TechAudioHeadphonesAre Bowers & Wilkins headphones worth it? I’ve been using B&W PX7 S2 – here’s my verdictThe top-end PX7 S2, the second-gen active noise-cancelling headphones, sound great – but aren’t best in every regardWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechAudioHeadphonesAre Bowers & Wilkins headphones worth it? I’ve been using B&W PX7 S2 – here’s my verdictThe top-end PX7 S2, the second-gen active noise-cancelling headphones, sound great – but aren’t best in every regardWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The top-end PX7 S2, the second-gen active noise-cancelling headphones, sound great – but aren’t best in every regard
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)
(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)
It’s a question asked time and again: are Bowers & Wilkins headphones worth it? It’s no surprise, after all, given the asking price that these cans can reach. I’m currently using theBowers & Wilkins PX7 S2, the hi-fi brand’sbest active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphonesfor 2022, which will set you back £379/$399/AUD$599 for the pleasure of purchase.
Pleasure, however, is something these over-ears are rather accomplished at delivering: the PX7 S2 are really comfortable to wear, very well built, and the sound quality is nothing short of superb for all kinds of genres of music. So colour me impressed, on that basis the PX7 S2 is worth the lofty asking price, easily comparable to the other touted best-in-class options, theSony WH-1000XM5.
However, they’re not infallible. I’m actually sat on a plane flying over the English Channel as I write this, the PX7 S2 adorning my overly tired bonce, whilst I get them to pummel my ears with much-needed tunes after a flight delay of an hour. If, like me, you happen to travel a lot then you might’ve found your best favourite travelling headphones option already – I know I have, and (spoiler alert) it’s not these!
If you want class-leading ANC then, well, that’s when Bowers & Wilkins headphones arenotworth it so much. The PX7 S2, as one example, therefore aren’t great travel headphones. It’s true though: these headphones come in a large carry case that’s impractical, the design isn’t foldable, and most crucially of all the ANC isn’t anywhere nearly as strong as the most capable on the market.
Are Bowers & Wilkins headphones worth it? For sound quality, yes!
(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)
(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)
Not that you landed on this article looking specifically for the best travel headphones, of course, but for many it’s an important factor. On this plane, a British Airways A320 Neo, the hiss of the flight noise isn’t cut out nearly as much as it is with my go-toBose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones, for example. And I should know, as someone who often sleeps in headphones on long-haul flights, that myBose QuietComfort 45would be better still.
But think about the knock-on implication that could have on you: I’m not saying everyone is hopping on planes all of the time, that’s just not feasible, but people do travel in all manner of ways. So it you jump on a train or underground service for a common commute, for example, it’s easily as noisy. You still want to cut out the droll of surrounding passengers and other such noises, which I’d lean towards theSonyWH-1000XM5 to take command of.
All that said, however, are Bowers & Wilkins headphones worth it for their sound and build quality? I won’t even hesitate here: absolutely, yes. The PX7 S2, in particular, really do sound stellar. That’s what T3’s esteemed reviewer said of these over-ears: that when it comes to out-and-out audio quality that they’re the best at this price point, keeping even Sony at arm’s length.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Nonetheless, you don’t have to spend such lofty sums on your headphones purchase. While I personally think the investment of a good pair of headphones is worth it (a few hundred over five years, say, is a bargain if you use them enough), there are loads ofbest cheap headphonesoptions to consider too. And with many of those T3 Awards winners in 2022, if you’re not obsessed with ANC and can forego some of the build quality, then there are alternative options out there to Bowers & Wilkins' range.
Today’s best Bowers & Wilkins PX7, bowers & wilkins px7 s2, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 dealsBowers & Wilkins PX7$249ViewSee all pricesBowers & Wilkins PX7 S2$399$250ViewSee all pricesSony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all pricesBose 700$599ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Bowers & Wilkins PX7, bowers & wilkins px7 s2, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 dealsBowers & Wilkins PX7$249ViewSee all pricesBowers & Wilkins PX7 S2$399$250ViewSee all pricesSony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all pricesBose 700$599ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Bowers & Wilkins PX7, bowers & wilkins px7 s2, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 dealsBowers & Wilkins PX7$249ViewSee all pricesBowers & Wilkins PX7 S2$399$250ViewSee all pricesSony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all pricesBose 700$599ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Bowers & Wilkins PX7, bowers & wilkins px7 s2, Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 deals
Bowers & Wilkins PX7$249ViewSee all pricesBowers & Wilkins PX7 S2$399$250ViewSee all pricesSony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all pricesBose 700$599ViewSee all prices
Bowers & Wilkins PX7$249ViewSee all prices
Bowers & Wilkins PX7$249ViewSee all prices
Bowers & Wilkins PX7
Bowers & Wilkins PX7
$249View
$249
$249
See all prices
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2$399$250ViewSee all prices
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2$399$250ViewSee all prices
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
$399$250View
$399$250
$250
See all prices
Sony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all prices
Sony WH-1000XM5$399.99$279.95ViewSee all prices
Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony WH-1000XM5
$399.99$279.95View
$399.99$279.95
$279.95
See all prices
Bose 700$599ViewSee all prices
Bose 700$599ViewSee all prices
Bose 700
Bose 700
$599View
$599
$599
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Amazon Prime members are losing one of their long-standing perks this monthYou have until 31 January to take advantage
You have until 31 January to take advantage
Amy Schumer’s Netflix comedy will leave your jaw on the floorOne big taboo gets busted in Kinda Pregnant
One big taboo gets busted in Kinda Pregnant
