Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Review: Audiophile Excellence in Wireless Form

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 doesn't radically depart from its predecessor's aesthetic, but the subtle refinements make all the difference. Bowers & Wilkins has refined the curves, adopted softer cushions, and slightly reduced the weight to 297g. The result is a headphone that exudes luxury through impeccable finishing and premium material selection.

The brushed metal frame contrasts elegantly with the acoustic fabric surfaces. Available in several colorways—cream white, indigo blue, and anthracite black—the Px7 S3 maintains a sober yet refined appearance, far from the flashy designs of some competitors. This is a headphone that embraces its premium positioning without apology.

The included carrying case is equally impressive, constructed from premium materials with dedicated slots for the USB-C and 3.5mm cables. Every aspect of the unboxing experience communicates quality and attention to detail.

Beyond aesthetics, comfort has clearly improved. The new memory foam cushions offer better pressure distribution and enable long listening sessions without discomfort. The headband is well-balanced, and the pressure on the temples remains moderate, even for glasses wearers.

The over-ear (circum-aural) design provides excellent passive isolation, complementing the active noise cancellation system. Even without ANC engaged, the Px7 S3 blocks a significant amount of ambient noise through physical isolation alone.

Bowers & Wilkins remains faithful to physical buttons, a choice that will please those who avoid sometimes-finicky touch surfaces. On the right ear cup, you'll find volume controls, play/pause, track navigation, and a dedicated voice assistant button. On the left, a button toggles between ANC, transparency, and off modes.

The physical controls are responsive and well-positioned, though they can be challenging to locate by touch alone during the initial learning period. After a few days of use, muscle memory kicks in and operation becomes second nature.

The Px7 S3 supports Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity for two devices simultaneously—an absolutely essential feature at this price point in 2025. During testing, switching between a smartphone and laptop worked seamlessly, with the headphone intelligently prioritizing audio from the active device.

The standout connectivity feature is aptX Adaptive codec support. This Qualcomm technology adjusts bitrate and latency dynamically based on content and connection quality, providing superior audio quality compared to standard SBC and AAC codecs. Android users with compatible devices will notice the difference, particularly with high-resolution audio files.

For wired listening, the Px7 S3 includes both USB-C and 3.5mm cables. The USB-C connection delivers digital audio with even cleaner reproduction and enhanced dynamics, approaching what you'd expect from a dedicated hi-fi headphone. The 3.5mm jack provides traditional analog connectivity for maximum compatibility.

The Bowers & Wilkins Music app, available for iOS and Android, accompanies the headphone. It allows customization of certain settings: toggling noise reduction modes, adjusting transparency level, and accessing a 5-band manual equalizer.

The software is clean, fast, and stable during our testing. We simply regret the absence of more advanced functions like ear canal analysis or personalized sound profiles, but the fundamentals are present and work well.

One of the major criticisms leveled at previous generations was active noise cancellation (ANC) that lagged behind market leaders. Good news: Bowers & Wilkins has significantly strengthened its game. The Px7 S3 features six microphones to capture and cancel ambient noise, and the results are finally worthy of the premium positioning.

In noisy environments like public transportation, the headphone effectively attenuates low frequencies and reasonably cuts out surrounding conversations. Admittedly, it doesn't quite rival the Sony WH-1000XM5, still the king in this domain, but the gap has narrowed considerably.

The ANC system handles constant droning sounds exceptionally well—airplane engines, train rumble, HVAC systems. These low-frequency noises are nearly eliminated, creating a peaceful listening environment. Mid-frequency sounds like conversations are reduced but not entirely eliminated, which is typical for most ANC systems.

In transparency mode, the restitution of external sounds is natural, though it lacks some finesse compared to the best implementations. The mode is perfectly serviceable for quick conversations or maintaining awareness of your surroundings, but it doesn't quite match Apple's AirPods Max for spatial accuracy and naturalness.

For hands-free calls, the Px7 S3 delivers solid performance. Voices are clear and well-isolated from ambient noise, though some artifacts can appear in very windy environments. Nothing deal-breaking, but slightly behind the best hands-free kits available.

This is obviously the terrain where the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 intends to make its difference. And it succeeds effortlessly. Equipped with new 40mm transducers developed in-house, the British headphone delivers expansive sound with rare precision for a Bluetooth model. Bowers & Wilkins has refined the acoustic signature of this third generation, and it's immediately audible.

