If you’re shopping for a new pair of wireless headphones that look as good as they sound, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 deserves your attention. Known for their premium craftsmanship and rich audio performance, Bowers & Wilkins has fine-tuned the PX7 series once this time with a sleeker design, improved comfort, and more immersive sound. Whether you’re listening at home, commuting, or working on the go, the PX7 S3 combines excellent sound quality with useful modern features like Bluetooth 5.3, noise cancellation, and USB-C audio support. Let’s explore everything you need to know to decide if these headphones are the right fit for your lifestyle in 2025.
What You Get
- PX7 S3 Headphones
- Zipper case
- USB Type-C charging cable
- 3.5mm to Type-C cable
Look & Feel
Bowers and Wilkins already have a reputation for having a compact and luxurious design with its PX7 and PX8 series headphones. The PX7 S3 refines the build slightly by flattening the ear cups and sporting a much lighter weight. My review unit was the blue version, which I find to be the most stylish. If you didn’t like the fit of the past few versions of the PX7 or the PX8, then the PX7 S3, with its slightly deeper cups and lightweight fit, might be better for you.
Design & Functionality
The PX7 S3 uses 40mm bio-cellulose dynamic drivers. If you’re worried about the PX7 S3 not being loud enough, these headphones offer plenty of headroom with ample gain. Noise-canceling will also help isolate your sound, and even though it doesn’t come close to the effectiveness of other headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6, it does its job well enough to compete. Noise canceling might not be the reason to run out and buy the PX7 S3, but the high-functioning DSP and DAC might. This is an amp/dac that runs a 24-bit connection when using the USB-C cable, much like the Focal Bathys. This makes the PX7 S3 act like a more capable closed-back headphone that can also do Bluetooth. I think the PX7 S3 is more of a Bluetooth headphone, even with this function, but it makes for a nice upgrade that gives the headphones more options for functionality.
Bluetooth
The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 S3 supports Bluetooth version 5.3. It has fast pairing and a stable connection, and I never experienced any dropouts with it. If you’re an Android user, the PX7 S3 offers aptX Lossless, which should give you the highest resolution sound possible over Bluetooth.
Battery Life
Bowers and Wilkins has never been the best with battery life, and unfortunately, the PX7 S3 falls into that. 30 hours of playtime is fine, but if battery life is a dealbreaker for you, then there are plenty of less expensive options with better with longer playback time.
Soundstage
The soundstage performance on the PX7 S3 already makes these headphones feel like an upgrade. Everything, from the width to the imaging, is significantly different compared to past versions, appearing far more advanced in terms of spaciousness and accuracy. Sound won’t solidify in the middle, shrinking the scale and headspace of the stereo field. The left and right channels feel distinct, and instruments have great separation compared to other Bluetooth headphones. I don’t think the PX7 S3 communicates much depth, but sounds still layer on top of each other in a way that showcases some impressive dimension. The imaging is more precise and holographic than you’ll find in many Bluetooth headphones. You’ll get an immersive sound field without the need for spatial audio.
Low End
Bass has always been a strength of these headphones. Detail and clarity have minor fine-tuning, but you can expect the same flavor of smooth bass grooves and impact that doesn’t feel bloated. It’s a very centered response that doesn’t appear muffled. In fact, individual bass performances appear more surgical, with specific notes being brought to the front of the mix. This gives the PX7 S3 a very fun and energetic tone that is very consistent throughout each track. If you like your bass to have a bouncy tone, the PX7 S3 will be right up your alley.
Mids
While midrange detail has never been the main highlight of this series, the sound signature makes all the adjustments necessary to keep the timbre clean. There’s a bit of a haze that covers the instruments, but they stand out in the mix well and provide a satisfying warmth. The most transparent details are scooped out, but the surface of the instruments is still pushed forward with tons of texture.
Highs
The highs here are as smooth as all the other versions of the PX7, with good elevation and airiness. I would have liked to hear more shimmer from the top end to feel more like an upgrade, but the PX7 S3 sticks to what works. You’ll never hear anything sharp or overly bright, as the treble has a comfortable roll-off that’s easy to digest.
Summary
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 is a refined and versatile wireless headphone that stands out with its elegant design, clean sound signature, and impressive Bluetooth performance. While its noise cancellation and battery life may not lead the pack, its soundstage, bass clarity, and wired USB-C DAC functionality make it a compelling choice for audiophiles who value both style and sonic fidelity. If you’re an Android user looking to take advantage of aptX Lossless or simply want a pair of Bluetooth headphones that sound closer to true hi-fi, the PX7 S3 offers a lot to love in a sleek, comfortable package.
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 is available at Audio46 & Audio46 Express.
Compare the ranking of various headphones, earbuds and in-ear monitors using our tools.
Discuss this, and much more, over on our forum.
---MAJORHIFI may receive commissions from retail offers.
