Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2

What’s new with the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2

• The housing resembles the PX7 S3 and differs fundamentally from the PX8 (2022)
• Ear pads made of fine nappa leather, offering greater comfort over long sessions than the PX7 S3
• Aluminium arms with an elegant view of the neatly integrated cables in the headband
• Eight microphones instead of six, improving call quality and noise cancellation
• A dedicated 24-bit DSP and amplifier built in
• New 40mm carbon-fibre drivers, which noticeably enhance sound quality
• A 5-band EQ now available in the app
• Not yet available, but announced: proprietary spatial audio decoding/processing and LE Audio incl. Auracast – updates we are eager to test when they arrive

First impressions

We tested the PX8 S2 in Onyx Black. For those who prefer something lighter, the “Warm Stone” version is available. The matching case is zip-fastened, flatter than before, and more travel-friendly.

The build quality is flawless. Even on my large head (size 60), the PX8 S2 sat comfortably. The nappa leather cushions on ears and headband allow long listening sessions, with eyeglass frames fitting easily between temples and ear pads.

The pads are replaceable, though only via authorised service or the manufacturer.

Improved controls on the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2

As with the PX7 S3 (review), the controls have been rearranged. Bowers & Wilkins still keeps things simple, so the learning curve is short. The three buttons on the right are easier to reach thanks to the new design: the middle play/pause button is narrower and ribbed, while volume up and down remain elongated. This makes operation more precise.

On the left side, a slider powers the headphones and enables Bluetooth pairing. Above it sits a button toggling ANC modes: noise cancelling, passthrough, or off.

Bowers & Wilkins Music app

The PX8 S2 can be used largely without the app (iOS/Android), though some settings are only available there. For example, the left-side button can be reassigned to trigger a voice assistant instead of ANC toggling. The wear sensor sensitivity can also be adjusted (“low”, “normal”, “high”), influencing playback pause when the headphones are removed.

Streaming quality over mobile or Wi-Fi can be set in four levels. The app also provides access to the new 5-band EQ, with two custom presets storable. Still, the TrueSound preset, tuned by B&W’s acoustic engineers, proved excellent in our test.

The PX8 S2 comes bundled with a Qobuz trial subscription, fitting since hi-res streaming is one of its fortes. The app also integrates Tidal and Deezer, plus radio hosts like TuneIn or NTS. Spotify and Apple Music, however, are not supported within the app – they must be used via their own platforms.

The impressive sound quality of the PX8 S2

With carbon-fibre drivers, dedicated DSP/amp, and support for high-res codecs including aptX Adaptive 24-bit/96kHz and aptX Lossless, the PX8 S2 brings serious credentials. The result: Hi-res audio plays with striking detail and dynamics. Whether Arvo Pärt’s “La Sindone” via Qobuz in 24-bit/48kHz, Dire Straits’ Sultans of Swing in 24-bit/192kHz, or The Doors’ The End, the PX8 S2 consistently delivered open, precise, reference-grade sound.

Rock classics like Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven sounded as if heard in vintage hi-fi studios, while electronic tracks like Propellerheads’ Bigger? showcased punchy, controlled bass. Even dense pop mixes like One Direction’s Drag Me Down retained spaciousness and clarity.

Remarkably, the PX8 S2 manages to sound like a high-quality open-back headphone despite its closed design, even in ANC and transparency modes. In pure sound terms, it outperformed my long-time favourite, the AirPods Max (review).

Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 in practice

We tested the PX8 S2 intensively over a week, including on a real flight to evaluate ANC. While the ANC of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2 Gen (review) or Sony WH-1000XM6 (review) is slightly more effective, the PX8 S2 sounds better overall.

This is not a rugged outdoor headphone – there is no IP rating – but for travel it blocks noise well and creates a striking acoustic stage. The transparency mode is equally impressive, relaying outside sounds with near-1:1 accuracy.

USB audio and analogue sources with the PX8 S2

A USB-C connection enables lossless playback from a computer. Latency is low enough for gaming, making the PX8 S2 versatile beyond music listening. Analogue input is also supported.

PX8 S2 with stable battery life and fast charging

Battery life is rated at 30 hours, and our test confirmed it. With ANC and transparency always on, performance was unaffected. A 15-minute charge provides up to seven hours of play – ideal for travel. Multipoint generally worked well, though reconnection after some video calls was occasionally an issue compared with Apple’s seamless ecosystem.

Conclusion

The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 sets new standards for sound quality in its class. Few competitors deliver such refined, luxurious audio. With outstanding design and craftsmanship, plus all key features covered, it justifies its premium price. While missing Auracast and spatial audio for now, those updates are coming, making it an even more future-proof investment for demanding listeners.