Following our announcement two days ago of the availability of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 headphones in the F1 McLaren Edition finish, several of you alerted us to the lack of information on the standard B&W Px8 S2 on AVcesar. After checking, it turns out we missed its presentation during the manufacturer's announcement… So, let's rectify that immediately.
The Px8 S2 high-end headphones retain most of the specifications of the Px8, with a few notable improvements including a speaker with a new structure (next-generation carbon fiber and redesigned component layout), 8 integrated microphones (compared to 6) for even more effective noise cancellation, Bluetooth APT-X Lossless LE Audio and Auracast functionality (via firmware update), a 5-band equalizer, Spatial Audio compatibility, and a more refined design (slimmer profile). For the rest, there are two microphones dedicated to voice capture, and in terms of design, there's a cast aluminum arm structure with a polished diamond-cut edge on each elliptical logo plate. Earcups and cushions are made of Memory foam and headband are trimmed in Nappa leather. Two finishes are available: black leather or beige leather. Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2, evolution of the acoustic package. Also noteworthy is the audio quality ensured by generous 40mm carbon fiber drivers developed by the team already responsible for the 800 Series Diamond speakers (which equip the Abbey Road Studios). The conical diaphragms are inspired by the carbon dome tweeters used in Bowers & Wilkins' 700 Series speakers, for ultra-fast response and exceptionally low distortion across the entire frequency range. Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2, Bluetooth LE Audio Auracast. Bluetooth 5.2 LE Audio Auracast technology with Hi-Res Audio certification (96 kHz/24-bit) is standard. The APT-X algorithms have been revised to offer superior lossless sound quality compared to APT-X HD, for an audiophile-grade listening experience. Note the USB-C and 3.5 mm analog cable connection, included in the carrying case.
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2, battery life
The battery life is 30 hours, and a fast-charging function allows up to 7 hours of playback with just 15 minutes of charging. Charging is done via a USB-C connector, which can also be used for a wired connection as mentioned above.
Finally, the Bowers & Wilkins Music app offers PX8 S2 users direct access (streaming) to high-resolution content from Amazon services Music, Qobuz, and Tidal to stream music of their choice from the Deezer, Qobuz, and Tidal platforms directly from their mobile device. Available now. Suggested retail price: €729. Key features of the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2: • Type: Closed-back, dynamic, over-ear headphones • Drivers: 40mm full-range diaphragm • Frequency response: 10 Hz–30 kHz • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.1% • Impedance: 33 ohms • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2, Auracast • Supported Bluetooth profiles: A2DP/AVRCP/HFP/HSP; • Codecs: SBC/AAC/APT-X Lossless/APT-X Adaptive; • Certification: Hi-Res Audio; • Features: Ambient Pass-Through and Wear Sensors; • Active Noise Cancellation: Yes, adaptive mode automatically selected based on ambient noise; • Battery Life: 30 hours with active noise cancellation, 7 hours with a 15-minute charge; • Charging Time: 2 hours; • Other: USB-C cables; • Weight: 310 g
