In the last year, Bowers & Wilkins launched two premium headphones, PX7 S2 and PX8. So today, we will be comparing these two headphones to understand which one is better. There are so many things to look at while buying the headphones. So we will compare all the important aspects of these headphones like design, sound quality, Price, Battery Life, and other features.
 |  |
|---|---|
| Bowers & Wilkins PX8 | Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 |
| PROS | PROS |
| Premium design with high-quality materials Excellent sound quality with refined audio performance Strong battery life and quick charging Updated ANC with clear call quality | Premium design with improved comfort Great sound quality with better clarity and detail Quick charging and long battery life Good ANC with clear call quality Competitive price point |
| CONS | CONS |
| Higher price point No touch controls | Lack of touch controls Limited EQ adjustments in the app No 3.5mm audio jack |
| CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Bowers & Wilkins PX8
Bowers & Wilkins’ PX8 headphones represent a premium option for audiophiles. These headphones boast a blend of exquisite design and impressive build quality. Available in black, tan, and gray, their Napa leather finish exudes luxury, and aluminum accents further enhance their appeal. With 40mm carbon cone drivers inspired by Bowers & Wilkins’ loudspeakers, the PX8s deliver a rich, detailed sound. They offer robust noise cancellation, although they lack multiple ANC modes. Battery life is solid at 30 hours with fast charging. These headphones are a great choice for those with a penchant for high-quality audio and craftsmanship.
Key Features
- Price: Priced at $599, these headphones are positioned as a premium audio product.
- Design: Available in three stylish finishes – black, tan, and gray – featuring Napa leather and aluminum accents. The design exudes luxury and quality.
- Build Quality: Constructed with premium materials, the PX8 offers remarkable build quality with a strong cast aluminum structure and diamond-cut edges.
- Drivers: Features 40mm carbon cone drivers inspired by Bowers & Wilkins’ high-end loudspeakers.
- Bluetooth: Equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, supporting various audio codecs, including aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive for high-quality wireless audio streaming.
- Noise Cancellation: Effective noise cancellation technology for an immersive listening experience. Provides ANC options of on, off, and pass-through.
- Battery Life: Offers 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled and fast charging, providing 7 hours of playback with just a 15-minute charge.
- App Integration: Compatible with the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, which allows for sound customization through an EQ, device management, and updates.
- Comfort: Despite the premium materials, these headphones maintain comfort for extended use.
- Case: Includes a high-quality carrying case, adding to the overall premium experience.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 headphones, priced at $379, bring improvements to an already strong foundation. With an updated design, these headphones provide a premium aesthetic with two finish options. They feature custom 40mm drivers and angled diaphragms, resulting in detailed, immersive sound. They include Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive support, offering a high-quality wireless listening experience. The noise cancellation technology is effective, and call quality is excellent. With a 30-hour battery life and fast charging, these headphones are a compelling choice for those seeking a balance of sound quality, comfort, and noise isolation.
Key Features
- Price: Priced at $379, the PX7 S2 is a more affordable alternative to the PX8.
- Design: Available in multiple finishes, including blue and gold accents, light gray, and classic black.
- Build Quality: It offers a high-quality build with durable materials but doesn’t match the premium aesthetics of the PX8.
- Drivers: Utilizes custom 40mm drivers with a biocellulose diaphragm, enhancing audio performance and minimizing distortion.
- Bluetooth: Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, supporting SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX HD codecs.
- Noise Cancellation: Provides effective active noise cancellation but with simpler ANC functionality, including on, off, and pass-through modes.
- Battery Life: Offers a generous battery life of 30 hours with ANC on and a 15-minute quick charge for 7 hours of playback.
- App Integration: Compatible with the Bowers & Wilkins Music app for customization and device management.
- Comfort: Improved comfort compared to the original PX7, making them suitable for long listening sessions.
- Portability: Slightly more portable due to the slimmer design and lighter weight.
Design and Build Quality
Bowers & Wilkins PX8
The PX8 headphones are available in two different finishes: a black variant and a tan and gray version with cream accents on the cushioning. The choice of finish is a matter of personal preference, but the design of the tan and gray version is slightly different from what we’ve seen before, giving it a more premium feel.
The PX8 headphones are constructed using soft Napa leather, which covers the inner and outer parts of the headband, as well as the memory foam in the ear cushions. This leather is not only luxurious to the touch but also feels more premium than the rugged leather used in some of Bowers & Wilkins’ other headphones.
The build quality of the PX8 is top-notch. The headphones sit on a sturdy cast aluminum structure with matching aluminum logo plates on the ear cups. The raised Bowers & Wilkins logo on the ear cups adds a touch of elegance, complemented by a bright diamond-cut edge that enhances the premium look.
The PX8 is slightly heavier than the PX7 S2 but still comfortable to wear for extended periods. It comes with a high-quality carrying case that matches the headphones’ design, offering protection and style.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 headphones come in a sleek and stylish design, with options for different colors. These headphones also feature a combination of premium materials. While the build quality is excellent, they have a more straightforward and elegant appearance compared to the PX8.
