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We judge all headphones and earbuds on a scale of 10, analyzing the categories we think are most important: sound, comfort, design, battery performance, and, if applicable, special features. Here's how the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 wireless headphones stack up.
If you're looking for a sweet alternative to top-shelf wireless headphones by leading brands like Sony and Bose, look no further than the all-new Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 noise-canceling headphones. They're a sequel to one of the industry's finest wireless cans, the PX7 headphones, which have been some of the best on the market since their debut, offering a captivating design, great sound, top-tier noise cancellation, and stellar battery life. For the same $399 price tag, the Px7 S2 brings substantial improvements to these already impressive features — making them a solid option for replacing your current headphones.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 Wireless Headphones
I spent the past week with the Px7 S2 as my daily driver and enjoyed every minute of testing them out. Here's why the product is (again) one of the best in its class and is getting so much (well-deserved) hype.
SCORES
• Sound: 9/10
• Comfort: 9/10
• Design: 9/10
• Battery Performance: 9/10
• Overall Score: 9/10
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 at a Glance
- Comfier and more compact than the previous iteration
- Companion app with sound customization tools
- Up to 30 hours of battery life
Sound: 9/10
Given their predecessors' track record and the Bowers & Wilkins' rich heritage, I expected nothing less than a great sonic experience from the Px7 S2 headphones. Thankfully, the cans' 40-millimeter audio drivers, in tandem with sophisticated processing and audio codecs, delivered it in spades, producing a lush and powerful sound with plenty of detail across the entire audible spectrum.
I played various music genres— from piano sonatas to downtempo tracks — in lossless audio formats. Depending on the content, I experienced a rich bass, a crisp and vibrant treble, and a harmonious mid-range.
The S2 delivers a true-to-life experience with exceptional fidelity out of the box. Live albums by Pink Floyd I played sounded incredible, accurately showcasing the band's iconic songs and the audience's energy. This experience didn't surprise me, as Bowers & Wilkins is synonymous with audiophile gear and studio equipment.
For the first time, the cans’ companion app allows you to customize the sound to your preference. You can increase or lower the bass and the treble via sliding buttons. I tip my hat to Bowers & Wilkins for adding the functionality, even though it’s basic compared to the elaborate controls some of the product’s rivals offer.
The noise cancellation of the Px7 S2 headphones is worthy of their sticker and an upgrade over the previous iteration's reliable tech. The product expertly tuned out the hours-long commotion from the street repairs underneath my living room window while I tested. I could rock out in peace and focus on work without unnecessary distractions.
Bowers & Wilkins designed the Px7 S2 headphones to adjust their noise cancellation based on your surroundings automatically — a setup that will save you time fiddling with settings. Still, it's important to note that high-profile product rivals from Sony, Bose, and Master & Dynamic offer more granular tools for customizing this feature.
During my testing, the headphones performed reliably during calls and maintained a rock-solid simultaneous connection between an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a MacBook Pro. Pairing them with an additional device takes a few quick app inputs.
Comfort: 9/10
The Px7 S2 headphones have a lightweight build and comfortable padded memory foam ear cushions. Despite spending hours wearing them every day, I never felt any discomfort or fatigue during a week of use.
Once again, the product's tactile button controls proved to be more convenient and dependable than the touch-sensitive layouts of its similarly priced Sony and Bose competitors.
Bowers & Wilkins also equipped the Px7 S2 with wear sensors that instantly pause playback when you remove the headphones — which is a feature I really enjoyed throughout my testing. Impressively, you can adjust the feature's sensitivity through the companion app.
Design: 9/10
In 2018, the Bowers & Wilkins PX headphones set new standards for design and tactility by bringing a beautifully curated ensemble of leather, metal, and fabric. The materials made every premium set of headphones that cost below $500, including plastic-covered Beats, Bose, JBL, and Sony offerings, look dull in comparison.
When it comes to sheer presence, the Px7 S2 headphones look more low-key than the PX7 cans. The new product has swapped the high-tech carbon fiber arms for metal ones, which make it look (and feel) more compact than the older generation.
Battery Performance: 9/10
The 30-hour maximum battery life of the Px7 S2 is excellent and on par with the endurance of Sony's top-shelf noise-canceling headphones. High-profile alternatives like the AirPods Max and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 lag behind with up to 20 hours of playback between charges.
The headphones’ onboard USB-C connector is fast and futureproof in equal measure. It can get you up to 7 hours’ worth of tunes — enough to spend a flight from NYC to London or LA in quiet bliss — after only 15 minutes of charging.
Overall: 9/10
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 headphones are a solid step up from the fantastic PX7 headphones and are more than worthy of pressing the “BUY” button. By bringing improved ergonomics and audio performance while retaining the PX7's attention-commanding design and $399 price tag, the S2 is also the most noteworthy alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones — which made a major impact on noise-canceling standards when they debuted in 2022.
In a head-to-head comparison with the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 stood out with a more distinguished appearance, a next-level build with nicer tactility, and a lengthier 2-year warranty.
Comparing the sound quality of the above products is a toss-up, which solely depends on your listening preferences. The Sony product offers stronger and smarter noise cancellation and more tools for personalizing the sound — which is vital if you're constantly tinkering with equalizer settings.
You can order the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 in black, gray, or blue, with the last option sporting eye-catching gold accents. The headphones have a hard storage case, whose interior has a neat compartment for their cables.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He has more than a decade of experience covering consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear. He was previously the US editor for GSMArena.com; his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics and other Hearst publications.In the rare moments when he’s not playing with a new gadget, Stefan likes to watch live Premier League games or hang out with his cat and rabbit. He’s also an espresso snob.
