Hardwired
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In Hardwired, AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda delves into all issues {hardware}, together with telephones, audio merchandise, storage servers, and networking gear.
I’ve a variety of headphones; I exploit the Audeze MM-500 at my desk, however that is principally to attend conferences or tune into product briefings. The remainder of the time, I alternate between a slew of over-ear headphones, together with the Meze 99 Classics, Fiio FT7, Dan Clark Aeon X, and the Focal Elex.
However that does not stop the Px8 S2 from being unbelievably good, and that is evident from the second I began utilizing the headphones. A few of that has to do with the design; I am utilizing the Heat Stone mannequin, and it seems beautiful due to an aluminum physique interlaced with leather-based. The design and construct high quality on supply right here makes the Bose QC Extremely Gen 2 look positively mundane.
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It isn’t all concerning the design both, because the Px8 S2 are as snug as they’re trendy. I am no stranger to cumbersome headsets — having used Audeze’s merchandise for just a few years now — however the Px8 S2 are comparatively lighter at 310g. They’re simply 50g heavier than the Bose QC Extremely Gen 2, and the added heft is not noticeable in any respect due to the load distribution. I had no points getting a great match, and the leather-based ear cushions are supremely snug, and so they’re simply pretty much as good to put on even with prolonged use. The consolation and design makes the Px8 S2 an awesome selection whereas touring, and I used the headphones on over a half-dozen flights in 2026.
However the principle cause I used the Px8 S2 over all the opposite headphones I’ve available is the sound high quality. Bowers & Wilkins used customized 40mm drivers and a 24-bit DSP, and the sound tuning is spectacular; you get a impartial sound just like Bose, however with a touch of heat that offers the headphones higher musicality. That makes an enormous distinction in every day listening periods and whereas touring; B&W calls these reference high quality, and I agree — they’re the best-sounding among the many present technology of Bluetooth headphones.
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One other optimistic is the inclusion of AptX Lossless and AptX Adaptive; with most high-end Android telephones — just like the Vivo X300 Professional, Discover X9 Professional, and Xiaomi 17 Extremely — together with AptX codecs as commonplace, it is simply nice to make use of a headset that unlocks the complete potential of high-res audio. This undoubtedly makes a distinction whereas utilizing Roon to stream my music library.
Whereas there is not any doubt that the Px8 S2 have one of the best sound, I am going to admit that the ANC is not pretty much as good as my Bose headset. It nonetheless does an admirable job at chopping out ambient sounds, but it surely is not fairly as efficient, nor does it prolong to as excessive a frequency vary because the Extremely Gen 2 headset. That stated, it’s greater than ample if you happen to’re taking a long-haul flight or simply sitting in a restaurant.
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There is not a lot in the way in which of customizability, however the default sound signature is sweet sufficient that I did not should tweak the EQ. That stated, if you must regulate the stability of the sound, there is a five-band EQ obtainable within the cell app, together with the flexibility to vary different settings.
I am not a fan of gesture controls on Bluetooth headsets (they’re at all times finicky), and I am glad B&W added bodily buttons on the Px8 S2. There is a multi-function button on the suitable that permits you to change music playback, devoted quantity controls, and a button on the left that permits passthrough mode. Like most Bluetooth merchandise, the Px8 S2’s put on detection mechanically pauses music if you take the headphones off.
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The Px8 S2 get all the opposite extras I would like in a Bluetooth headset, together with quick pairing and multi-device connectivity. Truthfully, the mix of design and sound high quality was sufficient to get me to make use of these as my every day driver, and the addition of high-res codecs and bodily controls is simply the icing on the cake. And after six months of normal use, I do not actually wish to swap to some other headphones.
Clearly, the associated fee is prohibitive — as is the case with most Bowers & Wilkins merchandise — however if you happen to want a pair of luxurious headphones with unmatched sound high quality and a design that is assured to show heads, you need to think about upgrading.
With a trendy design and elegant sound, the Px8 S2 stand out in a crowded class.
