Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e Headphones | Best Over Ear Headsets with  Enhanced Noise Cancellation

However, there’s a new version of the Px7 S2. You can buy the Bowers and Wilkins Headphones Px7 S2e at the moment. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e is the new version of the Px7 S2 headphones. They have the exact same design, featuring all the lovely Bowers & Wilkins elements, including the case, which remains unchanged. The accessories are also the same, and they are pretty much the exact same headphones.

But there is one significant difference when it comes to the sound. The firmware in this Bowers & Wilkins Headphones has been upgraded to make them sound better. If you’re wondering what they’ve done, Bowers & Wilkins tells us they’ve taken the learnings from their flagship Px8 wireless headphones, together with a retuned acoustic performance, to deliver the best sound in its class. That is a huge claim, which I am going to dive into in this review.

Here’s a comparison table between the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e and the Sennheiser Momentum 4:

Feature	Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e	Sennheiser Momentum 4
Design	Sleek, stylish with a premium feel; minimalistic branding	Modern, understated design; lightweight and foldable
Comfort	Well-padded earcups; comfortable for extended wear	Cushioned with memory foam; flexible fit for various head sizes
Sound Quality	Bright, detailed sound with a wide soundstage; firmware upgrade	Balanced, natural sound with deep bass and clear mids
Noise Cancelling	Excellent noise cancellation; non-oppressive feel	Advanced ANC with adaptive features
Transparency Mode	Good transparency mode, though not the best in class	Superior transparency mode with more natural sound
Battery Life	Up to 30 hours with quick charge (7 hours in 15 minutes)	Up to 60 hours; best-in-class battery life
Physical Controls	Physical buttons for easy control	Touch controls with customizable gestures
Portability	Includes a sturdy case, non-foldable design	Foldable design; more portable and travel-friendly
Overall Verdict	Luxurious design, superior sound quality, great noise cancelling	Exceptional battery life, portability, and balanced sound
Price	View at Amazon	View at Amazon

Design and Build | Bowers and Wilkins Headphnes Px7 S2e

The Bowers and Wilkins Headphones Px7 S2e is very similar to the Px7 S2. Here, I’m going to share a comparative review of the Px7 S2 and Px7 S2e headphones. Starting with the design, I think the Px7 S2e is a beautiful-looking pair of headphones. I know some people aren’t keen on big brand logos on products, but I think when it comes to Bowers & Wilkins, it’s fair game. If you’re wearing a pair of Bowers and Wilkins headphones, you know what you’re talking about.

When it comes to aesthetics, I think they look super smart. I’m talking about the black version, obviously. I do like the white version as well. There are some other colors you can pick from, but the black version feels very premium. Considering the price—between $200 and $320, which is typical for big-name noise-canceling headphones—I believe the Px7 S2e and Px7 S2 sit a notch above the likes of the 1000XM5s, Bose, and some other competing brands.

Comfort and Feel | Bowers and Wilkins Headphnes Px7 S2e

They are very premium-feeling headphones. They’re also incredibly comfortable; you can wear these for long periods without feeling fatigued. There’s ample padding here, making them a pleasure to use. They also feature physical buttons, which is a significant plus. You don’t have to worry about accidentally tapping controls when putting the headphones on your head, as these have proper physical buttons. Whoever included these on the S2s and continued them on the S2e deserves a raise.

The Bowers and Wilkins Headphones Px7 S2e and Px7 S2 even have the same case, but that’s not a problem because the case is fantastic—sturdy and nice. Inside, it has a magnetic flap where you can store your cables. The battery life is 30 hours, which is more than enough for most users. Additionally, you get 7 hours of playback from just a 15-minute charge. Overall, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e is a very user-friendly pair of headphones.

