The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is the company’s 2025 flagship over-ear ANC headphone that targets audiophiles who want luxury materials, hi-res wireless capability, and a reference-style sound signature. Priced at $799, the Px8 S2 pairs redesigned 40 mm carbon-cone drivers, a dedicated headphone amplifier and 24-bit DSP with Bluetooth 5.3 and aptX Lossless/aptX Adaptive support for up to 24-bit/96 kHz wireless playback.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Features
Sound Quality and Tuning
- Tonal balance and clarity: The Px8 S2 presents a refined, slightly warm-neutral tuning that prioritizes clarity and midrange presence while preserving musical weight in the low end. Reviews consistently describe richer, more articulate mids and clearer treble detail versus the original Px8 thanks to the updated carbon-cone drivers and discrete amplifier.
- Bass control: Bass is authoritative and controlled rather than boomy. Low frequencies deliver impact and punch on electronic and hip‑hop tracks but stay well defined and textured, avoiding the bloom that muddies midrange detail.
- Soundstage and imaging: Imaging is unusually spacious for closed‑back wireless headphones; the Px8 S2 separates layers and places instruments with convincing width and depth, giving orchestral and multi-layered mixes room to breathe.
- Resolution and dynamics: The dedicated amp plus improved driver chassis yield better transient response and headroom compared with prior B&W models, making crescendos and complex passages sound more natural and dynamic.
- EQ and personalization: The Bowers & Wilkins Music app offers a five‑band EQ and a “True Sound” bypass tuned by B&W’s engineers, letting listeners tailor the signature while preserving the intended reference voicing.
ANC and Call Performance
- ANC effectiveness: Px8 S2 uses an eight‑microphone array and B&W’s ANC tuning to reduce ambient noise significantly while aiming to preserve musicality; it performs strongly on everyday noise sources (cafe chatter, HVAC, road hum) but doesn’t quite match Sony or Bose at outright noise suppression in the loudest environments.
- Interaction with sound quality: ANC engagement causes a modest tonal shift and can slightly tighten perceived soundstage in some tracks, but B&W’s implementation leans toward minimizing musical compromise—ANC reduces noise without heavily compressing dynamics.
- Call clarity: Eight mics plus ADI Pure Voice processing deliver clear outbound speech in noisy environments, with reviewers noting strong voice isolation and intelligibility for calls.
Build, Comfort & Design
- Materials and finishes: Px8 S2 uses premium Nappa leather across earcups and headband, machined aluminum arms and exposed braided cabling as a deliberate design cue; the result is a luxury feel that outclasses many rivals in perceived quality.
- Ergonomics and comfort: Slimmer earcup profile and redistributed weight improve long‑wear comfort versus the original Px8; reviewers highlight plush ear padding and a stable, non‑aggressive clamping force suitable for long sessions.
- Durability and serviceability: The ear cushions and headband lining are service‑replaceable by authorized technicians, which helps long‑term ownership; the chassis is stiffer thanks to aluminum armature and improved hinge engineering.
- Controls and app: Physical tactile buttons are used instead of touch pads; the B&W Music app adds useful features (five‑band EQ, wear‑sensor sensitivity) though reviewers call the app functional rather than feature‑packed.
Connectivity & Hi‑Res Audio Support
- Codecs and formats: Px8 S2 supports Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, enabling 24‑bit/96 kHz wireless playback from compatible sources; USB‑C and 3.5 mm wired options are included for guaranteed hi‑res performance when wireless isn’t available.
- Real‑world compatibility: AptX Lossless requires a compatible source device and streaming service; phones without Qualcomm support (certain ecosystem devices) will fall back to other codecs, so wired or USB audio remains the surefire hi‑res path.
- Extras and future updates: B&W has committed to over‑the‑air additions (spatial audio and LE Audio/Auracast), expanding the platform after launch.
Battery Life and Charging
- Runtime: Claimed 30 hours with ANC on, matching many flagship rivals and standard for the class.
- Fast charge: A 15‑minute quick charge delivers roughly seven hours of additional playback, allowing rapid replenishment before travel or long sessions.
- Practical notes: Battery life sits comfortably in real‑world usage tests but isn’t class‑leading; competitors prioritize longer runtimes, yet Px8 S2 balances battery with the dedicated amp and processing needed for its sonic goals.
Get the ANC Px8 S2 now!
Who Should Buy These Headphones and Who Should Consider Other Options
Buy the Px8 S2 if you:- Prioritize reference‑grade sound, hi‑res wireless playback and luxe materials.
- Value detailed midrange, controlled bass and imaging that favors musical fidelity over aggressive ANC tuning.
- Want a flagship look and long‑term serviceability.
Consider other options if you:
- Need the absolute best noise cancellation for commuter or airline use—Sony WH‑1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra remain better ANC choices.
- Require vegan/pleather finishes (Px8 S2 uses real Nappa leather).
- Want longer battery life as a top priority; other models exceed 30 hours in practical tests.
Comparison with the Original Px8 and Competitors in the Premium ANC Segment
- Vs original Px8: Px8 S2 refines ergonomics and driver mechanics (new carbon‑cone chassis, dedicated amp and 24‑bit DSP), adds aptX Lossless and more ANC/call mics; outcome is a perceivable uplift in clarity, imaging and comfort.
- Vs Px7 S3: Px8 S2 aims above the Px7 S3 sonically through carbon drivers and greater headroom, while borrowing slimmer ergonomics introduced in the Px7 S3 line.
- Vs Sony, Bose, Apple and Focal:
- Sony WH‑1000XM6 and Bose QC Ultra still lead for pure ANC performance.
- Apple AirPods Max and Focal Bathys compete at similar price points but differ in tuning and platform tradeoffs; Px8 S2 competes strongly on sound quality and material luxury, and uniquely supports aptX Lossless for compatible Android ecosystems.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Px8 S2 is a flagship that chooses sonic fidelity and tactile luxury over headline‑chasing ANC supremacy. Its updated carbon drivers, dedicated amplification, true 24‑bit/96 kHz support over Bluetooth where supported, and plush Nappa leather build make it one of the most compelling premium headphones for music lovers in 2025. If you want the best musical performance from a Bluetooth flagship and accept a premium price for materials and sound, the Px8 S2 is a top recommendation. If noise‑cancellation is your single most important requirement or you need vegan materials, consider rivals that prioritize those attributes.
.jpg)
0 Comments