively, you can manage connection in further detail using the Bowers & Wilkins Headphones app under Connections.

5.4 Setting Up Headphones with the App

The Bowers & Wilkins Headphones app provides extended setup. The app also provides further customisations such as voice prompt, standby time, connection management and headphone software updates. The app is available as a free download on iOS and Android devices.

To add your headphones:

1. From your mobile device, download and install the Bowers & Wilkins Headphones app.
2. Launch the app, then read and follow the instructions pertaining app notification and permissions.
3. After reaching the main screen, simply tap + and following the in-app instructions.

5.5 Headphone Software Updates

Bowers & Wilkins will occasionally make available software updates that refine and optimise the performance of your headphones or add new features.

The Bowers & Wilkins Headphones app will notify you when a software update is available, tap on the notification and the follow in-app instructions.

Diagram 6 Bluetooth pairing

6. Power Cycle and Reset

6.1 Power Cycle

You can power cycle your PI3, simultaneously hold the Volume + and Volume - buttons for 10 seconds until the indicator LED extinguishes, let go when the indicator lights up again. Rebooting your headphones will not reset their internal settings or clear the paired device history.

6.2 Reset to Default

You can clear the paired device history and restore all settings to their defaults. With PI3 powered on, simultaneously hold the Volume +, Volume - and Power buttons for 10 seconds until the indicator LED extinguishes, let go when the indicator lights up again, the headphones will be ready to pair to a device. Alternatively, you can reset from the Bowers & Wilkins Headphones app, please see Reset under Settings in the app

7. Care & Maintenance

7.1 Storing Your PI3

Taking care of your PI3 will ensure they continue to deliver the best performance and experience.

When not used, stow your headphones using the included storage pouch, see Diagram 7. It is recommended the headphones are first powered off:

1. With the headphones not worn, take the neckband and form a single loop.
2. Bundle the loop and control units together in one hand. With the free hand, clip the earpieces together and loop the earbuds over the bundle.
3. The opening of the pouch can be pinched open, slide the headphones in, then ensure the opening is closed and no parts of the headphones are sticking out.

7.2 Cleaning Your PI3

Your PI3 can be cleaned by a soft, damp microfiber cloth, gently wipe or dab clean. Removable pieces such as ear tips and stabiliser fins should be taken off and cleaned separately.

If you notice wax and residue accumulation on the sound tubes, take a cotton swab or soft brush and gently wipe away.

• Do NOT aggressively rub or use an abrasive tool to clean.
• Do NOT use paper towels, napkins or tissue as they will leave residue.
• Do NOT use cleaning detergents, soapy water, polish or chemical cleaners.
• Do NOT wash or submerge all or parts of the headphones in liquid.

8. Support

Should you require further help or advice regarding your PI3 please visit the Headphones support site here www.bowerswilkins.com/support.

graph TD
    A["① Body Position"] --> B["② Tendon Insert"]
    B --> C["③ Tendon Pulling"]
    C --> D["④ Bower & Wilkins Placement"]
    style A fill:#f9f,stroke:#333
    style B fill:#ccf,stroke:#333
    style C fill:#cfc,stroke:#333
    style D fill:#fcc,stroke:#333

Diagram 7
Storing your headphones

Specifications

Wearing Style Bluetooth Wireless In-Ear Headphone

Technical Features World-first fully active 2-way wireless earbuds

Magnetic Cliping Earpieces

Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX-Adaptive technology

USB-C charging and audio interface

Bluetooth Codecs AptX-Adaptive

AptX-HD

AptX-Classic

AAC

SBC

Bluetooth Profiles A2DP v1.3.1

AVRCP v1.6.1

HFP v1.7.1

HSP v1.2

BLE GATT (Generic Attribute Profile)

Drive Units 2 x ø 9.2mm full range

2 x Balanced Armature

Microphones 1x mics for telephony (CVC1 - Clear Voice Communication v1)

Frequency Range 10Hz to 30kHz

Distortion (THD) <0.3% (1kHz/10mW)

Battery Type Rechargeable Lithium Polymer

Battery Life & Charging 8 hrs Bluetooth, 2hrs with 15min charge

Inputs Bluetooth, USB-C audio

In Box Accessories 20cm USB-A to USB-C cable, Storage Pouch, Ear Tips (S, M, L) & Stability Fins (S, M, L)

Weight 31 grams

Environmental Information

This product complies with international directives, including but not limited to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and the disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Consult your local waste disposal authority for guidance on how properly to recycle or dispose of this product.

Figure 6 Jumelage Bluetooth

graph TD
    A["① Body Position"] --> B["② Tube Placement"]
    B --> C["③ Tube Placement"]
    C --> D["④ Bowers & Wilkins Storage"]

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

Three-step illustration of a hand holding an earpiece, showing head, jaw, and ear (no text or symbols)

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

Diagram showing a pair of earbuds, one with a handle and the other with a curved blade (no text or symbols)

Diagram of a medical device with a bulb and connector, showing no text or symbols

graph TD
    A["① Body Position"] --> B["② Tube Placement"]
    B --> C["③ Tube Placement"]
    C --> D["④ Bowers & Wilkins Storage"]

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

Illustration of two types of earbuds with directional arrows indicating motion (no text or symbols)

Diagram of a medical device with a bulb and connector, no text or symbols present

5. Connessione Bluetooth

5.1 Abbinamento

2 x Balanced Armature

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

Diagram of a pair of earbuds, one with a handle and the other with a curved blade (no text or symbols)

Diagram of a medical device with a bulb and connector, showing alignment lines (no text or symbols)

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

Three-step illustration of a hand holding an earpiece, showing head, jaw, and jawhead positioning (no text or symbols)

2 x Balanced Armature

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

Three-step illustration of a bird vocal head with earphones and beak, showing head positioning and tail insertion (no text or symbols)

graph TD
    A["Step ①: Initial cable with loop"] --> B["Step ②: U-shaped tube with connecting rod"]
    B --> C["Step ③: U-shaped tube with connecting rod"]
    C --> D["Step ④: Bowers & Wilkins device with cable and connector"]

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

Three-step illustration of a hand holding an earpiece, showing head and jaw positions (no text or symbols)

Anatomical illustration of a human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

図5 ヘッドフォンの装着

Three-step illustration of a bird vocal head with earphones and beak, showing head positioning and motion (no text or symbols)

5. ブルートウース接続

Anatomical illustration of the human ear with directional arrows indicating movement or force (no text or labels present)

그림 5 헤드폰 착용 방법

Three-step illustration of a bird vocal head with earphones and beak, showing head positioning and tail insertion (no text or symbols)

5. 블루투스 연결

5.1 르루투스 페어링

Bluetooth v5.0 aptX Adaptive

2x Balanced Armature