About the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
B&W delivers a premium feature set
The streamlined B&W PX7 S2 headphones are made of sturdy, high-quality parts.
B&W delivers a premium feature set
It was clear as soon as I placed these Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 headphones on my head: the famed British audio company has improved their popular noise-canceling over-ears. No easy feat — the previous-generation PX7s were well-reviewed by critics and Crutchfield customers alike. But these headphones feel lighter and fit more comfortably, plus I found they offer even better noise cancellation and sound.
Under the hood, B&W has repositioned the built-in mics and updated the noise-canceling circuitry. Now they can better read external sounds and distractions, then adjust the amount of noise cancellation in real time. It provides a nice blanket of silence for the redesigned drivers to deliver their powerful, pristine sound.
Form-fitting design with generous padding
Out of the box, the PX7 S2 headphones feel lightweight and strong, yet sculpted and elegant. They looked sharp and felt smooth with a pleasant nylon fabric lining the headband and earcups. When I had them on, the weight was distributed nicely on my head, with no one area shouldering the bulk of the pressure.
The previous-generation PX7s were a bit of an acquired taste — I found them a little too snug, but others loved how well they stayed in place. B&W's designers and engineers focused on delivering a more consistent cushioning and seal for all sizes, even if you wear glasses. And I think they've struck the right balance. The ear pads are soft, but they firmly cradled my ears to keep the headphones from moving around.
Toggle from noise cancellation to "ambient pass through" mode using the dedicated earcup button.
Strong, high-quality wireless audio
Music plays wirelessly from your phone via Bluetooth 5.0 — a newer, more reliable version of Bluetooth. I was able to keep my phone on my home office desk and walk clear across my basement without audio dropout. Plus, multipoint connection lets you pair two devices at the same time, so you can quickly sync to your phone or laptop.
For higher quality streaming, aptX® Adaptive technology is on board. This versatile wireless audio codec automatically detects if you're in an area with competing Bluetooth signals, and it will optimize either reliability or sound quality accordingly. It can also sense when you're watching a video on, say, Netflix or YouTube, and keep latency low. So the audio and video should be better synced up.
Angled, redesigned drivers pack a high-precision punch
The drivers in these headphones were informed by B&W's legendary, super high-end 800 D3 loudspeakers. Aiming for a similar sonic experience, they've angled the large drivers so that they hit your ear just right. This helps widen the soundstage a bit outside the head and makes for precise imaging — giving a genuine sense of direction and space to instruments, vocals, and other musical flourishes.
My listening impressions
The tuning is well balanced, with detailed highs and a strong presence in the midrange. Vocals occupy a particularly charming place in the mix — leaping forward a bit, but not so far that they feel detached. I found the bass deeper and stronger than the original PX7, but still it remains restrained and under control. B&W manages to deliver an omnipresent low-end rumble without detracting from the other frequencies.
Well-rounded sound with punch and presence
On Mazzy Star's hazy classic "Fade into You," I could feel that low-end thump permeating in my chest. That's a sensation we always look for in speakers, but it's hard to pull off with a set of headphones. It served as a powerful foundation for the acoustic strum, the veiled, misty lead vocals, and tight percussion bite.
Then that familiar, dreamy slide guitar punctuated the song with a striking twang. I know it's cliché to say, "I heard this song in a whole new way!" But the slow-burn nature of this song had kind of delegated it to background music over the years. These headphones gave me a deeper appreciation for all the interesting things going on here — and how the full range of sounds work together to create a mood.
Atmos and spatial audio tracks soared
Lately, I've been sampling a lot of Apple Music's spatial audio tracks that are mixed for Dolby Atmos. To be clear — these headphones don't have any special head-tracking technology built-in like the AirPods. But I find that B&W's sound signature plays well with the 3D, wraparound presentation.
The Atmos mix of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messenger's Just Coolin' was a stark showcase. On the title track, each musician and instrument had a distinct position in the soundfield — standup bass thumped to the left, drums rolled and swished to the right, piano keys seemed to float in thin air. Meanwhile, I could practically feel the recording space, the decay and energy of the room delivering an extra layer of depth.
