Bowers & Wilkins introduces the PX8, a luxurious alternative to its already expensive PX7 S2 headphones

Bowers & Wilkins didn’t have just one headset in its drawer when the PX7 S2 was announced in the summer. The English hi-fi brand is doing it again and this time unveiling the PX8, a model that acts as a real showcase. To read the specifics, this PX8 does not completely reverse the bases established by its little brother. The main novelties come down to the speakers and the finishes of the helmet.

Regarding this first point, the PX8 accommodates new 43.6 mm carbon dome speakers, a design that can also be found in the new line of 700 Series 3 hi-fi speakers, which has just been launched. be disclosed by B&W. They would offer increased responsiveness and therefore an even more detailed sound than that offered by the PX7 S2, which would be good news for the low frequency response, in particular.

On the design side, the PX8 goes to a finish that wants to be a little more “luxurious” (but fundamentally less ethical…) with the induction of leather pieces instead of the mesh fabric coverings present on the PX7 S2. The shiny metal edging passes directly over the part of the headset closest to the hinge, like the old references of the English manufacturer. Otherwise, nothing seems to have changed in terms of usability and functionality. The headset still has a system of six microphones for calls and active noise reduction, and it can be used wirelessly via Bluetooth and wired via mini-jack or USB.

The companion app is still there, but B&W took the opportunity to introduce a new feature promised a few months ago: the native integration of the Deezer, Qobuz and Tidal streaming services to search for songs and stream them directly via the interface. from the B&W Music app. This functionality is obviously accessible to the last two references of helmets marketed by the manufacturer.

Its small novelties are paying a high price since the PX8 is sold at a high price of €699, or €270 more than the PX7 S2. Let’s hope that with this price difference, the improvements made prove to be much more upsetting than they appear to be on paper.