Are the B&W PX7 S2 Really Worth $399? My Honest Take

Any serious headphone user knows the problem: you quickly end up with a “headphone wardrobe.” You have one pair for the office, one for the gym, one for noisy travel, and a special pair for serious, focused listening at home.

Bowers & Wilkins believes they have the solution. The B&W PX7 S2 is a complete reincarnation of their popular noise-cancelling headphones, designed to be the one universal model that excels at everything. As a worthy competitor to Sony’s legendary WH-1000 line, the B&W PX7 S2 has a lot to prove.

So, can it be the only pair of full-size headphones you need? I spent a week finding out.

Design And Build Quality:

The appearance of the B&W PX7 S2 version may seem similar to the previous model if you take a quick look at the headphones, but in fact, several elements have been significantly changed, and it will not be possible to “unsee” the changes once you notice them. The headband cushion of the first version stylistically repeated the same element of the classic wired models, and the cups were noticeably different and looked quite massive. The B&W PX7 S2 is the opposite.

The headband has been given a more modern look, while the cups with a protruding central part, on the contrary, are much more reminiscent of classics like the P5. But most importantly, the cups of the new model turned out to be a little smaller, in fact, and visually they seem to be very compact.

At the same time, the headphones remained full-sized, and the ears inside the ear cushions are still entirely placed. Another difference between the B&W PX7 S2 model is purely aesthetic. Cup holders now have a smoother surface and look tidier. Their shape with a recognizable bend remained unchanged, as did the possibility of folding the headphones into a plane.

A few words should be said about the fabric finish. It looks very impressive, but it may not seem particularly practical. However, Bowers&Wilkins technologists have thought of this issue: for a week of fairly intensive use of the headphones in the lightest finish, their appearance has not changed at all – not a hint of wear or contamination, even on the edges.

The control buttons are well placed. The three main ones differ from each other tactually, and it is convenient to press them with your thumb. The power and pairing mode rocker is mechanical; it’s also easy to feel, hard to confuse with control buttons, and gives clear feedback. The button for selecting the noise reduction mode was brought to another cup, which also eliminates confusion. Even the sounds with which the modes are switched are intuitive.

There is also a switchable function to automatically stop playback when the user picks up one of the headphones or removes them. The only problem is that the system recognizes a sharp tilt of the head forward as removing the headphones (which, by the way, is quite logical, because their position in space changes by 90 degrees). So those who like to shake their heads to music will probably not like this feature.

Long Battery Life and Smart Sound Technology

The B&W PX7 S2 headphones come with a powerful battery that gives you 30 hours of playback with Bluetooth and noise cancellation turned on. Even if you’re running low, just 15 minutes of charging gets you 7 more hours of music – so you’ll hardly ever be left without your tunes.

One of the best things about these active noise-cancelling headphones is how they handle sound. They have their built-in amplifier, which means they’ll sound great no matter what device you connect them to. Even if your phone or laptop has a weak sound system, the headphones will still deliver top-quality audio because they’re not relying on your device’s capabilities.

You’ve got flexible connection options too. While they work wirelessly via Bluetooth, you can also plug them in using the included USB-C cable. When connected this way to a computer, they act like an external sound card, supporting high-quality 24-bit/48kHz audio. This wired connection is especially handy when you want the absolute best sound quality.

Speaking of wireless performance, the Bluetooth 5.2 technology lets you connect to two devices at once. It supports advanced audio formats like aptX Adaptive (which automatically adjusts for best quality), along with standard formats like AAC and SBC – so they’ll work well with any smartphone or tablet.

Bowers & Wilkins made some smart changes to the speaker drivers in this model. While they’re slightly smaller than in the original Px7 (40mm vs 43.6mm), they’re positioned at just the right angle to direct sound straight into your ear canal. The speaker cones use special biocellulose material, a high-tech choice that B&W’s engineers know delivers excellent sound quality.

