Headphones — B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) Px7 S3

The Px7 S3 is the third generation of Bowers & Wilkins' wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphone, succeeding the Px7 S2e with a fully re-engineered acoustic platform. It is the first Bowers & Wilkins over-ear model to use discrete headphone amplifiers separate from the Bluetooth chip, and its slimmer earcups and more compact carry case make it noticeably easier to travel with than its predecessor.

Key specs that matter

Each earcup carries a newly designed 40mm dynamic driver with a bio-cellulose diaphragm, built around a new chassis, voice coil, suspension and magnet. Bluetooth 5.3 supports aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive at 24-bit/96kHz, aptX HD, AAC and SBC, with multipoint pairing for two devices at once. Active noise cancellation runs on an eight-microphone array, with two further microphones reserved for call clarity. Battery life is 30 hours with noise cancelling engaged, and a 15-minute charge adds around 7 hours of playback. Weight is 300g and impedance is 32 ohms.

Engineering and use context

Separating amplification from the Bluetooth system-on-chip is the key engineering change in this generation - the chip handles decoding and processing, while dedicated amplifier stages drive the new transducers, lowering distortion and coloration at the source. The drivers are angled slightly inside the earcups so the distance between diaphragm and ear stays consistent across the whole surface, a Px7 design principle aimed at stable stereo imaging. Internal DSP runs at 24-bit/96kHz, matching the resolution of aptX Adaptive. Ergonomics also moved forward, with slimmer earcups, memory foam pads and earcups that swivel flat into the supplied case. Earpads and headband can be replaced through the brand's service department, extending the working life of the headphone well beyond the battery's first years. Firmware updates were planned to add spatial audio and Bluetooth LE Audio support.

Pairing

The Px7 S3 connects directly to any Bluetooth phone, tablet or computer, and Android devices with aptX Lossless support make full use of its wireless resolution. For desktop listening, the USB-C digital connection bypasses the Bluetooth codec entirely and feeds the internal DAC and amplifiers directly. A USB-C to 3.5mm cable is supplied for analogue sources such as in-flight entertainment systems, since the headphone has no analogue jack of its own.

Alternatives

Bowers & Wilkins' own Px8 sits above the Px7 S3 with leather-trimmed materials and a larger carbon-cone driver, for buyers wanting the brand's flagship wireless model.