Px8 S2 in test
How much quality do the new headphones from Bowers & Wilkins offer?
The new Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is considered a high-quality over-ear headphone variant. That star testing whether the price of more than 700 euros is worth it.
If you want quality, you have to pay for it: that’s actually normal. However, it is not uncommon for low-cost devices to provide convincing results, while some high-priced brands may disappoint in tests and comparisons. The new one Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is in the upper price segment when it comes to over-ear headphones: the latest model costs around 700 euros. But is it worth the price? That star tested the Px8 S2.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 on test
First impression
When you open the box, you immediately notice the amazing quality: The sleek earcups and headband padding are covered in elegant nappa leather. The combination of beige and silver looks very elegant and every component is of high quality. The ear cup pads are soft and very comfortable to touch and wear. It doesn’t look boring: on the headphone bracket aluminum The cables that blend into the textile are visible. Interesting detail. Minor downside: The Px8 S2 doesn’t fold. However, its looks and aesthetics get full marks and are worth the price.
The Px8 S2 does not offer a jack socket. It has one USB-C inputwhich allows the B&W Px8 S2 to work even without a Bluetooth connection Music played. The delivery scope includes a stylish hard case, a USB-C cable, and a USB-C to jack cable. Flashy: Even high-quality cases are more of an accessory and status symbol than a functional accessory. Every part of the new Bowers & Wilkins headphones is impressive.
The look is just right: the headphones come in a stylish case © Mareike Fangmann / stern
However, just looking is not enough, as this new flagship model must also be able to be worn and heard. And the over-ear headphones tested met at least the first criterion: the earcups were very comfortable and covered when you wore them. They have a pleasant contact pressure. The slightly higher weight of 300 grams was not noticeable during use and did not bother testers even when worn for long periods. On the contrary: weight and comfort are proof of high quality.
Handling
So far so good. But is the sound quality on the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 as good as it looks on the outside? In star-Test shows: yes. Compared with some other over-ear headphones, the test model produced high-pitched sounds, not bass, when you first put them on. This means the music sounds clear and the bass is not unpleasant to the ear, even at higher volumes. The lows, mids, and highs are clearly defined and the music sounds three-dimensional and balanced. There are a total of eight microphones installed, which certainly helps. Dan: That’s how it is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) responsive and works well. Good: This function can be disabled easily. It is especially recommended for those who prefer a special sound quality but do not want to enjoy music as if they were in a tunnel.
As far as operation is concerned, it is not completely intuitive, but it is quite easy to understand. There are three buttons on the right earcup: two for volume and one multifunction button. It pauses or starts playback and is responsible for the order of songs, so you can use it to go forward or backward in the playlist. To do this, you must press it once, twice or three times in a row. On the left side of the Px8 S2 there is a slide button for turning it on and off as well as for pairing mode. There’s also another button there to switch between the two ANC-Switch modes.
Over-ear headphones can also be operated via an app. It works smoothly and offers all the options a product in this price range should offer. Various streaming services can be integrated into the app and music can be played directly through them. There weren’t any issues on Android smartphones either.
In conclusion
In the test, the previous model was not consulted and compared with its successor. That Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 tested and evaluated separately. We hardly noticed any flaws: accessories, materials and workmanship quality are all very high Battery life (about 30 hours) and pleasant sound make these over-ear headphones from the high-end segment an ideal companion in everyday life. The model does not lack anything and can be easily worn for a long time without causing any discomfort.
But luxury models also come at a price. If you’re willing to invest in these, you’ll also get headphones that are worth looking at and listening to and are much more stylish than many other models on the market. Absolute purchase recommendation, especially for design fans. And: The price of 729 euros is not always quoted. You can often find new models at discounted prices – especially if you buy them during sales periods like Black Friday.
By the way: The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 also won the test in Kaufkosmos’ big test of over-ear headphones. You can find the entire test here:
Alternative to Px8 S2
On the other hand, if you are not ready to dig deeper into your pockets and want to accept a compromise, you can also use the following solid over-ear headphones.
1. Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1
The Pioneer DJ offers a very cheap but definitely worthwhile alternative to high-end models like those from Bowers & Wilkins. With HDJ-CUE1 The brand, which primarily has DJ needs in its portfolio, sells high-quality and affordable over-ear headphones. They offer complete music details, whether you are DJing or listening to your favorite songs. Thanks to the dynamic drivers, you can feel the bass and enjoy mid and high tones with crystal clarity. The headphones are described as stable and comfortable. With earcups that can be rotated 90 degrees and a flexible, padded headband, it is said to be comfortable to wear.
Plus: The cable and ear tips are interchangeable with accessories in five different colors. The separately available HC-CP08 accessory pack is available in orange, yellow, green, blue, and pink. According to buyer reviews, the price-performance ratio is good and these headphones are reliable and recommended.
2. Soundcore by Anker
The headphones from Anker also offer a very reasonable price-performance ratio. That Core sound model effective offer Medium and high frequency soundproofing with high soundproofing. According to the manufacturer, the headphones also perform automatic calibration to ensure optimal noise cancellation.
The special advantage of this model is that it offers 40 hours of playtime with ANC and 55 hours of continuous music playback without ANC. Apart from that, the anchor model has a slim design and is claimed to be comfortable to wear. Not only are buyers satisfied with online reviews, our testers also liked the model star-Over-ear headphones test highlighted as a purchase recommendation.
3. EarFun Tune Pro
Another alternative model that impresses with its sound quality, value for money and comfort of use is EarFun Tune Pro. Buyers describe the sound as good, with rich bass and clear mids. Noise cancellation as well as battery life and functionality are also highlighted positively.
