Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e over-ear headphones deliver some of the best sound and ANC in its class, backed by a gorgeous build. However, poor comfort from aggressive clamping force and weight makes them a painful choice for extended wear.

Bowers & Wilkins has been on a roll with its wireless headphone lineup, and the Px7 S2e is the latest evolution of their Px7 series. At $399 full price, but often dipping to $297 on Amazon, these over-ear noise-cancelling headphones slot right into the premium market against Sony, Bose, and Sennheiser. They pack custom 40mm dynamic drivers, 24-bit DSP, and aptX Adaptive for high-res wireless streaming, all wrapped in a design that screams luxury with metal and fabric touches.

From the moment we pulled them out of the box, the Px7 S2e felt special. The materials are top shelf, and that's backed by a 92nd percentile build score in our database. They're also incredibly popular, racking up over 9,000 reviews with a 4.3 rating. But here's the twist: while these headphones absolutely crush it in sound quality and noise cancellation, comfort is a real problem. When we saw our data show comfort in the bottom tenth percentile, we weren't shocked after a few long sessions.

So, are the Px7 S2e the right pick for an audiophile who wants wireless convenience? If you're looking for pristine audio and don't mind a bit of a clamp, they'll wow you. But if you want all-day wearability or a travel companion, there's a good chance you'll be reaching for something else after an hour.

We'll cut to the chase: the Px7 S2e is one of the best-sounding wireless headphones we've tested. The sound score sits in the 93rd percentile, meaning it beats nearly everything else in its class. The 40mm drivers and B&W's tuning deliver a spacious, detailed presentation that makes music feel alive. There's punchy low-end that never muddies the mids, crisp highs without harshness, and a soundstage that's frankly shocking for closed-back cans. Whether you're streaming from Tidal with aptX Adaptive or just listening to podcasts, the clarity and separation are top-tier.

Active noise cancelling is another bright spot, ranking in the top 7% of all over-ears. Hybrid ANC shuts out low-end rumble from buses or airplanes effectively, though higher frequencies like chatting still trickle through, which is typical. The transparency mode is natural for quick conversations. On the flip side, battery life is solid at 30 hours (73rd percentile) and quick charging gives 7 hours in 15 minutes, so it's fine but not class-leading. The real shame is comfort. A 10th percentile ranking is brutal, and it's deserved. The 307g weight and high clamping force build up pressure around your crown and jaw, making them fatiguing far sooner than the plush earpads would suggest.

The Px7 S2e undercuts its own $399 list price by frequently dropping to $297 on Amazon, which is the lowest we've seen among the vendors in our price tracking. At that reduced price, you're getting phenomenal audio and ANC for less than a Sony WH-1000XM6 typically costs. But if you're paying close to $399, the value proposition weakens fast, because competitors offer more balanced packages that include better comfort and portability. For pure audio performance, even the higher price might be justified if you never take them off the couch. Just know that the Sennheiser Momentum 4 often sells for less and delivers excellent sound with far superior wearability.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the Px7 S2e's most direct rival, and it's a much smarter pick for anyone who values comfort and travel readiness. Sony's headphones are lighter, fold flat, and have noticeably less clamp, plus their ANC is fractionally more effective at drowning out voices. But feed both a lossless track and the B&W pulls ahead with a richer, more immersive sound. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 splits the difference: it's supremely comfortable, has a marathon 60-hour battery, and a neutral sound that some may prefer, though it lacks the B&W's expansive staging. Meanwhile, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra delivers the best ANC and all-day comfort on the market, but its sound is less engaging, making the Px7 S2e the clear winner for critical listening out of the bunch.

Skip the Px7 S2e if comfort is your top priority, you plan to wear headphones all day for work, or you need something travel-friendly. The weight and clamping force quickly become a dealbreaker. Grab the Sony WH-1000XM6 for a folding design and featherlight fit, or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra if you want supreme comfort with slightly more effective ANC.

You should buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e if audio quality is your north star and you're willing to accept a fit that gets uncomfortable after an hour or two. They're near perfect for a dedicated listening chair at home or a short commute where you can reset the pressure. For anyone who needs headphones for long workdays, frequent travel, or simply values comfort over absolute sonic refinement, these will feel like a chore. The sound is genuinely that good, but the pain is real.

If that trade-off doesn't scare you off, grab them while they're discounted to $297, it's a steal for high-end wireless audio. For the rest of us, Sony or Bose remain the more practical, still great-sounding alternatives.