Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT in 2025. I’ll also be comparing the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Sony WH-1000XM6, Px8, Px7 S2e, Apple AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sennheiser Momentum 4, and more!
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 S3 review in short
The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 has arguably the best sound quality under $600 in the wireless noise cancelling class. Combine that with very good comfort and improved active noise cancelling performance, and this may be one of the best all-arounders money can buy today. Competes very well against Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Bowers & Wilkins Px8, Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e, Apple AirPods Max, Sennheiser Momentum 4, Focal Bathys, and Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95.
Watch this Full Review on YouTube!
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Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 Pros and Cons
- Best-in-class sound quality
- Very good comfort
- Competitive noise cancelling
- Solid build quality
- A bit too V-shaped stock
- Bit of clamping force
- Padding got slightly worse
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Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 Sound Quality
Stock sound first impressions…
Out of the box, I’m quite impressed by the Px7 S3’s stock sound quality and profile.
The most interesting part of the Px7 S3 to me, is that these are the most consumer-friendly sound signature of Bowers and Wilkins’ recent lineup, including the previous-generation Px7 S2e and flagship Px8.
To put it simply, these are the most V-shaped of the above, focusing heavily on bass and treble instead of the typical mid-range focus of the Px8 and Px7 S2e.
I find the mids to be a bit lacking for my tastes, they’re a bit recessed and lacking body, especially compared to the Px8, but also the slightly more balanced Px7 S2e.
But these have the best bass response and most detailed treble of Bowers & Wilkins recent offerings.
Another new improvement is the new 5-band EQ which is a welcome and much-needed update to the older 2-band EQ inside the Bowers & Wilkins app.
So, I’ll be sharing my best EQ settings for the Px7 S3 below, and conduct the rest of this review using these settings…
Best Equalizer (EQ) Settings for Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- LO: -1
- LO-MID: -2.5
- MID: +4
- MID-HI: -1
- HI: +1
Result: Fuller mids and slightly more balanced tonality instead of the stock V-shape. More vocal-forward. More airiness up top with slightly smoother treble. Bass slightly more controlled. More lively and energetic sound overall versus stock, which was rather flat and not as engaging.
Sound Quality after EQ…
Despite how technically good the stock Px7 S3 does sound out of the box, there was something missing that made them sound a bit flat and un-engaging. They’re very detailed but “relaxed” in a way.
With EQ, we’re able to fill out those Mids and give more body to the vocals, which were rather ethereal but highly detailed stock.
I find the EQ’d sound to be more engaging and lively, with more airiness, compared to the rather “flat” and “dry” sound from the factory.
Let’s do some sound comparisons versus its competitors and wrap up final thoughts below…
vs Sony WH-1000XM6
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 stands out as having the more immediately better technical sound quality, not just in its resolution, separation, and layering, but also in its tonality.
The Px7 S3 is more detailed while being smoother and less sibilant than the XM6, which is impressive.
Another surprise is that the Px7 S3’s bass response nearly rivals that of the XM6, which I find to be the best bass performance under $600. I still lean towards the XM6’s bass impact, quantity, and slam, but the Px7 is no slouch and is actually cleaner overall.
Where I think the XM6 has an advantage is the mids, its 10-band EQ, and “Cinema Mode”. I find the Bowers & Wilkins 5-band EQ to not be as effective, making the XM6 more versatile with the right EQ settings. “Cinema Mode” has been a real joy for consuming media OTHER than music, like movies, TV, podcasts, and YouTube.
The Mids on the XM6 are fuller and have slightly better timbre when it comes to vocals and instruments sounding more realistic.
Overall, this is a closer one than people think, but pure sound quality should go to the Px7 S3.
vs Px8
The Px7 S3 is the exact opposite sound profile to the Px8, and funny enough, is kind of everything I critiqued about the Px8’s sound profile.
So in that sense, this decision should be pretty straightforward hinging upon whether you prefer a more consumer-friendly V-shaped sound signature of the Px7 S3, or the warmer and lusher Px8 that is a bit lacking in the bass and treble, in favor of timbre.
Listening back to back, I actually still find that the Px8 has the same level of technical sound quality, but perhaps the Px7 S3 just has the more favorable tonality for the average listener.
