The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 offer a combination of terrific sound quality, a stylish appearance, good comfort levels, and excellent wireless performance and call quality. Key features include aptX Lossless Bluetooth for high-quality streaming over Bluetooth (with Android devices), re-engineered drive units with a dedicated amplifier, and an 8-microphone array for ANC and calls. The Px7 S3 represent a new proposition compared to previous models, even while maintaining a similar style. The design has received an overhaul, though it may not be immediately noticeable. Changes include a revised headband, which is bigger and wider to accommodate more heads, and repositioned buttons on the earcups. The playback button is now smaller and the power/Bluetooth pairing button has moved from the right to the left earcup for easier location.
Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.3, supporting multiple audio profiles including aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC. The highest quality sound and an adapting connection can be achieved using the aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive profiles. Additionally, Bluetooth LE Audio was added via an update, making these the first B&W headphones to feature Auracast, allowing instant connection to compatible public devices. The Music app has been updated with an ‘Advanced EQ’ option, allowing users to alter lows, mids, and highs using sliders, in addition to the traditional Bowers’ True Sound option. Users can also customize the Quick Action button to switch between Environment Control (noise cancellation) or enabling the device’s voice assistant. The Px7 S3 maintain the previous battery life, offering 30 hours in total. The device also includes a wear sensor with three sensitivity levels (low, normal, high) and built-in support for voice control.
In terms of audio improvements, the Px7 S3 feature eight repositioned microphones, with two measuring the outside of each drive unit, four monitoring ambient noise, and two dedicated to enhancing voice clarity for calls. The most significant hardware change is the introduction of drive units that feature a dedicated amplifier for the first time in a B&W headphone model. These new drive units are engineered to produce greater dynamics while generating less distortion, exceeding the capabilities of the Px7 S2e. The improved sound quality is noticeable through a wider and more expansive soundstage and enhanced energy. Bass delivers more presence and punch compared to the Px7 S2e, while the soundstage appears slightly more immersive, and the unit conveys more detail. Reviewers state that these are the best-sounding headphones from Bowers & Wilkins to date.
However, despite the improvements, the reviewer notes that the noise-cancellation performance does not show a significant step up from the Px7 S2e. In terms of noise-cancelling performance, the review suggests that competitors like Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Sony WH-1000XM6 (or WH-1000XM5) would be better choices. Nevertheless, the Px7 S3 still offer excellent call quality, terrific wireless performance, and good battery life, alongside a stylish appearance. The current review concludes that for sound quality, no better wireless pair can currently be found.
Source: Trusted Reviews