Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Review
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Design & Build Quality
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Comfort & Ergonomics
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Sound Quality
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Active Noise Cancellation
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Battery & Connectivity
A Masterclass in High-End Audio & Design
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 delivers an exceptional, audiophile-grade listening experience powered by 40mm Carbon Cone drivers and high-res wireless codecs. Blending stunning craftsmanship, luxurious Nappa leather, and all-day comfort, these headphones excel as a premium daily driver. While the ANC opts for a natural balance over absolute silence, its overall performance, elegant physical controls, and superb soundstage make it a top-tier choice for discerning listeners.
Advantages
- Luxurious build quality featuring matte aluminum and premium Nappa leather
- Exceptional audiophile sound with aptX Lossless and wired USB-C lossless support
- Superior comfort with memory foam ear cups for long listening sessions
- Intuitive and reliable physical control buttons
- Strong 30-hour battery life with convenient rapid charging
Disadvantages
- Premium price tag makes it less accessible to the mass market
- ANC prioritizes sound quality over absolute maximum noise isolation
- Deliberate lack of touch controls (might be a downside for some users)
Contents
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 in Pearl Blue: Hands-On Review and Impressions
The acclaimed Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones have been on the market for a while, cementing their reputation as one of the most complete premium wireless headphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Now, the model returns to the spotlight with a stunning new Pearl Blue colorway. This refresh provides the perfect opportunity to revisit what makes these headphones so special, going beyond just sound quality to explore their materials, comfort, and the overall premium experience they deliver.
While many consumers look to Sony, Bose, or Apple as the benchmark for premium audio, Bowers & Wilkins brings a completely different DNA to the table. As a British hi-fi brand with a rich heritage, their expertise stems not only from consumer headphones but from crafting reference-class loudspeakers used by audio professionals in legendary spaces like Abbey Road Studios.
What’s in the Box and Technical Specifications
Unboxing the Px8 S2 reveals a comprehensive set of accessories alongside the headphones, all neatly packed within a compact, rigid carrying case. Alongside the standard user manuals, you will find a USB-C charging cable and a USB-C to 3.5mm AUX cable, both of which can be securely stored inside the case to prevent loss.
- Type: Over-ear, closed-back
- ANC: Active Noise Cancellation + Transparency Mode
- Drivers: 40 mm (Carbon Cone)
- Bluetooth: Version 5.3
- Supported Codecs: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC, SBC
- Battery Life: Up to 30 hours
- Fast Charging: 15 minutes = approx. 7 hours of playback
- Microphones: 8 (utilized for both ANC and voice calls)
- Weight: Approximately 310 g (10.9 oz)
- Materials: Matte Aluminum + Nappa leather
Design and Build Quality
In the high-end headphone market, it is easy to overdo the design. Some manufacturers opt for overly futuristic shapes, while others strip everything down to bare minimalism. The Px8 S2 strikes a brilliant balance. They look undeniably elegant but avoid excessive flashiness.
The new Pearl Blue edition showcases this design philosophy perfectly. The combination of matte aluminum, supple Nappa leather, and slim ear cups creates a look that is simultaneously modern and timeless. These are headphones that look just as appropriate in a professional office environment as they do on a long-haul flight.
It is no surprise that Bowers & Wilkins has secured prestigious accolades like the iF Design Award and the Red Dot Award for this model. The moment you pick them up, the meticulous craftsmanship is evident. There are no creaking plastics; the hinges operate with a satisfying, smooth resistance, and the aluminum yokes feel far more durable than the plastic alternatives found on many competing models.
Durability in everyday use is also impressive. The Pearl Blue finish does not easily attract fingerprints, and the included hardshell case offers enough protection to confidently throw the headphones into a backpack without a second thought. These subtle touches are often what separates true premium gear from the rest.
Comfort for Long Listening Sessions
Flawless build quality means little if the headphones become uncomfortable after an hour. Fortunately, Bowers & Wilkins has engineered the Px8 S2 with long-term wearability in mind.
The ear cups distribute pressure evenly, and the memory foam wrapped in ultra-soft Nappa leather prevents fatigue, even during extended use. After hours of continuous wear at a desk, the urge to take them off is virtually non-existent—a feat that heavier premium models often struggle to achieve.
The clamping force hits the sweet spot. It is secure enough to keep the headphones firmly in place during a brisk walk, yet gentle enough to avoid squeezing the temples. Breathability is surprisingly good as well; even in warmer conditions, your ears do not overheat as quickly as they might with thicker, less porous ear pads.
Ultimately, these headphones seamlessly “disappear” once you put them on, which is exactly what you should expect from a device commanding a premium price tag.
Controls and Ergonomics
Bowers & Wilkins deliberately avoided touch controls on the Px8 S2, a decision that pays off in daily usability. The headphones rely on tactile, physical buttons located on the right ear cup, making operation incredibly straightforward.
Adjusting the volume, pausing a track, or skipping songs can be done instantly without the frustration of swiping on invisible touch panels. This is especially beneficial when walking, commuting, or operating the headphones blindly in cold weather. The buttons are distinct and logically placed, meaning muscle memory takes over within just a few hours of use.
