I Tried the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 – The Sound Left Me Speechless”
Back in 2022, Bowers & Wilkins introduced their new top-of-the-line wireless headphones, the b&w px8. These aren’t just a small step up from their other great headphones; they’re meant to be a real showpiece. The company really wanted to make the sound quality feel closer to what you’d get from their famous high-end speakers. They have better noise cancellation, are made with refined materials, and the sound is tuned for people who are truly serious about their music. They’re up against some other headphones like Sennheiser Momentum 4, but after using them, I can honestly say they’re not just expensive for the brand name; they actually live up to the hype and feel like a true premium product.
Design & Build Quality
At first glance, the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 could be mistaken for the PX7 S2, but closer inspection reveals substantial upgrades. The Px8 is available in black or beige, and while the palette is limited, the refinement of materials elevates the entire aesthetic. The headband and earpads are wrapped in soft nappa leather, replacing the textile finish of the Px7 S2. The earcup plates are now aluminum instead of plastic, providing a more robust and sophisticated look. The overall structure has also been tweaked—the earcups sit at a new angle, while the headband is longer and wider, resulting in better comfort and stability.
Although the Bowers Wilkins PX8 doesn’t fold like some travel-focused headphones, the included hard-shell carrying case is beautifully designed and adds to the sense of luxury. These headphones feel like a premium accessory before you even power them on.
Comfort & Fit
The Px8 offers an excellent fit, with a secure but never suffocating clamp. Passive isolation is strong, blocking out much of the external environment even before ANC is engaged. Initially, the padding feels firm, but over time it proves extremely comfortable even during three to four-hour listening sessions. The only downside is that the leather earpads can get warm in summer, which is common among closed-back headphones. Overall, though, Bowers & Wilkins has struck a thoughtful balance between firmness and comfort.
Controls & App Experience
True to its philosophy, B&W avoids gimmicky touch controls in favor of physical buttons. This decision pays off. The main controls on the right earcup include a three-position power/pairing switch and three buttons for playback and volume. The central button has a textured surface, making it easy to distinguish by touch, a thoughtful fix to complaints from Px7 S2 users about button confusion.
On the left earcup, a single button toggles ANC and transparency modes. Control is further enhanced through the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, which has matured into one of the best in the market. Beyond ANC adjustments, users can tweak EQ settings, switch streaming quality (Low, Normal, High), and manage multipoint connections. The ability to set streaming quality directly in the app instead of digging through service-specific menus is a standout feature, underscoring B&W’s focus on user experience.
Technology & Connectivity
Inside the Px8 are 40mm carbon fiber diaphragm drivers, positioned at an angle within the earcups. This angled placement mimics the spatial presentation of loudspeakers, helping create a more natural stereo image. Compared to the Px7 S2, the new drivers are lighter and stiffer, delivering improved microdynamics and detail.
Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 5.2 with support for aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, and AAC codecs. Unfortunately, LDAC is absent, which may disappoint some Android users. Wired listening is possible through USB-C audio at up to 24-bit/48kHz, or via the included USB-C to 3.5mm cable. A 24-bit DSP ensures high-resolution playback when using supported sources.
The Px8 also features six microphones for ANC and voice pickup, as well as a wear detection sensor that auto-pauses playback when you remove the headphones. While the sensor isn’t as flawless as Sony’s, it can be adjusted or disabled in the app.
Noise Cancellation & Battery Life
Bowers & Wilkins has refined its ANC in the Px8, making it smoother and more natural than before. While it doesn’t completely erase low-frequency hums like Sony’s WH-1000XM5, it effectively suppresses traffic noise, office sounds, and voices without compromising audio quality. Importantly, ANC doesn’t intrude on the music; there’s no frequency loss or artificial compression, which makes it feel less fatiguing during long sessions.
Battery life is rated at 30 hours with ANC enabled, and in testing, the Px8 managed slightly more. Fast charging is excellent: 15 minutes delivers 7 hours of playback, making them reliable for travel and daily use alike.
Sound Quality: Refined & Engaging
Sound quality is where the Px8 truly justifies its premium price. These are not bass-heavy crowd-pleasers or artificially boosted “fun” headphones; they are precise, expressive, and emotionally revealing.
- Bass: Tight, deep, and impactful without bloat. On bass-driven tracks like the Atomic Heart soundtrack remix, the Px8 delivered punchy low-end energy while retaining speed and control.
- Midrange: Warm, open, and detailed. Vocals carry texture and emotion, with nuances that rival flagship wired headphones. Listening to Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse of the Heart or Robert Plant’s Big Log, I was struck by how raw, expressive, and natural the performance felt.
- Treble: Sparkling and elevated, adding air and spaciousness without veering into harshness. Guitar tones and cymbal details sound crystalline yet smooth.
The soundstage is impressively wide for closed-back headphones, with layered imaging that makes even dense arrangements easy to follow. Microdynamics are excellent, the Px8 excels in both the grand swells of orchestral works and the subtle harmonic shifts of solo piano.
Compared directly to the Px7 S2, the Px8 has a more refined tonality, greater resolution, and a more immersive stage. Against the Focal Bathys, the Px8 matches its luxury build and surpasses it in midrange realism, though Bathys users may prefer Focal’s slightly more relaxed treble.
Verdict: A Flagship Worthy of Its Name
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is a true flagship headphone designed for those who value luxury craftsmanship, audiophile-grade sound, and everyday usability. It’s not the cheapest, nor the most feature-packed when compared to Sony or Bose, but it delivers something rarer: a listening experience that feels both indulgent and honest.
If you’re an audiophile who wants wireless convenience without compromising sonic integrity, the Px8 is one of the best options available. It’s a headphone that not only justifies its premium price but also makes you appreciate where every dollar went, from the refined materials to the exquisite sound.
For most casual listeners, the Px7 S2 will remain the smarter value choice. But for those who want to travel with the very best in portable high-fidelity audio, the Px8 is in a class of its own.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality with detailed mids and natural tonality
- Luxurious build with leather and aluminum
- Wide, immersive soundstage for closed-back headphones
- Effective ANC without harming sound quality
- Comfortable for long listening sessions
- Physical button controls (better than touch)
- Multipoint connectivity + excellent app integration
- 30-hour battery life with fast charge (7 hours in 15 min)
Cons
- No LDAC support (Android audiophiles may miss it)
- ANC is not as strong as Sony’s best models
- Leather earpads can get warm in summer
- Doesn’t fold for compact storage
- Premium price (better value exists at lower tiers like Px7 S2)
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 40mm carbon fiber diaphragm, angled inside earcup |
| Processor | 24-bit DSP |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC (no LDAC) |
| Wired Options | USB-C audio (24-bit/48kHz), USB-C to 3.5mm cable |
| Microphones | 6 total (ANC + voice calls) |
| Noise Cancellation | Adaptive ANC + Transparency mode |
| Controls | Physical buttons (power/pairing, playback, volume, ANC) |
| App | Bowers & Wilkins Music app (EQ, streaming quality, ANC modes, multipoint) |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with ANC |
| Fast Charging | 15 min = 7 hours playback |
| Weight | ~320g (approx.) |
| Colors | Black, Beige |
| Accessories | Hard-shell carrying case, USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to 3.5mm cable |
