Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Review

Summary / TL;DR

Embark on a journey with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2, a high-end, wireless over-ear headphone designed for audiophiles. This second-generation model boasts improved features and refined sound quality, setting a new standard in audio technology.

The Px7 S2 offers a premium build with carbon fiber composite earcups, memory foam earpads, and a sleek design. Its sound performance is exceptional, delivering detailed and balanced audio across all frequencies. The headphones feature advanced noise cancellation technology with three modes for a personalized listening experience.

With a comfortable fit, long-lasting battery life, and modern connectivity features like Bluetooth 5.0 and multi-point connection, the Px7 S2 ensures a seamless user experience. While the headphones come at a premium price, their superior quality and performance make them a worthwhile investment for music enthusiasts.

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If you like this review, you might also like our review on the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 or Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3.

Introduction

This second generation model, released by the renowned British audio brand, is designed with audiophiles in mind. It sets the bar high through its improved features and refined sound quality.

As a flagship model in their headphone lineup, the Px7 S2 is a direct successor to the highly acclaimed original Px7, which graced the market with its premium build and superior noise cancellation. But the S2 version takes all of these excellent features a step further, offering a more polished outcome in terms of performance and design.

Whether it’s for daily commuting, long-haul flights, or simply enjoying your favorite tracks at home, the Px7 S2's robust features aim to cater to a variety of users and scenarios. Stick around for the rest of this review as we delve into the details and intricacies of this exceptional pair of headphones. From its design and build quality, sound performance, to its noise cancellation abilities and battery life, we’ll be scrutinizing each aspect to help you decide if it's the right fit for your needs.

As one of the most prominent contenders in the headphone industry right now, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 demands attention. Now, let's plunge into the nitty-gritty of what this piece of audio technology has to offer.

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Design and Build Quality

One of the distinctive features of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 is its design and build quality. The headphone looks premium with its sleek and stylish aesthetic. Crafted using robust yet lightweight materials, it manages to strike a balance between durability and lightness.

The earcups are composed of carbon fiber composite material, ensuring resistance against wear and tear. This makes the Px7 S2 an excellent choice for those who value longevity in their audio devices. Its metal headband further reinforces the sturdiness, without adding unnecessary weight. The thoughtful design extends to the earpads as well, which are crafted from memory foam and covered in soft leather, enhancing the overall user comfort.

The overall design is elegant and streamlined, with intuitive controls that provide easy access to the various functions. The Px7 S2, with its silver detailing, perfectly complements the matte finish, creating an appealing contrast.

Looking closely, you'll notice the high-quality build in every aspect of these headphones. From the precise stitching on the earpads to the seamless integration of the control buttons, the Px7 S2 exudes a kind of luxury that's typically reserved for high-end audio devices.

The headphones are not just about aesthetics though. The design of the Px7 S2 also incorporates functional elements. One of these is the swiveling earcups, which allow for easy storage and transportation. The design also includes a collapsible feature, which I'll elaborate on in the 'What's in the Box' section.

In conclusion, the design and build quality of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 is exceptional, combining premium materials with thoughtful design to deliver a product that's built to last. This is truly a pair of headphones that deliver in terms of aesthetics, durability, and convenience.

Sound Performance

Embodying the legacy of Bowers & Wilkins, the Px7 S2 headphones impressively deliver in the domain of sound performance. Built for the discerning audiophile, these headphones offer an exceptional sound profile that stands out even among its premium counterparts.

Featuring 43.6mm drivers custom-designed and tuned by the same team behind the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Diamond Series speakers used in Abbey Road Studios, the Px7 S2 pumps out sound that is detailed, rich, and extraordinarily balanced. The bass performance is impactful yet controlled, bringing to life the subtlest of low-frequency nuances without overpowering the midrange.

Speaking of the midrange, it's where the Px7 S2 truly shines. The vocals are amazingly clear and intimate, and the instrumental tonality is spot-on. Whether you're jamming to rock, grooving to jazz, or getting lost in a symphony, the midrange reproduction stays consistent and faithful to the original recording.

High-frequencies are equally impressive, delivering sparkling clarity without any hint of harshness. The headphones handle complex arrangements effortlessly, ensuring each high-pitched note is distinctly separated and well-defined.

Soundstage and imaging are another strong suit of these headphones. Music feels spacious and three-dimensional, creating a sense of immersion that's rarely achieved with closed-back designs. Moreover, the Px7 S2 is adept at positioning different sound elements accurately, allowing for a more engaging listening experience.

However, it's worth noting that these headphones might not suit those who prefer a more colored or bass-heavy sound signature. Instead, the Px7 S2 delivers a neutral, balanced sound that focuses on fidelity and accuracy.

Summing up, the sound performance of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 is nothing short of spectacular. With its clear, balanced output, and impressive detailing, it's no exaggeration to say that these headphones offer one of the best listening experiences in their price range.

