TL;DR
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones are a luxury statement, prioritizing exceptional sound, exquisite design, and premium craftsmanship over mass appeal. They boast a sleek, durable build with plush Nappa leather, though they can feel snug initially. Sound quality is the star, delivering a precise, detailed, and "artist intended" experience, especially via USB-C for lossless audio. Noise cancellation is balanced to protect sound fidelity, and call quality is strong. While lacking LDAC, they support aptX Adaptive and HD. If you're after a top-tier audio experience with a sophisticated aesthetic and are willing to pay the premium, dive into the full review to see if they set a new benchmark.
To begin, it’s clear that the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is not designed for a universal audience. This is a statement product, a lifestyle device that unmistakably signals its wearer’s prioritization of exceptional sound quality, sophisticated design, and exquisite craftsmanship. Priced at approximately 8,000 SEK in Sweden, it firmly positions itself in the absolute top tier of wireless headphones. The critical question, then, is whether the listening experience justifies this premium cost.
Design and Comfort: A (Initially Snug) Embrace of Luxury
The initial impression is striking. Consistent with their predecessors, the Px8 S2 exhibit remarkable style, meticulously crafted from premium materials such as cast aluminum and supple Nappa leather, which adorn both the earcups and headband. This represents a significant departure from the ubiquitous plastic constructions prevalent in the market’s lower-priced headphone categories. The headphones convey a sense of robustness, luxury, and lasting durability.
However, this luxurious feel entails an initial compromise. Fresh out of the box, they may exhibit a degree of stiffness and a snug fit around the head. B&W states that their design accommodates “large and small heads” while ensuring a secure, comfortable, and stylish placement. While our editorial team’s head sizes are not exceptionally large, two testers did find the fit somewhat restrictive. After approximately a week of use, the clamping force eased slightly, though they remained noticeably more snug than their close counterpart, the Px7 S2 (which serves as our current reference). This intentional snug fit and the selection of premium materials are designed to appeal to a discerning urban user; these are not casual headphones to be “thrown on” or models intended to blend in discreetly. Rather, they deliberately project an image of luxury, exemplified by brand ambassador David Beckham, who continues his prominent role in this year’s campaign, representing one of many exclusive collaborations with renowned brands. Prior B&W special editions have included models inspired by McLaren racing team colors and a 007 edition.
Sound Quality: “As the Artist Intended”
Ultimately, sound quality remains paramount, and it is here that the Px8 S2 truly excels. Bowers & Wilkins upholds its “True Sound” philosophy – advocating for a pure and unfiltered reproduction of music, “as the artist intended.” This commitment is clearly demonstrated in both the headphones’ sound reproduction profile and their design choices (including deliberate omissions). The soundstage is exceptionally clear, detailed, and precise. For instance, when experiencing the drums at the opening of Bruce Springsteen‘s Streets of Philadelphia, each beat is distinct and crisp, complemented by a tight, realistic, and controlled bass that never overwhelms. Similarly, in Allan Taylor‘s Colour to the Moon, instruments emerge with remarkable spatiality and resonance, revealing previously subtle layers within the music.
USB-C – The Key to Audiophile Heaven
The true potential, however, is unleashed when bypassing the inherent bandwidth limitations of Bluetooth technology. By connecting the Px8 S2 with the included USB-C cable to a compatible device, such as an iPhone (or any other device with high-resolution audio support), users can access the headphones’ full capabilities through lossless audio delivery via the integrated DAC. This connection yields a palpable enhancement in sound quality. Julienne Taylor‘s covers of Your Song or I Don’t Want to Talk About It acquire a warmth, presence, and profoundly moving quality that is challenging to articulate and unattainable wirelessly. Likewise, the fidelity of older recordings is remarkably enhanced; for instance, note the intricacies of the strings and overtones in Gregory Isaac‘s rendition of House of the Rising Sun. For those seeking a dynamic experience with tracks like Josh Wink‘s Higher State of Consciousness, the Px8 S2 delivers a satisfying bass response and a distinct, exceptionally extended midrange. While perhaps not delivering the most aggressively forceful low-end, the sound remains remarkably close to that of a pure and accurate monitor headphone, yet consistently engaging.
Features and Technology: Conscious Choices
Noise Cancellation (ANC)
B&W has deliberately opted not to directly compete with the industry leaders in noise cancellation, such as Sony and Bose. The ANC function, while effective at attenuating ambient noise, is carefully balanced to avoid any negative impact on music reproduction. For discerning audiophiles, this approach is a distinct advantage, though individuals prioritizing absolute silence for environments like air travel may find more powerful alternatives available.
Call Quality
The Px8 S2 incorporates a total of eight microphones, an increase from the six found in previous models. Of these, six are dedicated to noise cancellation and two to voice calls. Call quality is generally very good and clear across most environments, though like many other headphones, they can experience some degradation with wind noise outdoors. Both this flagship model and the updated Px7 S3, released earlier this year, feature “ADI Pure Voice” technology. This function is engineered to digitally process spoken audio, enhancing the clarity of both outgoing and incoming sound. In practice, its performance is highly effective, allowing for clear communication where the other party is heard perfectly, and their feedback on our audio quality is similarly positive.
Connectivity and Future
A notable point for audiophiles is the absence of LDAC support. This codec is widely recognized for delivering among the highest available wireless audio quality and is integrated into many Android smartphones. In its place, the Px8 S2 utilizes Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive and aptX HD, both of which deliver excellent 24-bit audio transmission. aptX Adaptive aims to provide optimal sound quality with superior stability (up to 420 kbps / 96 kHz), while aptX HD offers up to 576 kbps, albeit at a 48 kHz sampling rate (which, technically, falls below the Hi-Res Audio threshold). LDAC theoretically achieves up to 990 kbps at 96 kHz, and a comparative analysis against the wired USB-C connection would have been valuable, given the inherent convenience of wireless freedom.
Battery life proves stable and reliable, providing up to 30 hours of listening from a single charge, which is ample for the requirements of most users.
Regarding anticipated future features such as Spatial Audio, LE Audio, and Auracast, these are slated for release “by the end of the year,” and will warrant further evaluation upon their availability.
Verdict – B&W Px8 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 stands as a premium headphone, aimed at individuals prepared to invest in a superior experience encompassing both exceptional sound and exquisite materials. Positioned as a lifestyle product—”a luxury statement,” as B&W describes it—it resonates with consumers seeking sophisticated personal audio, while undeniably delivering absolute top-tier sound quality, particularly when utilized with a wired connection. It establishes a new reference on senses.se within the high-end segment!
