Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT in 2025. I’ll also be comparing the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Sony WH-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sennheiser Momentum 4, and Sonos Ace!
I’m going to do my best to share whether these headphones are worth it, and ideally who these headphones are for. I’ve owned these headphones for a while now and have quite a few thoughts.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist.
Let’s dive right in!
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e review in short
The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e has the best overall sound quality in its class and price range. It has very few flaws as an overall package, but could improve slightly on its comfort and more on its noise cancelling performance. Competes very well against Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3, Bowers and Wilkins Px8, Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Apple AirPods Max, Sennheiser Momentum 4, Sony WH 1000XM5, and Sonos Ace. If it’s on sale for under $300, easily the best wireless ANC headphone value today. Still worth it at full price, but others might have better comfort and ANC.
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Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e Pros and Cons
- Best-in-class sound quality
- Very comfy
- Premium materials and build quality
- Incredible value if on sale for $249
- Noise cancelling could be improved
- Heavy, bit of clamping force
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Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e Sound Quality
“Bowers & Wilkins” may not be as big of a household name as Bose and Sony, and is more of a niche brand focused on high-end audio and luxury.
The Px7 S2e is the “entry” model compared to the more expensive flagship Px8, and I was curious how it stacks up against the more popular ANC headphones from Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, and Apple.
The Good
My initial listening impression of the Px7 S2e was very good, and these sound great out of the box without any EQ required.
Surprisingly, the sound signature is like a crossover between the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (with my custom EQ settings) which are two of the best-sounding headphones in this class.
What it takes from the Momentum 4 is that consumer-friendly bass, while also having the balance and detail of the EQ’d Bose QC Ultra.
Bowers & Wilkins’ marketing material describes a “24-bit DSP with custom-designed 40mm drive units“, with the Dynamic drivers being “bio cellulose”.
If I recall correctly, high-end audiophile brand ZMF has used bio cellulose drivers in some of their headphones.
What I’m hearing from the Px7 S2e is the tightest, most controlled and focused bass in this class.
There isn’t quite as much slam as the Momentum 4 or Bose QuietComfort (2023 model), but it’s also not as sluggish and unfocused as those. It’s a very clean bass while still being present.
From an audiophile perspective, I’m also hearing slightly more resolution and better dynamics than the competitors. There’s a lot of depth to the sound and a certain “weightiness” to vocals and instruments.
This “weightiness” also has a very pleasing and natural timbre to vocals and instruments. Drums and guitars sound great.
Overall, I think the Px7 S2e has just dethroned the Apple AirPods Max as having the best stock sound profile and tuning in this class of wireless ANC headphones, as there’s not much to nitpick here.
If I come up with an EQ to improve the sound, I’ll of course add it here, but it simply doesn’t need any touchup to enjoy.
The Bad
Honestly, there’s much more good to these headphones than bad, but I’m happy to share some of my more nitpicky insights to help the more discerning listener decide.
Although these have good depth, I do find the soundstage width to be a bit narrow and intimate for my liking.
This can be flattering for some tracks, but I do like the better spacing of the Bose QC Ultra, which also leads to slightly better imaging than the Bowers & Wilkins.
I also find the high-end detail and airiness in the treble to still be better on the Bose QC Ultra (albeit with my custom EQ). Female vocals and adlibs don’t have as much sparkle and magic as the QC Ultra. It’s a little duller.
So in short, I would like to hear better spacing, and more faithful imaging in the Px7 S2e.
Lastly, while the upper bass is very crisp and clean, these could use a little more sub-bass response in the deeper frequencies and more slam.
Due to the points above, I’m not as impressed when it comes to Pop and Hip-Hop genres as I am with Rock, Metal, and Acoustic for these.
Overall Thoughts on Sound Quality
Simply put, this is now the best-sounding stock sound quality and sound profile amongst the wireless ANC headphones in this price range.
Finding things to critique felt much more like nit-picking, and I see these as tied with the Bose QC Ultra (with custom EQ). I would still prefer the Bose QC Ultra for Pop / Hip-Hop due to its lovely airiness and detail, but the Px7 S2e is more audiophile out of the box and better for Rock and Metal with its intimate soundstage.
But the Px7 S2e gives the Bose, Sennheiser, and any headphone manufacturer in this class a run for its money.
I think most audiophiles would favor the Px7 S2e for a wireless ANC headphone in this price range.
Sound Quality Score: 8.9 out of 10
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e Comfort
The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e is actually the 3rd heaviest headphone in this class, as weighed on my scale:
- Bose QuietComfort – 236.1 grams
- Sony WH 1000XM5 – 245.9 grams
- Sony WH 1000XM4 – 251.6 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra – 254.4 grams
- Beats Studio Pro – 268.6 grams
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 292.9 grams
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e – 305.2 grams
- Sonos Ace – 318.1 grams
- Apple AirPods Max – 387.8 grams
Despite the weight, I am pleasantly surprised with the comfort of the Px7 S2e, especially compared to the older, original Bowers and Wilkins PX headphones.
