Given that “overreaching” , according to Merriam-Webster, can mean “to rise above or beyond” or “to beat (self) by seeking to do or achieve too much,” obviously context is everything. The fact that its new Px8 wireless over-ear active noise-cancelling headphones represent Bowers & Wilkins’ “overreach” is truly undisputed. It really is essay definition of this overreach is a direct question.
Appreciation met px7 S2 wireless over-ear works noise canceling headphones when Bowers & Wilkins hit the market in the summer of 2022, it was almost universal. Sure we found a lot to both like and admire. So, in what could only be a move of supreme confidence or corporate recklessness, Bowers & Wilkins took the Px7 S2 concept and tried to take it upmarket.
In a flash, these new Px8s can easily outdo their more affordable cousin the Px7 S2. However, take a closer look, and some significant differences become apparent. And then consider the asking price: Px8 suddenly becomes a very different proposition.
Although the Px8 shares the same basic shape as the Px7 S2, the material upgrades result in a headphone looks, feels and — don’t be shy — smells significantly more expensive. This is probably similar, given how much more expensive it actually is.
Px8 is available in several different finishes: black leather, or brown and gray leather. The Nappa leather that the company has specified is soft, elastic and fragrant, and it fitted the memory foam ear cushions and both the inner and outer parts of the headband perfectly.
The arm construction and headband adjustment are made of die-cast aluminum – the look and sensitivity of the metal elements of a pair of over-ear headphones rarely seem out of place. The logo plate on each earcup has a diamond-cut edge, and the Bowers & Wilkins logo itself changes form as the lighting on it changes. They are lightweight at 320 grams and are comfortable to wear for hours on end, even for those of us who want to wear glasses at the same time.
Sometimes, it’s the line between “sophisticated” and “flashy,” but it’s one of Bowers & Wilkins’ moves confidently. Certainly in terms of looks and all-around covetousness, Px8 goes a very long way to making their asking price seem fair enough. Compare these headphones to Mark Levinson’s famous No.5909 wireless headphones (on sale for $999 / £999) and (at least by gallery appeal) the Px8 is at on the streets ahead.
Nice Dream Cones
Photo: Bowers & Wilkins
Given that the active noise cancellation platform fitted to the Px7 S2 is one of the best that doesn’t have the word “Bose” on it somewhere, Bowers & Wilkins’ decision to change it to the Px8 was easy. understand. Some users may be annoyed after having more adjustment possibilities than the Px8 offers (you’re limited to “on”, “off”, or “switch through”), but it seems very few will. annoying after more noise cancellation than these headphones achieve. Certainly drones, as well as passenger drones, are dropped when ANC is on.
