Bowers & Wilkins introduced two new noise-cancelling headphones this previous summer time: the PX7 S2 and PX8. The previous hit retailer cabinets first and earned essential acclaim; Laptop computer Journal acknowledged them as one of many greatest wi-fi headphones obtainable. Now, the flagship PX8 are able to take over the wi-fi audio reigns for B&W.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 SPECS
Value: $699
Colours: Black; Tan
Battery life (rated): 30 hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
Processor: Not acknowledged
Dimension: Not acknowledged (headphones); 9.2 x 7.4 x 2.5 inches (carrying case)
Weight: 11.28 ounces
You’ll discover the PX8 and PX7 S2 carry most of the similar specs, together with energetic noise cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive/HD assist, hi-res streaming app integration, and as much as 30 hours of battery life. The designs are additionally comparable, granted B&W added extra refined supplies to the PX8, together with new drivers.
Do we now have a Bose killer on our arms or simply one other fancy, high-priced headphone with terrific ANC and sound? Learn our full Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment to search out out.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: Availability and value
You should buy the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 for $699 at main on-line retailers, together with Amazon (opens in new tab) and Crutchfield (opens in new tab), or immediately from B&W (opens in new tab). It is available in two colours: Black and Tan. Within the field are a carrying case, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a USB-C to three.5mm cable, and a guide.
Value-wise, these are a few of the dearer ANC headphones within the class subsequent to the $999 Mark Levinson No. 9505 and $799 Focal Bathys. That additionally means they arrive with a steeper MSRP than class leaders such because the $379 Bose 700 and $399 Sony WH-1000XM5.
You should definitely bookmark our headphone offers web page for the newest gross sales.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: Design and luxury
The PX8 borrows the identical silhouette and business-class, minimalist design as each different headphone within the B&W library. There are minimal design updates to distinguish this model from the earlier launch. Leather-based wraps across the entrance of the ear cup as an alternative of tightly woven cloth. The arm construction is comprised of forged iron and has a modern diecast aluminum end versus the PX7 S2’s plastic arm construction with a black end. Particulars just like the alloy accents and trim across the earcups stay intact, together with the Nappa leather-based trimming on the memory-foam cushions and headband.
Even with its sturdy craftsmanship, the PX8 is a product you’ll wish to defend from blemishes in any respect prices. Meaning maintaining these cans of their included slim zippered carrying case when not in use. The case is roofed in hard-woven cloth and superbly shows the headphones on the within, plus there’s a built-in compartment to retailer all bundled equipment.
B&W did a noteworthy job of evenly distributing the load on these headphones. They really feel lighter than most rivals of their class. Comfortable-touch leather-based presses gently towards the ears, offering sufficient breathability to maintain air circulation flowing when worn for lengthy stretches, which is nice because the materials heats up after about 3 hours of damage.
Match is dependable. The extenders slide out for seamless adjustment. You’ll wish to set them a couple of half an inch from the highest of your cranium to stop the scarf from making use of undesirable stress.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: Controls and digital assistant
B&W copy and pasted the PX7 S2’s management scheme. The fitting earcup has an motion button to both cycle by means of the totally different listening modes or allow the digital assistant. In the meantime, the left earcup has a multifunctional button (playback/name administration) flanked between quantity rockers, together with an influence/pairing slider on the highest. Tactility is strong, guaranteeing all meant instructions are met with each button press, and the slider has a pleasant recoil impact to it when pushed up.
Movement sensors had been put in into the PX8 for put on detection. These should be the identical sensors used within the PX7 S2 as a result of they don’t supply essentially the most responsive suggestions and undergo from severe lag; it takes about 3-5 seconds for auto-pause to provoke. Adjusting the sensitivity ranges (Low, Regular, and Excessive) within the companion app did nothing to resolve the problem.
Siri and Google Assistant work properly for voice instructions. B&W’s six-mic array is intelligible and picks up verbal inquiries with precision. Voice activation ought to have been included to fireside up Google Assistant or Alexa by saying their respective wake-word phrase.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: Audio high quality
All-new carbon cone 40mm drive models had been created for the PX8, which use an identical design discovered within the firm’s 700 Sequence loudspeakers. I’ve by no means given the 700 Sequence a hear, but when the PX8 pumps out comparable sound, then I do know what to ask the missus for this Christmas.
Element, decision, and separation are immaculate. Pull up Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir” to listen to what I’m speaking about. From the start, you possibly can really feel the massively remoted drums and the phasing impact added to them, which amplifies their thumping presence. The brass and string devices are additionally reproduced beautifully and mix superbly over the rhythmically pushed rock manufacturing.
Sticking with the classics, I gave a number of jazz data a spin and skilled sonic delight. Favorites just like the Ahmad Jamal Trio’s “Dolphin Dance” tickled my eardrums with fine-tuned nuances. I at all times admire the how clear and clear the lows and highs sound on this report, however the PX8 added an additional layer of depth; the cymbals felt gentler, and the double bass was crisper. That very same stage of efficiency was maintained on modern Jazz cuts like Esperanza Spalding’s “Treasured,” the place the harmonic vocals rode easily over the melodic piano notes and emphatic drums.