Bass Response: Controlled and Articulate

From the first listens, the Px7 S3 seduces with the overall balance of its reproduction. The bass is deep and well-extended, never falling into excess. Here, there's no bloated low-end to flatter the ear: we're dealing with a hi-fi approach where each kick drum impact retains its clarity and punch without encroaching on the rest of the spectrum.

The headphone proves particularly adept with genres like jazz and funk, where the rhythm section must remain both present and precise. Double bass plucks have weight and texture, electronic bass drops have impact without overwhelming, and acoustic bass drums sound natural and lifelike.

Midrange: The True Star

The midrange frequencies are the genuine star of this sound signature. Vocals are magnificently highlighted—warm and full of nuance. The Px7 S3 reproduces singer tessitura with naturalism, whether it's the gravelly texture of Leonard Cohen or the crystalline clarity of Alison Krauss.

This richness of timbres creates an impression of proximity with the artist, particularly appreciated by lovers of chanson, folk, or refined pop. Acoustic guitars have body and resonance, pianos sound full-bodied and natural, and string instruments have the right blend of warmth and detail.

Treble: Refined Without Harshness

On the treble side, Bowers & Wilkins has found a sweet spot. The high frequencies extend well, bringing brilliance and airiness to the soundstage, but without aggression or sibilance, even at elevated volumes. This is a strong point for listening to classical or orchestral music, where the reproduction of brass and high strings demands finesse and control.

Cymbals have shimmer without harshness, hi-hats cut through the mix without fatigue, and violin harmonics extend naturally. The treble presentation is refined and sophisticated, never drawing attention to itself but providing essential air and sparkle to the overall presentation.

Soundstage and Imaging

The soundstage is also praiseworthy: wide for a closed-back headphone, it offers beautiful aeration and good instrument placement. On live recordings or immersive electronic tracks, the headphone succeeds in creating a genuine sonic bubble around the listener.

The imaging is precise, allowing you to pinpoint individual instruments in the stereo field. While it can't match the expansive soundstage of open-back headphones, the Px7 S3 does remarkably well for a closed-back design, providing enough spatial cues to create an engaging listening experience.

Genre Versatility

While the Px7 S3 shines particularly with demanding genres—jazz, classical, folk, acoustic rock—it doesn't disappoint with more modern productions. Pop and electronic tracks benefit from its well-controlled reproduction, even if some lovers of oversized bass might find it a bit too refined.

For hip-hop and EDM, the bass has authority and extension, but it won't rattle your skull like consumer-oriented headphones. This is the trade-off of an audiophile tuning: accuracy over exaggeration, naturalness over excitement.

Codec Performance

The aptX Adaptive codec, compatible with numerous Android smartphones, allows you to enjoy quality superior to that offered by standard SBC and AAC. In wired mode, via the included USB-C cable, the headphone delivers even cleaner and more dynamic reproduction, approaching what you'd expect from a true domestic hi-fi headphone.

Whether powered by Bluetooth or wired, the Px7 S3 remains above all a headphone for audiophile nomads who refuse to sacrifice sound quality on the altar of convenience.

Another strong point of the Px7 S3 is its battery life. Bowers & Wilkins claims up to 30 hours of listening with noise reduction activated. A figure we nearly achieved during our tests (slightly over 28 hours actual in mixed usage).

This is excellent performance that ensures multiple days of commuting or several long-haul flights without needing to recharge. Even heavy users will likely charge weekly rather than daily.

Fast charging is impressive: 15 minutes on mains power provides approximately 7 hours of music, a welcome performance for users in a hurry. A full charge takes approximately 2.5 hours from empty, which is reasonable for this battery capacity.

The USB-C port handles both charging and wired digital audio, providing flexibility and reducing cable clutter. The inclusion of both USB-C and 3.5mm cables in the box is thoughtful and appreciated.

At €429, the Px7 S3 sits squarely in the premium tier of wireless headphones. You're paying for the iconic brand, exceptional sound quality, premium build, and refined aesthetics. Compared to competitors at similar price points, the Px7 S3 trades some smart features for superior audio performance and build quality.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 (around €380) offers better ANC and more comprehensive app features, but many listeners prefer the Px7 S3's sound signature. The Apple AirPods Max (€579) provides excellent integration for Apple users but costs significantly more. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 (€350) offers similar audio quality with longer battery life but less luxurious materials.

For audiophiles who prioritize sound quality and build over smart features, the Px7 S3's pricing is justified. For those who want the most advanced ANC or extensive app features, competitors may offer better value.