It was in 2022 that Bowers & Wilkins launched the Px7 S2 to essential acclaim as a number of the finest headphones cash might purchase. Certainly, T3’s overview heaped reward upon these over-ears and dished out a full-marks 5-star award due to the Collection 2’s significantly detailed audio efficiency.
A yr on and, what’s this, one other pair of B&W headphones with virtually the identical identify? That is proper: the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e are a tweaked replace of the Collection 2 headphones, promising even higher sound due to new software program for the DSP (digital sign processor) which means engineers might re-tune for larger dynamics and detailed audio.
In any other case, that is actually your lot: that is Bowers & Wilkins pushing out an incremental improve in making the corporate’s already spectacular headphones only a mite extra mighty. They do not go off-piste and deal with the average lively noise-cancellation (ANC) of the sequence, oh no, these headphones are sticking true to their formulation – and gosh the outcomes are fairly spectacular.
B&W PX7 S2e overview: What’s new?
(Picture credit score: Future / Mike Lowe)
Should you have been hoping this part can be significantly in depth then I am right here to disappoint you: the Px7 S2e’s new additions over the unique are actually the brand new digital sign processing tech, which is claimed to enhance the already class-leading audio efficiency additional with larger element and dynamics.
Oh, and let’s not overlook that there is a Forest Inexperienced colourway choice (not pictured, I used to be despatched the usual and, to my eyes, a lot classier black end). Nothing extra to see right here, that is in any other case Px7 S2 enterprise as traditional. And I am simply advantageous with that.
B&W PX7 S2e: Worth & Availability
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e can be found proper now, priced at £379 within the UK, $399 within the USA, and AU$599 in Australia. That is successfully an echo of the unique Px7 S2 upon launch.
Now that may appear logical – besides now you can discover the unique Collection 2 for a lot much less, as you’ll be able to see within the buying widget embedded above, which for a lot of will make them the extra logical buy given the minor variations.
B&W PX7 S2e overview: Design & Usability
(Picture credit score: Future / Mike Lowe)
Bowers & Wilkins understands its strengths and performs to them, particularly relating to design. The Px7 S2e are about rigorously specified supplies which can be rigorously assembled and ship an aesthetic that’s simply the suitable facet of opulent. There is not any doubting these are Bowers & Wilkins headphones, because the branding on each earcups tells you – I am undecided it’s very vital, however this can be a status model.
The best way the Px7 S2e match is implausible, albeit generally a little bit slung ahead throughout the hairline after longer intervals of damage and wandering about, and the consolation is supreme: reminiscence foam-filled leather-based that is opulent and comfortable sees to that (these are significantly comfortable earcups, imagine me).
Even within the hand you’ll inform these are top-notch cans: the hard-wearing supplies, with a tactile really feel and flawlessly utilized cloth, make up the meat and bones. It is impeccable stuff that additionally provides a little bit weight: the 307g all-in is heavier than many comparable top-tier ANC headphones, however that is additionally a nod to the standard right here.
(Picture credit score: Future / Mike Lowe)
Whereas the Px7 S2e have no touch-controls, which I might personally favor, a la Bose NC Headphones 700, the on-board controls which can be current are simple to make use of, completely positioned and responsive. And no tapping or swiping of the earcups prevents any undesirable sonic suggestions too, to be honest, so I can perceive using bodily buttons and switches right here. The controls are sufficiently small to not be an eyesore, not like a number of the competitors.
Within the included carry case you will discover USB-C-to-3.5mm cables, which is testomony to the subsequent a part of the Px7 S2e’s puzzle: the sound high quality is impeccable. It’s also possible to use this USB-C port on the left earcup for recharging the battery, which is an apparent important.
B&W PX7 S2e overview: Options & Efficiency
(Picture credit score: Future / Mike Lowe)
Brace your self for no surprises: I will minimize to the chase right here and let you know that the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e, similar to their predecessors, sound excellent. Now, I haven’t got the originals with me to check side-by-side, which might be fairly one thing, as I might like to see the refined variations this re-tuning brings for this ‘e’ model.
