Bowers and Wilkins, the iconic high-end speaker manufacturer, announced its new headphone lineup with new noise-canceling models, the Px7 S2, Px5, PI7, PI5, and PI3. This year, Audio Advice got an early sneak peek of the latest and greatest Px noise-canceling models, and these utilize Qualcomm's aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec, which, promises class-leading, 24-bit/48kHz Bluetooth transmission quality, and low latency.

Px7 S2 Noise-Canceling Headphones

The PX7 S2 is an over-the-ear noise-canceling headphone with all of the latest technology. The previous Px7 Over-Ear Noise-Cancelling headphone was highly successful and quickly became one of the Best Wireless Headphones available after it debuted back in 2019. Every year, the luxury Px7 tops our list of Must-Have Audio Gear for Remote Workers. However, the new Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2 is completely redesigned inside and out. Priced below $500, the new S2 costs less than Apple's highly popular AirPods Max. The S2 is available in a range of colors—including Blue & Gold, Light Gray, and a classic Bowers & Wilkins Black finish for the most understated look. All three are made from premium materials—and the beautiful detailing will make you proud to show them off. The PX7s have a revised custom 40mm full-range driver that beats out the 40mm driver in almost every headphone in this class. Additionally, we found the headphones hold over a 25-hour charge, and the engineers were able to cut the total time to charge to 100% down to just 2 hours! Plus, the S2 gives you 7 hours of charge in just 15-minutes, which is just fantastic! The engineers spent many months perfecting the level of comfort you get to ensure the new S2 remained comfortable for longer. In terms of weight, the Px7 S2 is slightly smaller, which cuts down on materials that add weight on top of your head. The S2 weighs less than 11 ounces, and features upgraded pressure-relieving memory foam that covers plenty of surface area around the ears with thicker, extra soft padding in the ear cushions and soft padding in the headband. The engineers also spent a lot of time designing the earcups chambers to give your ears more room to breathe. The drive units are carefully positioned at an angle inside the earcups to better direct sound into your ear canals—and this creates more depth inside the earcups for ample chamber real estate that helps your ears to stay cooler. The noise-canceling ability is also extremely cutting edge. The S2 has a new microphone pattern comprised of six microphones with four that are used for advanced noise-cancellation and two that are for voice pickup. Just like we did for the Sony WH-1000XM5, we will send all Audio Advice Px7 S2 purchasers our special “Tips & Tricks” video that will guide you on how to best set up the headphones with the app, so you get the most out of your investment.

PX5 Headphones

The second headphone launched is the PX 5 and it’s the little brother to the PX 7. It is $100 less and is the on-ear version of the P line up. It utilizes the same technology as the PX 7, including the advanced noise-canceling, but has a 35mm driver. We found the earcups to actually be extremely comfortable. For people who prefer on-ear headphones and a sleeker look, you will find these to be some of the most comfortable around.

PI Series True Wireless In-Ear Headphones

With True Wireless (TWS) In-Ear Headphones becoming increasingly more popular today, many of these compromise on the sound quality for wireless convenience. However, B&W knew this issue would need to be addressed before they could consider launching a True Wireless in-ear headphone capable of delivering the world-class sound quality and technology the brand is so well-known for.

After an extensive period of research and development, B&W released two True Wireless in-ear headphone models with Active Noise Canceling technology — B&W PI7 and PI5.

Read our full review on the B&W PI7 & PI5 True Wireless In-Ear headphones.

Both models feature Bowers & Wilkins 9.2mm bespoke dynamic drivers for the bass and mid-range frequencies in each earphone, so both will produce an impressive frequency response from 10Hz to 20kHz — but it’s the flagship PI7 that has the high-frequency balanced armature tweeters in each earphone, so you hear more dynamic details hiding in the music — and this makes the 20kHz top-extension really come alive.

Plus, the smart case that comes with the PI7 has a cool trick hiding up its sleeve. When you want to switch to music playing from a laptop or another audio source, the smart case can function as a wireless retransmission device that will transmit high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/48 kHz to your PI7 in-ear headphones.

PI 3 In-Ear Headphones

Finally, B&W has also launched the PI 3 portable in-ear phones. If you like the B&W sound profile and you want something to use for active workouts, we would recommend going with a sweat-resistant option with over-the-ear loops or a neckband design.

The PI3 utilizes a behind-the-head loose cord that connects each earphone. These obviously have the most relaxed look. The primary advancement in these earphones is that B&W included two completely different drivers. Most headphones in the $199 range have one driver but B&W included both a standard dynamic driver and a balanced armature driver for the highs. Rather than using a crossover, there is actually an amplifier dedicated to each driver.

These are a great fit if you are considering an in-ear headphone for highly active workouts where normal in-ears would risk falling out.

If you have questions about these headphones or any audio gear, we are available to help via online chat or on the phone. As mentioned we released a comparison against the Bose Noise Canceling 700 series headphones (the newest version after the Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones). Additionally, we will be providing one of Audio Advice’s exclusive tips and tricks videos for the PX7 and the PI7 In-Ear headphones given the depth of technology in those headphones.