Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 are n’t just an telling sounding pair of headphones , but over - capitulum with efficacious noise cancellation , very undecomposed call quality and superb wireless performance . They ’re one of the best premium wireless headphones you could buy .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Px8 is Bowers & Wilkins ’ flagship over - ear earpiece that it believe lay out the reference standard for performance and excogitation for noise - cancelling headphones .
Those are heady tidings and a lofty claim for sure , but the Px8 impressed this reader back in 2022 when I first reviewed them .
Since then , they ’ve received an update , with the acoustic squad at Bowers & Wilkins optimising the sound for all Px8 models through a microcode update . With a novel Royal Burgundy finishing now useable , what just time to have another aspect and B&W ’s excellent over - auricle ?
Design
The bulkiness of theoriginal Px7has been weeded out , and even though the Px8 is 10 g heavier at 320 yard , it does n’t feel as cumbrous to endure .
The earcups are oval in shape , which is tell to acquaint a more lifelike soundstage for audio frequency ; and the shape and finish of the cast of characters - atomic number 13 weapon system look splendid , and the Nappa leather texture of the earcups adds to the premium feel .
Theseheadphonesare useable in Black , Tan , and Royal Burgundy versions , with the fateful colourway reminiscent of the styling on the Black Panther suit , while the newest burgundy finish reminds me of Iron Man ’s suit . There are also special - edition versions , with Bond 007 ( £ 699 ) and McLaren racing ( £ 699 ) models – each pair looks fantastic , and very Bang & Olufsen in look .
The Px8 are n’t superposable to the Px7 S2 or the update Px7 S2e , as the earcups are tilted at a different slant , with the headband slightly longer and wider in attribute . These changes make for a skillful fit , the phone experience more secure and sit tighter on my school principal than the Px7 S2 .
The Px8 set is comfy enough to bust even if the cushioning on the earpads is not what I ’d describe as plush like it is with theMaster & Dynamic MW75 . But the B&W headphones ’ tantrum is tighter , and the padding is pliable enough against the header – the clamp personnel is tight but not bothersome . I ’ve worn these earphone over many 60 minutes and never felt that the pressure was too much .
They ca n’t be collapsed inwards as a result of simplifying the design of arm linkage , which dedicate fart less hazard to regard the noise - cancelling performance . That may be a too bad exit for some in terms of portability .
B&W has again bond with physical buttons , with a shift for power / Bluetooth pairing where a flick turns the headphones on , and a further push and take for sends the Px8 into its Bluetooth pairing mode .
Either side of the multi - function button ( which covers playback / track skipping ) are volume button , though some complained with the Px7 S2 that it was hard to distinguish between them . I do n’t agree , as the multi - function button has a unlike grain that make it easier to place .
On the left earcup , you ’ll find a single button for switching between noise cancelling and transparentness modes – operating the Px8 is a wide-eyed experience .
In terms of travel , there ’s a hard carry case with a compartment for cable television . The Px8 has aUSB - Ccable for charge and a USB - C to 3.5 mm for wired playback . The only substantial difference from the Px7 S2 is that the slide fastener rag is made from false leather . I ’ve taken the headphones on several trips across the UK and overseas , and the type has endure dogs and the contents of my rucksack with just a few scratch .
Features
In terms of assault and battery life , there ’s no advance on either the Px7 S2 or Px7 with its 30 hours . B&W has said it ’s happy with the battery sprightliness and sees no need to go it . Instead of extended battery life history , the party focused on meliorate its tight - charging performance . A 15 - second tutelage is good enough for an excellent seven hour of playback .
As a means of comparison , the likewise priced M&D MW75 has a battery of 28 hour , while theAirPods Maxhas 20 hours and so does the Focal Bathys . SennheiserandTechnicshave headphones that can go for longer ( for less money ) , but the Px8 is free-enterprise within its price bracket .
Bluetooth codec backup is from stock SBC toaptX Adaptive – the Px8 make it too early for aptX Lossless and theSnapdragon Soundplatform . Connectivity with the aptX Adaptive codec is impressive : aside from a few fugitive pip , nothing has thrown the headphones off whether it ’s busy train stations or crowded sphere in central London , they stick to their task commendable .
move to call quality , and it ’s another expanse where this pair impresses . They ’re not as effective as theSony WH-1000XM5 , but are among the best I ’ve used in recent memory , with my voice come in across understandably and background noise hold on to a minimum .
The Bowers & Wilkins Music app has been update to stream medicine directly from apps , so you’re able to see to it playback within the app , instead of climb up between dissimilar apps . Those supported include Tidal , Qobuz , SoundCloud , Last.fm , TuneIn , Deezer and NTS .
There are icons and graphics for the haphazardness - cancelling mode the earphone are in at the top of the screen along with barrage life story . leap to the section of the app that concerns gadget ( earphone or wireless speakers , such as theZeppelin ) , and you may correct the EQ ( treble and bass from -6dB to 6dB ) , manage connections and customise the Quick Action clitoris on the left earcup ( Environment Control ( i.e. , interference cancellation ) and Voice Assistant ) .
Further customisation is possible through changing the rain buckets calibre of the integrated apps from Reduced Data to Highest , which can be modify for Mobile River and Wi - Fi connection .
B&W has decided sound is its top priority over noise cancellation , making the ANC powerful enough to inhibit extraneous sounds , but not at the disbursal of audio lineament . The phone are an upgrade over the original Px7 S2 ( we ’ve yet to test the Px7 S2e ) despite employing the same mike arrangement ( four for ANC and two dedicated to call quality ) . I ideate this is mostly down to the seal of the Px8 ’s earcups , which is far smashed than the S2 example , blocking out more noise with its inactive isolating pattern .