Long-lasting battery life
When fully charged, you can listen to these headphones wirelessly for up to 30 hours with noise cancellation. B&W includes a 3.5mm miniplug listening cable, but there's no "passive" listening mode — the headphones need to be charged up even when you listen wired. (And since you're using the circuitry built into the headphones, there's no benefit to connecting to a separate headphone amp.) But if you need a quick fuel up, a 15-minute charge will give you up to seven hours of wireless listening.
Product highlights:
- Featured in our article: Best noise-canceling headphones for 2023
- over-the-ear headphones with closed back design to help block out noise
- precisely angled drivers offer spacious, detailed sound
- engineered by the team responsible for the company's flagship 800 D3 loudspeaker
- Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity for wireless music listening and phone calls
- aptX Adaptive automatically adjusts to prioritize audio quality or low latency, depending on the listening situation
- aptX HD and AAC decoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible device
- multi-point connection for pairing to two devices at once
- made of high-grade materials like ballistic nylon fabric, lightweight polymer, aluminum, and fine leather
Adaptive noise cancellation:
- digital hybrid noise-canceling circuitry to minimize external noise
- designed to preserve listening experience by not interfering with audio quality
- earcup button for toggling through levels of noise cancellation and ambient pass-through
- "ambient pass-through" turns off noise-canceling so you can hear your surroundings
- Bowers & Wilkins Music app lets you manually adjust noise cancellation and sound
- free download for Apple® and Android™ devices
- reassign on-ear buttons for voice control or another function
General info and specs:
- built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 30 hours of wireless use with noise cancellation on full 2-hour charge
- 15 minute quick charge provides enough power for 7 hours of listening
- snug, secure fit with soft earpads and headband padding
- earcup controls let you answer calls, play/pause music, and skip songs
- built-in dual-mic system for clearer calls in noisy areas
- includes detachable 3.5mm miniplug cable for optional wired listening
- headphones must be powered on, no passive listening
- USB type-C charging cable
- quilted carrying case included
- frequency response: 10-30,000 Hz
- impedance: 20 ohms (wired)
- weight: 10.8 ounces
- warranty: 2 years
- MFR # FP42927
Fit FactorsSM
- Soft padding (earcups)
- Snug, secure fit
- Good for work/travel
What's in the box:
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 owner's manual
- Over-ear wireless headphones (black)
- 47" Audio cable (USB-C on one end and straight 3.5mm plug on other end)
- 47" USB cable (USB-C plugs on each end)
- Hard zippered storage case
- Quick Start Guide
- Safety & Warranty
Featured video:
Reviews (25)
Customer reviews for Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
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More details on the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Features & specs
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fit Style | Over-the-ear | |
| Earcup Type | Closed | |
| Earcup Width x Height | 2.977" x 3.827" | |
| Noise-canceling | Yes | |
| Bluetooth | Yes | |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | |
| Single-earbud Operation | No | |
| Mic For Taking Calls | Yes | |
| Voice Assistant Access | ||
| Amazon Alexa | No | |
| Google Assistant | Yes | |
| Siri | Yes | |
| Connectors | ||
| 3.5mm | Yes | |
| 1/4" | No | |
| Lightning | No | |
| 4.4mm balanced | No | |
| XLR4 balanced | No | |
| 2.5mm | No | |
| Other | None | |
| Specs | ||
| Frequency Response | Not Given | |
| Sensitivity | Not Given | |
| Impedance | 33 Ohms | |
| Weight | 10.85 ounces | |
| Cord Length | 47" | |
| Parts Warranty | 2 Years | |
| Labor Warranty | 2 Years | |
Product Research
Features
Overview: The Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) Px7 S2 wireless over-ear headphones feature classic styling and the latest technology and convenience features. They feature Bluetooth version 5.2 with aptX Adaptive for a reliable wireless signal, and superior audio. The Px7 S2 wireless headphones come with a 47" audio cable to use when you can't use Bluetooth, a 47" USB-C charging/audio cable, and a zippered storage case.
