Bowers & Wilkins is synonymous with luxurious audio, having crafted a number of the finest-looking and sounding residence techniques and headphones ever created. The PX7 was a sonic powerhouse revered for its heat, balanced audio and sturdy lively noise cancellation (ANC). Almost two years after its launch, we’ve gotten its successor, the up to date PX7 S2.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 SPECS
Value: $399
Colours: Black, Blue, Gray
Battery life (rated): 30 hours
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
Water resistance: None
Dimension: Unspecified
Weight: 10.8 ounces
This overhauled model brings forth higher ANC, sound, name high quality, and charging instances, together with new options and wi-fi applied sciences that have been noticeably absent from the unique. B&W even took the freedom of refining the design.
All these additions include a excessive price ticket, however as previous B&W releases have confirmed time once more, you get your cash’s price. Learn on to see why the PX7 S2 is a noise-canceller made to compete with the class’s high contenders.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: Availability and value
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 goes for $399 and could be bought at main on-line retailers, together with Amazon (opens in new tab) and Greatest Purchase (opens in new tab), or straight on the firm’s web site (opens in new tab). It’s offered in three colours: Black, Blue, and Grey. Bundled with the acquisition are a woven carrying case, USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to three.5mm audio cable, and handbook.
For comparability, the PX7 S2 shares the identical MSRP because the not too long ago launched Sony WH-1000XM5. These headphones additionally costlier than the category-leading Bose 700 ($379), which is commonly on sale, in addition to different elite performers just like the Sony WH-1000XM4 ($349) and Shure Aonic 40 ($249).
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Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: Design and luxury
B&W didn’t must implement any design modifications to their second-gen mannequin, however they did. The PX7 S2 is lighter, slimmer, and comes with “extra luxurious” reminiscence foam ear cups. Signature particulars just like the arc-shaped yoke and aluminum deco plate with semi-matte end stay intact. Tightly woven material can be utilized to the hardshell and headband.
All three colours are attractive, particularly the blue model with gold accents, which is one thing the Bose QuietComfort 35 II popularized.
The carrying case is simply as beautiful, coated in woven material and conveniently designed to retailer the whole lot. There’s a compartment that homes the wired cables. What makes the case important is its handy measurement and lightweight weight; having it in your laptop computer bag received’t take up a lot house.
Consolation is reasonably nice. The reminiscence foam offers extra cushion on your ears and head. B&W claims that match was improved, however the tight clamp power put stress on my ears and trapped warmth underneath the ear cups after about two hours of damage. You’ll need to use the PX7 S2 sporadically all through the day to spare your cranium from any discomfort.
The extenders obtain an affordable size to accommodate completely different head sizes. As soon as adjusted, the headphones will stay put.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: Controls and digital assistant
Bodily buttons, movement detection, and digital help make up the PX7 S2’s management scheme. The proper earcup is the place many of the motion takes place, that includes a three-button setup with a multifunctional button (playback, name administration) flanked between quantity buttons, in addition to an influence/pairing slider above it. These buttons produce stable tactility, and the slider has a pleasant recoil impact when pushed up.
The left earcup has an motion button that both ANC or the digital assistant. B&W programmed the button with one-press performance, so it’s both one or the opposite. Why not permit us to allow Siri or Google Assistant by performing an extended press?
On the plus facet, each Apple and Google’s AI bots function flawlessly. B&W’s mic array demonstrates excellent speech recognition, choosing up each syllable and long-winded voice command, whereas Siri and Google Assistant return correct outcomes.
A put on sensor was stuffed into the headphones for auto-pause/play performance and have to be turned on within the companion app. There are sensitivity ranges you possibly can select from within the companion app: Low, Regular, and Excessive. Whereas drastically appreciated, the function suffers from severe lag, it doesn’t matter what degree you choose. It takes about 2 seconds for music to pause or replay.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: Audio high quality
With a 40mm dynamic bio-cellulose driver sitting in every cup, aptX codec help (HD, Adaptive), bass/treble customization, and a brand new DSP {hardware} platform, the PX7 S2 is the epitome of highly effective, elegant sound. You’re getting an correct and expansive listening expertise that reveals the delicate nuances in complicated recordings with minimal distortion.
Kool & the Gang’s “Summer time Insanity” sounded serene on these cans. The laidback drums have been tight and given extra kick because the tune progressed, whereas the built-up synths soared with such depth that it looked like listening to them by means of skilled loudspeakers. Even small particulars just like the regular cymbal faucets have been consonant and crisp.
On upbeat neo soul tracks like Miguel’s “Advised You So,” the place the stabbing guitar electrical guitars and trembling synth-bass come on robust, the PX7 S2 stabilized bass and maintained the manufacturing’s thumpy resonance. Turning on ANC gave the low finish a slight enhance. I used to be additionally shocked by how effectively the headphones balanced frequencies; the elevated midrange made me really feel the love within the singer’s voice on the hook.