Whereas there’s some nice, well-balanced frequency vary, you possibly can inform B&W selected to emphasise the midrange. Hip-hop bangers like Redman’s “Time 4 Sum Aksion” delivered boomy bass, nevertheless it took a backseat to the rapper’s pronounced vocals. In case you’re somebody who calls for extra bass for the worth, take a look at the Mark Levinson No. 5909.
Audiophiles wanting 24-bit sound ought to make aptX HD their default codec because it maintains the best bitrate; aptX Adaptive typically modifications bitrate to prioritize both low latency or high-quality streaming. These headphones additionally assist common aptX, in addition to AAC and SBC, the latter working properly on iOS/macOS units.
Traditionalists preferring wired listening can use the bundled aux cable. Sound is satisfying when linked to a smartphone or laptop computer/desktop.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: Energetic noise cancellation
The PX8 appear to function on the identical ANC circuitry because the PX7 S2. Contemplate this good news because the know-how performs at an elite stage. B&W’s mics are assigned to totally different noise neutralization duties; two are used for measuring the output of every drive, two react to ambient noise, and two improve voice readability whereas enhancing noise suppression.
Sharing a workspace with my spouse and rowdy toddler, the PX8 got here in clutch, blocking out frequent distractions like doorbells, family home equipment, loud TVs, and my spouse’s FaceTime chats by way of speakerphone. ANC decreased low and mid-frequency sounds greatest. Tumbling noises from the washer and dryer models had been fully silent, together with the fixed canine barking that occurred on my flooring.
The PX7 S2 struggled with high-frequency noises, however the PX8 doesn’t. Sirens and whistles went previous my ears. Even my child boy’s tantrums had been barely audible, and this was once I was listening to acoustic tracks and podcasts. I wouldn’t have identified he was crying if I wasn’t in the identical room.
Wind discount has additionally been improved. The whisking results created by gusty circumstances had been much less harsh, which made it extra nice to listen to music in out of doors settings.
Move-By works properly for ambient listening. It got here in helpful throughout workplace hours, permitting me to speak clearly with my spouse as she watched TV. I used to be additionally in a position to preserve tabs on my toddler by way of monitor throughout naptime. Moreover, I might hear my next-door neighbors conversing on their balcony and landscapers working all through the property. Utilizing the function in a broader out of doors setting was extra rewarding, because the mics picked up each peep in my neighborhood, from airplanes flying over the property to development work going down one block down.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: App and particular options
Prolonged performance is accessed by means of the B&W Music. Key options like motion button configuration, auto standby, battery stage indication, Environmental Management, EQ adjustment, and put on sensor activation are all accounted for. B&W additionally launched two options when saying each the PX7 S2 and PX8.
There may be the All Your Music part that serves as an in-app portal to lossless streaming companies comparable to Deezer, Quboz, and Tidal. Not solely does this can help you play 24-bit tracks immediately from the app, however it is going to allow you to swap seamlessly from the PX8 to different suitable B&W wi-fi audio merchandise (e.g., Zeppelin, Formation Duo).
Streaming high quality is the second function. This allows you to customise the listening expertise on cellular units by prioritizing streaming over cellular knowledge or Wi-Fi. Each choices include 4 settings: decreased knowledge, medium, excessive, and highest.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: Battery life
Battery life is rated at 30 hours with ANC on. Earlier than you ask, no, the function can’t be disabled. I estimated ANC playtime at about 27.5 hours, virtually matching the PX7 S2 and Sony WH-1000XM5 (ANC on). This must be adequate for many customers. My unit got here with 80% battery life proper out of the field and nonetheless had juice within the tank after every week of average use (4 hours each day).
A 15-minute fast cost generates as much as 7 hours of listening time. Not dangerous, however not the quickest we’ve seen within the class. For comparability, the Sony WH-1000XM5 does 3 hours in 3 minutes and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 does 5 hours on a 10-minute cost.
If longer playtimes are a precedence, we strongly suggest the Momentum 4 (60 hours).
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: Name high quality and connectivity
I anticipated higher from the PX8 as a calling headset. A number of callers complained concerning the low quantity on my finish and heard a number of ambient noise. I needed to be in just about silent settings for folks to listen to me clearly.
These headphones function on Bluetooth 5.2. Connectivity is dependable throughout all platforms: iOS, Android, and Home windows. Pairing to my MacBook Professional was fast, however the course of was even faster with Android units, due to one-tap Google Quick Pair. Multipoint know-how can also be obtainable to pair the headphones to 2 units on the similar time, and the function works properly.
Vary extends as much as 50 ft in open areas; I used to be in a position to transfer round the home and play Spotify tracks on my Pixel 6 Professional whereas the system was charging in my bed room.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 assessment: Verdict
If the PX7 S2 are a 90 out of 100, then the PX8 are a 93 out of 100 – simply wanting good. Flaws like poor put on detection don’t take away from the product’s premium efficiency. Music and flicks sound lovely throughout all units, particularly Android smartphones that assist Qualcomm’s aptX codec suite. ANC blocks out exterior sounds throughout the frequency spectrum remarkably properly. The opposite large promoting factors comparable to satisfactory battery life, sturdy connectivity, and that stylish design scream luxe.
These aren’t your common, comparatively attainable noise-cancelling headphones, as is emphasised by the excessive price ticket. Nonetheless, in the event you’re a enterprise traveler or a music lover who needs detailed sound with minimal distractions at any value, the PX8 make for one stylish audio funding.
