Bowers & Wilkins promised its subsequent flagship headphones would debut later this yr when it revealed the redesigned Px7 S2 mannequin over the summer time. At this time, the corporate sticks to its phrase by formally unveiling the Px8. Whereas Bowers & Wilkins retains a lot of it is signature search for this new model, there are some notable updates — particularly on the within. The premium appears and what the corporate calls “the perfect sound high quality” it has ever supplied in a set of wi-fi headphones will price you $699.
Inside, new 40mm carbon cone drivers energy the “new reference customary for sound,” as Bowers & Wilkins describes it. The corporate says these elements supply improved element, decision and “spaciousness” over the Px7 S2. Because it has on earlier fashions, Bowers & Wilkins angled these new drive models for constant distance to the listener’s ear throughout their floor. The corporate explains that this creates a “extra immersive and extremely correct soundstage,” edging ever nearer to “the artist’s intent.” It actually labored effectively on the Px7 S2.
The Px8 helps aptX Adaptive and because of Bowers & Wilkins’ digital sign processing (DSP), these headphones can deal with 24-bit streaming from the relevant companies. Plus, now you can play tunes from Deezer, Qobuz and TIDAL immediately from the corporate’s Music app, the identical software program that is used to configure the headphones.
The opposite massive change on the Px8 is Bowers & Wilkins’ selection of supplies. The arm building is now made out of forged aluminum, formed to fulfill the corporate’s signature look. Reminiscence foam cushions line the within of the earcups, wrapped in Nappa leather-based and coming in black or tan colour choices. All of that actually combines for a extra refined look than the Px7 S2.
Bowers & Wilkins
The corporate says the Px8 packs the identical lively noise cancellation (ANC) platform because the Px7 S2. That is good, as a result of the ANC setup on that extra reasonably priced mannequin did an admirable job throughout our overview. Six microphones whole are on board: two to watch driver output, two to maintain tabs on ambient noise and two for voice. On the Px8, Bowers & Wilkins says it moved these final two mics nearer collectively and adjusted their angles to enhance voice high quality and scale back wind noise.
Bowers & Wilkins is promising as much as 30 hours of battery life on the Px8, identical because the Px7 S2. The corporate would not specify whether or not that is with ANC on or off. Nonetheless, throughout our overview of the earlier mannequin I blew previous the said time utilizing lively noise cancellation. I nonetheless had 33 p.c within the tank on the 30-hour mark. On the Px8, a 15-minute fast cost session will provide you with as much as seven hours of listening time if you end up in a pinch.
The Px8 is out there beginning as we speak from Bowers & Wilkins and choose retailers for $699. If that is an excessive amount of for you, that is actually comprehensible. Nonetheless, the Px7 S2 is $399 and it is one in all our favourite headphones of 2022.
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