Either way, this one is a bit of a toss-up based on preference and mood. I’d choose the Px7 S3 for modern music, but the Px8 still shines on acoustic, classical, and jazz genres.
vs Px7 S2e
Unlike the Px8, the previous generation Px7 S2e is a lot closer in tonality to the S3.
It’s clear that the Px7 series is aimed more towards consumers, and the S3 leans into that V-shape much more than the S2e.
Funny enough, I think I still prefer the balanced tonality of the Px7 S2e, but the sound quality, bass response, and detail has been improved overall with the S3.
I think Bowers & Wilkins may have “overcorrected” a bit much with the S3, but EQ is able to restore some of that balance. I still prefer the mids on the Px7 S2e, but can’t deny the S3 is an evolution.
Don’t sleep on the Px7 S2e if it’s now on sale and at a discount!
vs Apple AirPods Max
The AirPods Max is probably the closest to the Px7 S3’s sound profile, mid-recessed while focusing more on treble and bass.
The APM is like a brighter and less bass-heavy version of the Px7 S3.
They’re about equal when it comes to separation and layering, but I’m hearing more resolution in the Px7 S3.
For me, the difference maker is moreso the better bass response of the Px7 S3, which has much more sub-bass slam and impact. It can just go deeper than the APM which is more of a mid-bass emphasis.
vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra (with V2 EQ)
The EQ’d Bose QC Ultra is more open-sounding and airy, with arguably better separation and treble detail.
The Px7 S3 is simply a better consumer headphone due to its superior bass, but I personally like how the QC Ultra emphasizes its mids and smooth yet detailed treble.
For audiophiles, this one can be a toss-up, but I think the Px7 S3’s technical sound quality is the more impressive of the two.
But the QC Ultra may be more engaging and exciting, with its fuller and more detailed mids.
vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 (with V2 EQ)
It never ceases to amaze me how the Momentum 4 is still competitive with newer headphones costing almost twice as much.
I actually prefer the more balanced tonality of the Momentum 4 with its EQ, since the Sennheiser app’s EQ is simply more effective than the Bowers & Wilkins app.
That said, the Px7 S3’s technical sound quality and ability is about a half-step above the charming Momentum 4.
The Px7 S3 has more resolution while also having an even more impressive bass response, which is saying something since the Momentum 4’s bass is no slouch itself.
vs Focal Bathys
Here is where the Px7 S3 gets a bit “exposed”, and I think there is a clear step up in sound quality for the Focal Bathys.
Where the Px7 S3 is lacking in the mids, the Bathys is more balanced but simultaneously more musical and engaging over the rather “flat” Px7 S3.
Also, when it comes to soundstage and spacing, the Bathys is undoubtedly wider with more “3D” depth and even clearer separation and layering.
vs Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
To me, the Px7 S3 is like the “Baby H95”, with a similar V-shaped response but not as engaging, lively, or fun as the H95.
The H95 isn’t balanced itself, but it is very resolving in its treble details and has a really captivating sound overall.
They both have very impressive, fun, and “clean” bass response. That one is about tied for me.
The soundstage is wider on the H95, and slightly beats out the Px7 S3 on the audiophile technicalities.
Overall thoughts on sound quality…
Overall, I think the Px7 S3 is now the one to beat in the sub-$600 “midrange” of wireless, over-ear, noise cancelling headphones.
I still find it to be below high-end standouts like the Focal Bathys and Bang & Olufsen H95, but that gap is narrowing.
The Px7 S3 is not perfect, notably due to the mids being a bit lacking and overall sound being not as exciting, lively, or engaging as some others, but it’s technically excellent and a step forward for this class of headphones.
Sound Quality Score: 9.2 out of 10 (after EQ)
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 Comfort
The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 is about average weight 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
- Sony WH-1000XM6 – 252.8 grams
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra – 254.4 grams
- Beats Studio Pro – 268.6 grams
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 – 292.9 grams
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 – 298.3 grams
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e – 305.2 grams
- Sonos Ace – 318.1 grams
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 – 320.1 grams
- Bang & Olufsen H95 – 323 grams
- Focal Bathys – 350 grams
- Apple AirPods Max – 387.8 grams
Bowers and Wilkins shaved about 7 grams off the previous-generation Px7 S2e, which is not really a super noticeable difference.
