Bowers & Wilkins has established itself as a premium brand delivering high-performance audio with luxurious design. In their wireless headphones line, the Px8 series is positioned as the flagship series that sets a high bar for luxury wireless audio. The latest Px8 S2 builds upon the success of the first-gen Px8 with improved audio quality, design style, and comfort.
NXT has the opportunity to get hold of both the Px8 S2 and the Px7 S3, allowing us to do a side-by-side comparison and truly appreciate the quality of the Px8 that is wrapped with fine Nappa leather and braided cabling that intentionally runs along the aluminium arms.
The Px8 S2 is upgraded from the first-gen with Bluetooth 5.3 supporting aptX Lossless, and 8 microphones for better quality calls. Battery life remains at 30 hours. Through the app, users can adjust the sound with a five-band EQ, and the app d promises Spatial Audio and LE Audio in future software updates.
The Px8 S2 offers a good balance of size and comfort. The headphones fold flat and easily store inside the hard case. At 310 grams, they are not exactly lightweight but fit comfortably on the ears, though they may be a little too snug for consumers whose ears are larger than Sir David Beckham’s.
The audio quality differs when switching to ANC, Pass-through, and ANC Off. With Noise Cancellation enabled, there is a strong sub-bass texture, sparkling treble and tamed midrange. Switching to Pass-through opens the midrange slightly, with slightly reduced bass impact. With ANC Off, the midrange sounds more spatial, while the bass is further reduced to achieve a more neutral tuning. The Px8 S2 delivers a musically pleasing sound with prominent bass and upper treble clarity, but listeners looking for a more musically accurate sound should check out the Sennheiser HDB 630 that is tuned more accurately for audiophile tastes.
Comparatively, the Px7 S3 offers a similar sound profile as the Px8 S2, but the bass is a little more saturated and makes the overall sound fuller. The Px8 S2 offers slightly more air and space, revealing more details to the listener. There is a clear aural distinction between the two, which,h in addition to the build quality, ty may justify the more expensive price point for the Px8 S2.
There are also various connection options. Besides Bluetooth wireless, you can enjoy the Px8 S2 over digital wired USB-C and 3.5mm analog connection. The ANC mode reduces ambient noise sufficiently to let you immerse yourself in your favourite tunes, but there is no option to adjust the ANC level. They are not the best noise-cancelling, but the premium design and comfort make up for this.
The B&W Px8 S2 conveys luxury design, premium comfort and refined sound, delivering hours of listening immersion for the busy executives. They are one of the best-built luxury headphones.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 retails at SGD999. To find out more, click here.