Noise Cancellation

Let's delve into one of the most significant features of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 - the Noise Cancellation. This headphone is equipped with an advanced Adaptive Noise Cancellation technology. It's designed to monitor the ambient sound around you continuously and adjust the level of noise cancellation accordingly. Whether you're in a bustling city, a noisy cafe, or a quiet room, this feature can provide an immersive listening experience.

There are three noise cancellation modes - Low, High, and Auto Mode. The Low mode is perfect for situations where you still want some environmental sounds to seep in. High mode is a boon when you want to totally immerse yourself in the music, without any disturbances. In Auto mode, the headphones smartly adjust the noise cancellation level based on the ambient noise. A unique feature that sets these headphones apart from many of their competitors.

The noise cancellation feature is not just about blocking external noise. It also ensures that the quality of sound isn't compromised in the process. This headphone's noise cancellation technology is fine-tuned to ensure the music stays as pure and unaltered as possible, even when the noise cancellation is at full blast.

It's also worth noting that the Px7 S2 uses a total of four microphones to achieve this precise level of noise cancellation. These mics work in harmony to detect and cancel out a wide range of frequencies, ensuring a serene soundscape, no matter your environment. However, it's important to remember that the effectiveness of noise cancellation may vary based on the fit of the headphones, which we will discuss more in the 'Comfort and Fit' section.

In conclusion, the noise cancellation feature of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 is top-notch. It offers a fantastic level of control over your listening environment and ensures that the sound quality is not compromised. Whether you are an audio purist or a frequent traveler, the Px7 S2's noise cancellation feature has much to offer.

Comfort and Fit

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones strive to deliver a significant level of comfort, and in most regards, they succeed. These headphones are designed with long listening sessions in mind and are built to ensure minimal discomfort even after hours of use.

One of the standout features regarding comfort is the padded ear cups. These are generously cushioned and covered in a soft, breathable fabric. This not only provides a snug fit but also helps to reduce heat buildup, which can be a common issue with over-ear headphones.

Additionally, the headband is also padded, providing a comfy resting place for your head. The earcups and the headband both feature memory foam padding that molds to the shape of your head and ears, further enhancing the fit and comfort.

Despite their slightly heavyweight - they tip the scales at 310 grams - the Px7 S2 doesn't feel overly burdensome on the head. The weight is well distributed, and the clamping force is just right - not too tight to cause discomfort, but snug enough to ensure a secure fit.

One minor gripe some users might have is that the earcups could be a bit larger. Those with larger ears might find them a bit tight. But for most, the size should be adequate.

Overall, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 provide a high level of comfort that fits well with their premium status. They're designed for long-term use, and most listeners shouldn't have any issues wearing them for extended periods. However, as with any headphones, individual comfort may vary, and it's always advisable to try them on before making a purchase decision.

Battery Life

The battery life of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 is a standout feature that seriously impresses. With a single charge, these headphones offer an impressive 30 hours of uninterrupted playback time. This means you can go for days at a time without having to worry about recharging, making them an excellent choice for long trips or extended listening sessions.

In addition to the impressive playback time, these headphones boast a quick-charge feature. With just 15 minutes of charging, you get around 5 hours of use – a great feature if you're in a hurry and need a quick boost of battery life.

It's also worth mentioning the smart power management system. If you forget to switch off your headphones, the Px7 S2 automatically enters a low-power mode to preserve battery life. This is a handy feature that can save you from the frustration of finding your headphones dead when you pick them up for a listen.

However, while the battery life is excellent, it's important to note that using active noise cancellation will naturally drain the battery more quickly. As we will discuss in the "Noise Cancellation" section, the Px7 S2 has an impressive ANC feature. However, using it extensively will reduce the overall playback time. But even with regular ANC usage, the Px7 S2 still offers a commendable battery life compared to many other models on the market.

To sum it up, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 excels in terms of battery life, offering a long-lasting listening experience that few other headphones can match. Its quick charging system and smart power management features only add to its overall value, making it an ideal choice for audiophiles who demand uninterrupted listening sessions.

Connectivity Features

Let's dive into the connectivity features of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2. The Px7 S2 uses the most recent Bluetooth 5.0 technology. This enhances the overall connectivity, extending the wireless range, and improving the transfer rate of your audio files. It means you can move around freely without experiencing interruptions or lag in your music.

Another remarkable feature is the multi-point connection capability. This allows the headphones to connect to two devices simultaneously. This could be your smartphone and tablet, or your laptop and television. It makes for a more seamless, hassle-free user experience, especially when you're toggling between devices.

In terms of Bluetooth codecs, The Px7 S2 supports AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive. These codecs are responsible for the transmission of high-quality audio over Bluetooth. The aptX Adaptive is particularly noteworthy as it dynamically adjusts to provide optimum audio quality or latency depending on what's being played on your device. This is a boon for those who switch between music, podcasts, and video content.

