Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 Over-ear wireless headphones

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

The new edition of the PX7, the PX7 S2, comes with a number of improvements that take it to a whole new level of quality. B&W took a close look at the PX7, taking user experiences and feedback into account and focusing on the features that really matter. Here is an overview:

The PX7 S2 is based on a newly developed acoustic platform that delivers a unique Hi-Res sound quality. At the heart are custom-made 40 mm drivers that are designed for the special requirements of headphones. Thanks to their extremely fast responsiveness, they faithfully reproduce every nuance of music pieces. At the same time, they are extremely low-distortion, which enables a more precise Hi-Res sound. In addition, the drivers are positioned at an angle in the earcups to ensure the same distance from the user's ear at all points, creating a more natural and spacious soundstage.

The PX7 S2 combines this high-performance driver configuration with Qualcomm's aptXTM Adaptive wireless technology. This automatically optimizes wireless music transmission from compatible smartphones, tablets and computers. In addition, the powerful digital signal processing (DSP) developed by Bowers & Wilkins delivers outstanding Hi-Res sound quality (24-bit) from corresponding streaming services. USB-C and 3.5mm wired connections are also supported. Both cables are included in the supplied case.

WEARING COMFORT

For an improved fit and a comfortable fit of the PX7S2, the audio specialists at B&W focused on the following:

contact pressure

Headphones that put too much pressure on the ears and head become uncomfortable over time. However, if the listener is too loose, this can negatively affect the sound quality. So the challenge is that the ear cushions fit perfectly to the
to ensure the best possible audio performance, but at the same time not to exert excessive pressure to ensure a comfortable fit. The size adjustment of the headband must also be taken into account.

The headband

Improvement of the headband to make the wearing comfort as comfortable as possible for different head shapes and hairstyles of the users. Not everyone has the same head shape and high pressure on the head can be tiring during prolonged listening. In order to reduce the bearing pressure, the headband has been extensively revised.

Optimized for glasses wearers

B&W has redesigned the ear pads and their fit specifically for people who wear glasses. Eyeglass temples can cause acoustic leaks or pressure points on the side of the head. They have therefore optimized the flexibility of the ear pads and significantly improved wearing comfort and contact pressure.

Also a few grams less

Many headphone manufacturers aim to reduce the weight extremely. The high-quality material impression and the haptics increasingly suffer during implementation. Unfortunately, too low a weight often does not give a high-quality impression of the workmanship. This was deliberately avoided. All in all, the weight of the PX7 S2 has been reduced by a few grams compared to the previous PX7, but this is simply the result of the new improved construction.

ANC/BATTERY LIFE

Active noise canceling (ANC)

The ANC used on the PX7 S2 is based on the same system that has been used successfully on the PX7. It is one of the best systems on the market, but has still been optimized for better musicality.

battery life and charging time

With a battery life of 30 hours on a single charge, the PX7 was one of the market-leading headphones. Increasing that runtime would have meant increasing both the weight and the price. The B&W developers have decided to focus on the essentials with the PX7 S2 and simply adopt the battery life of the predecessor. The PX7 S2 only needs three hours for a full charge. If you don't have three hours, connect the headphones to the charging cable for 15 minutes and get 5 hours of music enjoyment.

Bowers & Wilkins Music App

The BOWER & WILKINS HEADPHONE APP will be replaced by the BOWERS & WILKINS MUSIC APP for the PX7S2 headphones. This gives access to a user definable EQ first offered with the PX7S2.

The app also offers the option of switching on a transparency mode that can be set for noise canceling so that speech and important announcements can still be heard clearly despite the ANC being activated.

The multifunction button on the PX7 S2 provides access to a number of functions such as a language assistant (eg Siri), the ANC and the transparency mode.

VOICE QUALITY

The microphones have been completely rearranged on the PX7 S2 with the aim of significantly improving the voice quality. Here, both microphones moved closer together to improve the functioning of the noise reduction. Another improvement in terms of speech intelligibility was a changed angle of the microphones. A new noise reduction mechanism is also used.

ENGINEERING

The concept of the angled driver units was already introduced with the P9 Signature and achieves a significantly better stereo image. The imaginary sound stage is also positioned slightly forward.

The angled design ensures an even distance between the sound surface and the ears. This approach has already been incorporated into the PX7 headphones, but the desired angle could only be realized to a limited extent due to the limited volume.

The PX7S2 has a completely revised inner workings and thus offers the possibility to make the angle steeper. The result is a superior stereo performance with finely defined focus.

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

Membrane: biocellulose compound, for high rigidity. Suitable as a loudspeaker material for larger membrane surfaces and high sound output with the lowest distortion.

Voice coil: The lightweight voice coil ensures the best impulse response and perfect signal fidelity. Cover metal grille to minimize sound coloration.

Surround: Big roll design for best linearity and lowest distortion (similar construction to our loudspeakers).

Drive: Short coil with thick pole plate for best linearity and lowest distortion / copper cap on the pole piece

The new PX7S2 summarized

The PX7 S2 is a complete redesign and offers:

• a new optimized acoustic system
• a new angled driver system with FEA-optimized housing
  for the best spatial sound reproduction
• a new powerful drive system with revised and
  larger voice coil
• an improved active noise cancellation with extremely low
  influencing musicality
• a new optimized microphone arrangement for outstanding
  voice quality
• the new industrial design with a slim fit, selected
  Materials and high wearing comfort with memory foam in
  the ear pads
• Bowers & Wilkins Music app for control and fine tuning -
  including a user adjustable EQ
  Available in black, blue and grey

Technical details

features

• Active noise canceling
• transparency mode
• wearing sensor
• Bluetooth® audio - Bluetooth 5.0
  with aptXTM Adaptive
• USB-C charging and audio connection

Bluetooth wireless over-ear headphones

• aptXTM Adaptive
• aptXTM HD
• aptXTM
• A.A.C
• SBC

Bluetooth Profiles

• A2DP
• AVRCP
• HFP
• HSP
• BLE GATT

chassis

• 2 x ø 40mm biocellulose dynamic drivers

microphone

• 4x microphones for ANC
• 2x microphones for phone calls

distortion

• <0.1% (1kHz/10mW)

battery pack

• Rechargeable lithium polymer battery
• 30 hours playback

charge

• USB-C

loading time

• 2 hours
• 15 minute charge for 7 hours run time

inputs

• Bluetooth, USB-C audio

scope of delivery

• 1.2m USB-C to 3.5mm stereo jack
• 1.2m USB-C to USB-C cable
• storage/transport box

Dimensions transport box

• 189mm (W) x 63mm (D) x 233mm (H)

weight

• 307g