All these features come together to make the B&W PX7 S2 a versatile pair of headphones that work beautifully in any situation – whether you’re traveling, working, or just relaxing with your favorite music.

Noise Control

It’s worth starting a conversation about the sound of headphones with a noise reduction system, because for many models with this function, the frequency response with noise reduction turned on and off can be completely different. B&W PX7 S2 has three modes of operation: noise reduction, transparency, and no sound processing. So in all three modes, the nature of the sound is the same. And in my memory, these are the first headphones in which the difference is not only not great – it is absent.

And if you are at the same time in a quiet place, you have to check with the application to understand which mode is currently in use. In a noisy room or on the street, you can fully appreciate the transparency mode – it gives a very natural and at the same time well-dosed sound, when you hear everything you need, for example, the voice of a person or the noise of a passing car, and at the same time there is no noise overload that you feel in the same environment without headphones.

If you turn on noise reduction, the headphones will instantly immerse the user in silence. It is worth noting that the B&W PX7 S2 initially has very good passive noise isolation, and when electronics with two microphones are connected to the case (inside and outside the cups and with an adaptive system that adapts to the surrounding conditions), these headphones simply have no equal. The most complex, loud and broadband noise, if it remains noticeable, is only slightly.

So, for example, B&W PX7 S2 is protected from a neighboring puncher in general perfectly. The fact that the repair behind the wall continues, I could only judge by the vibration that went along the wall. The TV nearby is barely audible, as if it is quietly turned on in the farthest room. And let me remind you once again: the fact that noise reduction is turned on does not affect the sound quality in any way.

The Three Faces of Sound: How You Connect Matters

The Px7 S2 offers three distinct ways to listen, and I was shocked to find that each one provides a different level of audio quality.

1. Analog 3.5mm Cable: Using the included USB-C to 3.5mm cable, the sound quality is highly dependent on your source. Plugged into a high-quality Hi-Fi device, the sound is rich and detailed. From a standard smartphone headphone jack, it’s noticeably drier and less impressive.
2. Wireless via Bluetooth 5.2: This is the level of quality you expect from modern, high-end wireless headphones. With support for aptX Adaptive, the connection is stable and delivers expressive, energetic, and pleasant sound from any source—phone, tablet, or laptop.
3. The Audiophile Secret Weapon: Direct USB-C Audio: This was the biggest surprise. Plugging the headphones directly into a laptop or smartphone with the included USB-C cable turns them into an external DAC/amp capable of handling up to 24-bit/48kHz audio. The sound quality in this mode exceeds all other options. The resolution, bass depth, and dynamic range are simply on another level. This is the way to listen for a true audiophile experience.

The Sound: That Signature Bowers & Wilkins Punch

Regardless of how you connect, the Px7 S2 has the unmistakable sound signature of a B&W product. It’s a finely tuned, V-shaped sound that emphasizes key areas for a powerful and exciting listening experience.

You get a deep, driving, yet comfortable bass, paired with an accented treble that creates a transparent and light sound. The headphones produce an impressively large and voluminous soundstage, with fantastic rhythm and dynamics.

They particularly shine with rock music. Listening to Pink Floyd and The Beatles felt like a homecoming; you can hear the heritage of the B&W speakers used at Abbey Road Studios. Moving to ZZ Top, the headphones perfectly captured the warm, club-like sound of their 70s recordings and the cosmic synth of their 80s hits, all with excellent detail and drive.

Conclusion:

The Px7 S2 headphones have modern Bluetooth, high-quality audio, and great noise cancellation with a smooth transparency mode. This makes them perfect for travel, whether commuting, business trips, or flights. They’re also very comfortable and sound excellent when plugged directly into a computer, no extra gear needed. While they work well for work or calls, they sound so good that they’re also ideal for serious music listening.

In short, these headphones handle half of your daily audio needs with ease. And if you love B&W’s signature sound, the B&W PX7 S2 could easily become your only pair of high-end closed-back headphones.