Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Over-Ear Headphones - Advanced Noise Cancellation, Technical Fabrics, 30-Hour Battery Life, 15-Min Quick Charging, Blue

The hype and internet consensus is justified: the Px7 S2s sound phenomenal. I prefer the soundstage over that of my Sony WH-1000XM5s, which I use for calls and on flights (or in other noisy situations), since their noise cancellation and microphones are definitely better than those on the Px7 S2. Compared to the Px7 S2s, the XM5s sound muddy and condensed, whereas the Px7 S2s feel expansive and crisp, while maintaining a robust lower register of bass to fill out the overall soundstage.I'll cover 5 main areas in this review, often comparing the Px7 S2s to my experience with the Sony WH-1000XM5s (XM5s), the Airpods Max's (APMs), and the first-generation B&W Px7s:1. Sound Quality2. Build Quality3. Bluetooth & Corded Connection Technology4. Included Case5. New Bowers & Wilkins App— SOUND QUALITY —I should preface this by saying that I purchased the Px7 S2s to be my listen-at-home-for-best-sound-quality-using-bluetooth headphones. I have a pair of open-back Beyerdynamic 990s that I use to mix and produce music, my XM5s for traveling and phone/video calls, the APMs (which I've since returned), the in-ear Sony WF-1000XM4s for the gym and exercising, and now these new Px7 S2s from B&W (which I'll just call "S2s" from here on).It took a little time for the S2s to "run in", basically like "breaking in" any pair of headphones, over the course of about 24 hours of listening time – and the sound really just got better and better. I noticed better channel separation over time, especially when listening via the corded connection and internal DAC to get true HiFi sound (using TIDAL).I did adjust the EQ in the app over time, basically increasing the bass by 4.5 dB and the treble by 2.5 dB to get even more dialed in to the sound I prefer. Now, the S2s offer an impressively wide soundstage with a level of detail and precision that I've never heard in any other pair of wireless headphones. The highs are clear and articulate, while the mids remain warm and rich, providing an incredibly immersive listening experience. I also appreciate that the S2s don't sacrifice bass response in pursuit of clarity; the low-end is powerful and well-defined, never overpowering or muddy. As a true audiophile, I can confidently say that the S2s deliver a level of Hi-Fi audio quality that is unmatched in the wireless headphone market.— BUILD QUALITY —When it comes to build quality, the S2s are simply outstanding. Crafted from a high-quality plastic that feels almost indistinguishable from aluminum or other light metals, the entire build of the headphones exudes a premium feel. The materials used make them lightweight yet durable, perfect for extended listening sessions without discomfort. The ear cups are plush and comfortable, providing excellent passive noise isolation. The S2s also boast a sleek and elegant design, making them as visually impressive as they are sonically.— BLUETOOTH & CORDED CONNECTION TECHNOLOGY —The S2s feature the latest Bluetooth technology, ensuring a stable and high-quality wireless connection. I've experienced no latency issues or connection drops, making for a seamless listening experience. The inclusion of a USB-C to 3.5mm cord and a USB-C to USB-C cord allows users to enjoy Hi-Res music quality, which is a fantastic addition for those who desire the best possible audio experience. I find that using the corded connection with the built-in DAC delivers superior sound quality compared to Bluetooth alone, especially when listening to lossless audio formats such as FLAC or TIDAL's Dolby Atmos tracks.— INCLUDED CASE —The Px7 S2s come with a fantastic case that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The case is smaller and less bulky than the XM5s, making it easier to carry around without taking up too much space. Made from a nice canvas-type material, the case feels durable and offers excellent protection for your headphones. The case is far superior to the AirPods Max's, which don't even come with a case, and it's clear that Bowers & Wilkins put thought into creating a case that is both protective and stylish.— NEW BOWERS & WILKINS APP —The Bowers & Wilkins music app is a fantastic addition to the Px7 S2 experience. The app enables you to adjust EQ settings, including treble and bass, allowing you to fine-tune your listening experience to your preferences. Additionally, the app integrates multiple streaming platforms like TIDAL, Spotify, and Soundcloud into one centralized music hub, making it easy to access and enjoy all your favorite music from a single location.I particularly appreciate the ability to listen to TIDAL's Dolby Atmos songs in a standard FLAC format, which sounds much better to my ears. The app is user-friendly and responsive, and I find it to be a valuable tool in getting the most out of my Px7 S2s.— FINAL THOUGHTS —Ultimately, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 over-ear headphones have exceeded my expectations in every way. With unparalleled sound quality, exceptional build quality, versatile connection options, a fantastic case, and a highly functional app, the Px7 S2s have quickly become my go-to headphones for enjoying Hi-Fi audio at home. As an audiophile, I can confidently say that these headphones offer a listening experience that is unmatched in the wireless market. If you're seeking a truly premium audio experience, look no further than the Px7 S2s.

I tried Sony XM5, Bose Q700, Sennheiser M4, Airpod Max, Technics A800, Beats Studio Wireless. They all have strengths and weaknesses but I could only afford to keep one. Whichever one I chose I was going to have to decide which little imperfection I could live with. And there’s so much more that goes into it besides sound quality. There’s ANC, controls, comfort, portability, connection etc.My biggest priorities were sound quality and, due to a broken arm a while back and lingering nerve damage in my fingers, the controls.I’m kind of an audiophile so I’m really picky with sound. Rock, Jazz, ambient, folk. Etc.These had the best and most natural sound quality by far. Nothing phony added to try and beef it up no heavy sound signature and tuning. Just super clarity and natural punchy bass. Sennheiser was a really close second. Third Apple. Fourth Bose. I know Sony has its fans, and there’s a lot to like, but I found it a little muffled and overly compressed. The Bowers and Wilkins brought out details and channel separation and still had a balanced and full sound. The bass didn’t swallow up the rest of the sound like some of the others. I love these.I surprisingly found the noise canceling to be almost on par with the Bose. And these rivaled the Apple air Max in terms of build quality. These BWs are also really comfortable and I forget that I’m wearing them. The case is also high end with a cool little storage compartment inside.And now the controls. The headphones with the easiest controls for my situation were the Apple AirPod Max. One button/dial. Clickable not haptic. Awesome. Loved it. But the sound quality was not nearly as nice, they were kinda heavy…and they were the most expensive. By a lot. The Beats also had great controls …But the sound was not even really in the ballpark of all the others. All the others had touch controls that I found very frustrating. Sennheiser was probably the easiest of the touch controls but the stupid power button and shutting them on/off was an adventure every time.The Bowers and Wilkins have buttons which were a little tricky for the first couple days but thankfully the center button has ridges to distinguish it from the other same-shape-size buttons. So after getting used to it for a day or so it was easier to live with than the others.The two cons with these which I find easy to forgive are the app only has Bass and treble…no eq. And the wear sensor, which senses when you take them off and pauses the music, will often malfunction. Luckily this is easily fixed. You can just disable it in the app and then they work flawlessly. And because they have physical and clickable buttons, pausing them and shutting them off is way easier than all the other ones.I bought them in blue. Very cool. My teenage daughter, who swears by her Air Pod Maxes, even admitted that these sound way better and look great…just not as cool as her maxes:)Anyway this is a long review because I spent weeks trying them all and it was important to my lifestyle. If you try these you need to be patient and let the simplicity and nuance of the sound settle in. It won’t blow you away with bass or make it sound like you’re in a noise deprivation chamber like the Bose…They have a mature and exciting sound and BW nailed it!I cannot recommend these enough and I feel confident that I picked the best ones for me.