Bowers & Wilkins just dropped the Px8 S2, and this isn’t a polite nod to the wireless headphone market—it’s a direct challenge to Sony, Apple, Bose, Sennheiser, Focal, DALI, and even Noble, which recently impressed the hell out of us with its first attempt to take on the big boys. With aptX Adaptive 24/96, Qualcomm’s aptX Lossless, and a sleeker, Nappa-wrapped design, the Px8 S2 reminds the competition their crown isn’t untouchable.
Price-wise, B&W is playing smart. At $799, the Px8 S2 undercuts the $1,200-plus options Focal and DALI are offering while still landing above the Noble Fokus Apollo, which impressed us at nearly half the price. And the Px8 S2 isn’t just battling the big names—it’s also contending with its own more affordable sibling, the Px7 S3, one of our “Best of 2025” award winners without question when we start doling out hardware in late November. In a category this competitive, showing up isn’t enough—you have to prove you belong.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Design and Sound: Premium Build, Flagship Performance, Coffee Shop Blues
Sit down with the Px8 S2 and the first thing that hits you is how solid they feel. Nappa leather earcups, a slimmer, more refined profile than the old Px8, and a fit that actually feels intentional—finally, a headphone that doesn’t look like it’s about to swallow your head whole. Bowers & Wilkins clearly sweated the details here; every hinge, every curve, every bit of metal and plastic just works, and somehow it manages to feel premium without veering into over-engineered.
I’ll admit it—I’ve never been a huge wireless headphone guy. Give me wires, give me a Dongle DAC, and I’m happy. But push play in a crowded Asbury Park coffee shop, and the Px8 S2 starts to change your mind. The ANC on the Px8 S2 isn’t just a buzzword—it actually works.
Espresso machine hiss, blaring conversations, and the low murmur of too-many-laptops-in-one-room all fade into polite background fuzz. Take it to NJ Transit, with trains screaming past less than 80 feet away, or Penn Station on the day Charlie Kirk was assassinated—yes, chaos incarnate—and the Px8 S2 holds its ground.
Between active noise cancellation and passive isolation, the Px8 S2 does a solid job on both ends: listeners experience far less external noise, and nobody around me in various locations could hear anything coming from the headphones, even at maximum volume. That said, both ANC modes do affect the sound, and I’m still on the fence about whether the trade-off is worth it—a closer look comes later in the review.
If you prefer a traditional setup, the Px8 S2 also works wired, so you’re not locked into Bluetooth. After two weeks of testing in coffee shops, on beaches, airports, and NJ Transit, they consistently delivered reliable performance. For a wireless headphone, this one actually lives up to the flagship label—wireless done properly, without feeling compromised.
Bowers & Wilkins clearly obsessed over the design: the slimmer frame is easier to wear for long sessions, the new carry case actually fits in a bag without feeling like you’re smuggling bricks, and the Nappa leather finish with exposed cable detailing delivers the kind of industrial chic that makes most high-end headphones look like plastic toys. They also fold flat which I never really appreciated until now.
At the Bowers & Wilkins press preview in NYC on that chaotic day in recent history, there was a bit of internal fretting—they worried some members of the press might dock points over the exposed cable detailing. Me? I’m in the opposite camp. It looks bloody brilliant and different.
B&W has reworked the Px8 S2 around new 40mm Carbon Cone drivers. They provide clear detail, a stable stereo image, and better control across the frequency range. Updates to the chassis, voice coil, and magnet system reduce distortion and make the presentation sound more natural.
Two finishes—Onyx Black and Warm Stone—keep things refined, and yes, the ear pads and headband are replaceable, which means you won’t be tossing these the moment wear and tear sets in. The new case slips into my backup bag with zero fuss and just feels premium.
Weighing 310 grams and measuring 177 mm × 60 mm × 234 mm, the Px8 S2 is lighter and slightly smaller than the original Px8, making long listening sessions far less tiring. It’s only a touch heavier than the Px7 S3, so if you’re used to that model, you probably won’t notice—apart from the slightly nicer feel of the Nappa leather.