Bluetooth 5.2: The Px7 S2 wireless headphones feature Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive for high fidelity, 24-bit wireless streaming audio from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. aptX Adaptive automatically adjusts to provide optimum audio quality or latency depending on what content is being played on the device. It is also backwards compatible with aptX and aptX HD enabled devices. SBC (Low Complexity Sub-band Coding) and AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) also assure high quality audio. The headphones support the following Bluetooth platforms: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, and BLE GATT (Generic Attribute Profile).
Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC): The B&W Px7 S2 headphones offer Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC) to block out ambient sound so you can concentrate on your music. Four microphones (2 inside and 2 outside the earcups) are utilized for ANC. In the Auto Mode, the headphones use intelligent sensing that adapts the noise cancellation and tuning to fit your surroundings. You can control the ANC using the Quick Action button on the left ear cup, or in the B&W Music app.
Ambient Pass-Through: The Ambient Pass-Through feature utilizes the ANC microphones to pick up ambient noise and pass it through into the headphones. This allows the user to stay in tune with the surroundings, listen to safety announcements, and carry on conversations without removing the headphones. The Quick Action button cycles through Adaptive Noise Cancelling, Ambient Pass-Through, and Off.
Bowers & Wilkins Music App: The Bowers & Wilkins Music App is designed to set up and optimize the use of the Px7 S2 headphones with your smartphone or tablet. Opening the app on your device automatically makes pairing extremely easy. The app indicates the battery charge level of your headphones and the current firmware version at a glance. The Music app lets you set up and adjust the sensitivity of the Adaptive Noise Cancelling and Ambient Pass-Through features. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the intelligent wear sensor, configure the EQ controls, and to set up and use your preferred voice assistant. Headphone software updates are also available through the app. The app is compatible with iOS (12.0 or later) and Android (5.0 and up) devices.
Rechargeable Battery: The headphones are powered by a rechargeable Lithium Polymer battery that is charged via USB with the supplied USB-C cable. With a 3 hour full charge, the Px7 S2 Wireless headphones offer up to 30 hours of battery life using Bluetooth with ANC. A 15-minute Quick Charge provides a solid 7 hours of playback. Battery life is extended when using the wired connection (Bluetooth off), or when ANC is turned off.
Ear Cups and Drivers: The Px7 S2 wireless headphones feature custom designed 40mm dynamic full-range bio-cellulose drivers. The drivers are angled inside the ear cup to provide a realistic soundstage. The soft leather memory foam cushions help to block most ambient noise and keep your music inside the ear cups.
Folding Design: The ear cups swivel so you can fold them flat for compact storage in the supplied zippered storage case.
Cables: The B&W Px7 S2 wireless headphones can be used with a wired connection when you are unable to listen wirelessly. The Adaptive Noise Cancelling feature is still active, even when in passive mode. A 47" USB-C to mini-jack (3.5mm) audio cable and a 47" USB-C to USB-C cable are included.
Note: When using the wired connection, you still need to power on the headphones. The volume, answer/end call, and play/pause buttons on the headphones do not function.
On-board Controls: The on-board controls on the back of the right ear cup let you turn the headphones on or off, raise and lower the volume, and control the music playback (play, pause, next track, previous track) while you're in active mode (using Bluetooth). The controls will not operate when used in passive (wired) mode. The Px7 S2 Wireless headphones also have two microphones for clear phone conversations.
Specifications:
- Distortion (THD): <0.1% (1 kHz/10 mW)
- Input Impedance: 33Ω
- Ear Cup Dimensions: Width 2.977", Height 3.827", Depth 1.983"
- Weight: 10.85 ounces (without cable)
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 replaces these items
- Bluetooth with aptX® Adaptive decoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices
- adaptive active noise-canceling circuitry
- lightweight carbon-fiber frame and soft earpads provide an elegant look and feel
- Bluetooth with aptX® Adaptive decoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices
- adaptive active noise-canceling circuitry
- lightweight carbon-fiber frame and soft earpads provide an elegant look and feel
- Bluetooth with aptX® Adaptive decoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices
- adaptive active noise-canceling circuitry
- lightweight carbon-fiber frame and soft earpads provide an elegant look and feel
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Customer Q&A
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Great sounding headphones. Took a step up in quality from the previous pair I was using and the difference in sound quality is huge. Noise cancellation works well. Fit is great. Overall, very pleased.
Christopher from South Orange, NJ