Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless ANC Headphone Review. In the end brief comparison to the Focal Bathys.
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
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Purchase or read more about the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 here: rb.gy/3jzr7
I've been hearing curious whispers about the new Bowers and Wilkins Px8 ($699), so we'll be going over everything you need to know, from the tech to the touch to how they sound. In the end, I give an exceedingly brief comparison to the Focal Bathys.
See what a different set of ears thought of the Px8. Read the written review by Alex below on MajorHifi:
audio46.com/pr...
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Have you tried Beoplay H95 from Bang & Olufsen? how will you compare these two, regarding comfort and audio?
H95 is more comfortable, but PX8 has better sound
B&W claimed a $550 price tag in July, why the steep price increase? In my opinion it's based off how well the P7s2 is doing. I own the p7s2 and being as samsung(biggest android seller) doesn't not have aptx HD/ aptx adaptive you can't use these headphones to their full potential. When I connected my old LG V60, these headphones blow my momentum 4, xm4, and xm5s out of the water. Really bummed they didn't use Ldac on the flagship pX8. That steep price hike should cover the license
Thank you for your post. I was hoping you could help me, as you sound very knowledgeable. I cannot connect my Pixel 4XL phone to PX8. Do you know why? Is that because PX8 is not compatible?
Have you tried adjusting the EQ with the app? I’ve heard that can open things up significantly
To be honest both the Bowers Px8 and Focal Bathys should have Bluetooth 5.3 and qualcomm wireless lossless audio....smh.😞... too much money for not having cutting edge technology.
How good is the Sound with Apple Music (AAC) on iPhone 📱 ?
Or does it only sound good on an android with Aptx?
Is there an audible difference?🤓
I haven’t tested for a difference, but I have lossless files in my iCloud library and they sound great on my PX7 S2s when streaming from my Mac or iPhone. Personally the best Bluetooth sound I’ve ever heard is via LDAC on my WH1000XM4s - unfortunately, that is Sony proprietary though.
Nah B&W played some voodoo magic with the internal DAC and DSP, Apple Music lossless sounds good. Fine. 90-95% of the performance on the Aptx. Px8 genuinely do sound good wireless on aac
Sounds great, you'll be good. Straight from the box: "Made for iPhone / iPad." 8 )
No comparisons ,sounds this is what they are all about and ANC
So are you saying these things have crazy good punchy satisfying smile inducing juicy booming bass or nah? Lol
Hello Chris, not much of an audiophile but I think natural is good even here ? To get down to the question what would you choose between bathys and px8 ?
There is a very good review where someone has compared these two and gives his review on both. Search it up on UA-cam if you like.
Thanks for the question, my similar answer to a similar question below: I liked the balance in the Px8 a bit more, though the Bathys undeniably has a wider soundstage and arguably a more natural timbre (I'm sure people are reading this and ready to fight me over that statement). The Bathys has a small scoop in the center mids that isn't conducive to the acoustic guitar that's in a lot of the music that I listen to - some people might like this though and find it gives some extra space in the balance, which I wouldn't disagree with. My preference is pretty specific to the genres that I listen to.
@@MajorHiFi Im torn to pieces. I cant decide which one to buy. Bathys, celestee or these. My usage is rock/metal/classical/movie music. Im also a gamer. Basically im looking all around home usage headphones with great musical abilities.
@@101stTank oh I have same “issue” aha, Celestee or PX8 or H95. Did you choose one ?
The PX8 has better quality buttons than the Focal's. They are also a little better with the ANC over the Focals. This maybe partially due to the way the leather lacks the sewing around the foam which the Focal has which may allow more sound to travel outside of your ear. Also the clamp on the PX8 is a little firmer and they turn off the music if you remove the headphones from your ears which Focal does not do. The cans are also not as big as the Focal's and look better on your head. For these reasons I am leaning towards the PX8 over the bigger sound stage of the Focals.
Yeah, I mostly agree. The Bathys is certainly a more balanced sound with more room in it - though somewhat at the expense of its center mids.
I agree , I was able to demo both of them in a store today. I am no audiophile but listening to different genre of music , I concluded that PX 8 has more warmth when it comes to EDM , and more emotion when it comes to classical music. Whereas the Focal Bathys made me feel the music in my face when EDM , but classical music felt more natural.
Quality wise , PX8 looks more premium and sophisticated, with a better fit. I am still trying to decide between them
Which has the better sound stage between the PX8 and Bathys?
Which would you recommend overall?
Probably Bathys. Slightly more detailed too. PX8 is livelier, more natural timbre, better dynamics.
If an impressive soundstage is what you're looking for, I'd go with the Bathys. Personally? I actually liked the balance in the Px8 a bit more. The Bathys has a small scoop in the center mids that isn't conducive to the acoustic guitar that's in a lot of the music that I listen to - some people might like this though and find it gives some extra space in the balance, which I wouldn't disagree with. My preference is pretty specific to the genres that I listen to.
