Additionally, its high-end design is incredibly comfy and oozes luxury. However, Editors’ Choice-winning rivals like the Bose QuietComfort 45 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 offer superior ANC for roughly the same price and are just as great in the audio aspect. However, the Px7 S2 over-ears are a great substitute if you value noise cancellation less than Bowers & Wilkins’ distinctive sound and aesthetic.
Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 review: Design
The Px7 S2 are somewhat similar to the Bowers & Wilkins headphones that this website frequently refers to as being classy and opulent. The carved metal arms, earcups with fabric finishes, aluminum Deco plates, and oval shapes have all been carried over from the PX. The Px7 S2’s form has an opulently designed appearance. They resemble the PX more than the PX7, in our opinion, but because the latter is their direct predecessor, the improvements made have been very successful. Better clamping force and a less burdensome fit are both present. We believe that the broader headband of the Px7 S2 will enable it to fit a wider range of heads. Even with the modifications, the Px7 S2 only weighs 3g lighter. But more importantly, it’s how they feel, and these headphones are more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Compared to the WH-1000XM5’s simple design, they are more eye-catching. The blue colour scheme with gold trim is elegant and upscale. They can be folded flat and stored in the provided storage case but cannot be collapsed inward. B&W claims that the case is slightly smaller than the PX7’s, however it is also marginally higher. At least the integrated cable storage pouch is improved. Although B&W continues to use physical buttons, they are not as noticeable as they were on the PX7. A power/Bluetooth pairing button is located on the right earcup; push it in farther and hold it to put the headphones in Bluetooth connection mode. Additionally, there is a multi-function button for playing and track skipping along with a volume control. The buttons have a shallower profile, and even though the multi-function button isn’t raised, it has a distinctive texture that, in our experience, makes it easier to find.
Comfort
Both the hanger configuration and clamping force of these headphones have been carefully considered by Bowers & Wilkins. As a result, the Px7 S2 are comfortable in position and maintain that comfort for a long time despite weighing 10.8 ounces (307g), which is slightly less than the model they replace but actually 2 ounces (57g) heavier than Sony’s WH-1000XM5. The points of contact with the head and ears are well chosen. Although the materials feel rather luxurious to the touch, they take a while to return the wearer’s own body heat. Everyone’s ears are unique, but the size of the earcup and earpads itself is equally considerate. They do a great job at hitting the “one size fits many” dimensions.
Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 review: Connectivity
The Px7 S2 is a contemporary Bluetooth flagship that provides the typical Bluetooth 5.2 capabilities, including multipoint connection (to two source devices) and automated pause/resumption when you pick up and put down the phones. In our tests, Multipoint performed flawlessly, however we found the wear sensor to be a little difficult to operate with. This feature simply worked flawlessly out of the box on the Sony and Apple headphones. We struggled to find the ideal setting with the PX7, which has three levels of sensitivity for this feature. On the lowest setting, we observed a poor response time, and on the highest setting, an excessive sensitivity that would pause whenever we tilted our heads just enough to move the ear cup slightly. You should experiment with these settings; we chose “usual,” yet even then, the headphones would occasionally continue to play when placed on a desk.
Noise cancelling
The noise-cancelling technology from B&W is excellent. Their six-mic array has been improved to more effectively block out undesired noises. Of the six microphones, two are utilized to gauge each drive’s output, two respond to background noise, and two improve voice quality while boosting noise suppression. Low- and mid-frequency sounds were ignored while working in the gazebo outside. We were unable to hear any of the conversation taking place around the pool area or our toddler’s exuberant laughter as he circled our chair. you can read our article on Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 review. The same is true of the aircraft that passed the residence. We didn’t get distracted by portable speakers or landscaping equipment either. Similar results were achieved indoors using the PX7 S2, which effectively muffled noises from TVs and loud kitchen appliances. Not all background noises are controlled. High-frequency sounds would frequently enter the PX7 S2 with ease. Sirens and baby screams were audible enough to get our attention. Fortunately, these sounds and the impacts of the wind were reduced enough to preserve the soundscape.
Audio performance
Although we always appreciate the ability to adjust, we see no reason to change the Px7 S2’s acoustic balance. The tightness and precision of the bass guitar and kick drum on Talking Heads’ And She Was are impressive. They seamlessly blend into a smooth, lean midrange and a high end that is sweeter and more refined than that of the older Px7. This song is all about attacking and punching loudly. The Px7 S2 transmit this torrent of transients with sharp precision, from the plucked electric guitar in the verse to the repeating synth trill in the bridge to the persistent cowbell in the chorus. Perhaps those angled drivers are to blame for the Px7 S2’s consistently frank sound quality. Breakfast in Bed by Dusty Springfield has a directness that increases the impression of proximity between the flirtatious vocal and the rhythmic intensity of the arrangement. They sound more analytical and neutral when compared to the previous Px7, which tonally accentuates the track’s background hiss. As the music changes from a solitary voice and wind trio to a booming full chorus and orchestra, the Px7 S2 demonstrate their humour and dynamic expertise by switching to the Et In Carnatus Est and Sanctus from Mozart’s Grosse Messe. Compared to the more open and vivacious Sony WH-1000XM5, every instrument is nicely reproduced and beautifully separated, but there is a noticeable lack of excitement.
Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 review: Call performance
For voice and video calls, the PX7 S2 is dependable. Every interior chat elicited compliments, with the majority of friends noting how loud and clear we were. The mics effectively blocked out background noise. The majority of the time, wearing the headphones outside was enjoyable. In the gazebo, client calls went without a hitch, but once in the front yard, clarity suffered. We experienced muffle due to wind and moving vehicles. Fortunately, despite the distractions in the background, our family member was able to comprehend all we said.
Battery and charging
The Px7 S2 have an all-in, best-case battery life of 30 hours, which is about average for a product like this these days. This is similar to the model they replace. But compared to the previous Px7, charging times have improved: from “flat” to “full” now takes just 2 hours as opposed to the old model’s leisurely 3 hours, and a 15-minute charge now provides seven hours of playback as opposed to the previous model’s five. The Px7 S2 must be charged using the USB connector on the right earcup because wireless charging is not possible in this location. A well designed hard case is also included, along with USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5mm adapters (the USB-C connector serves as both a power outlet and a data transfer connection). also you can check our article on Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S2 review.
Price
The Px7 S2, which retails for £379, $399, or $600, sits in what was once thought to be the top tier of consumer headphones, until the likes of the significantly more expensive Apple AirPods Max, Focal Bathys, and the new flagship B&W Px8 emerged on the market. The Px7 S2 is comparable in price to Sony’s most recent model from its What Hi-Fi? Award-winning line, the WH-1000XM5 (£380/$399/AU$550), but it still falls into the luxury end of the market. The Sonys established the standard that these B&Ws will attempt to meet or beat.
Conclusion
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 deliver a terrific combination of sound quality, aesthetics, and comfort, living up to the company‘s boast that they are its best-ever wireless headphones. Although they aren’t as good as some of Bowers’ competitors when it comes to smart features like the B&W Music app, noise suppression is also impressive. The Sony WH-1000XM5 are still the best all-around noise-canceling headphones, but the PX7 S2 comes the closest of any rivals we’ve tried so far. Furthermore, if smart design and analytical audio are your top priorities, these are the headphones to pick.
