Spending $399 on headphones is not small, so the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e needs to prove more than brand appeal.
You want rich sound, long comfort, strong battery life, and enough noise control to make work, travel, and daily listening easier.
I have used many premium wireless headphones, and this pair stands out for prioritizing clean audio over flashy software tricks.
This Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e review covers sound, comfort, ANC, battery, app use, design, and value without dressing up weak spots.
You will also see how it compares to Sony, Bose, and the pricier Px8 before spending your money on headphones.
Before judging the final verdict, let us start with what the small e actually changes in everyday use for listeners.
What Does the “e” Actually Mean?
The “e” stands for “evolved,” and the upgrade is real, even though it is easy to miss on a spec sheet.
Bowers and Wilkins kept the same 40mm bio-cellulose drivers from the original Px7 S2 but dropped the 24-bit DSP architecture from the flagship Px8.
Instead of changing the hardware, B&W rebuilt the audio signal processing before it reaches the drivers.
The result is cleaner instrument separation, a wider dynamic range, and noticeably better clarity as volume climbs or a track gets denser.
B&W also slightly retuned the sound signature, tightening the bass without losing the warm, natural character that made the original Px7 S2 worth recommending in the first place.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e: Quick Overview
Before exploring the listening experience, here’s a quick look at the key specifications and features that shape the Px7 S2e.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $399 |
| Drivers | 40mm Bio-cellulose |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Codec Support | aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC, SBC |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hrs (40+ hrs tested) |
| Fast Charging | 15 min = 7 hrs |
| Weight | 307g |
| ANC | Yes |
| Wired Audio | USB-C Digital + 3.5mm |
| Colors | Black, Grey, Green, Blue, Red |
Design and Everyday Comfort
The Px7 S2e carries over the premium build of its predecessor: aluminum earcup caps, a fabric-covered headband, soft synthetic leather, and memory foam earpads wrapped in fabric.
After wearing them through full workdays and a few cross-country flights, the clamping force never crossed into uncomfortable territory, even past the two-hour mark.
At 307g, the weight feels well distributed rather than front-loaded on your ears.
The lineup ships in Anthracite Black, Cloud Grey, Forest Green, Ocean Blue, and Ruby Red, with Forest Green standing out as the most distinctive option on the shelf.
Physical buttons replace touch panels for volume, playback, and a customizable Quick Action button.
I have tested enough touch-control headphones to actively appreciate buttons that do exactly what you press them for, with no accidental skips from brushing an earcup.
The earcups rotate flat for storage in the included hard-shell case, and the box includes a USB-C-to-USB-C cable for charging and digital audio, plus a USB-C-to-3.5 mm cable for wired listening.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is one of the Px7 S2e’s strongest everyday features.
Bowers & Wilkins rates the Px7 S2e at 30 hours with ANC enabled, although independent testing has exceeded 40 hours.
That’s competitive with the Sony WH-1000XM5 and comfortably enough for several days of regular listening.
Fast charging is equally useful. A 15-minute USB-C charge provides up to 7 hours of playback, making it easy to top up before work or travel.
The USB-C port also supports lossless digital audio, allowing you to listen wired without sacrificing sound quality.
If your library leans toward Bluetooth-only sources but you occasionally want a fully lossless chain, pairing the Px7 S2e with a dedicated portable DAC gives you that option without having to replace the headphones.
Sound Quality: Where the Px7 S2e Stands Out
If sound quality is your top priority, this is where the Px7 S2e separates itself from most competitors.
Vocals remain clear, the treble is detailed without becoming harsh, and the angled 40mm drivers create a wider, more spacious soundstage than many closed-back rivals.
Support for aptX Adaptive helps preserve detail when streaming high-resolution audio from services like TIDAL HiFi Plus and Qobuz, while standard-quality streaming still sounds excellent.
Android users get the full benefit of aptX Adaptive, while iPhone users will listen over AAC.
