Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

Bowers and Wilkins has just unveiled the Px8 S2 – an updated version of its top-of-the-range wireless over-ear headphones. The launch comes as no surprise, given the company dropped the Px7 S3 earlier this year - an upgraded Px8 is something we’ve all been anticipating. 

As expected, the Px8 S2 feature the same slimmer look as the Px7 S3, with a redesigned arm mechanism ensuring they don’t protrude quite as much when on the head. To guarantee a top-of-the-range feel, Bowers & Wilkins has swapped the Px7 S3’s plastic armature for aluminium on the Px8 S2, and is using Nappa rather than vegan leather - but as well as looking and feeling the part it’s also better at keeping the headphones in place when talking or eating, by preventing the physical seal from being broken. 

The Bluetooth 5.3 support for both aptX Adaptive 24/96 and aptX Lossless - codecs that ensure CD quality over Bluetooth and reduce latency and signal drop-outs - and the additional microphones on each earcup to improve noise-cancelling are also new. In this respect the Px8 S2 is a definite step up from the previous model. The 40mm carbon fibre transducers are carried over from the Px8, but they’re augmented by a new and (naturally) improved chassis and motor arrangement. 

The original Px8 and the Px7 S3 are, pound-for-pound, some of the best-sounding headphones on the market right now. But with these upgrades, Bowers & Wilkins intends to take things to the next level – although all this does come with an eye-watering price tag attached…  

Sound Quality

When it comes to sound quality, Bowers & Wilkins has not only maintained its impressive reputation where headphones are concerned, but has taken it up a notch. The Px8 S2 offer a more expansive soundstage than the Px7 S3, creating an even bigger sense of distance and depth, and ensuring every instrument and vocal has ample space. On top of that, the smallest of details (and I really do mean minute elements) are clearly audible when listening through the Px8 S2s but can get lost in the mix when listening through the Px7 S3s or the original Px8. 

According to the company, the new carbon fibre transducer assembly in the Px8 S2 responds faster to impulses and resists distortion better than the plastic transducer in the Px7 S3. When listening, this translates to the low frequencies hitting hard with plenty of depth and fullness but, crucially, maintaining tightness and never overpowering the treble or midrange. 

There’s an abundance of brightness and sparkle at the top end, without any hint of harshness, and the midrange (vocals especially) are loaded with clarity, and are consistently rich and warm. All together this makes for a sublime listen. 

As I’ve already mentioned, additional microphones mean the noise-cancelling is more effective than on the original Px8s, and can hold its own on a busy high street on a Saturday morning. So  I’m immersed in my music, and the effects of wind for both recipients when using the headphones for calls are reduced. There’s also a ‘pass-through’ mode that works well to let in some external sound - so I’m always aware of my surroundings. 

While the Px8 S2 offer support for aptX Lossless, you will of course need a source device that also supports the codec. Some  smartphones on the market do support aptX Lossless - but Apple, Samsung and Google are among many brands that currently don’t offer this codec. So as of right now I’m unable to assess how the headphones fare when it comes to lossless audio. 

Living with the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

As well as sounding impressive, the Px8 S2 are -  thanks to a well-padded headband and earcups, and buttery soft leather - extremely comfortable too. The aluminium armatures and metallic accents perfectly complement the slimmer profile the Px8 S2 share with the Px7 S3, and create a sleek aesthetic as well as the premium look and feel we all expect from Bowers & Wilkins devices. 

Buttons on the earcups can adjust the volume, and play and pause music. There’s also a ‘quick action’ button, which can be set to either summon your voice assistant when connected to a smartphone, or adjust the level of noise-cancelling.  

This particular customisation can be activated in the Bowers & Wilkins ‘Music’ control app, and there’s also access to a five-band EQ to tweak the sound to suit you, plus the option to save a sound profile so it can be quickly accessed.

Claims the headphones will last for 30 hours with ANC on prove true, while the wear sensor detects when the headphones are removed and automatically pauses the music (the sensitivity of this sensor can be adjusted in the app too). The Px8 S2 will switch off after 15 minutes of inactivity - but if you still find yourself without any juice, a 15-minute recharge is sufficient to provide up to seven hours of listening time.  

Conclusion

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are a very impressive pair of wireless over-ear headphones. The audio quality is, frankly, sublime - thanks in no small part to the very expansive soundscape, balanced frequency response, and levels of detail and clarity. The noise-cancelling is effective, and almost reaches the bar set by Bose when it comes to blocking out external sounds. They’re light and comfortable to wear, and have a long battery life to boot. In fact, the Px8 S2 are almost perfect - providing you’re happy to part with more than £600 to get all this. 

Listening Notes

Dire Straits Romeo and Juliet
The wide soundstage of the Px8 S2 means there’s plenty of room for the piano and resonator guitar to really shine in this track. The lower frequencies are rich and full without encroaching on Knopfler’s gravely vocals, making for a lovely listen that really makes your hair stand on end. 

Mark Ronson and Raye Suzanne (at the Church)Raye’s soulful vocals take centre stage in this track, which offers a laid-back vibe that can almost be seen as a homage to Amy Winehouse. The vocals sound warm and rich, with plenty of clarity, and are subtly complemented by the trumpets and consistent deep bass. The detail means Raye’s ad-lib and gentle clapping at the end of the track are clearly audible too. 

Michael Bublé Just Like You
‍There’s a lot going on in this swing-inspired track from Michael Bublé, but while the powerful and vibrant brass instruments shine, they don’t overpower the melodic piano and velvety vocals. It makes for an authentic big band sound and an extremely pleasant listen

If impressive sound quality, long battery life and effective noise-cancelling are your primary wants in a pair of over-ear headphones, then the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 should be top of your list. They are extremely expensive, it’s true, but the expansive soundstage and the level of detail and clarity in the audio makes them a worthy pick over others on the market. The sleek design and level of sustainability (the headband and earcups can be replaced if they wear out) are just the icing on a completely delicious cake.

These headphones are the perfect companion to any smartphone, laptop, tablet or digital audio player that has Bluetooth connectivity - so you can listen to music, movies, TV shows and podcasts through them. 

At £629, they are one of the more expensive pairs of over-ear headphones on the market, so if your wallet can’t quite stretch to this price tag, the Px7 S3 offers most of the same features - but you forfeit the Nappa leather, aluminium armature, and a quantity of audio performance, in exchange for £379.