Bowers & Wilkins Bluetooth Battle: Px8 S2 vs. Px8 Comparison

With the release of the new Px8 S2, it's time to start debating an upgrade. Lovers of the Bowers & Wilkins original Px8 already have a taste of high-quality audio. But is the new Px8 S2 another step up? Are you missing out if you choose to stay with the slightly cheaper original, or is the new version worth the extra money? Today, we compare the Px8 and the Px8 S2 to see which one is right for you. 

Looking at the physical design of these, you might not think there is any difference between the new and old versions of the Px8. You'll see that the ear cups stay relatively the same size,  and the physical material is also the same. One difference comes in the button placement. The Px8 has larger buttons that are more noticeable on the side, where the Px8 S2's controlled are more hidden on the grooves of the ear cups. This design choice does come with a learning curve, but it easy to adjust to with time and practice. 

The wear style and fit is essentially the same on these two headphones. I found the Px8 S2 to sit a little straight on the head, while the Px8 was a bit curved to sit further back on your head. Other than that, the fit was identical and had equally strong clamping force to stay securely on your head. 

Functionality on the Px8 and the Px8 S2 remain identical. The Px8 S2 is equipped with a higher version of Bluetooth than the original, though both still have wired connection via USB-C if you want a straight wired connection. You have the same buttons and controls on each model, though as mentioned earlier, their placement and style changed slightly for an updated sleek aesthetic. 

Bowers & Wilkins doesn't distract with many features for their headphones. The natural tuning and expertly crafted sound signatures speak for themselves so you don't have to do much additional customization out of the box. Both the Px8 and the Px8 S2 are able to be paired with the Bowers & Wilkins companion app, and you have an opportunity to adjust the EQ on both. In the new version, you are given a 5-band EQ to play with for better sound adjustment. The original only gives you two bands - bass and treble - to adjust to find your optimal sound profile. 

Another common trait between these headphones is the noise cancellation. Both come with ANC that you can adjust with the click of a button. You can turn it on, off, or put them in ambient mode. I found that the noise cancellation is stronger in the Px8 S2, and it's louder response helps immerse you in your listening with ease. 

Bowers & Wilkins has made two headphones that truly cater to the developing audiophile ear. The original Px8 stands as a perfect introduction to audiophile listening, with punchy detail but laid-back presentation as to not overwhelm. The Px8 S2 builds on top of that with more detail, clarity, loud presentation and dynamic tuning. Both of these headphones sit at a high price range, but they are well worth the audio experience at the end of the dollar sign. With wireless features and active noise cancellation, these two Bowers & Wilkins headphones impress every ear they come against.

That makes our next question difficult: which do you choose? For people looking for an easy introduction into high-quality listening, the more relaxed Px8 may be the right choice. If you're looking to upgrade from a different brand and want something to keep your attention, the newest Px8 S2 is an excellent choice. Listening to the two side-by-side is strongly recommended, as your ear is the best judge to your preferences. 

You can get the Px8 and Px8 S2 at Audio46.