I replaced my midrange Bowers & Wilkins headphones with more expensive ones – how much can $370 upgrade you?

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Few headphones perfectly blend design, sound quality, and everyday utility. Sony’s headphones sound great, Bose’s headphones have great design qualities, and Apple’s headphones perform remarkably well with other Apple devices. 

Conversely, brands like Focal, which offer headphones with exceptional sound quality and minimal digital features, have a $1,200 asking price and weaker noise-canceling capabilities. Still, to many people, the consumer-friendly sound of the most popular headphones isn’t good enough — they want an elevated sound without compromising the most valuable software features.

Also: I replaced my AirPods Max with the AirPods Pro 3, and didn’t mind the $300 price gap

The art of blending all of the previously mentioned qualities is Bowers & Wilkins’ specialty, marrying high-quality audio with the everyday consumer’s needs. The Px8 S2, the second generation of its flagship headphones, debut with an upgraded Qualcomm chipset, better noise cancellation, improved wireless audio streaming quality, and new internal audio components. 

On paper, the Px8 S2 look similar to the recently released Px7 S3, which I loved for the sound, comfort, utility, and design. If you’ve already decided that Sony, Bose, JBL, or the others aren’t what you’re looking for, should you pay $320 more for the Px8 S2 over the Px7 S3? 

It’s challenging to compare Bowers & Wilkins’ headphones to options from Bose and Sony because Bowers & Wilkins excels in two critical categories: external design materials and internal audio component materials. You won’t find faux leather or coated plastic finishes on the Px8 S2.

Instead, the Px8 S2’s headband and ear pads are covered in nappa leather, the aluminum yokes sport an exposed braided cable, and the earcups sport aluminum accents. The higher-quality materials not only give the Px8 S2 a more refined and elegant look compared to the Px7 S3, but they also enhance the Px8 S2’s wearing experience.

Also: Why I recommend these wireless headphones over pricier flagship models

The Px8 S2 aren’t much lighter than their predecessor, but the yokes and ear cups are considerably slimmer, borrowing from the sleek design of the Px7 S3. The power slider is relocated to the left ear cup, and the play/pause and volume up/down buttons are redesigned to encourage enhanced tactile feedback and recognition. 

The Px8 S2’s thicker ear pads offer more passive isolation, and the more sturdy headband and yokes provide a tighter clamping force. Both headphones have eight microphones: one inside each ear cup and three on the outside. Both headphones’ noise cancellation can perform on trains, buses, airplanes, in the office, or at the grocery store, but the added passive protection from the Px8 S2 is noticeable.

The other glaring difference between the midrange Px7 S3 and the flagship Px8 S2 is the materials of the diaphragm in the speaker drivers. The Px7 S3’s 40mm drivers use biocellulose, and the Px8 S2’s use carbon. Let’s be straightforward: both headphones’ drivers use objectively higher-quality materials, although the quality of sound they produce is beholden to your personal tastes.

To my ears, the Px7 S3 reproduce a more “consumer-friendly” sound profile: a warm tuning with an extended, weighty bass response, full mids that accentuate vocals and instruments, and a slight peak in the higher frequencies that adds a shine to the treble. Considerably more transparent and detail-oriented than the average headphones, not quite as impressive as the Px8 S2.

Also: I tried Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds’ AI noise cancelling, and can’t go back to regular ANC

Many people who are very strict about their audio quality automatically write off wireless headphones because wireless connections naturally diminish audio quality. I’ll admit it: I enjoy the “typical consumer sound.” An exciting, theatrical, slightly bass-heavy sound is what gets me going. But my ears can’t deny that the Px8 S2’s output is exceptional.

Using a rigid material like carbon in the headphones’ diaphragm encourages enhanced clarity and detail and reduced distortion across all frequencies. Songs that I thought were just decent sounded a heck of a lot better.

Vocals were front and center, and the bass was articulate and punchy. More minor details got their moment in my ears, even in more dense songs like Charli xcx’s “Rewind.” The Px8 S2 have an edge over their midrange counterpart in imaging and soundstage, offering what sounded like more precise positioning in a wider soundstage.

Also: Why I keep 4 pairs of headphones with me at all times (and the unique role each one plays)

Audio transmission improvements over the first-generation Px8 include an integrated amplifier and digital-to-analog converter, Bluetooth 5.3, 24-bit/96kHz playback via wired USB-C connection, and AptX Lossless and Adaptive Bluetooth codecs.

According to Bowers & Wilkins, the Px8 S2 are primed for Bluetooth LE Audio compatibility, with Auracast being the wireless standard’s most notable feature. The company also said the Px8 S2 will receive spatial audio. Both features will be available “later this year” via an over-the-air software update.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 are undeniably high-end, delivering high marks in the sound, design, comfort, and utility categories. Their premium build and audio component materials set them apart from other premium headphones on the market. Conversely, their everyday use features, like 30 hours of playback, excellent performance via wireless connection, and great noise-canceling performance, give them more utility than wired-only, high-end headphones.

The Px7 S3 are certainly midrange compared to the Px8 S2, although their design and sound are a step above their similarly priced competitors from Sony and Bose. You should buy the Px7 S3 if you want exceptional sound and a sleek design for a more reasonable price. You should go with the Px8 S2 if you want higher quality materials across the board — internally and externally.