John Darko
Bowers & Wilkins has once again overhauled its Px7 on/over-ear Bluetooth headphones. This brings them to S3 status. Let us count the ways…
The S3 version is reportedly the slimmest Px7 to date:
“Px7 S3’s all-new design and profile has been carefully engineered for comfortable, extended listening, with a notably slimmer form than previous models – even the new carry case is more compact and easier to fit into your bag.”
The UK company has redesigned the headband and arm mechanism and improved the memory foam quality used in the earpads.
The headphone driver inside each earcup has also been redone for “lower colouration and distortion” and better resolution and dynamics:
“The 40mm biocellulose drive units feature a redesigned and improved chassis, voice coil, suspension and magnet, with only the cone material itself carrying over from the previous generation of headphones.”
The press release also tells us that the S3’s drivers are powered (for the first time) by a dedicated discrete headphone amplifier that reportedly lends music “more scale and energy”.
Also new is aptX Lossless support, which, as we saw last year, is 1) Android-only (iPhone users need not apply) and 2) functions as the uppermost layer of the aptX Adaptive codec. That means aptX Lossless is only activated when the signal between the headphone and smartphone is strong enough. Furthermore, the Android smartphone must explicitly support aptX Lossless, and at the time of writing, that means only a handful of models — Samsung and Google are MIA.
Whilst we’re deep in the weeds on Bluetooth audio codecs, no Bluetooth headphone connection on the planet presently supports the lossless transmission of hi-res audio. Our hi-res files will play, but not before some data has been discarded. Whether or not we hear the lossy re-encoding is another matter.
A more reliable and phone-independent way to get lossless (hi-res) audio into the Px7 S3 is with a USB-C cable. 3.5mm analogue connections are also supported.
Returning to more normie-relevant features, the active noise cancellation circuit in the S3 has also been given a makeover:
“Using a proprietary Bowers & Wilkins-developed platform, Px7 S3 features eight high-performance microphones, carefully located around the periphery of each ear cup and working together to deliver the best results. Two of them measure the output of each drive unit, four – positioned at opposite ends of each earcup to ensure the best possible coverage – monitor ambient noise from the outside world, and two more provide outstanding voice clarity. Careful positioning and angling of those microphones enhances performance even in the noisiest environments. When making calls, unwanted noise is effectively suppressed by the latest generation of voice processing technology, ADI Pure Voice. All eight microphones work in conjunction with the noise cancelling and voice-processing technologies to ensure outstanding call clarity wherever you are.”
What else? Battery life between charges has been lifted to 30 hours with a 15-minute recharge netting 7 hours of playback; and the physical controls on the back of each earcup have been rearranged:
“The revised button layout, which reshapes the volume up, volume down and play/pause buttons to improve their tactile interaction and also relocates the power button to the left-hand earcup, is more intuitive to use than ever. The Quick Action button allows users to either quickly cycle through the Px7 S3’s noise-cancelling options – Off, Pass-Through and On – or seamlessly launch their phone’s Voice Assistant at the touch of a button.”
Later this year, the Bowers & Wilkins’ Music app, which handles headphone setup and control, will update the Px7 S3’s firmware to add support for Spatial Audio and Bluetooth LE.
Price? £379, US$429 or €429. Your choice of Anthracite Black, Indigo Blue and Canvas White finishes.
An S3 version of the over-ear PX8 is due later this year.
Further information: Bowers & Wilkins