The headband is very comfortable, with above-average clamping force that keeps the headphones firmly in place. The headband slides smoothly with a friction system, letting you fine-tune the fit—but don’t expect any satisfying clicks to mark the spots. If you like mechanical feedback, you’re out of luck.
For context, the Noble Fokus Apollo comes in at a respectable 328 grams, landing right between the AirPods Max, which feel like a neck workout at 380 grams, and Sony’s WH-1000XM5, which are featherweight at 250 grams. In that lineup, the Px8 S2 manages a nice middle ground—substantial enough to feel premium without becoming a strain over long listening sessions.
They stayed steady while walking and even pushing through crowds at Penn Station. The padding has just enough give to be forgiving, and the overall seal is excellent, providing strong passive isolation—so much so that I sometimes wondered why I even bothered turning on ANC.
Px8 S2 — Connectivity and Codec Support
Bowers & Wilkins has upgraded the Px8 S2 to support both aptX Adaptive 24/96 and Qualcomm’s latest aptX Lossless. That means, paired with a compatible device, the headphones can deliver high-res wireless audio from services like Amazon Music, Qobuz, and TIDAL. B&W’s DSP keeps the signal clean, offering true 24-bit/96 kHz playback.
Of course, because I live firmly in the Apple ecosystem—iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air, iMac—there are limitations. None of Apple’s devices handle aptX Lossless or aptX Adaptive, so neither are really an option in my day-to-day mobile setup. To actually test aptX Adaptive and Lossless, I borrowed an ASUS VivoBook S14 and an ASUS ROG Phone 6 Pro—which did pass the test, although I needed to make sure both had updated firmware. Don’t assume that because the hardware supports it, the software has been activated or updated to make it happen.
For everyone living in Apple’s garden, the Px8 S2 also works wired via 3.5 mm or USB-C, both included in the carry case. On the wireless side, it also supports aptX HD, AAC, and SBC. LDAC users, meanwhile, are left out in the rain—watching the prom alone.
Future updates will bring Spatial Audio in Q4 2025, with Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast functionality added as soon as the software is available for download.
Block Out the World: Px8 S2 Active Noise Cancelling Performance
Bowers & Wilkins has carried over the ANC system from the Px7 S3 and refined it for the Px8 S2. The goal is simple: cut out outside noise without trashing the music. Whether it actually hits that mark is another story—you’ll have to read on to see how it performs in real life.
Like the Px7 S3, each earcup packs eight microphones: two monitor the driver output, four listen for ambient noise, and two handle voice clarity. In theory, that setup should keep music intact in a coffee shop full of screaming Karens, blaring surfboards, or NJ Transit chaos, while ADI Pure Voice makes sure people on the other end of a call actually hear you instead of the subway screeching.
In practice, the passive isolation is impressive. With ANC off, I could barely hear finger snaps or clapping at lower listening levels. I even had my tween wander around my office with no music or ANC—she struggled to pick up my commands (or she was just ignoring me).
When I turned on “transparency” mode and played some of her music, she immediately gave a thumbs-down when I clapped: my voice came through, but apparently at “way too loud” levels. Odd, but it does show that the headphones isolate exceptionally well even without ANC.
My experience was mixed—and I’ll admit upfront that I’ve only spent a modest amount of time with the older Px7 S2, Focal Bathys, and previous generations of Sony and Bose wireless ANC models. I’ve never been particularly impressed with how music sounds with ANC engaged; it’s always felt like someone trying to sing through a cheesecloth.
I’m also big on situational awareness. Spend enough time on NJ Transit or the MTA, and you understand why. I may look large and mean at 6’3” and 220 pounds (currently on a diet), but I actually like to see and hear what’s happening around me in high-traffic areas—someone pushing me in front of a train isn’t on my playlist.
The Px8 S2’s transparency mode handles that part well enough: it keeps you aware of your surroundings.
The catch is that it does affect clarity and soundstage depth, and how much depends on the music source you’re using. It’s useful, but you’re not getting a fully “pure” listening experience while it’s on.
