The Quest for the Perfect Portable Headphones

For the longest time, I've been searching for a pair of decent portable headphones that could deliver realistic sound. I often found myself commuting with full-sized wired headphones, as the Bluetooth technology just wasn't mature enough to satisfy my audio desires. However, in recent years, several high-end Bluetooth headphones have emerged, catching my attention and offering a glimmer of hope.

Enter Bowers & Wilkins (B&W)

Bowers & Wilkins, a British company with a rich history dating back to 1966, has long been renowned for its high-quality audio equipment. With a dedication to innovation and a passion for creating the best possible listening experience, B&W has been a leader in the audio industry, catering to audiophiles and casual listeners alike. In fact, high-end B&W speakers can often be found in mastering studios for classical music, a testament to their exceptional sound reproduction capabilities.

A Chic and Elegant Choice

About three months ago, I decided to take the plunge and invest in the B&W Px8 headphones, and I've had ample time to explore their features and performance. I opted for the Tan version, which boasts a sophisticated design with cast aluminium arms and fine Nappa leather trim. While the black version looks a bit more generic, the 007 and McLaren special editions are visually appealing but come with a heftier price tag.

The Px8 is designed with ultra-plush ear cups and a hot spot-free headband, making them incredibly comfortable for extended listening sessions. The headphones gently clamp from the sides instead of resting on the head, ensuring an ideal fit.

The included carrying case is stylish, and protective, and features thoughtful touches like a magnetic lid for the cable compartment, making it a great travel companion to the headphones.

Technical Prowess

The Px8 headphones come with an array of technical features, such as hybrid noise cancellation, ambient pass-through, wear-detection sensor, and Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX™ Adaptive. They support multiple Bluetooth codecs, including aptX™ Adaptive, aptX™ HD, aptX™, AAC, and SBC, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices.

The Px8's Bluetooth connectivity is seamless, allowing me to waltz, tango, or just wander around my apartment without any interruptions or cut-offs. Plus, they can be connected to a MacBook via USB for an even richer audio experience.

The Px8's controls are responsive, intuitive, and thankfully, free from sluggish touch buttons. This means you can effortlessly adjust volume, pause, or skip tracks without missing a single tone.

Uninterrupted Classical Music Indulgence

With an impressive battery life of 25-30 hours, the Px8 headphones will keep you immersed in the intricate nuances of your favourite symphonies, concertos, or solo classical guitar performances for days on end. Plus, a quick 15-minute charge provides 7 hours of playback - perfect for when you're on the go.

Impressive Audio Performance with Minor Caveats

The angled Carbon Cone drivers deliver crystal-clear audio with minimal distortion (<0.1% THD at 1 kHz/10mW). While the out-of-the-box tuning is a bit bassy and warm for my taste, a quick adjustment using the companion app gets the sound just right. There is a very slight hint of compression, likely due to the codecs used, but it's not a deal-breaker, and the overall audio quality remains enjoyable and immersive.

Audiophile-level Classical Guitar Experience - Unshackled by Cables

As a classical guitarist, I treasure the authenticity of timbre, and the Px8 headphones rise to the occasion with their remarkable audio reproduction. The nuances of each note, the nails, the strings, the resonance of the wood, and the ambience of the room come together to create a captivating and immersive listening experience - it's like being transported to a private recital.

Although I wouldn't rely on these headphones for mixing purposes (I have my trusted Focal Clear Pro MG and Beyerdynamic DT 880 headphones for that), the Px8 offers an impressive listening experience for classical guitar music, capturing the intricate details without becoming overly analytical or excessively enthusiastic. The most remarkable aspect?

Finally being able to indulge in such exquisite audio quality without the limitations of cables, providing an even more enjoyable and liberating listening experience. That being said, B&W's unique sound signature is truly a standout feature, and I can't help but wish they were still making wired headphones for professional use.

Ultra-plush ear cups and angled Carbon Cone drivers

A Quiet Place

The Px8's noise cancellation works like magic, effectively blocking out the world without compromising sound performance. The passive noise damping is quite decent for street noise, allowing you to still enjoy your music while maintaining some awareness of your surroundings. The active noise cancellation truly shines in environments like the U-Bahn, where background noise is easily dampened. The pass-through option is a nice bonus, although it could sound a bit more natural. I'm looking forward to testing these headphones on flights this summer, anticipating an even more serene and enjoyable in-flight experience.

B&W Px8 vs B&O H9 Gen 3 - A Clear Winner

Bowers 6 Wilkins Px8: A Symphony of Performance, Design, and Comfort

When comparing the B&W Px8 to the B&O H9 Gen 3, the Px8 emerges as the clear winner in terms of comfort, sound realism, and design. For those who have read my review on the H9 (click to read my review), you'll know that I appreciate the sound quality, but they can be quite painful to wear for extended periods. The Px8 not only outperforms the H9 in terms of comfort, allowing for long listening sessions without discomfort but also delivers a more realistic and refined sound experience.

A Playful Conclusion

After spending three enjoyable months with the B&W Px8 headphones, I can confidently say that their impressive technical features, long battery life, and effective noise cancellation make them a top pick for anyone seeking high-quality headphones.. Initially, I got them as a portable device to use outside of the house, but they've become my go-to headphones for casual listening at home when I'm not working on my music. While they do come with a relatively high price tag, if you can manage the expense, the Px8 headphones are a fantastic choice.