British audio logo Bowers & Wilkins introduced these days the release of its new âflagship remark headphones,â the Px8 S2. The wi-fi headphones characteristic energetic noise cancellation, top rate fabrics like Nappa leather-based and machined aluminum, and a $799 price ticket.
I have been checking out the Px8 S2 forward of its authentic release, and Iâm going to have a better evaluate coming quickly. Within the intervening time, I have were given the entire main points on those reference category cans, which in point of fact glance implausible, together with an early verdict on whether or not those wi-fi headphones justify the intimidating price ticket.
For now, let me say this: Rattling, do they give the impression of being excellent.
Introducing the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 had been preceded by means of the award-winning Px7 S3 ($699) and the reference-quality Px8 headphones ($749). We favorably reviewed the previous, and now the S2 pre-empts the latter.
Bowers & Wilkins is understood for audiophile-worthy units, and with a $799 price ticket, those headphones are not for the informal track listener. If you do not know tips on how to turn on high-res audio to your tool, or in the event you did not spend a number of lengthy years looking ahead to Spotify to after all roll out lossless audio, those headphones shall be wasted on you.
An organization consultant informed me the headphones had been designed to be true high-fidelity, reference-class headphones that supply the perfect conceivable decision (24-bit / 96 kHz high-resolution sound, to be actual) . The function â to recreate the unique sound of your track because it was once supposed to be heard. In a press liberate, Bowers & Wilkins guarantees they are the âhighest sounding headphone the logo has ever created.â
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: Fantastic design and luxury
The British audio logo Bowers & Wilkins has a name amongst audiophiles, however the logo could also be recognized for its increased design. The long-lasting Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin speaker was once bought in Apple shops, and previous Apple fashion designer Sir Jony Ive was once reportedly a fan. So, it might be atypical if the brand new Px8 S2 headphones were not gorgeous. However they are now not simply horny â they are stunning. And, until I hallucinated at a contemporary Bowers & Wilkins demo match, they must sooner or later be to be had in an even-more-handsome brown.
Mashable Gentle Velocity
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
In truth, unboxing the headphones at house handiest left me extra enamored with the design. (I promise Iâm going to communicate concerning the sound quickly, OK?) I individually want audio merchandise just like the Apple AirPods Max or Panasonic Techncis AZ100, which use sturdy fabrics like aluminum, metal, reminiscence foam, and leather-based. The Px8 S2 has a in point of fact top rate design that includes positive, full-grain Nappa leather-based and aluminum. Whilst you regulate the headphones, the sturdy aluminum fingers glance implausible popping out of the leather-based headscarf, as does the uncovered braided cable that connects to the earcups.
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Those headphones have a large number of chic little main points that disclose themselves the extra you employ them. When the sunshine catches the Bowers & Wilkins brand at the earcups, that theyâve microdetailing that makes them glance virtually pixelated â a element that is handiest obvious whilst you zoom in additional shut on pictures of the headphones. Even the sporting case feels fancy.
FortifyâŠ
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Examine the good-looking design of the Px8 S2 to the all-plastic design of Sonyâs flagship XM6 headphones, and the latter really feel dangerously flimsy. It is going to be exhausting for me to move again to the XM6s, which were my day-to-day driving force in recent years.
The steel elements do make the Px8 S2 heavier, however I have never had problems with fatigue to this point. Actually, they are somewhat at ease. (My spouse mentioned the earcups really feel like âlittle hugs on my ears,â which says all of it, does not it?) Iâm going to file again in my complete evaluate on whether or not weight has been a subject with long-term put on.
What do $799 headphones sound like?
There is not any denying that those wi-fi headphones sound implausible. In fact, itâs important to plug them in to realize their true lossless audio advantages, however that is normal. Stressed out or wi-fi, they sound extra special, which isnât a surprise. For $799, they higher sound wonderful. Radiohead, Florence and the Device, and Michael Jackson all sounded as excellent as they ever have. I might price them along the Panasonic Technics AZ100 earbuds relating to elite audio merchandise, and they are a transparent step up from the likes of Sony.
That mentioned, relating to ANC, Bowers & Wilkins cannot somewhat compete with Sony or Bose, which make the highest noise-cancelling headphones I have examined. Whilst their design supplies a large number of passive noise-cancellation, Sonyâs sound engineers have the merit in cancelling noise. In the case of spatial audio, those headphones are at a fair larger downside â as a result of they do not have it. No longer handiest that, however like the unique Px8, they do not be offering LDAC improve both.
So, why do not $799 headphones have those two now-standard audio options? Relating to spatial audio, a Bowers & Wilkins rep informed me the logo is not as inquisitive about this. If you are chasing true reference category sound, including spatial audio to track that wasnât engineered that means is not precisely on track, is it? That is truthful sufficient.
However the ones are two caveats to understand sooner than making an investment in those pricey cans.
Are the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones value it?
If you are a real audiophile and Bowers & Wilkins fan, they could also be definitely worth the funding, however $799 is so much of cash. In point of fact, I willât have the funds for them. Nearly all of other people shall be at an advantage with the highest headphones from Beats, Sony, or Bose. However on the other hand, the Px8 line wasnât made for the majority of other people. Is it British elitism, in an effective way?
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: Through the numbers
Credit score: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
After all, letâs smash down the important thing specs and contours of the Px8 S2:
Drivers: 2 40mm dynamic full-range carbon drivers
Energetic noise cancellation: Sure
Spatial audio: No
Multipoint pairing: Sure
Wi-fi connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless era
Bluetooth formats: aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Vintage, AAC, SBC
Ports: USB-C (no 3.5mm audio jack)
Microphones: 8
Weight: 0.68 kilos
Lift case dimensions: 177 mm x 60 mm x 234 mm
Colours: Onyx Black, Heat Stone