The Px7 S2e still sounds excellent on iOS, but Android users can take greater advantage of its wireless audio capabilities.
The companion app only offers bass and treble controls, with no custom EQ, which may disappoint listeners who enjoy fine-tuning their sound.
For everyone else, B&W’s default tuning is polished enough that extensive adjustments rarely feel necessary.
If you’re comparing sound signatures, Sony wireless headphone alternatives take a software-driven approach, while B&W focuses on driver engineering and natural acoustics.
Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Here is how the Px7 S2e handles noise control and ambient awareness in daily use.
- ANC performance: Six microphones (four for ANC, two for calls) effectively cut down office chatter, HVAC hum, and everyday background noise. For flights or busy public transit, though, Sony’s noise-canceling lineup and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra still hold a clear edge in raw cancellation strength.
- Passive isolation: Even with ANC switched off, the memory foam earpads seal well enough to block a meaningful amount of outside noise in quieter spaces.
- Transparency mode: B&W’s ambient pass-through sounds clean and free of hiss. It is not the most natural-sounding implementation on the market, but it works fine for quick conversations or catching an announcement without removing the headphones.
- Call quality: Voice pickup stays clear, and the microphones cut background noise without making calls sound processed or robotic.
If sound quality matters more to you than having the single strongest ANC on the market, the Px7 S2e remains one of the better premium over-ear options in its range.
B&W Music App and Streaming
The Bowers & Wilkins Music app is clean and easy to use, handling setup, firmware updates, wear detection, and EQ controls.
The app is intentionally simple. Beyond bass and treble adjustments, there are no advanced EQ tools, making it better suited to listeners who prefer B&W’s default tuning.
Wear detection automatically pauses playback when you remove the headphones, and you can adjust its sensitivity to improve reliability.
The app also integrates with Deezer, Qobuz, TIDAL HiFi Plus, and Pandora, while Google Fast Pair makes Android setup quick and seamless.
If you’re also considering wireless earbuds at lower price points, it’s worth comparing how much extra value the Px7 S2e offers in sound quality, comfort, and premium features.
Is the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Worth Buying?
After using the Px7 S2e across commutes, work sessions, and travel, the verdict comes down to what you are optimizing for.
- Buy it if: You want rich, natural sound, premium comfort, and strong battery life more than the absolute best ANC on the market.
- Consider other options if: Your top priority is the strongest possible noise cancellation for flights or loud offices.
- Look elsewhere if: You enjoy deep EQ customization. The B&W app only offers basic bass and treble controls.
- You will appreciate it most if: You value premium materials, physical buttons, and sound that feels refined right out of the box.
If comfort and a gentler learning curve matter more to you than chasing the loudest ANC numbers, the Bose comfort-first approach is worth a side-by-side comparison before you decide.
Conclusion
The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e review comes down to one simple point: these headphones are built for sound first.
You should consider them if you want natural music, premium comfort, long battery life, and physical controls that feel easy to use daily.
I would not call them the best choice for someone who needs class-leading noise cancellation or deep EQ control. At this price range, they make the most sense for listeners who care more about clean detail than extra app tricks.
Before buying, compare them with Sony, Bose, and the Px8 if ANC strength or luxury materials matter more to you.
Would you pick the Px7 S2e for sound quality, or choose another premium headphone instead? Tell us, share with us in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Fold Flat for Travel?
Not completely. The earcups rotate flat for compact storage inside the included hard-shell carrying case, making them easy to pack for travel.
Can I Use the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e with a Wired Connection?
Yes. It supports both USB-C digital audio and 3.5mm analog audio using the included cables, allowing wired listening when needed.
Is the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Worth Buying over the Px8?
For most people, yes. The Px7 S2e shares the Px8’s 24-bit DSP at a much lower price, making it the better value unless you specifically want the Px8’s premium materials and more refined sound.
Does the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Support Multipoint Bluetooth?
No. The Px7 S2e connects to only one device at a time, so you’ll need to disconnect before switching between devices.
