- The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 are a little bit of a shock entry into the headphones market.
Towards the British firm's ordinary behavior of biding its time between generations - updating units when it feels the expertise has moved on considerably - these second-gen headphones substitute the five-star Px7 mannequin after simply two years.
However, there's been loads of tweaks and enhancements launched via this upgraded pair of ANC headphones - significantly within the design division.
So, are the Px7 S2 a worthy follow-up to the primary era - and the way do they examine to the business's large hitters?
We gave them an intensive take a look at to seek out out.
The ANC headphones market is now jam-packed with excellent choices, however the Px7 S2 need to be held in the identical excessive regard as the highest fashions from Sony and Bose.
These over-ears do not simply enhance on their predecessors, they match their friends expertly - and, in lots of instances, they higher them.
Audio efficiency is throaty and sturdy, with high quality management over readability, too. You may get as a lot enjoyment from a bass-heavy Stormzy session as you'll an episode of The Umbrella Academy on a packed practice.
Noise cancellation has been enhanced, too, with higher blocking of undesirable atmosphere with out impacting sound high quality.
Maybe what elevates them to compete extra readily with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the like, although, is the design. Not solely do the Px7 S2s look extremely slick, however they're additionally by far probably the most comfy Bowers & Wilkins wi-fi headphones but.
That ends in a headset that is proper up there for audio and might be worn for lengthy intervals. That is a winner in our guide.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
- Glorious audio efficiency
- Very comfy to put on
- Noise cancelling has been improved
- Quick charging
- Neat design enhancements
- Helps aptX Adaptive
- Carrying case is very large
- Companion app wants entry to extra providers
- No aptX Lossless
Design
- Weight: 307g
- Reminiscence foam earcups
- Black, gray and blue choices
- Case measurement: 189 x 63 x 233mm
- Put on detection sensor
Whereas the 2020 Px7 headphones represented a design departure from its siblings, the Px7 S2 is extra in keeping with what we might usually count on from Bowers & Wilkins.
A raised aluminium deco plate returns to the outside of every ear, whereas the supplies used evoke reminiscences of the model's first ANC options, the PX.
The large distinction, although, is within the padding on the underside of the scarf - and the earcups themselves. Every is softer and extra pliable than ever earlier than, presenting a much more comfy expertise. Bowers & Wilkins additionally claims to have lowered the clamping power between generations, which you'll be able to undoubtedly really feel throughout put on.
They're tight sufficient to supply respectable noise isolation, to go along with the cancellation expertise, however fortunately do not characteristic the over-egged stress of some equivalents that may trigger slight discomfort over lengthy intervals.
Their weight has been lowered a contact, too, though not a lot as to be noticeable.
Our solely design disappointment pertains to the dimensions of the carry case - it is fairly giant for what are designed to be simply moveable headphones. You may must make an honest quantity of room in a bag for it, though we're no less than happy that it is sturdy and durable - very like the headphones themselves - sufficient to outlive a little bit of battering.
It additionally comes with a pleasant hidden pouch space inside that accommodates a USB-C cable and USB-C to three.5mm jack for wired listening, which is neat.
Options, connectivity and battery life
- Bowers & Wilkins Music app
- Bluetooth 5.0; aptX Adaptive help
- USB-C quick charging
- As much as 30 hours battery life
- Voice assistant help
Connecting the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones to a tool is a doddle. They use Bluetooth 5.0 to hook as much as a supply gadget, and there is a devoted B&W Music app for iOS and Android that helps. It discovered the over-ears simply (we paired them with our telephone first, through the standard Bluetooth strategies).
The app's draw back is that there are many gaps in its protection. Whereas it hyperlinks with the likes of Qoboz and Tidal, it does not characteristic Spotify or Apple Music, so you find yourself popping out of it typically to seek out and play tracks.
The one different connectivity is thru the aforementioned USB-C to three.5mm cable. You additionally cost them via USB-C, which now helps quicker charging than earlier than. The battery is similar measurement as within the Px7, nevertheless it now takes simply two hours to cost absolutely from empty.
As well as, quarter-hour of cost time offers you seven hours of playback time.
In follow, we have used the headphones for a number of functions throughout a interval of some days and located the battery to nonetheless be round 50-60 per cent charged. We think about there might be no drawback on a long-haul flight, for instance, as B&W claims they will last as long as 30 hours with ANC engaged.
As with the final era, the Px7 S2 additionally include Qualcomm aptX Adaptive help. Meaning they'll obtain almost-lossless music streamed at as much as 24-bit/48 kHz. There is no help for the newest Snapdragon Sound codecs, nor aptX Lossless, however that is true with the overwhelming majority of headphones available on the market at current.
Naturally, lively noise cancelling can be on board, utilizing 4 microphones dotted across the earcups. It is selectable utilizing a fast button on the left-hand cup or within the devoted app, and also you get three choices - noise cancelling on, move via (which has been improved for this era), and off solely.
There is no adaptive noise cancelling, so it does not alter based mostly in your environment. And, although we have a tendency to show this performance off on most rival merchandise anyway after some preliminary testing, it is one thing to notice for individuals who typically respect tapping into it.
Audio efficiency
- 43.6mm dynamic full vary bio-cellulose driver in every ear
- 4 x mics for ANC, 2 x mics for calls
- Lively noise cancellation tech
- Distortion: <0.1% (1kHz/10mW)
The place B&W merchandise typically excel is in audio efficiency - and the Px7 S2 is not any exception.
The 2 43.6mm dynamic full-range drivers (one in every ear) have been tweaked for decrease distortion and quicker response timings. This supplies a wonderful soundfield, whatever the supply materials.
They're maybe bassier than earlier generations from the corporate, with extra tangible thrust at decrease frequencies, however that comes with none muddying of the mid to excessive ranges.
Take Elbow's Lippy Children - you possibly can hear the person pulls on the bass strings throughout the intro, whereas the piano stabs stay crisp. The trademark whistles then punctuate the rear within the monitor spacing. Nothing is misplaced.
Then chuck on By no means Combat a Man with a Perm from Idles and it feels such as you're being punched within the eardrums.
And, for nice steadiness, The Stone Roses' Fools Gold riffs working via Aitch's 1989 hit distinctly with out taking something away from his bars.
In brief, these are very achieved over-ears which can be complemented by noise-cancelling tech, quite than hampered by it. It is precisely what we have come to count on from B&W, they usually're greater than able to compete with the expertise supplied by Sony and Bose.
Bowers & Wilkins is thought for its exemplary audio efficiency, however the Px7 S2 exhibits it's quickly catching up within the expertise and luxury stakes, too. The Px7 S2 are arguably its most comfy wi-fi headset but, with premium supplies permitting for elongated intervals of use. The noise cancellation can be extra correct in expelling undesirable outdoors interference. Sure, these over-ears include a premium worth, however their capabilities greater than justify it.
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