Case in point: switching between TIDAL, Qobuz, and TuneIn streaming Israel’s GLGLZ news—basically the country’s most listened-to station—the difference in sound was obvious. Source quality matters far more than ANC mode. With ANC or Transparency engaged, low-end information developed extra reverberation and lost some definition.
You can always tweak it with the EQ, but let’s be honest—most people aren’t going to want to fiddle with an app every time they switch songs. For me, Transparency or Off preserved clarity and depth better, because if I wanted my music filtered through a “let’s-see-how-it-handles-chaos” lens, I’d let Hamas handle the sound engineering.
Px8 S2: Battery Life, Controls, and App Features
The Px8 S2 delivers roughly 28 to 30 hours of battery life with full ANC, which is more than enough to get through a long work week—or even a series of flights from New Jersey to Florida with a final touchdown in Toronto.
On my iPhone, with volume set around medium, I managed close to 28 hours before needing a recharge. A quick 15-minute top-up adds another seven hours, though a full recharge from empty still takes a solid 3 hours. Not bad at all, and ANC performance doesn’t eat much more than that, which is impressive.
The Bowers & Wilkins Music app is easy to use and covers everything most people actually need. You can toggle ANC and transparency modes, check battery, adjust wear-sensor sensitivity, assign Quick Action button functions, or tweak a five-band EQ—but seriously, who wants to babysit settings song by song? For those who like it simple, True Sound mode locks in the acoustic team’s tuning, and that’s it.
Physical buttons are a major win. Volume and play/pause keys feel solid under the fingers, the power button now sits sensibly on the left earcup, and the Quick Action button lets you switch ANC modes or launch your voice assistant without diving into menus. Even someone with large hands like me doesn’t struggle too much, which is a relief. Unlike wireless earbuds with finicky sensor pads or weird press combinations—no thanks—the Px8 S2 just works.
Two minor gripes: you still have to supply your own charger. Sure, we all have twenty lying around, but for $800 headphones? Come on. At least the included USB-C cable is long enough, and charging speed is decent. The EQ, meanwhile, is functional but limited—you won’t be dialing in anything radical, just basic tweaks.
Listening
I came into the Px8 S2 listening session with high expectations—especially after reading and editing Will Jennings’ review of the Px7 S3. With a $350 price jump between the two, the Px8 S2 needed to do more than just nudge past its less expensive sibling to justify the extra cash. My time with the Px7 S3 at the NYC event was limited, but it set the bar high enough that anything less than a clear step up would feel like an expensive shrug.
The first thing that hit me was the sub-bass, closely followed by the mid-bass. Playing Herbie Hancock’s “Rockit” from Future Shock made it clear right away—these aren’t neutral sounding headphones. The low end delivers impact, detail, and speed that’s immediately noticeable. Safe, conservative tuning? Forget it.
Will noted in his bottom line on the Px7 S3 that it “leans toward a more commercial signature, a step away from ‘audiophile purity.’” There’s definitely some truth to that with the Px8 S2. The bass range is emphasized to give certain genres more presence and impact. Fortunately, the headphones manage to do that without sacrificing overall clarity or detail.
Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” hit harder in the low end than I’ve heard from most wireless headphones in the $500–$750 range, though Tré Cool’s percussion lacked some of the solidity I get from passive headphones paired with higher-end headphone amps. Switching to “Wake Me Up When September Ends” revealed clearer mid- and upper-bass detail, along with a noticeable improvement in overall impact and solidity.
Both tracks came from the same 24-bit/96 kHz Qobuz recording, showing that even within a single session, the Px8 S2 can deliver different levels of low-end control depending on the track.
Switching to the upper midrange and lower treble, Aretha Franklin’s “A Natural Woman” and her cover of the the Band’s “The Weight” made it clear the Px8 S2 can be slightly restrained with female vocals depending on the recording. Aretha sounded clear, but a touch thin and recessed in the soundstage.
