Bowers & Wilkins is a well-known manufacturer of stylish high-performance loudspeakers, but they also contribute their audio technology smarts for soundbars, wireless speakers, video projectors, car audio, laptop PCs, as well as wireless earbuds, and headphones.
Building on the foundation of their previous over-the-ear PX7 wireless headphones, Bowers & Wilkins has announced PX7 S2 and PX8.
The PX7 S2 is out of the gate first, but the forthcoming PX8 will be their new flagship model, to be available later in 2022. The final details on the PX8 are still forthcoming, but in the meantime, let’s see what the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 has to offer.
The PX7 S2
To start, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 incorporates a slimmer profile than the previous PX7 and a new acoustic platform designed to deliver high-resolution sound quality.
Drive Units
There are new custom-designed 40mm full-range bio-cellulose drive units (slightly smaller than the PX7’s 46mm drivers). The drivers offer an ultra-fast response while remaining low in distortion. This is intended to provide a more accurate, high-resolution listening experience.
The drive units are angled inside each earcup to ensure a consistent distance relative to the listener’s ear from every point across the surface of each driver. This helps to produce a more natural and immersive soundstage. The inclusion of memory foam provides all-day listening comfort.
Connectivity
The PX7 S2 supports Qualcomm’s aptX™ Adaptive via Bluetooth (ver 5.0). This automatically optimizes wireless music transmission from compatible phones, tablets, and computers. Additional Bluetooth Codecs and Profiles supported include aptX, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC, A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, H8P, and BLE Gatt.
Bowers & Wilkins-developed DSP (Digital Signal Processing), adds more refinement with 24-bit high-resolution sound quality from compatible streaming services.
Tip: The PX7 doesn’t provide access to Tidal Dolby Atmos Music content and does not support extra spatial audio decoding.
In addition to wireless connectivity, wired USB-C and 3.5mm cable connections are also supported and provided with the PX7 S2 package.
Noise Cancellation
The PX7 S2 uses proprietary Bowers & Wilkins-optimized active noise cancellation technology that is designed to shut out unwanted noise without harming musicality.
Six upgraded high-performance microphones are included.
- Two measure the output of each drive unit.
- Two react to ambient noise from the outside world.
- Two provide voice clarity for phone calling with enhanced noise suppression.
The positioning and angling of the microphones are designed to enhance performance even in the noisiest environments.
The B&W Music App
The PX7 S2 is the first headphone to work directly with the Bowers & Wilkins Music App. The App can be used to pair PX7 S2 to a mobile device, fine-tune the sound through adjustable EQ, activate or disengage the noise-canceling transparency mode to let in more or less of the outside world and finally, monitor the headphone’s charge levels.
Tip: In a future upgrade, the Music App will add the ability for users to stream their chosen music directly from their mobile device to the PX7 S2.
Manual Control
If you are not using the app, physical controls on each of PX7 S2’s earcups are also included. One of the controls even allows the PX7 S2 to seamlessly launch their phone’s Voice Assistant (Alexa or Google Assistant).
Battery Life
The PX7 S2 also provides up to 30 hours of battery life under optimum conditions and is rechargeable. A 15-minute quick recharge is sufficient to provide up to seven hours of additional listening time if needed.
Tip: You can charge and listen at the same time if needed.
Finishes
PX7 S2 is available in black, blue, and grey with complementary detailing.
The PX8
As mentioned previously, the PX8 flagship headphones will be coming soon with more details to follow. According to B&W, the PX8 features no-holds-barred “reference-level” performance, as well as design and material enhancements as well as larger drivers, and stepped-up audio performance above what the PX7 S2 offers. Stay tuned for more details as it gets closer to the release date.
Tip: When the PX8 is officially released, it is expected to be priced at $549.
Pricing and Availability
The B&W PX7 S2 is available now for an MSRP of $399 through the Bowers & Wilkins website and select dealers.
- Dimensions (WDH): 189mm x 65mm x 233mm (7.44 x 2.5 x 9.2 inches)
- Weight: 307 grams (11 oz).
So, should you get the PX7 or wait for the PX8? Stay tuned…
Related reading: Best Headphones
ORT
July 2, 2022 at 2:10 pm
Silence, foul temptress!
Nice looking ‘phones! The blue or gray (grey?) would more than suffice for I. I am using my current favorite (favourite?) BlooToofers, the Bose QC45.
As I write this, Ella Fizterald is singing “Summertime” to me alone. Made possible by the Bose ‘phones.
ORT