Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 wireless headphones review: Style, sound and substance

If you’re after a pair of wireless headphones that combine luxury style with seriously impressive sound, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 should be top of your shopping list. Known for its high-end audio gear, B&W has created a pair of cans that feel premium from the moment you put them on, with features that music lovers will adore. That they sound exemplary is just the icing on the cake.

That said, with a price that leans into the wallet-emptying zone, you might want to know exactly what you’re getting before you splash the cash. Here’s seven things you need to know about the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, giving you the lowdown on what makes these headphones so special, and the rare spots they fall a little short.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: In short...

• Sound that wows: Deep bass, crisp highs, and vocals so clear you’ll swear you’re in the studio
• Look good, feel good: Sleek metal and leather make these headphones a luxury item that is comfy to wear for hours
• Noise cancelling: Blocks out most distractions, although really loud noises might sneak through
• All-day battery: 30 hours per charge, plus a quick five-minute top-up for hours more
• Pricey, but premium: £629 isn’t small change, but if style, comfort, and sound matter, it’s a treat for your ears. Available now

1. Sound quality that hits all the right notes

The Px8 S2 headphones are all about delivering rich, detailed sound, powered by 40mm carbon cone drivers, the same high-precision components Bowers & Wilkins use in their flagship speakers. These drivers bring refined audio performance across the board, delivering an experience that’s detailed, warm, and impressively immersive.

To really put them to the test, we ran through a few tracks from artists that thrive on energy, texture, and layered production. Here’s how the Px8 S2 delivered:

• Heavy: Punk’s Dead – Soft Play
  This track is all snarl and drive, and the Px8 S2 handle it with real control. The aggressive guitar tones sound raw but not ragged, with a real sense of texture and bite. Drums punch through clearly, which is good for Soft Play who love presence to their drum mix — but the vocals stay prominent even when the song’s chaos kicks in. There’s a noticeable sense of space and separation, which helps the track avoid turning into a wall of indistinct noise (a common pitfall on cheaper headphones). Everything hits with power, but never overwhelms.
• Big beats: Sick in the Head – Kneecap
  The Px8 S2 showcase this track’s dense, moody production with clarity and punch. The bass is deep and solid, but never muddy, and the electronic textures layered under the beat come through clearly. It’s a great example of how well these headphones handle complex, beat-driven music without losing intensity or detail.
• Soul: Beyond – Leon Bridges
  A perfect match for the Px8 S2’s smooth, natural tuning. Leon’s voice sounds intimate and nuanced, and you can hear the breathiness in his delivery. The guitar tones are rich and full, and background instrumentation feels layered but never crushed. It’s a lush, smooth listening experience that makes slower tracks feel more intimate and immersive.

2. Luxury materials mean they feel as good as they sound

Put these headphones on, and you're wrapping your ears in luxury. The frame blends sleek metal with soft, leather earcups that mould comfortably around your ears. They weigh in at 310g, but the weight is so well-distributed that even after a few hours of listening, your head doesn’t feel pinched or develop that aching sensation that heavier headphones can cause.

Plus, the build feels rugged enough to survive daily use without looking worn down, which is rare for headphones this stylish. The exposed wire adds some extra panache. We reviewed the “Onyx Black”, which looked incredibly slick, but the “Warm Stone” was also stunning in person.

Every pair comes with a matching hard-shell carry case that’s as classy as you’d expect, sturdy and with a few handy compartments inside for cables and accessories. While the Px8 S2 don’t fold inwards like some travel-focused headphones, the earcups do rotate to lie flat in either direction, making them easier to slide into a bag or stow in their case.

They’re designed for people who care about both how their tech performs and looks, although if you’re someone who avoids animal products, you’re out of luck, as these only come in a leather finish.

3. Noise-cancelling that’s strong — but not the best on the market

If you’re buying premium headphones, great noise-cancelling is a must. The Px8 S2 do a solid job here, effectively blocking out everyday noises like background chatter, traffic, and the hum of trains, planes and automobiles.

However, if you’re the kind of person who needs absolute silence, especially in super noisy environments, other brands still edge ahead with slightly more powerful ANC. Sony's WH-1000XM6 remain the headphones to beat in this respect. But for most people, the noise cancelling here will be more than enough to focus or unwind. Just be ready to still hear a shallow hum over the top if anything too noisy is going on nearby… a tree surgeon working on your front garden, for example (and frustratingly from experience!).

4. Battery life that keeps up with your day

You won’t need to worry about constantly charging these headphones. They offer around 30 hours of playback on a single charge, which means they can easily power you through long flights, workdays, or weekend binge listening sessions.

If you forget to charge them, no sweat — the quick charge feature gives you several hours of listening from just five minutes plugged in. This kind of battery performance means less hassle and more music, which is always a win.

5. Simple controls and a handy app for tweaking your sound

Instead of touch-sensitive panels, the Px8 S2 use physical buttons, a welcome choice for most. They’re easy to locate without looking and handle playback, volume, skipping tracks, activating voice assistants, and toggling noise-cancelling/transparency modes.

The controls aren’t fully programmable, but the Bowers & Wilkins Music app lets you customise the noise-cancelling button’s function and tweak sound preferences.

There is also wear detection; take the headphones off and your music automatically pauses, pop them back on and it resumes. It’s a small touch, but it works seamlessly and makes use feel more intuitive.

6. Clear calls, but don’t expect studio-level mic quality

These headphones handle calls pretty well, capturing your voice clearly for meetings or casual chats. The mic does a good job of reducing background noise, so people on the other end can hear you without distractions.

That said, much like the noise cancelling, they’re not the absolute best if you’re looking for pristine, studio-quality call audio. But for everyday use, they’re reliable and definitely a step up from your phone’s built-in mic.

7. Premium price tag for a premium experience

At £629, these headphones definitely sit in the luxury category. But if you’re someone who cares deeply about audio quality, design, and comfort, this price will feel justified. They’re a statement as much as a piece of tech.

If that’s a bit steep, Bowers & Wilkins’ Px7 S3 offer a similar experience with a lower price tag, though with slightly fewer premium touches. We reviewed them earlier this year and loved them. Either way, the Px8 S2 are built for people who want to treat themselves and their ears.

Final verdict

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 combine stylish design, rich sound, and practical features in a package that feels both luxurious and user-friendly. They might not have the absolute top-tier noise cancelling or call quality, but if you want headphones that feel special and sound fantastic, they’re a great choice.

Incredibly classy and offering a rich soundstage, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 look lovely whilst you’re wearing them, and deliver immense comfort even during extensive listening sessions without compromising sound.

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