A quick pivot to my perennial crush, the late Amy Winehouse, showed that the low-end tuning holds up on recordings that lean into that range. Her vocals came forward, full of the attitude and snark that made her unforgettable. “You Know I’m No Good” and “Valerie” felt like she was right there in the room. “Valerie” has a top end that can grate on me with certain gear, but not here—the guitar notes had bite, her vocals were clean and crisp, and there was never any hint of etching. Amy’s mischief came through loud and clear.
The Px8 S2’s top end has more air and sparkle, giving the sound a sense of openness and a slightly brighter character. Poor recordings don’t get harsh or fatiguing, but with quality tracks, the difference is obvious. It’s lively without being overbearing—energetic in the right way.
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” had a clear sense of space and more detail than I’ve gotten from most other wireless headphones. Her vocals stay balanced with the instrumentation—never too far forward. While not particularly warm or lush, the clarity on what I’d call a fairly average recording was impressive. “I Will Always Love You” carried more of her signature quiver that still sends shivers down my spine. The Px8 S2 delivered it without rounding off the top end or softening any of the edges, giving the performance its natural bite and presence.
Are the Px8 S2 any good with jazz? Four hours with Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Eric Dolphy, Donald Byrd, Bill Frisell, and Brad Mehldau made one thing clear: these headphones don’t mess around. Piano and horns are detailed and clear, with just enough tonal weight to feel substantial without turning polite. Speed and timing are strong points—nothing drags, nothing lags. If you’re expecting that lazy “smooth jazz sofa” vibe, forget it; the Px8 S2 keeps the rhythm sharp and the attack precise.
Male vocals take a slight hit. Sam Cooke’s “Lost and Lookin’” was clean and crisp, but the warmth and texture I’ve come to expect after decades of listening were noticeably pulled back. Nick Cave’s “Into My Arms” delivered full, heavy piano, but his vocals lost some of the growl and chest-shaking presence that give the track its punch. It’s like the Px8 S2 are happy to show off the instruments—but the singers? They’re taking a step back.
The Px8 S2 delivers a solid soundstage with clear width, depth, and height. Instruments are placed accurately—nothing overlaps, nothing disappears—and the overall impression is of an orchestra in a modest, well-proportioned hall. It’s believable and precise, just not the kind of expansive stage that makes you lean back in awe.
The Bottom Line
The Px8 S2 is a solid piece of engineering. Build quality and fit are excellent—the Nappa leather feels premium, the headband and clamping force keep them firmly in place, and four-hour charging plus 28–30 hours of real-world battery life means you can wear them for hours without fatigue. ANC works well at isolating external noise, but it comes with the usual trade-offs in tonal balance, and I found myself using Transparency or leaving it off more often than not.
Sonically, these headphones impress. The bass is impactful without muddying the mids, the top end is lively and airy, and the soundstage is precise, if not jaw-droppingly expansive. Support for hi-res codecs—aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC—plus wired connectivity makes them a long term investment; and that doesn’t even take into account the integration of Bluetooth LE going forward.
Compared to the Px7 S3 at $450, the Px8 S2 at $799 is a noticeable step up in driver performance, build quality, and feature set—but whether it’s $350 better is something only you can decide. For me, the ANC isn’t a deal maker, but battery performance, codec support, and wired options make the Px8 S2 worth serious consideration. Sonically, I love them—just don’t expect to rely heavily on ANC to do all the heavy lifting.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality and premium Nappa leather
- Comfortable fit with firm clamping force, minimal fatigue over long sessions
- Strong passive isolation, effective ANC when needed
- Impressive battery life (28–30 hours in real use, quick 15-minute top-up adds 7 hours)
- Wide codec support (aptX Adaptive, Lossless, HD, AAC, SBC)
- Wired connectivity via USB-C and 3.5 mm included
- Clear, detailed sound with impactful bass and airy top end
- Reliable physical controls, easier to use than most wireless earbuds
Cons:
- ANC slightly affects tonal balance; Transparency mode has minor clarity trade-offs
- Male vocals can be slightly recessed compared with instrument detail
- EQ range is limited, minor tweaks only
- Charger not included (just the cable)
- Soundstage accurate but not particularly expansive
- $350 premium over Px7 S3—worth it depends on personal priorities