Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 review for those who are wondering whether they are WORTH IT in 2025. I’ll also be comparing the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Px8, Px7 S3, Sony WH-1000XM6, Apple AirPods Max, Sennheiser Momentum 4, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, 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 Px8 S2 review in short
The Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 is an evolution for the wireless ANC headphone class, now offering wired headphone sound quality in a beautiful, luxurious wireless headphone package. The only caveats are its premium price, and the noise cancelling could be improved. Competes very well against original Bowers & Wilkins Px8, Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3, Sony WH-1000XM6, Sennheiser Momentum 4, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Apple AirPods Max, Focal Bathys, and Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95.
Watch the Full Review on YouTube!
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Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 Pros and Cons
- Best in class sound quality
- Premium materials and build quality
- Very good comfort
- Quite expensive
- Noise cancelling can be improved
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Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 Sound Quality
At its $799 USD retail pricetag, the expectations going into my review of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 were as high as ever.
I previously owned and reviewed the original Px8, one of the most polarizing wireless headphones in the market to date.
I myself went from initially disliking the Px8’s opinionated sound profile, to them growing on me over time, to eventually really liking (but not loving) them.
Moving forward to now, my initial impression of the newer Px8 S2 is VASTLY different from the original Px8, in a positive way. Make no mistake, these are an EVOLUTION from the original Px8 in every way possible – especially in terms of sound quality.
To put it bluntly, these sound like the original Px8 in WIRED mode, but even better than that due to superior tuning and more balance.
The Px8 shined in the mids, but fell quite flat in the treble and bass departments.
The Px8 S2 shines EVERYWHERE including the bass, mids, treble, soundstage, detail, and more.
Another improvement over the original is the custom EQ, which has been upgraded to 5-bands like the Px7 S3, instead of just 2-bands like the original. This offers MUCH more versatility and possibilities over the original Px8.
I personally love the stock tuning of the Px8 S2 for genres like rock, metal, classical, and jazz.
But if you want a little more fun, exciting, and consumer-friendly tuning, I’ll share my EQ settings below.
Best Equalizer Settings for Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
“V1” – Mainly for Pop / Hip Hop / Extra Bass
- LO: +4
- LO-MID: -4
- MID: -2
- MID-HI: +4
- HI: +1
Result: Much more consumer-friendly, bass-heavy, and exciting sound for modern music genres. Feels more emotional like listening to live music at a concert instead of sterile studio listening. More sub-bass quantity and better shaping of the bass as a whole. Vocals are more detailed and ethereal to let the bass come through. Touch more airiness in the top end.
Last Updated: 10-6-25
vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
The Px7 S3 is certainly great, but as I pointed out in my review, it really was lacking that midrange warmth and fullness that I have come to expect from Bowers & Wilkins headphones, and where I personally feel the brand shines.
The Px8 S2 fills that midrange void, and then some, with a much more balanced tuning that is SO much more musical and lively to my ear – even stock.
Where the S3 might have an advantage is the deepest sub-bass quantity and slam, possibly due to its bio-cellulose drivers over the carbon drivers of the Px8 S2.
But throw on V1 EQ on the Px8, and it matches up, if not supersedes the Px7 S3 at its own game.
I’ll be blunt here. As an audiophile, the sound quality upgrade from the Px8 S2 is significant over the Px7 S3, and I would personally never reach for the Px7 if they’re both in front of me.
vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Surprisingly, I prefer the tuning of the Px7 S2e over the newer Px7 S3, but can’t deny that the Px7 S3 jumped up to compete with the original Px8 in technical sound quality and ability.
The tuning of the Px7 S2e is closer to the Px8 S2 than the Px7 S3, but simply put, this new Px8 is an evolution from any wireless headphone Bowers & Wilkins has released before.
Px8 S2 is a more complete sound across the frequency range, with upgraded audiophile resolution and detail.
vs Focal Bathys
The Bathys is one of my favorite wireless ANC headphones to date, notably for its sound, since both the comfort and ANC are quite mediocre.
To my surprise, I think the Px8 S2 has just unseated the Bathys as being one of my favorite wireless headphones to listen to, next to the Audeze Maxwell (which is a heavy gaming headset with zero ANC).
Where I hear a difference in sound quality is pushing the volume on both headphones.
The Px8 S2 seems to be able to maintain clarity at higher volumes than the Bathys, which starts to break up when pushed.
The Px8 S2 is almost like listening to the Bathys in its wired USB-DAC mode, which is no easy feat.
If you’re a Bathys owner looking for something new, you have to give the Px8 S2 a try. You won’t regret it.
vs Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
The H95 is one of the few headphones that is more expensive than the Px8 S2, despite being much older.
But unfortunately for the H95, the much newer Px8 S2 pushes the boundaries on what is possible with wireless headphones in 2025.
Don’t get me wrong, the H95 is still a joy to listen to depending on genre (most notably modern music), and may still have superior sub-bass with competitive stereo separation and soundstage.
