Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs PX7 S2 Review

Bowers & Wilkins' recent excursion into the headphone market has been a fruitful one. With the release of their new PX7 S2, I wanted to see what sets it apart from its predecessor, the PX7. Both have received critical praise and are viewed as solid headphones in their price range. Curiously, despite the S2 being a newer model, both are still priced identically at $399. This begs the question, which is the better purchase?

Look and Feel

In terms of aesthetics, The PX7 and the S2 are both incredibly similar. Both feel very streamlined and comfortable, with solid construction and an identical button layout. The S2 does have the advantage of a slightly smaller and more refined build, but this is a minor advantage. For the most part, the two models are nearly identical and don't have significant aesthetic differences.

Design

Both The PX7 and the S2 feature similar file handling capabilities, such as aptX and 24-bit conversion. The Button control scheme is nearly identical, and the features are similar as well. The main design updates to the S2 come in its tweaked and refined 40mm drivers, which Bowers & Wilkins adjusted to resonate better with the housing. The ANC was also improved on the S2 with the addition of 6 mics. Both have similar batteries, with both having a maximum charge time of 30 hours.

PX7 (left) and PX7 S2 (right)

Bowers & Wilkins App

The most tangible difference between both models is that the S2 is compatible with Bowers & Wilkins' headphone control app, whereas the original PX7 is not. This gives the S2 an advantage with customization, however only with mostly non-essential options. I prefer to use headphones on default settings, rather than adjust the EQ and tamper with the already mixed music, so this is not much of an advantage for me. However, if this is something that you prefer, then the S2 is more suited for you.

Sound Impressions

Unsurprisingly, the S2's upgraded drivers can produce clarity at a higher level than the original PX7. The high range of the S2 is especially clearer. That being said, I found that this resolution brightened the sound compared to the original PX7. In some instances, I preferred the warmer, more mellow tone of the original PX7. Both are great headphones, just with different sound characters. The S2 is more surgical and clear, with the high range becoming much more of a presence. The original PX7 is more subdued and warm, making it more of a relaxing listening experience, even if it sacrifices some quality.

Overall

So, which is better? It's a complicated answer. In terms of design and features, the S2 is an objective improvement over its predecessor. Objectivity ends when you get to the sound character. The original's sound character is a different niche than the S2. Both have their merits, and I'd encourage testing both if you have access. Either way, the differences between the two don't detract from the fact that both are fantastic pairs of headphones that will last you a long time without worry. I'm excited to see how Bowers & Wilkins will improve on this design.

You can buy the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 here

You can buy the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 here