The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 headphones are meticulously reviewed in this in-depth analysis, examining their performance across various key aspects. We delve into the build quality, comfort, microphone performance, active noise cancellation capabilities, sound signature, and additional features like multi-point pairing and connectivity options. Comparisons are drawn against leading competitors such as the Sony WH-1000XM5, AirPods Max, Bose QC Ultra, and others, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses of the PX7 S3 in a detailed, objective manner. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the user experience and overall value proposition of these premium headphones.This detailed assessment covers everything from the premium metal construction and surprisingly lightweight design, to the effectiveness of its noise cancellation in diverse environments. We explore the sound quality, analyzing its V-shaped signature and its performance across various genres of music. Furthermore, we address the microphone clarity in both quiet and noisy settings, and the usability of features like transparency mode and the physical button controls. The final verdict offers a balanced perspective, considering the overall strengths and minor shortcomings to determine if the PX7 S3 truly earns its place among the best noise-canceling headphones on the market.
Pros And Cons
- Exceeds expectations in performance
- Excellent noise-cancelling performance
- High-quality build with generous use of metal
- Lightweight (300g)
- Comfortable for hours of wear
- Flatter profile, doesn't jut out as much
- Good mic pickup in quiet settings
- Strong noise gating in noisy situations
- Better at handling noisy situations than Sennheiser, Cambridge Audio, or Bose
- Good transparency mode, comparable to Sennheiser and better than Cambridge Audio P100
- Enjoyable, crispy sound quality with V-shaped tuning
- Tighter transient response, more texture in vocals and strings
- More instrumental crispness and air in the sound stage
- Loud volume level
- Next-level seamless multi-point pairing
- Snapdragon Sound certified
- Supports APX lossless
- All button controls
- Earcups not roomy, can feel hot and steamy
- Clamping pressure is firm
- Voice sounds loud and muffled in noisy situations, not as clear as Sony XM5 or AirPods Max
- Less effective at cancelling plane rumble compared to AirPods Max (situational)
- Muffling effect in transparency mode, not as transparent as AirPods Max, Bose QC Ultra, or Sony WHXM5
- Only one EQ preset in the app
- USB Type-C audio skips occasionally
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Build Quality and Comfort
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 boasts impressive build quality, generously utilizing metal in its construction. This includes the earcups, buttons, and headband, contributing to a premium feel. Despite the metal, it remains surprisingly lightweight at only 300g, heavier than some competitors but lighter than the AirPods Max.
Comfort is another strong point. While the clamping pressure is on the firmer side, the plush earcups effectively mitigate this, allowing for extended wear without discomfort. I easily wore them for hours without needing a break.
Microphone Performance
In quiet environments, the microphone captures a full and rich sound, producing a clear and natural voice. However, in noisy or windy conditions, while background noise reduction is effective, my voice sounded slightly muffled and less clear compared to the Sony XM5 or AirPods Max.
Despite this, the noise gating effectively reduces background noise in challenging conditions, outperforming the Sennheiser, Cambridge Audio, and Bose headphones in this regard.
Noise Cancellation Performance
The active noise cancellation on the PX7 S3 is truly outstanding, rivaling top contenders like the Bose QC Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM5. It excels at cancelling upper bass and lower mids, and performs exceptionally well across a wider frequency range compared to its competitors.
However, a plane test revealed the AirPods Max was slightly better at reducing the low-frequency drone of a plane engine. The performance seems to vary depending on the type of noise being cancelled.
Sound Quality and Transparency Mode
The PX7 S3 offers a V-shaped sound signature with a crisper vocal signature than many competitors. The transient response is tight, providing more texture and detail in instruments and vocals.
The transparency mode is also impressive, closely matching ambient sound levels, but with some muffling above 3kHz. While not as open as the AirPods Max, Bose QC Ultra or Sony XM5, it's still very effective for everyday conversations.
Additional Features and Overall Assessment
The PX7 S3 supports multi-point pairing, seamlessly switching between devices. It's also Snapdragon Sound certified and supports aptX Lossless. The physical button controls are a welcome change from touch controls, especially when wearing gloves.
However, the USB-C wired connection occasionally experiences audio skipping. The headphones are impressively loud, surpassing others in the test group. While lacking some advanced features like spatial audio found in competitors, the PX7 S3’s exceptional noise cancellation, clarity-focused sound, and premium build make it a strong contender in the market.
Conclusion: Are the B&W PX7 S3 Worth It?
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 headphones offer a compelling combination of excellent noise cancellation, crisp and detailed sound, and premium build quality. While some minor drawbacks exist, like occasional audio skipping via USB-C and the lack of advanced features such as spatial audio, these are outweighed by the overall positive experience.
They are especially recommended for users prioritizing clarity, robust build, comfortable extended wear, and effective noise cancellation. Compared to the other headphones reviewed, the PX7 S3 carves a niche as a fantastic all-rounder, making it a worthy addition to any headphone collection.