Noise Cancelling Features | Bowers and Wilkins Headphnes Px7 S2e

When it comes to noise-canceling and transparency, the good news is that we can keep this fairly short because it’s the same as the Bowers and Wilkins Headphones Px7 S2. They excel in noise canceling, just like their predecessor. When you put the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e on, everything goes very quiet, but not in an oppressive way, which is crucial. Some noise-canceling headphones can make you feel enclosed, but that doesn’t happen with the Px7 S2 or Px7 S2e. The world just goes quiet, with next to no hiss. That’s all we want from a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Transparency Mode | Bowers & Wilkins Headphnes Px7 S2e

As for the transparency mode, it’s very good, though not as good as the transparency mode on the AirPods Max. For some reason, Apple seems to have a monopoly on transparency mode. I don’t know why, but no other pair of over-ear noise-canceling headphones comes close. However, these are still very good. Transparency mode allows you to let the outside world in so you can be aware of your surroundings, which is very important for taking telephone calls. I don’t typically use over-ear headphones for calls, but I tested it, and they perform well. The other person can hear me, and I can hear them—it’s fine. But what you probably care about now, and what I definitely care about, is how the Px7 S2e sounds compared to the Bowers & Wilkins Headphones Px7 S2.

Sound Quality of Px7 S2e vs Px7 S2

You’ll notice subtle differences between the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e and Px7 S2. You might notice significant differences, as I did during my test. However, I can’t overemphasize that the Px7 S2s are still very good. That said, the S2e sounds noticeably better. Like the Px7 S2, the Px7 S2e is very bright-sounding, with a wide soundstage, but the sound feels much more controlled. It’s bigger, fuller, and more exciting. It somehow feels heavier and more substantial, which was most obvious during my headphone killer test track. These headphones deliver dynamic range through the chorus, allowing you to judge the soundstage and other aspects. On most headphones, it doesn’t sound great, but the Px7 S2 handles it very well, while the Bowers & Wilkins Headphones, Px7 S2e absolutely nails it. However, it’s still a very enjoyable experience, and for me, that’s the litmus test.

Everything on the Bowers and Wilkins Headphones, Px7 S2e sounds better than on the Px7 S2. There’s just more depth to these headphones. The more I switch between the Px7 S2e and the Px7 S2, the more hollow the S2 sounds, which suggests that the mid-range has been tweaked quite a bit on the S2e. It’s just not as pronounced, and again, it feels more controlled. The S2e sounds closer to the Px8, but you wouldn’t notice that unless you had a pair of Px8, Px7 S2, and Px7 S2e for comparison.

However, you might have one big question: since these are basically the same pair of headphones and the upgrade is software-based, will there be a firmware update for the S2? I asked that question for you, and the answer is, maybe. Bowers & Wilkins is a bit non-committal at the moment, but I’m hopeful that those who own the Px7 S2 will be able to get the same sound on their headphones because it’s a big difference.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Superior Sound Quality: Enhanced firmware delivers a richer, fuller sound with a wider soundstage.
• Premium Design: Elegant and stylish design with a premium feel, especially in the black version.
• Comfortable Fit: Incredibly comfortable, with ample padding, allowing for long listening sessions without fatigue.
• Physical Buttons: Reliable physical buttons that prevent accidental touches and provide better control.
• Excellent Noise Cancelling: Highly effective noise cancellation without the oppressive feeling found in some competitors.
• Good Transparency Mode: While not as good as AirPods Max, the transparency mode is still highly functional.
• Durable Case: The included sturdy and functional case offers great protection and storage options.
• Long Battery Life: Up to 30 hours of battery life with a quick charge feature that provides 7 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge.

Cons

• Price: At $320, it’s on the higher end of the market, which might be a consideration for some buyers.
• Limited Transparency Mode: Not as advanced as competitors like the AirPods Max.
• No Significant Design Changes: The design is nearly identical to the Px7 S2, which may not appeal to those looking for something new.
• Uncertain Firmware Updates for Px7 S2: It’s unclear if Px7 S2 owners will receive a firmware update to match the S2e’s sound improvements.

Final Thought

If you don’t already have a pair of S2s and you’re considering the S2e as your first pair of Bowers & Wilkins headphones, or as an upgrade to an earlier pair, just buy them. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e and Px7 S2 are utterly fantastic for the money. I cannot recommend them highly enough. However, if your budget allows, consider the Px8.