The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 represents the brand’s latest evolution in luxury wireless headphones, combining refined design with advanced audio engineering. As the flagship model in B&W’s lineup, the PX8 S2 aims to balance high-end materials, premium comfort, and cutting-edge wireless technology with the company’s signature sound profile. Featuring carbon-cone dynamic drivers, aptX Lossless support, and a sleek, ergonomic build, these headphones promise to deliver both style and substance. Let’s explore whether the PX8 S2 lives up to its price tag and how it compares to the competition in sound, features, and overall performance.
What You Get
- 1.2m USB-C to 3.5mm stereo jack audio cable
- 1.2m USB-C to USB-C cable
- Carry Case
Look & Feel
Bowers and Wilkins ensures style no matter how much you spend. The PX8 S2 is their most expensive Bluetooth headphone, so the level of luxury will certainly be a major feature. We already had the PX7 S3 come out earlier this year, which introduced slight tweaks that are now carried over to the PX8 S2. Lighter earcups with more space for your ears and smoothed-out ridges are all part of B&W’s new design, featuring the added touch of exposed cable lining for the PX8 S2. Refined Nappa leather earcups, aluminum frame/arms, and a folding, ergonomic over-ear shell design anchor the build. All of these changes not only ensure a fancy look, but it actively improve the fit as well. The padding on the headband is super comfortable, as the headphones sit on your head naturally without added pressure. My ears started to get hot after a while, but it’ll take many hours of listening before that starts to happen.
Design & Functionality
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones integrate several high-end components to deliver immersive audio performance: dual 40 mm carbon-cone dynamic drivers, a high-performance DSP, and a dedicated amplifier/DAC supporting 24-bit wireless audio. Wirelessly, these headphones are much louder than the previous PX8, allowing for more headroom for substantial volume adjustment. Noise-canceling helps too, which feels slightly improved compared to the PX8, but still doesn’t lead the pack. It’s still an effective way to get a more isolated sound, blocking out most obstructive sounds from your environment, such as vents.
In terms of functionality, the PX8 S2 feels great to just interact with. It opts for a minimalistic design with physical buttons, but it contains a wear sensor for playback. This sensor was highly responsive, and you can even set its sensitivity in the app if its too much. As of writing this review, the app is pretty standard. You get a limited EQ, and you can switch between modes of ANC, and that’s it for now. B&W doesn’t need to go all out for the app to make a good-sounding headphone, but for the price, some extra features would be nice, like spatial sound.
Bluetooth
Bowers and Wilkins stays on the cutting edge, giving the PX8 S2 aptX Lossless / Adaptive / HD / and classic over Android with Bluetooth version 5.3. The headphones paired quickly and easily, maintaining connectivity throughout multiple hours of listening time.
Battery Life
I’m not sure if B&W is looking to improve what their wireless headphones can do in terms of battery life. This has been by far the most disappointing part of their recent output. The PX8 S2 has 30 hours of battery life, and while it has quick charging, it is easily outclassed by many of its competitors, especially ones that cost significantly less. You can still get through a few days’ worth of use before needing to charge the headphones fully.
Soundstage
For a closed-back Bluetooth headphone, the PX8 S2 is surprisingly good at identifying spatial positioning. Past models have offered generous width, but not with this level of pinpoint precision. There is a lot more going on in the left and right channels, localizing in a way that you don’t hear from most Bluetooth headphones. Everything has an interior, linear display, but the sound elements appear in the mix, similar to how they would on a pair of studio monitors. I’ve heard Bluetooth headphones that had more open headspaces and immersive imaging, but the PX8 S2 impresses with its accuracy. It constantly envelops you, keeping instruments in close proximity, but unraveling layers and separating them in distinctive areas across the stereo field.
Low End
Bowers and Wilkins usually gives you an impactful bass resposne. It’s part of their signature tuning, and the PX8 S2 delivers that with even more vigor. You get a tone that feels heavy and full of rich energy that also finds a way to be dynamic. It takes a pretty dominant position in the sound signature, but it never feels too bloated. Bass instruments are very defined, and although some of the texture can feel artificial, these frequencies carry more resolve than other B&W headphones.
Mids
Without EQ, you don’t get much out of the midrange besides a base level of detail. Most of its timbre consists of warmth from the low-mids, but it’s very controlled and elegant. Although the soundstage and imaging enhance some of the roominess that the midrange is capable of, you don’t get a sense of fullness from them. This is especially prevalent in the vocals, which are clear and even, but don’t really come forward in any significant way.
Highs
The treble on the PX8 S2 is very clean and natural. High frequencies have a clear, non-fatiguing ring to them that is super tight and transparent. Their resolve allows for instruments to feel snappier and more spry in the mix. Certain clicks and shimmers are highlighted but never feel too bright.
Summary
The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 is a headphone built for listeners who demand both premium craftsmanship and refined sound quality. Its luxurious design, precise imaging, and powerful low end make it a standout in the wireless headphone market, even if its battery life and limited app features leave room for improvement. While competitors may offer longer playtime or more advanced software integration, the PX8 S2’s rich sonic character and high-end build ensure it appeals to audiophiles and style-conscious listeners alike. If you’re searching for luxury Bluetooth headphones that deliver immersive, detailed sound with unmistakable Bowers & Wilkins flair, the PX8 S2 is well worth considering.
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The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 is available at Audio46.
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