Home » News » Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Headphones: An In-Depth Review and Analysis for Audio Enthusiasts

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Headphones: An In-Depth Review and Analysis for Audio Enthusiasts

by James Carter Senior News Editor

“`html

Bowers & Wilkins Has Unveiled The Px8 S2 Headphones, Elevating Audio Excellence With Refined Design

London, United Kingdom – September 27, 2024 – British audio pioneer Bowers & Wilkins today announced the Px8 S2, a meticulously upgraded iteration of their flagship Px8 headphones. The Px8 S2 doesn’t represent a radical departure from its predecessor, launched in 2022, but rather a series of thoughtful enhancements designed to further refine the listening experience.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Headphones

Initial testing indicates the Px8 S2 are among the best-sounding headphones currently available, coupled with a striking aesthetic and improved comfort over the original model.Active Noise Cancellation has also received notable enhancements.

Design and Construction: A Fusion of Luxury and Ergonomics

Addressing feedback from initial Px8 users, Bowers & Wilkins has slightly reduced the weight of the Px8 S2, enhancing comfort for extended listening sessions.While the difference is approximately seven grams, the redesigned structure delivers a noticeably lighter feel. The headphones continue to feature premium nappa leather and precision-engineered aluminum components.

The Px8 S2 maintains the elegant, rotating earcups, even though they do not fold inwards, necessitating a slightly larger carrying case.Included with the headphones is a zippered case, a USB-C to 3.5mm cable,and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable. Notably,the Px8 S2 exclusively utilizes a USB-C connection and does not include a traditional 3.5mm jack.

The headphones are currently available in Onyx Black and Warm Stone finishes. The Warm Stone option presents a subtle blush tone in person.

Did You Know? Bowers & Wilkins states that the earcups and headband can be replaced by authorized service engineers ensuring longevity.

Controls and Features: Intuitive and Connected

The Px8 S2 features tactile controls on both earcups. the left earcup houses buttons for powering the device on/off and controlling Active Noise Cancellation. The right earcup provides dedicated volume controls and a textured button for managing playback.

Wear detection automatically pauses audio when the headphones are removed. The companion app, which requires an email account for registration, allows for customization of the EQ via a five-band equalizer – a new addition to the Px8 S2. Spatial audio functionality is expected to be rolled out via a future software update.

Battery life is rated at up to 30 hours, a competitive standard within the high-end headphone market.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation: Immersive Audio Performance

The Px8 S2 delivers a richly detailed and immersive sound experience, boasting a wide soundstage and exceptional clarity. The headphones utilize 40mm full-range carbon drivers and support aptX Lossless for high-fidelity wireless audio. To fully benefit from aptX Lossless, both the headphones and the source device must be compatible.

The active noise cancellation has been improved thanks to an array of eight microphones. Even though it doesn’t quite reach the level of industry leaders like Bose or apple, the Px8 S2 effectively attenuates external noise, creating a more focused listening environment.

Pro Tip: Pair the Px8 S2 with a high-resolution streaming service like Tidal or Qobuz to fully appreciate the aptX Lossless capabilities.

How does teh build quality and material choice of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 contribute to its positioning as a luxury headphone?

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Headphones: An In-Depth review and Analysis for Audio Enthusiasts

Design and Build Quality: A Premium Aesthetic

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones promptly impress with their luxurious design. Crafted with high-quality materials like Nappa leather and precision-machined aluminum, these over-ear headphones exude sophistication. The build quality feels exceptionally robust, promising longevity even with regular use. Available in Midnight blue, Space Gray, and Burgundy, the Px8 S2 offers a refined aesthetic that stands out in the crowded premium headphone market. Compared to the original Px8, the S2 boasts subtle refinements to the ear cup design for improved comfort and a more secure fit. these are undeniably luxury headphones.

Sound Quality: A Benchmark for Wireless Audio

Bowers & Wilkins has long been synonymous with remarkable sound, and the Px8 S2 continues this tradition. Featuring custom-designed 40mm Carbon Cone drive units, these headphones deliver a remarkably detailed and balanced audio experience.

* Frequency Response: 10Hz – 20kHz, providing a full spectrum of sound.

* Clarity & Detail: The carbon cone drivers minimize distortion, resulting in incredibly clear highs, rich mids, and powerful, controlled bass.

* Soundstage: The Px8 S2 offers a surprisingly wide soundstage for closed-back headphones, creating a more immersive listening experience.

* Codec Support: Supporting aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, and SBC, the Px8 S2 ensures high-resolution audio streaming from compatible devices. LDAC support is notably absent, a point to consider for Android users prioritizing that codec.

The sound signature is generally neutral, making them versatile for various genres – from classical music and jazz to rock and electronic dance music. We tested them with a variety of sources, including a Sony NW-A306 Walkman and a MacBook Pro, and consistently found the Px8 S2 to deliver exceptional audio fidelity. Wireless headphones rarely achieve this level of sonic performance.

Noise Cancellation & Transparency Mode: Enhanced Listening Experience

The Px8 S2 incorporates advanced noise cancellation technology. While not quite reaching the industry-leading levels of sony or Bose, the noise cancellation is substantially improved over the original Px8. It effectively blocks out ambient noise like traffic, airplane hum, and office chatter, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your music.

* Adaptive Noise Cancellation: Automatically adjusts to your environment for optimal performance.

* Transparency Mode: Allows you to hear your surroundings without removing the headphones – useful for quick conversations or staying aware of your environment. The transparency mode is remarkably natural-sounding, avoiding the artificiality frequently enough found in other headphones.

* ANC Performance: Reduces noise by up to 30dB, providing a quiet listening experience.

Comfort and Fit: Designed for Extended listening

Comfort is paramount for long listening sessions, and the Px8 S2 excels in this area. The plush Nappa leather earcups and headband provide a agreeable and secure fit. The clamping force is well-balanced – firm enough to stay in place during movement, but not so tight as to cause discomfort.

* Weight: 320g – relatively lightweight for headphones of this caliber.

* Ear Cup material: Nappa Leather – provides excellent breathability and comfort.

* Headband Adjustment: precise and easy-to-use headband adjustment mechanism.

Connectivity and Controls: Seamless integration

The Px8 S2 utilizes Bluetooth 5.2 for a stable and reliable wireless connection. It also supports USB-C audio for wired listening. Intuitive on-ear controls allow you to manage music playback, adjust volume, and answer calls with ease.

* Bluetooth Range: Up to 10 meters (33 feet).

* Multi-Point Pairing: Connect to two devices simultaneously.

* Voice Assistant Support: Compatible with Siri and Google Assistant.

* USB-C Charging: Fast charging – 15 minutes of charging provides up to 3 hours of playtime.

Battery Life: Power Through Your Day

Bowers & Wilkins claims up to 30 hours of battery life with noise cancellation enabled. In our testing, we consistently achieved around 27-28 hours, which is still excellent for a premium wireless headphone.

* Charging Time: Approximately 2 hours for a full charge.

* Quick Charge: 15 minutes of charging provides up to 3 hours of playtime.

* Battery Indicator: Clear battery level indication on the headphones and in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.

Bowers & Wilkins Music App: Customization and control

The Bowers & Wilkins Music app (available for iOS and Android) provides access to a range of features, including:

* EQ Customization: Adjust the

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Adblock Detected

Please support us by disabling your AdBlocker extension from your browsers for our website.
Feature Px8 S2
Battery Life Up to 30 hours
Colors Onyx Black, Warm Stone