The name BOWERS & WILKINS serves as an established reference point for people who love audio equipment throughout the globe. The British audio company became successful through its main product which people know as the Nautilus snail-shaped speakers. BOWERS & WILKINS developed two premium headphone models the P7 and P9 to fulfill the requirements of their sophisticated clients who travel often. The PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones exist today because those headphones created a foundation for their development. These are the two newest and most high-end wireless headphones from BOWERS & WILKINS currently available. Let’s evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these two headphones and who they are for.
Packaging and Accessories
The PX7 S2e and PX8 products which belong to the premium market segment receive packaging that requires complete attention to its details. The box displays detailed visual representations of the headphones together with their technical specifications which allow users to assess the product’s overall features. The PX7 S2e and PX8 package includes a felt-lined fabric carrying case plus two cables which include a dual Type-C charging cable and a Type-C to 3.5mm audio connection cable.
Design
The BOWERS & WILKINS PX7 S2e and PX8 display their best feature through their design. The PX7 S2e and PX8 design presents a better option to me than B&O because I prefer their square earcup design. The reason is that they completely cover the ear and have a more masculine feel compared to the round earcups on other B&O headphone models. The headphones use leather and metal as their primary material components. The PX8 presents itself as a more luxurious option through its complete nappa leather exterior and brushed aluminum earcups, while the PX7 S2e uses a leather and woven fabric combination. I find no design flaws in the PX7 S2e design or the PX8 design. The only thing many people might dislike is that BOWERS & WILKINS still uses physical buttons for control, whereas B&O and Sony have long used touch controls. I prefer button controls because they allow users to operate devices through touch even when their hands are wet or they wear gloves which touch controls cannot provide.
The BOWERS & WILKINS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones represent the highest level of comfort within their product category. The earpads provide thick and soft material which prevents ear rims from touching the inner lining during wear thus creating a lightweight and pleasant experience. The PX8 feels slightly better because its leather materials provide more elasticity and cooler temperatures than the PX7 S2e.
The specifications and features of Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones show almost identical requirements. The PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones both provide active noise cancellation and transparency mode functionality. Bowers & Wilkins claims to use 6 microphones per earbud (4 for noise cancellation, 2 for transparency). The two earbuds provide users with effective noise blocking capabilities according to my personal experience with both devices. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones receive a 7 out of 10 rating when compared to premium headphones from Sony and Apple. The app provides users with an easy-to-use interface yet it does not offer many operational functions.
The BOWERS & WILKINS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones provide approximately 30 hours of battery life according to manufacturer specifications which will change based on volume settings and active noise cancellation use. I used the headphones for three hours daily during a week-long period which resulted in 15 percent battery remaining so modern wireless headphone designs no longer require users to monitor battery consumption.
The BOWERS & WILKINS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones use Bluetooth 5.2 technology which features AptX Adaptive codec support to transmit high-definition digital music at near Hi-res audio quality. The users have two options to connect their devices through a 3.5mm cable or a Type-C cable which provides access to the USB port on the headphones through high-quality audio sources.
Sound Quality
The BOWERS & WILKINS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones produced sound quality which exceeded my expectations. I have experience using several premium wireless headphone models. Users who prefer a boosted bass sound system will find Sony and Sennheiser products suitable, but this feature creates a dark and muffled audio experience. B&O speakers deliver bright and clear mid and high frequency sounds, which produce high detail and clarity. The BOWERS & WILKINS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones serve as intermediate options between these two headphone models. The PX7 S2e and PX8 bass system produces strong and complete sound, which Sony and Beats headphones fail to achieve. The audio system maintains good balance between mid and high frequencies, which produces female vocals and violin sounds in B&O products, while creating a relaxing listening experience.
The PX8 headphones provide superior sound performance through their carbon diaphragm, which produces clearer sound and higher-fidelity audio. The mid-range sounds become slightly rough, which creates a listening experience that women singers cannot endure. The PX7 S2e headphone system produces a warmer sound for its mids, but its bass output falls short and its treble sound lacks the brightness of its more advanced model. The PX8 headphone system creates a wider audio experience than the PX7 S2e, which makes it suitable for all musical instrument tracks while the PX7 S2e excels at handling vocal performances.
Conclusion
The BOWERS & WILKINS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones provide substantial value which exceeds their high price. The BOWERS & WILKINGS PX7 S2e and PX8 both display premium design elements which deliver users an elegant and fashionable experience. The BOWERS & WILKINGS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones provide modern technologies which compete with leading brands through their noise cancellation abilities and built-in applications. The BOWERS & WILKINGS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones deliver complete bass performance which satisfies most listeners while keeping essential sound details needed to impress discerning audiophiles. The BOWERS & WILKINGS PX7 S2e and PX8 headphones serve as top wireless headphone options which match B&O and Focal through their design elements, product features, and audio performance.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Over-Ear Headphones Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling, Luxurious Materials, 30-Hour Battery Life, 15-Min Quick Charging, Black:
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling & Transparency Mode, High-Res Playback, 30H Playtime with Quick Charge, Bluetooth Headphones, Warm Stone:
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear, Enhanced Noise Cancellation & Transparency Mode, Crystal-Clear Calls, 30-Hour Playback, Anthracite Black, Over-Ear Headphones:
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Bluetooth Headphones Over The Ear, Over-Ear Headphones – Enhanced Noise Cancellation & Transparency Mode, Crystal-Clear Calls, 30-Hour Playback, Forest Green:
Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.