We tried Bowers & Wilkins’ up to date Px7 wi-fi headphones

There are such a lot of modifications to the S3 mannequin of the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 that it’s a surprise it wasn’t designated a completely new mannequin. Mechanically, acoustically and electrically, the corporate’s premium wi-fi headphones have been up to date, refined and honed to make them higher than ever earlier than.

The primary change is bodily. The Px7 S3s are slimmer and lighter, designed to suit nearer to the top (with much less of a spot between band and cranium) and with much less distinguished earpads. That has advantages throughout the board, not least in the best way the headphones are packaged within the accompanying carry case, which turns into correspondingly slimmer and simpler to sling into an in a single day bag.

One of many drivers behind the discount in scale was an enormous anthropocentric examine the corporate carried out into headphone match, trying throughout genders and ethnicities to work out the easiest way of accommodating as a lot selection as attainable with out compromising consolation. For the Px7 S3, this additionally meant redesigning the joint between earpad and band.

One other innovation is the best way the noise cancelling and call-taking microphones are actually situated a lot nearer to the ear. Either side now has 4 mics, up from three – two engaged on the noise cancelling algorithms, one for voice cancelling and one listening to the headphone output to adapt the sound relying on what you’re listening to. The corporate makes use of ADI’s Pure Voice software program to deal with calls, while the bodily buttons have been moved and reshaped for simpler and extra intuitive operation.

Fortunately, B&W stays in favour of clickable {hardware} somewhat than the dreaded capacitive items, while the upgrades to the physicality proceed with a replaceable head band along with the renewable earpads, including to the longevity of the headphones. Below the pores and skin, there are new drivers, redesigned particularly to permit for extra dynamics with much less distortion. There’s additionally a devoted on-board headphone amplifier for the primary time, which creates a extra correct sound stage even at low volumes.

All of that is subjective, in fact, and one individual’s listening expertise can differ considerably from one other’s. Elements of contemporary sound processing that some individuals swear by – akin to spatial audio, for instance – are anathema to others. B&W has created their very own model of spatial audio, with three completely different room sizes, though it’s not accessible till later within the 12 months.

No matter your alternative of music and equalisation, the Px7 S3s are amongst the extra comfy headphones we’ve tried in current reminiscence. The resized cans and easy interface make them simple to function, whether or not wirelessly or utilizing the equipped USB-C and three.5mm cables to plug them into legacy audio gamers (mp3 gamers and even the brand new breed of cassette items), and the B&W Music app has been revised so as to add extra sound shaping controls.

In the event you haven’t but taken the plunge into the world of premium wi-fi over-ear headphones, then Bowers & Wilkins has offered an excellent place to begin. Our moveable electronics will not be solely sounding higher however lasting longer as firms realise the worth of holding clients loyal (in addition to fulfilling their authorized obligations). The three colors – Anthracite Black, Canvas White and Indigo Blue – will not be particularly formidable, however the industrial design is prime notch, proper all the way down to the smallest element.

In complete, the Px7 S3s are rated for 30 hours of playback (with full use of noise cancellation) – it takes only a quarter of an hour so as to add adequate cost for a transatlantic flight. Light-weight and supremely comfy, these are the form of headphones you may simply overlook you’re sporting.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, £379 / $429 / €429, BowersWilkins.com, @BowersWilkins