The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 combine cutting-edge technology with elegant aesthetics: improved drivers, eight microphones for active noise cancellation, support for high-resolution audio, and up to 30 hours of battery life. For €729 ($799), you get headphones aimed at audiophiles who want luxury without compromise, but with a few ironic surprises in practice.
Imagine putting on your headphones and suddenly finding yourself in a concert hall where every bass hit like a meteorite and the mids glow like stars – without any distractions from the real world. Bowers & Wilkins with Px8 S2 promises just that: a premium wireless experience that's a step up from its predecessor. But in a world where headphones are competing with space technology, we wonder - is this model truly revolutionary or just another expensive toy for tech enthusiasts? Let's dive into the details, with a little humor and irony to keep it from getting too serious.
Technical design and aesthetics
The Px8 S2 are designed as a premium accessory that screams “luxury” at every turn. They use Nappa leather for the ear pads and headband, combined with aluminum elements that give a feeling of strength and elegance. The design is thinner and more compact than the original, which means they fit better on your head, without the feeling of wearing a space helmet. Interestingly, the ear pads and headband are replaceable, but only through a service procedure - as if to say: “Hey, this is premium, don’t fix it yourself”.
Inside are 40mm carbon drivers that have been redesigned for lower distortion and better sound control. They’ve added a separate amplifier and digital signal processor, meaning the sound travels along an optimized path, rather than through some Bluetooth maze. Ironically, while other manufacturers are squeezing everything into a single chip, B&W is sticking to the “old school” approach – and it works.
Microphones and active noise cancellation
With eight microphones, the Px8 S2 promises better noise cancellation than ever before. Six of them are dedicated to detecting and canceling out external noise, and all work together on calls to make your voice sound crystal clear [TechRadar]. The new arrangement is also supposed to handle complex environments, like a noisy airport or an office full of chatty co-workers. But here’s the irony: While the ANC is improved, it still doesn’t quite reach the level of Bose or Sony models, where you feel like you’re in a vacuum. If you’re on a plane and hear a baby crying through the speakers, you might wonder if that’s part of the “natural musicality” that B&W so lauds.
Connectivity and codecs
For wireless listening, the Px8 S2 support aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, which means lossless high-resolution audio—if your phone can handle it. Add in a 3.5mm and USB-C input for wired connectivity, and you have a hybrid system that's like a Swiss Army knife for audiophiles. Future over-the-air upgrades promise surround sound and Bluetooth LE Audio, which could make these headphones future-proof—or just a promise we'll be waiting for like a new season of a popular series.
Autonomy and charging
The battery lasts up to 30 hours with ANC on, and 15 minutes of charging gives you an extra seven hours—perfect for those who forget their charger [TechRadar]. In real-world tests, like a long flight, the headphones retain around 73 percent of their battery after five hours of use. Not bad, but in 2025, when phones are promising weeks of battery life, 30 hours seems like a relic of the past.
Musical impressions and user experience
The sound is the star of the show here: dynamic, precise, with bass that hits fast and without fog [PopSci]. The mids are lively and the highs are crystal clear—like listening to a live concert, not a compressed streaming service. But on poor recordings, the bass can overpower, making it feel like your favorite band is playing in a garage instead of a stadium.
The comfort is superb: soft leather and memory foam ensure you can wear them for hours without pressure. In a long-flight test, they proved to be ideal for sleeping - without fatigue. But the buttons and responsiveness? Some say they are still in the "beta" phase.
Critical notes
Not all that glitters is gold. The ANC is solid, but not top-notch – conversations or crying still come through in noisy environments. Some users of the original complain about the leather wearing out, which could be an issue here too. And the price? For €729 ($799) you expect perfection, but there are compromises – it’s like buying a Ferrari that doesn’t go over 200 kilometres per hour.
How is it positioning itself in the 2025 market?
Compared to Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Apple AirPods Max, Px8 S2 shine in sound clarity and premium build. But if you want maximum silence, go elsewhere. For the Slovenian market: Available through official sellers like Big Bang or Amazon, with a local comparison to Sennheiser Momentum 4 or Focal Bathys – where B&W wins in elegance, but loses in price. Availability is good, but expect queues for new models.
Conclusion: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 they're not perfect – what tech product is? – but they're close to ideal for those who value sound above all else. With luxurious materials, exceptional musicality and future upgrades, they're a strong candidate for your next purchase. If you're willing to pay a premium for "spacey" sound, go for it – otherwise, wait for the discount. And yes, if you want a localized test or suggestions for Slovenia, just let me know!
