Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e overview: Element oriented

It seems that the B&W Px7 S2e aren’t, as I believed when the information of their arrival dropped into my inbox a couple of weeks in the past, an entry-level model of the model’s very good 2022 wireless headphones. And thank goodness for that. The very basis of Bowers & Wilkins is constructed on high quality – the day B&W goes funds is a day I hope I by no means see.

No, the ‘e’ right here stands for “developed”, because the Px7 S2e takes all that was – and nonetheless is – nice concerning the Px7 S2 {hardware} and pushes it on additional, with an extensively upgraded DSP and re-tuned acoustic platform, based mostly on learnings from the a lot pricier Px8.

The outcome must be one thing that falls someplace between the 2 – a gloriously premium pair of headphones with a sound that matches that greater than ever. Here is how I’ve discovered them.

B&W/Pocket-lint

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

Editor’s selection

The B&W Px7 S2e handle to get tease out much more greatness from the five-star efficiency of its predecessors. They’ve robust competitors at this value, however for out-and-out element, to not point out model in spades, you will not discover higher.

Professionals

• Full-bodied, inslghtful sound
• Excellent design
• Improved musicality

Cons

• No waterproofing
• Middling noise cancellation

Specs, pricing and availability

The Px7 S2e sit on the higher finish of this mid-premium headphone value bracket, occurring sale in September 2023 for $399/£379 – the identical because the Px7 S2 launched at.

This places them on the similar value because the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399/£380), however somewhat cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones ($429/£450).

They’re additionally, in fact, considerably cheaper than the Px8 that they’re taking some sound inspiration from, costing $699/£599 (however out there somewhat cheaper than RRP in some areas).

Design

Evolution is described by the Collins dictionary as “a technique of gradual change over a number of generations”, and so maybe it is smart right here to see little or no – if any – discernible adjustments within the Px7 S2e design.

In honesty, they did not want it. The B&W Px7 S2 had been essentially the most premium, best-built headphones of their value vary, placing designs from the likes of Sony and Bose firmly within the useful class.

B&W says there’s some revised detailing, but it surely’s so refined that I can’t spot it. Meaning you may anticipate the identical textured material end throughout the scarf and earcups, with complementary metallic detailing in some finishes and cool-to-the-touch metallic caps on the earcups, proudly displaying the Bowers & Wilkins emblem.

An elegantly curved arm holds the earcups, permitting them to swivel flat (however not fold up), which curves up into the adjustable headband.

Because it did with the with the S2, B&W has added some very welcome thrives in color right here – even when the overview pattern I’m testing is the ever-popular Anthracite Black. There’s additionally Cloud Gray, Ocean Blue and a brand new Forest Inexperienced – the latter of which is my favorite. The web site imagery doesn’t do it justice, it’s attractive.

At 307g, there’s an plain weight to the Px7 S2e, in comparison with its extra useful competitors, however they do not get tiring to put on – the vegan leather-based earcups and headband help are squishy sufficient to bear the brunt of the burden to maintain issues feeling comfy.

The additional heft right here means they’ll shift somewhat for those who look down with some gusto whereas carrying them, however I believe that possible falls into the class of issues that don’t actually exist.

As with the S2, the S2e persist with bodily controls – one thing that, for essentially the most half, I favor in an over-ear match. There’s simply much less chance of frustration or mis-swipes, once I’m truly simply adjusting the match.

The swipe panel for quantity within the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones was a welcome addition from an ease of use perspective, however I don’t miss it right here. The controls on the S2e are acquainted and dependable, and positioned totally on the proper cup.

The short motion button sits on the left earcup although, to maintain it separate from playback controls, and that’s set for biking via your ANC modes out of the field, although this may be customised. They’re all fantastically tactile, a lot clicky and at all times responsive.

Options

The B&W Px7 S2e preserve it refreshingly easy with regards to options. There are only a few bells and whistles – no discuss of spatial audio, no difficult noise-cancellation modes. There’s on, pass-through and off. Easy.

It does not preserve issues so easy on the audio codec entrance. There’s help for Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive right here, for gadgets that may help it, plus wired playback over USB-C and three.5mm cables – each of that are included within the field, together with a tough carry case.

