Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Headphones Review: Premium Sound and Materials

Given that “overreach” can, in keeping with Merriam-Webster, imply both “to reach above or beyond” or “to defeat (oneself) by seeking to do or gain too much,” it’s clear that context is all the pieces. That its new Px8 wi-fi over-ear lively noise-canceling headphones symbolize “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 stay 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. Certainly we found plenty 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 cross for his or her extra reasonably priced Px7 S2 sibling. Look a little bit nearer, although, and some important variations grow to be obvious. And then take into account the asking worth: Px8 all of the sudden turns into a really totally different proposition.

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

Px8 is accessible in a few totally 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 internal and outer parts of the scarf flawlessly. 

The arm construction and headband adjustment are of solid 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 modifications. 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 superb line between “sophisticated” and “flash” typically, nevertheless it’s one Bowers & Wilkins walks confidently. Certainly so far as look and all-around covetability are involved, the Px8 go a really good distance towards making their asking worth appear truthful sufficient. Compare these headphones to, say, Mark Levinson’s acclaimed No.5909 wi-fi headphones (which promote for $999 / £999) and (no less than so far as showroom enchantment goes) the Px8 are streets forward. 

Nice Dream Cones

Given that the lively noise-cancellation platform fitted to the Px7 S2 is without doubt 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”), nevertheless it appears not possible anybody will hanker after extra noise cancellation than these headphones obtain. Certainly the drone of an plane, in addition to the drone of its passengers, is all however eradicated when ANC is switched on.