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Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 · Photo source

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Photo 1 of 16

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 · Photo source

Bowers & Wilkins

Px8 S2

Released September 2025

The Px8 S2 are Bowers & Wilkins' flagship noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, suited to listeners who want carbon-cone drivers, aptX Lossless and Nappa leather finish, and who will pay more than for the Px7 S3.

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Battery
30 h
With case
–
Best codec
aptX Lossless
Weight
310 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the sound is outstanding, open, detailed and dynamic, and that the build feels luxurious. All find the noise cancelling behind the best rivals at this price; What Hi-Fi? also ran into connection problems, and SoundStage! Solo preferred the cheaper Px7 S3 for value.

From whathifi.com, techradar.com and soundstagesolo.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type
Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Yes
Transparency mode
Yes
Driver size
40 mm
Bluetooth codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless
Lossless over USB-C
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
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
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

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim)
Up to 30 hours
Battery life detail
Rechargeable lithium-ion battery; 30 hours of wireless streaming with noise cancelling on at average volume
Fast charging
15 minutes for up to 7 hours

Design

Weight
310 g
Bluetooth
5.3
Two devices at once
Yes
Headphone cable
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
Microphones
Eight microphones, four per ear cup; ADI Pure Voice call processing
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
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)
Colours
Onyx Black, Warm Stone, Midnight Blue, Pearl Blue
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

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 40 mm Carbon Cone drive units with a dedicated headphone amplifier
  • aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive 24/96, plus 24-bit/96 kHz audio over USB-C
  • 15 minutes of charging gives up to 7 hours

Cons

  • 30 hours per charge with noise cancelling on, half the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless's 57
  • No separate 3.5 mm socket; analogue listening uses the supplied USB-C to 3.5 mm cable

Closest rivals

Model
TypeNoise cancellingBatteryWith caseBest codecWeightReleased
BoseQuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Over-earYes30 h–aptX Adaptive264 gSept 2025
FocalBathys MG
Over-earYes30 h–aptX Adaptive350 gApr 2025
SonyWH-1000XM6
Over-earYes30 h–LC3254 gMay 2025

Sources

  1. bowerswilkins.com/en-gb/product/over-ear-headphones/px8-s2/FP45365P.html
  2. bowerswilkins.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-bowers_europe_shared/def…
  3. news.harman.com/releases/bowers-wilkins-introduces-px8-s2-the-new-flagship-stat…

Photo: bowerswilkins.com

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