Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Focal Bathys MG
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| Bowers & WilkinsPx8 S2 | FocalBathys MG | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | September 2025 | April 2025 |
| Sound | ||
| Type | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless | SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive |
| Lossless over USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Drivers | 40 mm dynamic full-range Carbon Cone drive units, angled towards the ears; dedicated discrete headphone amplifier; Bowers & Wilkins DSP with 24-bit/96 kHz processing | Magnesium drivers with 'M'-shaped domes, made in France; 10 Hz to 22 kHz (±3 dB); harmonic distortion < 0.2% at 1 kHz |
| Noise cancelling detail | Eight microphones (two measure each drive unit's output, four monitor outside noise, two for voice); noise cancelling On, Pass-Through or Off from the Quick Action button or the Music app | Two noise-reduction modes (Silent, the strongest, and Soft, which cuts low-frequency noise) plus a Transparency mode, chosen with a button on the left ear cup or in the app |
| Audio features | aptX Adaptive 24/96 and aptX Lossless; also aptX HD; 5-band EQ with presets, or True Sound mode; USB-C audio interface; spatial audio and LE Audio with Auracast promised as later updates | USB-DAC mode up to 24-bit/192 kHz over USB-C; EQ with presets and custom settings plus a Mimi hearing test in the Focal & Naim app |
| Battery | ||
| Listening time (maker's claim) | Up to 30 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Battery life detail | Rechargeable lithium-ion battery; 30 hours of wireless streaming with noise cancelling on at average volume | 1,060 mAh lithium-ion battery; 30 hours over Bluetooth with noise cancelling, 35 hours in jack mode, 42 hours in USB-DAC mode; full charge in about 1.5 hours with a 2 A adaptor |
| Fast charging | 15 minutes for up to 7 hours | 15 minutes for about 5 hours (with a 2 A adaptor) |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 310 g (better) | 350 g |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Two devices at once | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone cable | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | Volume up, volume down and multi-function buttons on the right ear cup; power switch and Quick Action button (noise cancelling modes or voice assistant) on the left; wear sensors in both ear cups pause and resume playback | Power/DAC slide switch; multifunction button, + and – buttons; ANC/transparency button on the left ear cup; voice assistant button on the right ear cup; backlit logo that can be switched off in the app |
| Microphones | Eight microphones, four per ear cup; ADI Pure Voice call processing | Eight microphones with Clear Voice technology for calls |
| Fit and ear tips | Over-ear; Nappa leather on every primary surface and die-cast aluminium arms; ear cushions and headband replaceable by trained service engineers | Around-the-ear, closed-back; genuine leather and microfibre headband, magnesium yoke, aluminium construction; clip-on earpads are replaceable |
| Works with | Bowers & Wilkins Music app for iOS and Android; Apple MFi; Google Fast Pair; two devices at once; USB-C sound output for computers and phones; analogue input through the USB-C port with the supplied cable (Bluetooth disconnects) | Focal & Naim app for iOS and Android; Google Fast Pair; two devices at once, up to eight remembered; 3.5 mm jack input on the right ear cup (switches off Bluetooth) |
| Colours | Onyx Black, Warm Stone, Midnight Blue, Pearl Blue | Graphen Grey, Chestnut |
| In the box | Headphones, carry case (177 x 60 x 234 mm), 1.2 m USB-C to USB-C cable, 1.2 m USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable, document pack | Headphones, rigid carrying case (24 x 21 x 7 cm), 1.2 m 3.5 mm jack cable, 1.2 m USB-C cable, quick start guide |
