Can you believe it’s time for another Audio T Southampton blog? This month, I’ve got a treat — I’m diving into a question we get asked all the time: “What’s the difference between the new Bowers & Wilkins headphones?” With several models now in the lineup, it’s easy to wonder which one is right for you. So, I decided to put them head-to-head, testing comfort, sound quality, features, and real-world usability to see how they stack up — and which pair might best suit your listening style.

Overview

Headphones are a fascinating way to experience music, delivering sound directly to your ears instead of relying on speakers to fill a room - yet the best ones can still create an immersive, room-scale atmosphere that rivals a hi-fi or AV system.

I started this session with no strong expectations. I’d owned and reviewed the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e, so I knew what the Px7 S3 would be measured against. I’ve always held the S2e in high regard (especially for its price). But how much further could Bowers & Wilkins push things? And more importantly — does the Px8 S2 justify its higher premium? Let’s get into the details.

the px7 s3 in canvas white look cool (pardon the pun)

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Design & Comfort Upgrades

From the outset, the B&W Px7 S3 impresses. B&W has slimmed down the profile slightly and refined the finishes to make the headphones feel more premium. According to B&W, they’re about 10 grams lighter than the previous version, and the memory foam padding in both the earcups and headband has been upgraded to a more responsive, luxurious feel. The headband and sliding arms have also been reworked, improving robustness and smoothness of adjustment.

Fit-wise, the clamp is still on the moderate-to-firm side, but the softer padding helps. I found them comfortable for extended sessions, though those with a large head size might want to try them in-store first.

Technical Specs & Features

Here’s what’s under the hood:

Drivers: Dual 40 mm bio-cellulose full-range dynamic drivers
Signal Path & DSP: Dedicated DSP and amplifier/DAC chains, enabling “True 24-bit” audio over USB/Bluetooth
Bluetooth & Codec Support: Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX Classic, aptX HD, AAC, SBC
Noise Cancelling / Ambient Modes: Hybrid active noise cancelling with ambient (pass-through) mode and an updated wear-sensing system (auto-pause when lifted)
Battery & Charging: Up to 30 hours of playback with ANC on. A 15-minute fast charge gives around 7 hours of listening time.
Controls & App: Physical tactile buttons on the earcups and full control via the B&W Music app, including EQ (5-band), wear sensor settings, and transparency mode customisation.

Sound Character & My Impressions

From my listening sessions, the Px7 S3 maintains a lively, engaging character. Bass is punchy and satisfying without overpowering the mix. Mids (vocals, guitars, etc.) stand out cleanly, and highs remain controlled and non-fatiguing, even on finer details. The 5-band EQ gives you room to tweak, but I preferred the factory tuning for most tracks.

When I played Put Me To Work by Big Data, the bass hits were tight, the rhythm locked in well, and the synth layers had space and clarity. Moving on to tracks like Fake Plastic Trees (Radiohead), Girl With Golden Eyes (Sixx:A.M.), and Kiss in Blue (Yello), the Px7 S3 stayed composed and expressive.

The improved ANC is noticeable — it handles ambient noise (air conditioning hums, distant chatter) effectively without being overbearing, though in very noisy environments it can’t completely block everything. It’s a fair trade-off to preserve musical integrity.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

Design, Build & Comfort

The B&W Px8 S2 aims even higher. B&W describes it as their most “considered and comfortable” over-ear design yet, with a slimmer profile than the original Px8 and finishes in Nappa leather with die-cast aluminium arms. The exposed, nylon-sheathed cable detailing is a stylish touch, and though the cushions are the same cup size as the Px7 S3, in practice they feel a little roomier thanks to improved isolation and shell design. With a listed weight of around 310 g, they’re still comfortable for multi-hour listening sessions.

The px8 s2 in onyx black are simple yet elegant

Technical Specs & Features

Here’s a deeper look at what makes the Px8 S2 tick:

Drivers: 40 mm carbon-cone custom drivers — a step above the bio-cellulose units in the Px7 S3
DSP & Signal Chain: 24-bit DSP processing, discrete amplification, and refined signal path tailoring to extract greater detail from the drivers
Bluetooth & Codec Support: Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and high-resolution audio — supporting up to 24-bit / 96 kHz over Bluetooth
Noise Cancelling / Mic Array: 8-microphone setup — 2 for measuring driver output, 4 for ambient cancellation, and 2 for calls — providing refined control over ANC and voice clarity
Battery & Charging: Also rated for 30 hours with ANC on. A quick 15-minute charge yields around 7 hours of playback
Wired / USB Modes: Supports USB-C audio for wired high-resolution playback, plus a 3.5 mm jack fallback

Sound Character & My Impressions

Putting on Kiss in Blue, I was immediately struck by how much richer and more authoritative the bass felt compared to the Px7 S3. The mids were lush and transparent, while the highs had sparkle without harshness. The soundstage felt wider and more three-dimensional — instruments and vocals felt naturally placed in space rather than simply layered.

When I listened to Dvaledraumar (Wardruna), Fear Is Not My Guide (Demon Hunter), and Fell on Black Days (Soundgarden), I noticed more detail in reverb tails, more control in dynamic crescendos, and a fuller sense of ambience. With Dvaledraumar in particular, it felt like I was in the track itself, surrounded by the music. The Px8 S2 seemed to breathe more freely, painting a larger sonic canvas.

On technical measurements, reviews indicate that the Px8 S2 maintain lower distortion at sub-bass frequencies (below ~50 Hz) compared to comparable models, giving cleaner slam and better extension.

The ANC on the Px8 S2 is robust but, interestingly, slightly gentler than some of the most aggressive rivals — seemingly intentional, to avoid compromising sound quality. Reviewers often praise how the music remains largely unaffected with ANC engaged.

Call clarity is solid and reliable, though not class-leading — perfectly fine for everyday use.

Verdict – Which One to Choose?

Now that we’ve explored the specs and sound differences in detail, here’s where I land — and what I’d recommend depending on your priorities.

Px7 S3 Pros & Trade-offs

Pros:

Excellent value — performance that punches above many in its price range
Lighter build and improved comfort over the S2e
Strong codec support and DSP architecture
Versatile connectivity via USB-C and Bluetooth
Effective ANC for everyday use
Easier on the wallet compared to flagship options

Trade-offs:

While powerful, the sound isn’t quite as expansive or ultra-refined as the Px8 S2
ANC is good but not class-leading
Premium finish, though not at flagship luxury levels

Px8 S2 Pros & Trade-offs

Pros:

Stronger driver design (carbon-cone) for greater authority, clarity, and resolution
Spacious soundstage, richer tonality, and more composure at dynamic extremes
Full support for wired hi-res playback and Bluetooth hi-res
Premium materials and refined design give a true “flagship” feel
Robust noise cancellation with advanced mic array

Trade-offs:

Significantly higher price — the improvement is justified if you want to stretch to it
ANC is excellent but intentionally balanced, not overpowering
The difference over the Px7 S3 is noticeable mainly in side-by-side listening with high-quality sources

My Take

If your budget allows, the Px8 S2 is clearly the top tier — if you care deeply about that final layer of musical richness, resolution, and scale, it delivers.

The Px7 S3 hits a sweet spot: it’s technically sophisticated, musical, and offers tremendous value for the price. For most listeners, it’s a best buy.

My personal verdict remains: the Px8 S2 are the “ultimate” choice if you want to invest, but the Px7 S3 are still outstanding performers and represent brilliant value for money. Either way, visiting one of our stores and listening for yourself is the best way to decide which pair suits you best.

Thanks for reading,

Tiago - Audio T Southampton

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