I find these very comfy to wear, slightly more than the Momentum 4, but slightly less than the Bose QC Ultra and Sonos Ace.
My nitpicks are the weight, which is immediately felt compared to these much lighter competitors, and the clamping force being just a tad strong.
The wide headband is also just fine and could use a bit more cushioning to improve.
What I do like is the overall interior space of the earcups let my ears feel very free inside of them.
I could wear these for hours no problem, and put them about the same comfort as the Sony XM5 and Bose QuietComfort (2023 model).
Comfort Score: 4.5 out of 5
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling
Features
The Px7 S2e was released in September 2023 and has the typical modern wireless ANC headphone features:
- Multiple built-in microphones for taking calls
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Transparency Mode
- Ability to turn either mode OFF
- Companion Smartphone app to customize EQ, settings, and update firmware
- Includes an average-sized premium Hard Shell case
- USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- USB-C to stereo cable
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e Build Quality
Bowers & Wilkins positions the brand as more high-end luxury, and this is displayed in the design and premium materials used in their headphones.
Although the Px7 S2e is the more “entry” model compared to the Px8, it has a similar design but uses a mix of “fabric” exterior along with plastic and some metal on the earcups.
Overall the Px7 S2e looks and feels quite premium and deserving of its near-$400 retail pricetag.
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e Battery Life
The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e is rated at 30 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is above average in this class.
This is more than the AirPods Max at 20 hours, and Bose QC Ultra at 24 hours.
Tied with the Sony XM5 and Sonos Ace at 30 hours, but dwarfed by the Sennheiser Momentum 4 at a class-leading 60 hours.
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e Noise Cancelling Performance
The Px7 S2e has pretty good, but not elite noise cancelling performance compared to the current leaders like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sony XM5, and Sonos Ace.
I find it to be around the same tier as the Apple AirPods Max and Sennheiser Momentum 4.
I think the rectangular-ish earcups (similar to the AirPods Max) create less of a complete seal towards the rear of the ears, causing a bit of sound to leak in and out.
Overall, these could work for flights, but will excel better in everyday environments like an office or public transport.
The Transparency mode is pretty good, and I like the ability to turn OFF either mode.
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling Performance Score: 4.5 out of 5
Value
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e retails at $399, but at the time of this writing, can be found for as low as $249 on sale.
The price does seem to fluctuate between that full $399, down to $349, $299, and $249.
I would say that even at full retail, the Px7 S2e actually warrants that price and is a much better value comparatively to another $400 headphone like the Sony XM5, or the $549 AirPods Max.
What I find incredible is the $249 sale price that is available at the time of this writing.
For $249, the only headphones that come to mind are the Bose QuietComfort 2023 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4.
The Momentum 4 is actually closer to $300 on most days.
So at $249 to $299, I think these have just unseated the Bose QuietComfort 2023 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 as the best wireless ANC headphones under $250 and $300, respectively.
But the full retail price at $399 is still pretty expensive, and with very formidable competitors that can be found for under $300, the Px7 S2e is close to perfect but not quite.
Value Score: 4.5 out of 5
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Sound Quality: 8.9 / 10
Comfort: 4.5 / 5
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 4.5 / 5
Value: 4.5 / 5
Total: 22.4 / 25
Is the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e WORTH IT?
Simply put, I am wholly impressed by the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e and it is definitely worth it, even at full retail price.
Where it becomes an incredible deal is if they are on sale for $249 to $299. For that price, you’re getting the best sound quality in this price range, and it has very few flaws.
I’d say the only time to hesitate would be if comfort and noise cancelling were your top priorities over sound quality, as I think the Px7 S2e can improve in both of those categories. Moreso the noise cancelling as they are still very comfy.
But for pure audiophile sound quality, I have to admit that this is the new standard in its class, with no EQ required.
Some very Strong Alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- Bowers and Wilkins Px8
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Apple AirPods Max
- Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- Bose QuietComfort (2023 model)
- Beats Studio Pro
Some Relevant Comparisons in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Apple AirPods Max
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM5
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs AirPods Max
- Sonos Ace vs AirPods Max
I highly recommend you check those out next!
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Order Here for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Want to save up to $100 or more?
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Px7 S2 and S2e?
The “e” in S2e stands for “evolution”, and is an update to the S2 featuring a brand new DSP (Digital Sound Processor) tuning pulled from the flagship Px8 headphones. The S2e has improved sound quality over the S2.
When was the Px7 S2e released?
The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e was officially released on September 19th, 2023.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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Bose QuietComfort Review (2023 Model)
