Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Headphones Overview: Premium Sound and Supplies

Provided that “overreach” can, in response to Merriam-Webster, imply both “to achieve above or past” or “to defeat (oneself) by in search of to do or achieve an excessive amount of,” it’s clear that context is all the things. That its new Px8 wi-fi over-ear lively noise-canceling headphones signify “overreach” on the a part of Bowers & Wilkins will not be actually up for debate. It’s actually the context of this overreach that’s a dwell query.

The acclaim that met the Px7 S2 wi-fi over-ear lively noise-canceling headphones when Bowers & Wilkins launched them again in the summertime of 2022 was near common. Definitely we discovered loads to each like and admire. So in what can solely be a transfer both of supreme confidence or giddy company recklessness, Bowers & Wilkins has taken the Px7 S2 idea and tried to maneuver it upmarket. 

At a look, these new Px8 might fairly simply go for his or her extra inexpensive Px7 S2 sibling. Look slightly nearer, although, and a few important variations grow to be obvious. After which contemplate the asking value: Px8 abruptly turns into a really completely different proposition.

Although the Px8 shares the identical basic silhouette with the Px7 S2, upgrades in supplies lead to a headphone that appears, feels, and—let’s not be timid—smells significantly dearer. Which might be simply as properly, given how way more costly it truly is.

Px8 is out there in a few completely different finishes: black leather-based, or tan and grey leather-based. The Nappa leather-based the corporate has specified is gentle, resilient, and fragrant, and it’s fitted to the memory-foam ear cushions and each the interior and outer parts of the headscarf flawlessly. 

The arm construction and headband adjustment are of forged aluminum—the looks and the tactility of the steel components of a pair of over-ear headphones has seldom appeared so excessive. The emblem plate on every ear cup has a diamond-cut edge, and the Bowers & Wilkins emblem itself varies in look as the sunshine on it adjustments. They weigh in at a fairly trim 320 grams, and are snug to put on for hours at a time, even for these of us who need to put on spectacles on the identical time.

It’s a advantageous line between “refined” and “flash” generally, however it’s one Bowers & Wilkins walks confidently. Definitely so far as look and all-around covetability are involved, the Px8 go a really good distance towards making their asking value appear truthful sufficient. Examine these headphones to, say, Mark Levinson’s acclaimed No.5909 wi-fi headphones (which promote for $999 / £999) and (at the least so far as showroom attraction goes) the Px8 are streets forward. 

Good Dream Cones

{Photograph}: Bowers & Wilkins

Provided that the lively noise-cancellation platform fitted to the Px7 S2 is likely one of the best possible round that doesn’t say “Bose” on it someplace, Bowers & Wilkins’ choice to hold it over unchanged for the Px8 is comprehensible. Some customers might hanker after extra adjustability than the Px8 supplies (you’re restricted to “on,” “off,” or “passthrough”), however it appears impossible anybody will hanker after extra noise cancellation than these headphones obtain. Definitely the drone of an plane, in addition to the drone of its passengers, is all however eradicated when ANC is switched on.