The Bowers & Wilkins Music app additionally provides customers the flexibility to tweak the S2e’s EQ, in addition to activate auto standby, regulate the sensitivity of the damage sensor and program the short motion button.

It’s also possible to handle the Bluetooth multipoint connection right here, with the flexibility to attach as much as two gadgets without delay.

You’ll get a good 30-hour battery life from the S2e, with an unbelievable quick cost that delivers a whopping seven hours of playback from simply quarter-hour plugged in.

Noise cancellation

If you hearken to the Px7 S2e, similar to the S2, you don’t really feel just like the noise cancellation right here is attempting to drag you to the hushed ANC depths that you just’ll get from the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones. In the event you’re trying to find that stage of peace and quiet, you realize precisely the place to seek out it.

No, noise cancellation right here is just adequate to take the oomph out of the noise in your environment. It’s going to knock the burden out of commuting sounds, dullen the chitter chatter of workplaces and make the drone of airplane noise much less fatiguing.

It will not cocoon you in silence although, and sounds do make their manner via the S2e’s ANC system greater than you will hear within the Bose or Sony’s WH-1000XM5, although it is not an enormous problem when taking part in music.

B&W says the S2e’s six-mic arrange works to grasp the setting and pushes noise cancellation so far as it may be with out affecting musicality.

Sound

As I discussed earlier than, there’s been no change to the {hardware} right here – the Px7 S2e nonetheless use the identical 40mm customized drivers, barely angled so soundwaves hit the ear good.

Since I’ve an iPhone, I am streaming from Tidal on the FiiO M11S to get improved aptX HD playback – Android customers ought to be capable to get this natively, however Apple customers will probably be caught with AAC solely when streaming from their telephone.

The satan is within the element right here – fairly actually – and by some means the S2e handle to squeeze much more of it out of my music than their lusciously detailed predecessors. There’s stacks of readability and even larger perception right here, which makes them an immediately extra participating hear. Not that their predecessors fell wanting that, however the main edges of notes are extra pronounced, and the feel of the whole lot, from synths to guitars, is simply all of the extra tangible.

The general sonic character may be very a lot the identical, although. Meaning bass extension specifically is admirable, packing loads of punch – however with subtlety too.

The daring, pulsing bassline in Lil Wayne’s Presha is a superb instance, touchdown with a rumbling heat that fades out and in with precision. By comparability, the S2e serve up extra presence and total bass weight than the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Headphones can muster, that means these are the headphones for you for those who like a bolder, fuller bodied presentation.

Soundstage sounds a contact extra open too, with loads of area and scale for the improved dynamics at play right here to shine. There’s only a larger sense of fluidity, with the Px7 S2e shifting all of the extra effortlessly, but explicitly, via tempo adjustments, the loud and quiet, the tender and raucous.

They’ll do that with out second thought too, protecting good time as they change between the flowing melodic sections of System of a Down’s Chop Suey! via to the extra frenzied, impatient verses.

Even refined dynamic shifts are dealt with with this similar consideration to element – it is a masterclass in each management and transparency, to not point out a dedication to showcasing the artist’s intent.

They maybe do not let their hair down as a lot as one thing like Sony WH-1000XM5, however they’re removed from a staid hear. They simply cannot fairly match as much as the power and drive that Sony can supply, giving them the sting with regards to out and out enthusiasm.

However with regards to element? At this value, I believe the B&W Px7 S2e have the market licked.

Verdict

With some cautious software program tweaks (and the introduction of that attractive inexperienced colourway), the B&W Px7 S2e handle to get tease out much more greatness from the five-star efficiency of its predecessors.

You merely will not get one other pair of those headphones at this value that may inform you extra about your music than the Px7 S2e – they usually achieve this with readability, dynamism and a formidable quantity of bass extension.

After all, they will look attractive whereas they do it too, made with top-quality supplies and with respectable noise cancellation efficiency in addition. They most likely aren’t a smart choice for upgraders, however for brand new patrons, the improved sound high quality here’s a actual deal with.