Withadaptive ANCon top of that , the amount of racket that makes its way through is reduced equate with the Px7 S2 , and turning your head no longer allows sounds to leak out through . The Px8 set is effective at crush noise in many environments such as the cloak-and-dagger and more convincing than the MW75 was on Northern , Victoria , Jubilee and Central line – hushing voices and supervise wind interference to satisfactory grade .
With throngs of citizenry , the Px8 headphones condense the loudness of the crowd into a much more manageable sound – and it ’s a similar effect with dealings . Using them on a long - draw flight , they suppressed the cabin and locomotive interference more just than the Focal Bathys managed . The functioning is not the eerie silence some pairsfrom Boseand Sony , but it ushers in a sentiency of calm wherever you are .
The transparency mode is clear and raw in the way it filters through sound – which is all you need from a transparency mode . Flick it on , and knowingness of what ’s around is effectively raise . There ’s a little noise , but not much that affects what you ’re listening to or distracts .
The only issue I have is that of the three mode provided : racket cancellation , passthrough and off , I do n’t think you need the “ off ” setting . It have confusedness for me , as I forgot it was even there , often depart the headphone in the off musical mode alternatively of switching to noise cancellation . This could be remedied by making it clearer whenever you change through noise - cancellation fashion instead of get a line a bell - similar sound each fourth dimension .
The final affair to mention is the habiliment sensing element technology . Previously with B&W headphones , there was a retardation detecting whether the headphones were wear down , and they would n’t immediately restart playback . That appears to have been ironed out , with the headphone stopping and restarting on the dot as they should on the High mise en scene .
Sound Quality
What ’s plain is that the Px8 ’s soundstage is bigger , wider , and more heroic than the Px7 S2 . With Tittle Tattle by Nubiyan Twist and Cherise , the soundstage is enlarged with a reincarnate sense of limpidity and particular .
Low frequency sport more definition and punch , the midrange is report with more receptivity , space , and bite . Cherise ’s phonation is pitch further onward , adding to the deepness of the stereo persona that ’s more pronounced than on the Px7 S2 . Those headphones proffer a okay listen , but the Px8 ones are an hearable progression forward .
B&W says it has ameliorate the gamy - relative frequency functioning over the Px7 S2 and the original Px7 , and that stand up . With Immanuel Wilkins ’ Grace and Mercy , the tinkling of the forte-piano is brighter than both of those headphones . The original Px7 ’s treble performance is seethe off and dulled in comparing .
compare with a pair of buns within the price range – the M&D ’s MW75 – the performance difference is more even . With high frequencies , the M&D has the border – it ’s slightly brighter and more distinctive , and the trailing edges of the pianoforte are just a smidge clear and resolved .
The MW75 produces a fair amount of signal noise , which is never prevalent with the Px8 . The latter is a clean , precise , and dynamic duet of earpiece – but so is the MW75 , despite the noise . Bass in Easy Life ’s Skeletons on both solidifying is delivered with lick and pace , but the Px8 ekes out more profundity with the lower absolute frequency .
The Px8 – much like the Px7 S2 – exudes a harder , steely approach to audio . Perhaps it ’s the carbon dome gadget driver , but I find out just some more heft and solidity to the functioning . “ heavy ” is n’t a great word to describe this feeling – “ impactful ” is a intimately adjective . I would n’t describe it as the most lifelike introduction , especially with bass . The Focal Bathys offers a more insightful sound , as well as offering a more winsomely gumptious character .
The midrange is fed with mass of detail : manlike and female vocals are steadfastly delineate , planted in the middle of the soundstage , and enwrap within their own square bracket of space that propose a tighter focal point than headphones that are bigger but vaguer in their treatment of vocals . I favour the specificity and definition headphones such as the Px8 ( and indeed theSony WH-1000XM5 ) can provide – even if they do n’t sound as big .
Tonally , they ’re neither too kinky , which can leave to sibilance , nor too deep , which can ensue in lopsided balance . The frequency reach come across as a balanced , merged whole .
Rhythmically , they convince in communicating shimmy in tempo ( like with Tinie Tempah ’s merely Unstoppable ( Yes Remix ) ) , without losing their sense of definition or sliding towards favour energy over particular . Whatever is played , the Px8 ’s military reserve of control keep everything in line .
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Should you buy it?
These earpiece sound great , the noise cancelling is improved from the Px7 S2 , and the wireless operation is intimately faultless .
If you ’re unforced to spend this much money you may arguable afford even , the Master & Dynamic MW75 are on a exchangeable footing in term of audio , while the Focal Bathys and DALI IO-12 are arguably even proficient .
Final Thoughts
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 continue a great listen , and even more so with a subject music well out inspection and repair to feed them . I have n’t heard the upgrade B&W PX7 S2e so I ca n’t compare it against that mannequin .
mellow - fidelity sound is at the heart of these headphones ’ identity , but they are also accomplished noise - cancellers . Call lineament is up there with the best over - spike , and the wireless performance is simply rattling .
Both the Master & Dynamic ’s MW75 and the ( more expensive ) Focal Bathys and Dali IO-12 sound right in some area , but B&W ’s noise - cancelling performance is more consistent than those models . With the new Royal Burgundy finish , the Px8 continue to be a very good pair of premium wireless headphones .
Trusted Score
How we test
We screen every stage set of headphones we review good over an extended period of prison term . We employ industry standard trial to liken features the right way . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , consent money to review a merchandise .
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FAQs
The Px8 have a slightly different blueprint for the headband and earcups , but the main conflict is the drive unit , the Px8 features 40 millimetre Carbon Cone gadget driver compare to the Px7 S2e ’s 40 mm Beryllium number one wood .
