Bowers & Wilkins has introduced its second collaboration for its flagship Px8 wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones. The new Px8 McLaren Edition follows the Px8 007 James Bond Edition announced in October 2022, just a few weeks after the original Px8 debuted.
Both special edition headphones sell for $799, which is a $100 premium over the standard Px8. Sonically, they are exactly the same and only differentiated by their aesthetic design.
Specially created to celebrate McLaren’s unique supercar design, the Px8 McLaren Edition headphone is the first headphone to result from the long-standing relationship between the two companies.
The Px8 McLaren Edition features a Galvanic grey finish and Papaya orange highlights, the latter inspired by the famous Papaya orange which originated on founder Bruce McLaren’s early racing cars.
Features
The Px8 uses Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive wireless technology to ensure the best possible sound quality from compatible phones, tablets and computers. USB-C and 3.5mm analog cable connections are also supported with both cable types included in the specially matching carry case that accompanies the product.
Whether using wireless or wired connections, the Px8 combines its ultra-high-performance drive unit configuration with powerful Bowers & Wilkins-developed Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to deliver outstanding, 24-bit high-resolution sound quality from leading streaming services.
The Px8 uses proprietary Bowers & Wilkins-optimized noise cancellation technology to effectively shut out unwanted noise – crucially, without harming musicality in the process.
Six high-performance microphones work together to deliver the best results: two measure the output of each drive unit, two react to ambient noise from the outside world and two provide outstanding voice clarity with enhanced noise suppression.
Final Thoughts
The Px8 delivers the best sound quality Bowers & Wilkins has ever delivered from a pair of wireless ANC headphones. It nearly won our best ANC wireless headphones of 2022, but just missed our entry deadline.
In a follow-up report, our tests confirmed the Px8 sits among our highest recommended noise cancelling headphones of 2022.
The McLaren Edition color combination should appeal to more buyers, and helps us understand why the initial version of the Px8 was only available in 2 colors.
Price & Availability
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 McLaren Edition Over-ear Noise Canceling Headphones are available for $799 at Crutchfield, Headphones.com, mclarenstore.com and select retailers today (December 7, 2022). European pricing is set at £699 in the UK and €799 throughout Europe.
The regular version of the Px8 wireless ANC headphones are currently available for $699 at Amazon in black or tan.
Note: Other than exterior color and McLaren markings, there are no changes from the regular model.
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