Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e: Which Flagship Wireless Headphones Are Right for You?

The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e stand out as two of the top contenders for Bluetooth headphones in 2025. Each model is known for delivering exceptional audio quality, high-end design, and smart features aimed at discerning listeners. But which one offers the better overall experience for the money?

What You Get

Look & Feel

Since it launched, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 has been one of the most luxurious-looking headphones in the consumer headphone market. While the XM6 has a plainer aesthetic, it matches the PX7 in terms of build quality. Both headphones have a sturdy frame that feels rigid and well-crafted. The XM6 has the benefit of folding in, making it easier to carry around with you. What it really comes down to is fit, where the XM6 has a slight pinch to it compared to the PX7. Both headphones are comfortable, but the XM6 holds a tighter grasp on your head, which you might not prefer over the PX7’s lightness.

Design & Functionality

Both the XM6 and PX7 use dynamic drivers and have similar levels of output power. Noise-canceling is going to be one of the biggest factors of your purchase, which is overwhelmingly in Sony’s favor. It should come as no surprise to say that XM6 is superior to the PX7 in terms of ANC. The PX7 does its job well, but the XM6 is far more effective at quieting the environment. In terms of interaction, the XM6 is also more advanced than the PX7. Its responsive touch controls have more usability with the headphones compared to the single-button interface of the PX7.

Both headphones have companion apps, but only the XM6 comes with a myriad of features like DSEE and spatial audio.

Bluetooth

The XM6 is a step above the PX7 in terms of Bluetooth support, offering Bluetooth version 5.3 compared to the PX7’s 5.2. Both headphones have fast pairing and stable connectivity, though, but if you’re on Android, you’ll get more use out of the XM6 with its LDAC support.

Battery Life

Neither the XM6 nor the PX7 is very impressive in terms of battery life. They have the same amount of playtime with and without ANC. If you’re looking for a pair of wireless headphones that will last more than 30-40 hours, you might want to consider other choices.

Soundstage

If this were the PX7 against the previous version of Sony’s 1000x models, I think it would be easier to judge the better soundstage. However, the XM6 has made some significant improvements with its separation and width, now surpassing the PX7 S2e, in my opinion. It’s not just the spatial audio features that elevate the XM6 over the PX7; it’s the balance between the left and right channels and the spatial identity shown in the stereo field. The PX7 is more solidified in comparison, even with its own level of accuracy. Listening to both headphones reveals the XM6 to have more immersive imaging, with taller instruments and a bigger scale, but if you want more precision, then I still think the PX7 is slightly better.

Low End

You won’t be starved for low-end on either of these headphones, but they have differing levels of clarity. The XM6 has the most ferocious boom compared to the PX7, with its thick tone that dominates the sound signature. However, the PX7 also has a thick tone, and it does a better job of grasping those frequencies with tight control. It results in a bass with a more resolving strike, while the XM6 sounds muddier in comparison. There’s a more even display of frequencies with the PX7, but if you care more about texture and bigness in your bass, then you might enjoy the XM6 more.

Mids

Both the XM6 and PX7 have a V-shaped midrange that prioritizes texture over detail. The PX7 has more physicality to its instruments, but both headphones have a similar surface level of resolve. What separates the PX7 from the XM6 is organization. The XM6 has a foggy midrange that appears a bit muffled, while the PX7 has a bit more pointed energy that forges a clearer shape in the mix. You can use EQ to clean up the XM6, but get close to achieving more physicality in instruments, it comes more naturally to the PX7.

Highs

If you like your highs to be tame and easy to consume, both the XM6 and PX7 should satisfy your tastes. The XM6 has the softest response in comparison to the PX7, I tend to boost with EQ anyway. The PX7 has a smoother timbre in comparison, and the frequency content itself just seems a bit more natural than what’s heard over the XM6.

Summary

Both the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e offer premium sound and design, but they cater to slightly different audiences. If industry-leading noise cancellation, extensive app features like DSEE and spatial audio, and advanced Bluetooth support matter most to you, the WH-1000XM6 is the clear winner. It delivers a fun, immersive soundstage with big bass and user-friendly touch controls, making it a tech-savvy travel companion.

However, if you prefer a more refined audio profile with cleaner mids, tighter bass, and a more natural treble presentation, the PX7 S2e may be more your speed. Its luxurious design and balanced tonality will appeal to audiophiles who prioritize accuracy and comfort over heavy feature sets.

Ultimately, your choice comes down to what you value more, the cutting-edge features and ANC supremacy of the Sony WH-1000XM6, or the rich fidelity and elegant design of the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e. Either way, you’re getting a world-class listening experience.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2e are available at Audio46 and Audio46 Express.