Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless Headphones

Design

The Px8 is similar in appearance to its previous model, the Px7, but the newer model has several improvements that make it different from its predecessor. Bowers & Wilkins made changes to the materials and construction to give the Px8 a more premium look and feel.

The headband and earcups of the Px8 are covered with soft leather instead of the woven fabric used on the Px7. The company’s logo is surrounded by metal rather than the plastic used on the previous model. The headband arc and earcups also have a cast-aluminum frame.

This combination of leather, aluminum, and metal details gives the Px8 a premium appearance and a solid feel when you hold it.

Comfortable Headphones

Comfort really affects the quality of headphones. Good comfort provides a more enjoyable listening experience, especially when headphones are used for several hours.

There are different types of headphone designs, such as on-ear and over-ear headphones. Over-ear earcups stay around the ears while the headband rests over the head. Another type is in-ear headphones, which are inserted directly into the ears without a headband.

Whatever the design, comfort cannot be ignored. Some headphones cause pain or pressure around the head and ears, which can make long listening sessions difficult.

The Px8 is one of the more comfortable headphones because of the Nappa leather used on the headband and earcups. The earcups are softer than those on the Px7 and provide a comfortable feel around the ears.

The clamping force is not excessive, although users with larger heads may feel some pressure. The earcups can be adjusted to provide a better fit. Because of its comfortable materials and over-ear design, the Px8 can be used for long listening sessions.

Portable Headphones

The Px8 is an over-ear headphone, so it cannot be as portable as smaller on-ear headphones or earbuds. Its size can be a concern for users who want something compact and easy to carry.

However, the earcups can be folded flat, making the headphones easier to carry. The included case also helps protect them while traveling.

The Px8 is not the most compact headphone, but its folding design and protective case make it practical for travel and everyday use.

Build Quality

Build quality is closely related to the durability of headphones. If headphones are made from poor-quality materials, their sturdiness and durability may not be very good. Headphones can be made from materials such as metal, aluminum, and plastic, and the quality of those materials can affect how long they last.

The build quality of the Px8 is excellent. The Nappa leather, cast aluminum, and metal details around the company’s logo contribute to its premium construction. These materials give the headphones a strong and solid feel.

However, good build quality does not mean the headphones cannot be damaged. A serious drop or impact can still damage the Px8, so it should be handled with care.

Battery Life

Battery life is also an important feature of wireless headphones. Your choice of headphones depends on many qualities, but battery life should not be ignored, especially if you use your headphones while traveling or away from a charger.

Bowers & Wilkins has been providing headphones with good battery life, and the Px8 also performs well in this area. After a full charge, the Px8 provides up to 30 hours of playback.

The headphones can also provide up to 7 hours of playback after a 15-minute charge. This quick-charging feature is useful when you need additional listening time but do not have enough time to fully charge the headphones.

The Px8 can also be used with an analog cable and through USB-C, giving users wired listening options when they do not want to rely on Bluetooth.

Call Quality

The call quality of the Px8 is also good. Its microphone system helps reduce some surrounding noise and allows the user to focus on the conversation.

The voice clarity is generally good, although it may not sound as clear and detailed in a noisy environment as it does in a quiet one.

For regular phone calls and everyday voice communication, the Px8 provides good microphone performance.

Sound Quality

Sound quality is one of the most important factors to consider when buying headphones. Headphones with detailed, immersive, and natural sound can provide a much more enjoyable listening experience.

The Px8 has a companion app that can be used to adjust the sound according to your preferences. You can also notice some differences in the sound when ANC is turned on or off.

Music can sound more bass-heavy when ANC is turned on, while it sounds less bass-heavy when ANC is turned off. The Px8 generally delivers detailed and engaging sound, making it suitable for listeners who enjoy a fuller and more powerful sound.

However, listeners who prefer a very neutral sound signature may find the Px8’s sound more bass-focused.

Noise Isolation

ANC stands for active noise cancellation. It helps reduce ambient noise so that less outside sound reaches the listener. This can be particularly useful when traveling, commuting, or listening to music in places with background noise.

Some headphones are open-back, while others are closed-back. Open-back headphones allow more outside sound to pass through the earcups, while closed-back headphones provide greater physical isolation.

However, a closed-back design does not automatically mean that headphones have ANC.

The Px8 has active noise cancellation, and its performance is good. However, it is not as powerful as the ANC found on some competing headphones, including certain Bose QuietComfort models.

The ANC feature can be turned on or off depending on your needs. When ANC is enabled, it reduces surrounding sounds, although voices and other nearby sounds may still be audible depending on the environment.

Overall, the ANC performance of the Px8 is good, although users looking specifically for the strongest possible noise cancellation may find better options elsewhere.

Recording Quality

The performance of the microphone also matters when considering headphones for calls and voice communication. A good microphone can make recorded or transmitted speech clearer and easier to understand.

The Px8 has an integrated microphone system that provides good performance for voice communication. Voices can sound natural and clear, particularly in quieter surroundings.

You do not have to worry about the microphone performance for normal calls, meetings, and everyday communication. However, the microphone is designed mainly for communication rather than professional audio recording.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Bluetooth connectivity allows headphones to connect wirelessly to devices such as smartphones, laptops, and computers. The Px8 provides strong Bluetooth connectivity and supports connections with multiple devices.

You can connect your Px8 headphones wirelessly to devices such as your personal computer and smartphone. Its multipoint connectivity allows the headphones to maintain connections with two devices at the same time.

This feature is useful if you regularly switch between your smartphone and computer. The companion app also makes it easier to manage the headphones and their supported settings.

The Px8 also supports wired connections, giving users another option when they do not want to use Bluetooth.