One potential downside is that these headphones lack NFC for quick pairing. However, the Bluetooth pairing process is quite straightforward and quick, which mitigates this to a degree.

Lastly, there's the USB-C port that can be used for charging, but also for wired audio playback. This means you can still listen to your music even if the battery runs out, or if you want to conserve battery life.

Overall, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 offers a diverse and modern range of connectivity features, making it a versatile choice for many wireless headphone users.

User Experience

In the realm of user experience, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 excel in delivering a seamless and intuitive user interface. The most notable element is undoubtedly the ease of use and the simple learning curve associated with the headphones.

The physical controls are robust, well-placed, and offer a tactile feedback which is nothing short of satisfying. You get a dedicated button for noise cancellation, in addition to standard play, pause, and volume controls. The buttons are intuitive, easy-to-press and provide immediate response, ensuring you're not left guessing if your input was registered.

The companion app offers a user-friendly interface that is not only easy to navigate, but also provides a variety of customization options. Here, you can adjust the level of noise cancellation, access an equalizer for sound tweaking, and even find a tutorial on how to use the headphones. The app experience is fluid, quick and highly responsive, adding a layer of convenience to the overall user experience.

Pairing the headphones is a breeze, thanks to the quick and easy process. Once paired, the headphones automatically connect to recognized devices when in range, minimizing the need for manual connections every time.

Another noteworthy aspect is the inclusion of wear sensor technology. The headphones automatically pause your music when you take them off, and resume when you put them on. It's a handy feature that saves battery life and enhances the overall user experience.

However, it’s not all roses. Some users have reported occasional glitches with the companion app. While these incidents seem to be isolated, it's worth noting in our pursuit of a comprehensive review.

On the whole, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 deliver a user experience that is quite commendable. The combination of physical controls and a comprehensive companion app ensure you're in control of your audio experience at all times.

Video by: Mark Ellis Reviews

What's in the Box

Upon opening, the box reveals a sleek, high-end presentation that immediately communicates the superior quality of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones. Encased securely within the box, the headphones are presented with a sense of elegance and prestige. Also included in the packaging are a series of accessories designed to enhance the user experience.

The box includes a durable, textured carry case. This case offers robust protection for the headphones when not in use and during travel, and its compact design will be appreciated by those who are often on the move. It's worth noting that this carry case is a great addition to the overall product and adds to the value proposition.

Along with the headphones and carry case, you'll find a 3.5mm audio cable for wired listening. This is a handy inclusion for those moments when you may want to conserve your headphone's battery life or when wireless connectivity may not be possibal.

Additionally, the box contains a USB-C charging cable for quick and efficient charging of the headphones. This inclusion aligns with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 commitment to providing a user-friendly and convenient experience.

Complementing these items, a concise and easy-to-understand user manual is also included. This guide offers valuable insights into the functionality, setup, and maintenance of the headphones, which will be beneficial, particularly for first-time users of this type of device.

In summary, the package includes everything that a user needs to fully enjoy the superior sound quality and advanced features of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones. Every item in the box contributes to the overall satisfaction and convenience of utilizing this high-end audio device.

Conclusion

Conclusion

After an extensive examination of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones, it's clear to see why they've garnered acclaim in the audio community. They deliver a magnificent fusion of elegant design, superior sound quality, and high-end features. However, they do come with a premium price tag that might be a hurdle for those on a budget.

The audio performance is undeniably superb, boasting clear detail and impressive soundstage. For audiophiles seeking an immersive listening experience, these headphones won't disappoint. Furthermore, the noise cancellation feature is robust, successfully obstructing ambient noise and enhancing focus on the music.

The build quality exudes class, with sturdy materials and an elegant aesthetic. The comfort factor is also commendable, although the weight might be a tad noticeable during extended listening sessions. Remember, the headphones' fit and comfort can greatly impact the user experience, so it's crucial to consider your personal preferences and comfort levels.

With a strong battery life, reliable connectivity features and an intuitive user experience, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones represent a solid investment for serious music lovers. They certainly meet, and in many aspects exceed, the standards set by their competitors in the market.

Ultimately, while these headphones demand a significant investment, their exceptional performance and premium design justify the expenditure for those who have a discerning ear for sound and a taste for luxury in their audio gear.

So, should you purchase the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2? If high-quality sound, a chic design, and advanced features rank high on your priority list, and you're willing to pay the higher price, these headphones could be an excellent choice for you. It's all about weighing the pros and cons and deciding if the features align with your needs and budget.

In conclusion, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are an outstanding piece of audio equipment, promising a top-tier listening experience that should satisfy even the most demanding audiophile.

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Pros & cons

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Technical specifications