Like the S2e and Px8, I find the Px7 S3 to be quite comfortable, with plenty of interior earcup space for my ears to be free inside the earcup.
Still, the Px7 S3 is a bit on the heavier side compared to comfort standouts like the new Sony XM6 and Bose QC Ultra, and I can feel a bit of clamping force in the earcups.
I actually prefer the earpad cushions of the previous Bowers & Wilkins models, they seemed to have gotten slightly less supportive and perhaps cheaper.
Also, although the headband has a thicker padding, I’m getting just a slight bit of top-of-head pressure.
Comfort Score: 4.5 out of 5
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling
Features
The Px7 S3 was released in April 2025 and has the typical modern wireless ANC headphone features:
- Multiple built-in microphones for taking calls
- Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless
- Active Noise Cancelling
- Transparency Mode
- Ability to turn either mode OFF
- Companion Smartphone app to customize EQ, settings, and update firmware
- 5-band EQ
- Includes an average-sized premium Hard Shell case
- USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- USB-C to stereo cable
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 Build Quality
Bowers & Wilkins build quality tends to look and feel fairly premium, and the Px7 S3 is solid in this regard.
They feature some metal on the earcups and buttons, leather on the cushions, then plastic for the hinges and this “fabric” material on the exterior headband and outer portion of the earcups.
Overall, pretty good for its price but not as premium as the flagship Px8, AirPods Max, Focal Bathys, or Bang & Olufsen H95.
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 Battery Life
The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 is rated at 30 hours of battery life on a single charge, which is above average in this class. This is unchanged from the Px7 S2e and Px8.
This is more than the AirPods Max at 20 hours, and Bose QC Ultra at 24 hours.
Tied with the Sony XM6, Sony XM5, and Sonos Ace at 30 hours, but overshadowed by the Sennheiser Momentum 4 at a class-leading 60 hours.
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 Noise Cancelling Performance
One welcome surprise to the Px7 S3 is that it has pretty effective active noise cancelling performance, which seems to be slightly improved over the Px8 and Px7 S2e before it.
I think it not only has improved its strength, but is also slightly less intrusive than the previous renditions.
That said, I still get a slight “pressurized” feeling when noise canceling is ON, and it seems to be slightly adjusting while moving/walking.
In this sense, I still prefer the non-intrusive and consistent Sony XM6’s ANC, but they seem to be on par for pure effectiveness alone.
The Transparency Mode (“Pass-Through”) is also very good and sounds close to not wearing headphones at all.
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling Performance Score: 5 out of 5
Value
The Px7 S3 currently retails at $449 USD, and is fairly brand new so the prices are still full retail.
At $449, this competes directly with the equally-new Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and slightly more expensive Apple AirPods Max at $549.
Considering that the Px7 S3 has arguably the best sound quality of this bunch, along with competitive noise cancelling performance and comfort, I think it’s absolutely deserving of its $449 pricetag.
Value Score: 4.0 out of 5
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Sound Quality: 9.2 / 10 (after EQ)
Comfort: 4.5 / 5
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 5 / 5
Value: 4.0 / 5
Total: 22.7 / 25
Is the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 WORTH IT?
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 arrives on the scene looking to not just take part, but take over.
I think the Px7 S3 joins the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra as the strongest all-arounders when it comes to comfort, noise cancelling performance, and sound quality.
Of those 3, the Px7 S3 has the best sound quality, but you may want to look at the QC Ultra for comfort, or the XM6 for pure noise cancelling without any quirks.
For my money, I’d be happy forking over $449 for the Px7 S3, knowing that I’m getting one of the best packages in wireless ANC headphones to date. Bar none.
If you prefer a less “consumer” V-shaped sound, the more mid-range focused Px8 and Px7 S2e are still worth a look, especially if you can find either on sale.
Some very Strong Alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
- Focal Bathys
- Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
- 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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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 🙂
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.
Read Next
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Review
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Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphone Review
Bose QuietComfort Review (2023 Model)
