82

QC Headphones Headphones

Over-ear · ANC · 24h · AAC · BT 5.3

$250

MSRP

80

Pi8 Earbuds

In-ear TWS · ANC · 6.5h/22h · aptX Adaptive · BT 5.3

$400

MSRP

Our verdict

The QC Headphones Headphones takes the performance lead with a 3% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the QC Headphones Headphones tells a compelling value story. At $250 versus the Pi8 Earbuds's $400 price tag, it costs 60% less while delivering performance that's only 3% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the QC Headphones Headphones is the smarter purchase. The Pi8 Earbuds only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

QC Headphones Headphones

3% faster overall

Best value for money

QC Headphones Headphones

69% better value per dollar

QC Headphones Headphones best for

Power efficiency

3% faster overall

Audio

Driver Size
35mm
12mm
Frequency Response
20Hz - 20kHz
20Hz - 20kHz
Form Factor
Over-ear
In-ear TWS

Battery

Battery Life (ANC On)
24h
6.5h
Total with Case
N/A
22h
Fast Charge
15min → 2.5h
15min → 2h

Comfort

Weight
240g
7.0g
IP Rating
None
IP54
Wireless Charging
No
Yes (Qi)

Connectivity

Bluetooth
5.3
5.3
Codecs
AAC, SBC
aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC
Multipoint
Yes (2 devices)
Yes (2 devices)

Noise Cancellation

Active Noise Cancellation
Yes
Yes
Transparency Mode
Yes
Yes

Frequently asked questions

Is the Pi8 Earbuds worth $150 more than the QC Headphones Headphones?

It depends on your needs. The Pi8 Earbuds scores 82 overall vs 80 for the QC Headphones Headphones. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the QC Headphones Headphones offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the QC Headphones Headphones or Pi8 Earbuds?

The QC Headphones Headphones delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The QC Headphones Headphones provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the Pi8 Earbuds still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the Pi8 Earbuds handle 4K gaming?

The Pi8 Earbuds can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the QC Headphones Headphones is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the QC Headphones Headphones or Pi8 Earbuds?

Choose the QC Headphones Headphones if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the Pi8 Earbuds if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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