The Px7 S2e are masters at giving breadth to a full and large frequency vary, whereas retaining the entire particulars and readability you want, but protecting tonality even and convincing all through, and delivering a soundstage as massive and specific as attainable. Offered but?
So sure, these are hi-fi headphones by way of and thru, cable to ship punchy but textural low-end, proper by way of to sparklingly fizzy top-end that is not overplayed, simply deftly delivered. It is a very even supply that is good; dynamic but effectively organised and in a position to cater for traditional recordings proper by way of to fashionable super-loud remasters.
As with so many of those sorts of headphones, it is the midrange efficiency the place the Bowers & Wilkins proceed to shine. Simply as we mentioned within the Px7 S2 overview: “singers are given each attainable probability to specific themselves – the headphones carry a lot info {that a} vocalist can’t assist however sound like a characterful particular person, in a position to specific emotion and angle explicitly”. And it is extra of the identical right here.
(Picture credit score: Future / Mike Lowe)
Nevertheless, the Px7 S2e do stroll a advantageous line relating to lively noise-cancelling (ANC): as it is not particularly sturdy, as per lots of the competitors. Nevertheless, it is very succesful in the suitable moments; and I’ve worn these headphones on a 7-hour night time flight to get some sleep and may confidently let you know the distinction in having ANC on versus not is substantial relating to evading the aural hiss atypical of a 777 plane. So I am grateful for that.
I feel what Bowers & Wilkins has lengthy mentioned about its ANC method is that it would not wish to go overboard. These headphones are about delivering a hi-fi readability and pureness, so to push ANC to the nth diploma would influence that sound profile – and that is simply not what this model is all about. Fancy that? Go purchase the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones.
There’s but extra to the sound profile, too, because the Bowers & Wilkins Music management app (for iOS and Android) supplies the choice so as to add +/-6dB (in 0.5dB increments) to treble and bass. It is no extra complicated than that: Bowers & Wilkins will not allow you to go to city on a multi-band EQ and shred your ears and their engineers’ tuning to extra. Even with no changes they sound excellent, so you could as effectively go away this alone apart from particular recordings that demand it.
B&W PX7 S2e overview: Verdict
(Picture credit score: Future / Mike Lowe)
Within the more-than-a-decade that this storied loudspeaker model has been concerned within the headphones market, it has established fairly a status for spectacular audio efficiency, an opulent aesthetic, and, all issues thought-about, first rate worth for cash. That is exactly what the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e characterize: pure headphones perfection in lots of respects.
Nevertheless, cynically it will be simple to say that the Px7 S2e are an pointless addition to the product line-up – pricier than their non-‘e’ sibling, whereas being so largely comparable that they don’t seem to be an ‘improve’ buy for present Px7 S2 customers and that many would-be consumers might save just a few quid in shopping for that authentic Collection 2 mannequin as a substitute.
Properly, I am not taking place the cynical route right here: all I can do is overview what’s in entrance of me, and through the week I have been utilizing the Px7 S2e virtually continuous, it is taken me by way of an in a single day sleeper prepare journey in nice consolation, blocked out airline extra noise to my nice pleasure, been the wired headphones associate for my Nintendo Swap, and delivered beautiful high-res audio after I’ve been sat working at house too.
Finally the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e are among the many best-sounding headphones you could possibly purchase proper now. Plus they’re fantastically made and splendidly comfy besides. No, you will not get the strongest lively noise-cancellation available on the market, however if you happen to’re keener on sonic brilliance over a vacuum-like world-blocking expertise then these headphones will please you greater than the highest Sony or Bose choices.
Additionally take into account
(Picture credit score: Future / Mike Lowe)
Nevertheless, if you happen to do need ANC that is actually block-out-the-world customary then purchase the Bose QC Extremely Headphones, as they’re second to none at that activity and best travellers’ headphones. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 come a detailed second, arguably with higher total sound.
Or, as I’ve outlined above, hold it nearer to house total, save a bit of money, and forego the ‘e’ model for the not-re-tuned DSP of the unique PX7 S2 – which nonetheless sound excellent, besides value much less.
