A British Audio Elite Just Gave Its Stunning Headphones a Significant Hi-Fi Upgrade

For the last three years, Bowers & Wilkins has offered two of the best noise-canceling headphones in the Px7 S2 ($399) and Px8 ($699). The two are mostly similar, but the latter features more premium materials (such as aluminum and genuine leather) and more nuanced drivers, which considerably drives the price.

Note: B&W released the Px7 S2e ($399) in late 2023, which are mostly identical to the 2022-released Px7 S2, but features a new digital signal processor (DSP) that promises improved sound.

Fast forward to today, and the heritage British audio maker has released Px7 S3, which are new-and-improved versions of its Px7 S2/S2e. It’s calling them its “most advanced wireless headphone yet.”

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Bowers & Wilkins

New drivers and amp

Sound quality is the most significant improvement with the Px7 S3 over its predecessors. The new models feature 40mm biocellulose drivers that been completely redesigned with an improved chassis, voice coil, suspension and magnet. According to the brand, only the cone material has been carried over from the Px7 S2e.

Most interestingly, the new drivers are powered by a dedicated, discrete headphone amplifier — a first for B&W — which the company claims provides notably “more scale and energy to the sound.”

The Px7 S3 supports aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless for high-quality playback up to 24-bit/96kHz. They also support wired connections; both the necessary 3.5mm and USB-C audio cables are included in the box.

And for the first time in a B&W headphone, the Px7 S3 will support spatial audio, although it won’t be available at launch and will roll out as a software update “later this year.”

Bowers & Wilkins

Greatly improved ANC

The Px7 S3’s active noise-cancellation has been dramatically improved over its predecessors, too, thanks an updated processor and a new eight-microphone array that is carefully positioned around each earcup.

According to the brand, it’s “the most powerful and effective active
noise-cancelling technology that the brand has ever developed.”

This also benefits call quality. The headphones leverage the company’s latest generation of voice processing technology, ADI Pure Voice. According to brand, all eight microphones work with the noise-cancelling and voice-processing technologies “to ensure outstanding call clarity wherever you are.”

Bowers & Wilkins

Snug fit, more comfort

While the Px7 S3 looks quite similar to its predecessors at first glance, B&W has made several design tweaks to improve comfort. The headphones’ redesigned headband and arm mechanism give them a slimmer profile and promise a snugger fit.

The ear cushions have also been updated with improved memory foam, making longer listening sessions just a bit more comfortable. Like their predecessors, the Px7 S3 have physical button controls — there’s no tap or swipe controls — which gives them more of an old-school feel.

The headphones have a 30-hour battery life with active noise-cancellation turned on. When juice is low, a 15-minute charge promises to give them an extra 7 hours of runtime.

Bowers & Wilkins

Price and availability

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 come in three different finishes — Anthracite Black, Indigo Blue and Canvas White — and cost $429. They are available now.

For those potentially interested in an even higher-end version, Bowers & Wilkins has announced that it plans to launch a new flagship model, the Px8 S2, sometime “later this year.”

Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

• $429 at B&W

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