Highs shine vivid on Jazz classics. Each instrument carried out on McCoy Tyner’s “When Sunny Will get Blue” sounded distinctive. The double bass and hi-hats have been extremely clear, and the melodic piano chords have been positioned entrance and middle, which made for a extra immersive hear.
You’ll be able to regulate the bass and treble settings within the companion app, however the B&W’s sound profile is already impeccable.
aptX Adaptive permits for near-lossless streaming on suitable companies (e.g., Tidal, Qobuz) at as much as 24-bit/48 kHz. Those that favor wired listening can both use the USB-C to three.5mm or USB-C to USB-C cable on suitable units. I can say the latter performs terribly when linked to a smartphone, dropping the amount drastically, although sound is way stabler on a MacBook Professional.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: Lively noise cancellation
B&W’s noise-cancelling expertise is high tier. Their six-mic array has been upgraded to successfully shut out undesirable sounds: two are used for measuring the output of every drive, two react to ambient noise, and two enhance voice readability whereas enhancing noise suppression.
Working outdoors within the gazebo, low- and mid-frequency sounds went unnoticed. I couldn’t hear any of the chatter taking place across the pool space, nor my toddler’s giddy laughs when circling my chair. The identical could be stated in regards to the airplanes that flew over the home (take into account I’m not removed from the airport). Landscaping instruments and moveable audio system didn’t break my focus both. The PX7 S2 carried out equally indoors, blocking out the noises produced by kitchen home equipment and loud TVs at a excessive degree.
Not all ambient noises are tamed. The PX7 S2 would typically permit high-frequency sounds to enter. Child cries and sirens have been clear sufficient to attract my consideration. Fortunately, these noises and wind results have been minimized effectively sufficient to not compromise the soundscape.
Move-By was the extra spectacular mode and served effectively for holding tabs on my son within the playroom. The mics picked up each babble, giggle, and cry, together with no matter instructional packages performed on the iPad. It was very helpful for speaking with the missus, particularly since her voice got here by means of clearly. Enabling the function open air was additionally useful throughout morning strolls. Development websites and oncoming site visitors have been extremely clear. There wasn’t a second the place I felt unsafe or unaware of my environment.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: App and particular options
The PX7 S2 helps the newer B&W Music app. You’ll be able to carry out actions that have been beforehand talked about, corresponding to regulate bass/treble, assign the motion button, activate put on detection, and cycle by means of ANC modes. That’s about it by way of key options.
Rounding out the app are an Auto standby setting, battery degree indicator, firmware updates, and a connections tab displaying what units have paired together with your headset. Well-liked extras corresponding to music presets, a soundscapes mode, and a Discover My Headphones operate are all absent.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: Battery life
B&W has solely confirmed {that a} full cost equates to 30 hours. We don’t know whether or not that is with ANC on or off. Our testing confirmed the marketed playtime was near correct when noise cancellation was disabled. Turning it on dropped playtime right down to 26 hours. That’s nonetheless ample for 4 to five hours of use each day over the course of a workweek.
The PX7 S2 has a number of the finest fast charging expertise within the class. A 15-minute cost generates 7 hours of listening time. The Sony WH-1000XM5 can do 5 hours in 10 minutes and luxurious fashions just like the $1,000 Mark Levinson No. 5909 web you 6 hours in quarter-hour.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: Name high quality and connectivity
The PX7 S2 is dependable for voice and video calls. Each indoor dialog was met with constructive suggestions, with most pals saying I sounded loud and crystal clear. Background noises have been silenced by the mics. Utilizing the headphones open air was nice for essentially the most half. Shopper calls within the gazebo went easy, although readability took a success as soon as stepping in the direction of the entrance yard. Wind and dashing automobiles brought on muffle on my finish. Fortunately, my spouse was in a position to perceive the whole lot I stated regardless of the background interference.
Connectivity is spot on. Bluetooth 5.0 runs the present and grants as much as 60 toes of wi-fi vary. Google Quick Pair accelerates the pairing course of for Android customers. Pairing to Apple and Microsoft units is a breeze as effectively.
B&W additionally added multipoint expertise to pair to 2 units concurrently, a function that enterprise customers will respect because it lets them seamlessly change from their telephone to laptop computer (or vice versa).
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 assessment: Verdict
At $399, these headphones don’t come low cost, however magnificence and greatness by no means do. B&W didn’t sacrifice craftsmanship or parts when downscaling the PX7 S2’s measurement. Sound is as pristine as ever, because of newly engineered 40mm drivers, and ANC isn’t too far off from class leaders just like the Bose 700 and Sony WH-1000XM5. Options aren’t as ample as what you’ll discover on different luxurious fashions, however B&W doesn’t brief you of great ones like aptX Adaptive/HD, Bluetooth multipoint, and fast charging.
The PX7 S2 isn’t freed from imperfections. I discovered the clamp power tighter than it must be, although it has loosened a bit after two weeks of use. Some could not the like the shortage of additional app options both.
If these are the one two legit complaints, then B&W has little or no to repair when engaged on its successor. Till then, the PX7 S2 is fingers down one of many finest wi-fi headphones cash should buy.