But everywhere else, I think the Px8 S2 beats the H95, most notably in an excellent midrange with much more realistic and believable timbre for real instruments and vocals.
vs Apple AirPods Max
The Px8 S2 is a clear step up in overall sound quality from the AirPods Max, which has aged surprisingly gracefully 5 years later from its original release.
Out of the box, the APM has the more consumer-friendly tuning with an emphasis on bass and treble detail.
The Px8 S2 is more balanced across the board from the factory.
But as mentioned before, throw on a little EQ on the Px8 S2 and it can be even more consumer-friendly and fun than the APM – while having better mids.
Overall thoughts on sound quality…
I’m not usually one to gush in these reviews, but the Px8 S2 pleasantly surprised me, even after having reviewed well over 30+ wireless ANC headphones at this point.
Simply put, I firmly believe this headphone starts to compete with wired headphones, albeit cheaper than the $799 range of wired headphones, of course.
But as I write this, I can’t believe we’re in a time when true wireless headphones WITH active noise cancelling, and WITHOUT fancy cable and dedicated headphone amp/dac combo can offer a similarly enjoyable listening experience.
(Quick shoutout to the equally-excellent Audeze Maxwell, with its 90mm Planar drivers, but that is a heavy gaming headset WITHOUT any noise cancelling.)
Now is a GREAT time to be a music lover, as the technology is finally catching up.
Sound Quality Score: 9.5 out of 10 (after EQ)
Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 Comfort
The Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 is actually one of the heavier 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
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 – 312.0 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
I find the comfort on the Px8 S2 to be fairly identical to the Px7 S3, original Px8, and Px7 S2e.
All 4 of these Bowers & Wilkins headphones have very similar designs and ergonomics.
The weight is a bit of an issue on these, as the lighter contenders in this class can be 50-60 grams lighter.
So overall, very comfortable but not elite like a Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sonos Ace.
Comfort Score: 4.5 out of 5
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling
Features
The Px8 S2 was released in October 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
- Includes an average-sized premium Hard Shell case
- USB-C to USB-C charging cable
- USB-C to stereo cable
Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 Build Quality
Simply put, the Px8 S2 is arguably the most premium and luxurious headphone we have tested to date.
The scent of the Nappa leather oozes class, and is reminiscent of the “new car smell” of a foreign sportscar.
The shiny aluminum making up the headband and hinges is a noticeable upgrade over the plastic of the Px7 S3.
This is a step up from pretty much any headphone we’ve tested before, aside from maybe the Bang & Olufsen H95 (which costs even more).
Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 Battery Life
The Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 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 original Px8, Px7 S3, Px7 S2e, Sony XM5 and Sonos Ace at 30 hours, but overshadowed by the Sennheiser Momentum 4, Cambridge Audio P100, and Marshall Monitor III at 60+ hours.
Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 Noise Cancelling Performance
Aside from price, noise cancelling performance is one of the weaker aspects of the Px8 S2.
It seems pretty identical to the Px7 S3, which is to say it’s slightly above average, but not elite.
I think its perfectly serviceable for most situations, including flights, but if you truly seek the absolute best ANC out there, you should take a look at the Sony XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, AirPods Max, or Sonos Ace.
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling Performance Score: 4.5 out of 5
Value
Let’s not beat around the bush, $800+ USD after tax is applied is a steep, steep price to pay.
I’m so torn here because I personally think they’re worth every penny due to their unmatched sound quality and premium materials.
But I can’t deny that you can get some very compelling overall packages in late 2025, like the equally-new Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd gen – which has arguably better comfort and noise cancelling.
And if you’re just a casual listener and/or NOT an audiophile, it gets tougher to justify the price difference.
So overall, I’ve got to take away some points here, but if I had it my way, I actually think they’re priced pretty fairly.
Value Score: 3.5 out of 5 (my personal score is a 4.0)
Overall Scoring Breakdown
Sound Quality: 9.5 / 10
Comfort: 4.5 / 5
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 4.5 / 5
Value: 4.0 / 5 (my personal score, otherwise 3.5)
Total: 22 / 25
Is the Bowers and Wilkins Px8 S2 WORTH IT?
As mentioned in the Value section, I personally think the Px8 S2 is worth every penny, even at full retail price.
After having tested easily over 30+ wireless ANC headphones at this point, there isn’t much that surprises me… until now.
I’m not exaggerating when I say we are getting WIRED headphone sound quality in a WIRELESS package, WITH decent active noise cancelling to boot!
The one caveat I will throw in here is, if you’re seeking pure dollar value, or the absolute best ANC, then there are a bevy of options such as the equally-new Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd gen, Sony WH-1000XM6, Cambridge Audio P100, or even Apple AirPods Max.
Of course, the Px7 S3 is worth a look at as well.
But if I had a choice, I’m picking the Px8 S2 over ALL of the above if I could only have one.
Some very Strong Alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- Focal Bathys
- Sony WH-1000XM6
- Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H95
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Apple AirPods Max
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
- 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
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Bose QuietComfort Review (2023 Model)
