ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 can be found in Onyx Black and Heat Stone for $799.
- They excel within the design and sound classes, due to their high-quality inside and exterior construct supplies
- Except you worth distinctive particulars in design and sound, a $799 asking value could also be onerous to justify.
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Few headphones completely mix design, sound high quality, and on a regular basis utility. Sony’s headphones sound nice, Bose’s headphones have nice design qualities, and Apple’s headphones carry out remarkably nicely with different Apple units.
Conversely, manufacturers like Focal, which supply headphones with distinctive sound high quality and minimal digital options, have a $1,200 asking value and weaker noise-canceling capabilities. Nonetheless, to many individuals, the consumer-friendly sound of the most well-liked headphones is not ok — they need an elevated sound with out compromising probably the most helpful software program options.
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The artwork of mixing all the beforehand talked about qualities is Bowers & Wilkins’ specialty, marrying high-quality audio with the on a regular basis shopper’s wants. The Px8 S2, the second technology of its flagship headphones, debut with an upgraded Qualcomm chipset, higher noise cancellation, improved wi-fi audio streaming high quality, and new inside audio parts.
On paper, the Px8 S2 look just like the just lately launched Px7 S3, which I cherished for the sound, consolation, utility, and design. Should you’ve already determined that Sony, Bose, JBL, or the others aren’t what you are searching for, do you have to pay $320 extra for the Px8 S2 over the Px7 S3?
It is difficult to match Bowers & Wilkins’ headphones to choices from Bose and Sony as a result of Bowers & Wilkins excels in two essential classes: exterior design supplies and inside audio element supplies. You will not discover fake leather-based or coated plastic finishes on the Px8 S2.
As an alternative, the Px8 S2’s headband and ear pads are coated in nappa leather-based, the aluminum yokes sport an uncovered braided cable, and the earcups sport aluminum accents. The upper-quality supplies not solely give the Px8 S2 a extra refined and stylish look in comparison with the Px7 S3, however in addition they improve the Px8 S2’s sporting expertise.
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The Px8 S2 aren’t a lot lighter than their predecessor, however the yokes and ear cups are significantly slimmer, borrowing from the glossy design of the Px7 S3. The ability slider is relocated to the left ear cup, and the play/pause and quantity up/down buttons are redesigned to encourage enhanced tactile suggestions and recognition.
The Px8 S2’s thicker ear pads provide extra passive isolation, and the extra sturdy headband and yokes present a tighter clamping drive. Each headphones have eight microphones: one inside every ear cup and three on the surface. Each headphones’ noise cancellation can carry out on trains, buses, airplanes, within the workplace, or on the grocery retailer, however the added passive safety from the Px8 S2 is noticeable.
The opposite obtrusive distinction between the midrange Px7 S3 and the flagship Px8 S2 is the supplies of the diaphragm within the speaker drivers. The Px7 S3’s 40mm drivers use biocellulose, and the Px8 S2’s use carbon. Let’s be simple: each headphones’ drivers use objectively higher-quality supplies, though the standard of sound they produce is beholden to your preferences.
To my ears, the Px7 S3 reproduce a extra “consumer-friendly” sound profile: a heat tuning with an prolonged, weighty bass response, full mids that intensify vocals and devices, and a slight peak within the greater frequencies that provides a shine to the treble. Significantly extra clear and detail-oriented than the typical headphones, not fairly as spectacular because the Px8 S2.
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Many people who find themselves very strict about their audio high quality routinely write off wi-fi headphones as a result of wi-fi connections naturally diminish audio high quality. I will admit it: I benefit from the “typical shopper sound.” An thrilling, theatrical, barely bass-heavy sound is what will get me going. However my ears cannot deny that the Px8 S2’s output is phenomenal.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 (left) and Px8 S2 (proper)
Jada Jones/ZDNET
Utilizing a inflexible materials like carbon within the headphones’ diaphragm encourages enhanced readability and element and diminished distortion throughout all frequencies. Songs that I believed had been simply respectable sounded a heck of lots higher.
Vocals had been entrance and middle, and the bass was articulate and punchy. Extra minor particulars received their second in my ears, even in additional dense songs like Charli xcx’s “Rewind.” The Px8 S2 have an edge over their midrange counterpart in imaging and soundstage, providing what gave the impression of extra exact positioning in a wider soundstage.
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Audio transmission enhancements over the first-generation Px8 embrace an built-in amplifier and digital-to-analog converter, Bluetooth 5.3, 24-bit/96kHz playback by way of wired USB-C connection, and AptX Lossless and Adaptive Bluetooth codecs.
In accordance with Bowers & Wilkins, the Px8 S2 are primed for Bluetooth LE Audio compatibility, with Auracast being the wi-fi normal’s most notable characteristic. The corporate additionally mentioned the Px8 S2 will obtain spatial audio. Each options shall be accessible “later this 12 months” by way of an over-the-air software program replace.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are undeniably high-end, delivering excessive marks within the sound, design, consolation, and utility classes. Their premium construct and audio element supplies set them aside from different premium headphones in the marketplace. Conversely, their on a regular basis use options, like 30 hours of playback, wonderful efficiency by way of wi-fi connection, and nice noise-canceling efficiency, give them extra utility than wired-only, high-end headphones.
The Px7 S3 are actually midrange in comparison with the Px8 S2, though their design and sound are a step above their equally priced rivals from Sony and Bose. You should purchase the Px7 S3 if you need distinctive sound and a glossy design for a extra cheap value. You must go along with the Px8 S2 if you need greater high quality supplies throughout the board — internally and externally.