Additionally, the headphones support Bluetooth multipoint connectivity, allowing seamless pairing with two devices simultaneously. You can listen to music on your laptop, and if a call comes through on your phone, the headset automatically switches over. Once the call ends, your music resumes without any manual intervention.
Exceptional Sound and Call Quality
Sound quality is where the Px8 S2 truly shines and justifies its status as a reference-level wireless model. Bowers & Wilkins equipped these with 40mm dynamic Carbon Cone drivers, a dedicated Digital Signal Processor (DSP), and a custom 24-bit DAC and amplifier. While this sounds technical, the real-world results are immediately apparent.
These are not headphones designed simply to blast bass and block out the world. Within minutes of listening, you begin to notice intricate details: the texture of a vocal track, the delicate shimmer of cymbals, the natural acoustic reverb of the recording room, and the excellent instrument separation.
The balance is masterful. The bass is deep, fast, and authoritative, effortlessly handling heavy electronic or hip-hop tracks, yet it never bleeds into the mids or highs. Because of this tuning, the Px8 S2 performs phenomenally with jazz, acoustic rock, and orchestral movie scores.
The audio experience scales with your device. On an iPhone utilizing the AAC codec, the sound is exceptionally stable and rich. However, Android users with compatible Snapdragon Sound devices can unlock even more potential through aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs, delivering near-CD quality over Bluetooth.
That said, these are fully optimized for the Apple ecosystem as well, carrying the “Made for iPhone” certification. For those seeking cutting-edge smart features, you might be comparing these against the Apple AirPods Max 2, but B&W takes a decidedly more audiophile-first approach. For users looking at entirely different price brackets or design aesthetics, our Nothing Headphone A review offers great alternatives.
A major bonus is the wired USB-C listening capability. By plugging directly into a computer or smartphone via USB-C, the internal DAC processes high-resolution lossless audio files flawlessly, retrieving an extra layer of dynamic range.
Voice calls are equally impressive. An eight-microphone array combined with ADI Pure Voice algorithms ensures your voice remains clear even on a windy, traffic-heavy street. During video conferences, the background noise suppression is highly effective without introducing robotic distortions to your voice.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode
Rather than chasing the title of “the strongest ANC on the market” at the cost of sound degradation, Bowers & Wilkins focused on an optimized, highly effective ANC system.
The noise cancellation performs brilliantly in daily scenarios—silencing the hum of office air conditioning, the low rumble of a train, or the drone of an airplane cabin. Importantly, it achieves this without creating the uncomfortable “cabin pressure” sensation that plagues some heavy-duty ANC headphones.
App Integration and Battery Life
The Bowers & Wilkins Music app mirrors the hardware: elegant and streamlined. It skips the bloated gimmickry found in many competitor apps, offering quick access to essential features like ANC toggles, firmware updates, precise battery monitoring, and a 5-band equalizer.
A notable feature is the TrueSound mode, which instantly resets the EQ back to the manufacturer’s reference tuning—perfect for those who occasionally tweak the bass but prefer the authentic studio sound for critical listening.
Regarding battery performance, the promised 30 hours of playback is highly accurate in real-world testing. Even better is the rapid charging feature: just 15 minutes connected to a power source yields roughly seven hours of playback. This makes it incredibly easy to top up before a sudden trip.
Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a rock-solid connection. Even in crowded urban environments saturated with wireless signals, the Px8 S2 maintains flawless stability with zero audio dropouts.
Who Should Buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2?
The Px8 S2 is not a mass-market product, and it does not pretend to be. It is aimed squarely at discerning listeners who demand more than just thumping bass and decent noise cancellation. If you are stepping up from standard consumer models and want to experience a noticeable leap in build materials and audio fidelity, the Px8 S2 is a revelation.
They are particularly rewarding for users who stream high-resolution audio via platforms like Tidal or Apple Music Lossless. Yet, despite their audiophile credentials, they remain highly practical daily drivers—offering fantastic comfort, reliable ANC, a robust battery, and intuitive physical controls.
Final Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 in Pearl Blue proves that flagship headphones can successfully merge luxurious design, modern mobile technology, and sublime audio quality without becoming an overly complicated, niche audiophile product.
The new colorway adds a fresh, sophisticated touch, but the core appeal remains the same. With spectacular sound, premium craftsmanship, all-day comfort, and strong cross-platform support for both iOS and Android, the Px8 S2 easily holds its ground against the toughest competitors in the high-end wireless audio space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 support true lossless audio?
Yes, the headphones support the aptX Lossless codec for compatible Android devices, enabling bit-for-bit CD-quality audio over Bluetooth. Additionally, you can achieve lossless high-resolution audio playback by connecting the headphones directly to a device using the included USB-C cable.
Can I connect the Px8 S2 to multiple devices at the same time?
Absolutely. The Px8 S2 features Bluetooth multipoint technology. This allows you to simultaneously pair the headphones with two devices, such as a laptop for music and a smartphone for calls, seamlessly switching between them as needed.
Are the ear cushions on the Px8 S2 replaceable?
Yes, the memory foam ear pads wrapped in premium Nappa leather are magnetically attached, making them incredibly easy to remove and replace if they wear out over time, which significantly extends the lifespan of the headphones.
Source: In house elaboration. Opening photo: Editorial team.
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