The PX7 S2 headphones feature memory foam ear cushions and a durable headband. They are comfortable to wear and designed for long listening sessions. However, the overall build and design of the PX7 S2 are slightly less premium compared to the PX8.
Features and Controls
Bowers & Wilkins PX8
The PX8 headphones offer physical control buttons instead of touch controls. The controls are primarily located on the right ear cup and include a power slider, Bluetooth pairing button, and buttons for volume adjustment. There’s also a multi-function button that handles play/pause, track skipping, and call management.
On the left ear cup, there’s a button that allows you to cycle through noise cancellation modes or activate your voice assistant. These buttons may take some getting used to if you prefer touch controls, but they provide a tactile and reliable way to manage your audio.
The PX8 comes with a USB-C charging port and includes two 1.2-meter cables: one for USB-C to USB-C charging and another for USB-C to 3.5mm analog for wired connections. However, the PX8 doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio jack, and some functions require Bluetooth connectivity even when using a wired connection.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 headphones also feature physical control buttons located on the right ear cup. These buttons allow you to control power, volume, track navigation, and play/pause functions. Similar to the PX8, the PX7 S2 doesn’t have touch controls but provides reliable physical buttons for managing your audio.
Both the PX8 and PX7 S2 come with a carrying case for safe storage and transportation.
Sound Quality
Bowers & Wilkins PX8
According to Bowers & Wilkins, the PX8 headphones offer the best sound quality they have ever delivered in a pair of wireless headphones. They feature 40mm carbon cone drivers, which are inspired by the carbon dome technology used in Bowers & Wilkins’ 700 series loudspeakers.
The angled placement of the drivers in the ear cups ensures a more accurate soundstage and consistent audio experience. The PX8 supports various Bluetooth codecs, including aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive, providing high-quality audio, especially when paired with compatible devices.
A wide frequency range, accurate tonality, and a large soundstage characterize the PX8’s sound quality. The low frequencies are deep and controlled, offering an immersive listening experience without overpowering the rest of the audio. The mid-range is highly detailed and precise, making these headphones suitable for various music genres.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 headphones feature custom 40mm drivers with a low-distortion biocellulose diaphragm. Bowers & Wilkins has revised the drivers to provide better audio performance, reduced distortion, and a smoother high-frequency curve. The angled placement of the drivers ensures a consistent distance from your ears, contributing to a natural soundstage.
The PX7 S2 headphones support multiple Bluetooth codecs, including SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive. While not supporting the highest bitrate LDAC codec, they are still capable of delivering high-quality audio.
The sound quality of the PX7 S2 is excellent, offering clarity, separation, and powerful bass without being overpowering. These headphones provide a well-rounded listening experience for various music genres.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Bowers & Wilkins PX8
The PX8 headphones feature ANC technology that combines four microphones for noise measurement and two microphones for call quality. This setup enables the headphones to provide effective noise cancellation in various environments. The ANC modes on the PX8 include on, off, and pass-through, but they lack multiple levels of noise cancellation.
During testing, the PX8 ANC performed well in blocking out noise, even in noisy environments like busy streets. The pass-through mode allows you to hear your surroundings when needed. However, it doesn’t offer multiple levels of ANC like some competitors.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 headphones have been equipped with updated ANC technology, including tweaked DSP and a new microphone pattern. They feature six microphones, four dedicated to noise cancellation and two for call quality. Similar to the PX8, the PX7 S2 offers three ANC modes: on, pass-through, and off.
The ANC performance of the PX7 S2 headphones is improved compared to the previous model. They effectively reduce external noise and provide a pleasant listening experience indoors. While the PX7 S2 ANC may not match some of the industry leaders, it offers a good balance between noise cancellation and audio quality.
Battery Life
Bowers & Wilkins PX8
The PX8 headphones offer a total battery life of 30 hours with ANC turned on, which should cover over a day’s worth of playback. Additionally, the fast charging feature provides an extra seven hours of listening time with just a 15-minute recharge. These battery specs are satisfactory for most users.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The PX7 S2 headphones also provide a commendable battery life of 30 hours with ANC activated. Like the PX8, they come with a fast charge feature that offers an additional seven hours of listening time with a 15-minute charge.
Conclusion
Both the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 and PX7 S2 headphones offer high-quality sound, a premium build, and reliable ANC. The PX8 is a step up in design, featuring luxurious Napa leather and premium touches. It’s also marketed as offering the best sound quality from Bowers & Wilkins. If you appreciate the premium design, top-notch build, and superior sound quality, the PX8 is an excellent choice.
The PX7 S2 provides a more straightforward design but still maintains excellent build quality and offers impressive sound performance. They come at a slightly lower price point compared to the PX8 while delivering a high-quality listening experience. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option without compromising on audio quality and ANC, the PX7 S2 is a strong contender.
Consider your budget, design preferences, and priorities when it comes to sound quality and ANC performance when making your choice between the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 and PX7 S2.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.