Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 evaluation: the perfect luxurious ANC headphones proper now

(Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)

No matter which mode you choose to listen through, Bluetooth, USB-C, or 3.5mm, the sound is going to be immaculate. Listening to music via the BTD700 Bluetooth adapter and a Pixel 9, and via 3.5mm with a FiiO M21 DAP, the soundstage is big and airy. I would say there’s a great sense of height and width, with some depth.

You definitely get a strong sense of instrument placement on tracks like Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man,” and Art Blakey’s “Moanin’.” For some listeners, the bottom may feel too warm, but that never comes at the expense of other frequencies. Highs are bright and can get clinical with some tracks like Blakey’s “Moanin’,” while smooth with others. It’s really all about how a song is mixed/mastered.

My favorite music genre to listen to with the Px8 S2 has been Jazz. With a track that is well-mastered, or expertly remastered, the sense of immersion is absolutely chef’s kiss! Thelonius Monk’s “Monk’s Dream (Take 8)” has an intro that beautifully arranges the piano in stereo left and the drum kit in stereo right, but then Monk comes in with the horn. It feels like it’s centered behind them, almost as if it’s playing from the back of your head, while not losing any presence.

Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Cannonball Aderly’s “So What” is a gorgeous arrangement that hits a beautifully layered change around 3 minutes in.

(Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)

What’s so enjoyable about the tuning for the Px8 S2 is the gravitas that basslines have, whether that’s an upright bass or bass guitar. The weighty basslines never impede the great guitar work, as I thoroughly enjoyed listening to tracks by Sylosis and System of a Down. The attack and decay of guitars, fingers sliding up and down frets, it’s all there, anchored by the weight of the rhythm instruments.

Now, I will say that there were tracks in the speed metal and orchestral genres that I felt could use more sparkle, as I’d characterize the Px8 S2’s overall sound as warm. This was easily resolved by utilizing the serviceable five-band EQ included in the Bowers & Wilkins app. Adjusting the high and low frequencies gave me what I was looking for with mixes and genres where I wanted the treble to shine a bit more.

Playback controls, which feature an easily identifiable, knurled, playback control button (Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)

Aside from audio, the experience of using the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 has been top-tier at every turn! The on-head detection is highly responsive, pausing and restarting songs almost instantly when I remove or put the headphones back on.

The playback control button on the right earcup is knurled (shown in the picture above), so it’s very easy to identify by touch, despite being between the volume up and down buttons. Having the option, in the box, to use either USB-C or 3.5mm is excellent for those using multiple sources for music.

(Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)

Other than the price, it’s hard to find anything to dislike about the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, seriously. The main issue I think anyone would have is subjective: warm tuning. As I previously stated, it is mitigated well by utilizing the five-band EQ in the minimalist Bowers & Wilkins app. You can access most features directly from the headphones, so there’s little for the app to do. But what is a strength for some may be an issue for others.

Finally, the Px8 S2 prioritizes sound over ANC. If you aren’t aware, more aggressive ANC often has an adverse overall effect on sound quality. This means that there are high-end headphones like the Px7 S3 and Px8 S2 that build ANC hardware and algorithms where the focus is on maintaining audio fidelity, not top-tier active noise cancellation.

To be clear, the noise cancellation is solid, but Sony and Bose have no worries in that specific area.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) (Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)

Given the price, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 faces competition from the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), which offer better active noise cancelling. However, they can’t match the Px8 S2 in build materials and sound quality. They’re both hundreds of dollars cheaper and are great all-around headphones.

They also have solid competition from the Noble FoKus Apollo and Dali IO-8, giving the B&W a run for its money in both sonic performance and price. They both elevate your listening sessions above the Sony and Bose options, though in different ways, such as call quality.

(Image credit: @tshakaarmstrong)

Nothing is “perfect,” but the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 gets pretty darn close! If they had ANC that rivaled Sony’s implementation, they’d get five stars. That said, they are good enough, though, that these may be five-star headphones for you! With their luxurious fit and finish — and price tag — the Px8 S2 are a tough act to follow. In the area of sound quality, they’re among the best Bluetooth over-ear headphones you can buy right now.