@@MajorHiFi I have both and noticed similar. I like PX8 for vocals, acoustic and electric guitar. The mids are fuller and more forward and sound more natural.
I look for the same thing when I test headphones. So for that I use MJ song, wanna be starting something.
Also a cranking sound in the background , around 3:19 , 3:25.
Microphone test would and demo would be amazing
It's all about the comparisons Chris..! ✊ That's what we're mad for...! 🤪🤔😅
I own a px8 and got to say they sound pretty bad out of the box. I was a bit shocked and my instant response was that they had to go back. I emailed my displeasure to the vendor and got a reply suggesting I left them playing overnight and check them again before I returned them. I did this and the difference was night and day. I'd suggest they put a note about this in the box. I wouldn't swap them for anything now.
Thanks for the review Chris, I play a lot of house / electronic music, would you recommend the PX8 over the Bathys for this type of music/ thanks
Sorry for the late reply! But in my opinion, Px8 would be the way to go for your particular preferences
I agree with you, I tested both at a store today and that is accurately how I felt.
Is there much difference between the PX8 & the PX7s2, is it worth the more price , personaly i don't thik so. PX7s2 cost € 429 PX8 € 800 almost the dubble.
I appreciate your review on these, any plans on doing the same for the new KEF mu7?
Bro, no ANC review?
I mention this in the first few minutes of the video: the passive isolation on the Px8 is pretty nice and stuck out more to me than the ANC, which wasn't bad but didn't leave me with a strong impression.
@@MajorHiFi ok so typical of highend wireless headphones with ANC where ANC is an afterthought.
@@chamade166 Yeah I suppose, like I said not disappointing ANC but not amazing, but for example the Focal Bathys' ANC was more impressive.
If sound quality is the only factor ( no interest in ANC as using indoors), should I go for Px7 and save $300 bucks or is the Px8 worth extra? TIA
The PX8 and PX7S have way better sound. I had the PX7 and tried the PX7S and the PX7S has better sound. The PX8 people say sounds better then the 7S.
@@dragonsofnorway Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. Like I said, the PX8 at $800 is out of my budget. I can go for the S2 which is exactly half the price at $400. Now, on few sites and AV exchange forums, PX7 is available for further half of it around $180 which makes it even more confusing. I can afford the $400 if S2 is my end game.
@@rogerIndianKing I would go for the PX7 S2. Better sound then the PX7.
@@dragonsofnorway Thank you! Will do.
If you can wait and save up the money, the Px8 are worth the extra in every way
I listened to the song on Bose Ultra. Couldn’t hear the background sound you’re talking about. I’m sure if I switch to Sennheiser 600 or 660S2, I’ll hear it. Never heard the song before. Sounds good. Great for testing.
As someone who owns Stellia, Bathys and Clear, Bathys, I'm wondering if you mean Bathys having a natural sound being it has better timbre? I love Focals, but timbre is not their strong suit. I've compared PX8 to Bathys and PX8 has noticably better timbre for vocals and instruments.
How's the ANC on the Px8 is it better then the Bathys?
@@jacobcharters6614 its a bit better, maybe 15% or so
@@falcodarkzz thanks and plus one reviewer said the Bowers are still class leading in sound quality compared to the Bathys wondering if saving the extra 100 bucks on the Px8 is worth it if the sound quality is the same or a bit better on the Bowers
@@jacobcharters6614 I prefer the Bowers personally. Mid range is fuller and more forward, its a bit distant on Bathys. Bathys is still good too.
@@falcodarkzz thanks man decided to get the bowers to compare it to my Sony Xm3s even though the anc is next level on the sonys but intrested to see how the 500 dollar plus ANC headphones sound i was thinking the bathys but i already own their Clears and top of the line Utopias and ive heard Bowers makes great speakers for us audiophiles!
I have a similar take on these headphones and have sent them back for this reason. Voices and high tones sounded smothered.
Compare to apple pro max headphone which have more wider sound stage..
With previous B&W headphones, I have found the clamping force to be quite hard such that they were uncomfortable after 1 hour... how do these compare to other current headphones known to be ultra-comfortable?
I believe You can losen them up a bit keeping them stretched apart in between listenings.
Are they assembled in China?
Which would you recommend for gaming? The Bathy or PX&? I play first person shooters.
SkullCandy crusher evo
Try steel series nova pro ANC headphones, those are incredible on precised sound direction wise literally feels like cheating in game
Looks similar to Huawei Freebuds Studio
I think you don’t need to describe on how you find the headphones response. It will be good if you can play some tracks and use binaural heads to let viewers listen for themselves as sound is subjective
In the process of making that happen! However, I do like to describe the response as well since viewers will nonetheless hear those sample tracks through their own headphone balance which may skew the sound one way or another. But I agree - I'll hopefully be featuring such tests in videos very soon.
Binaural recordings over UA-cam don't convey any meaningful information about the characteristics of a pair of headphones. A reviewers subjective observations and comparisons to other products is as informative as it gets. This is an indisputable fact.
Any idea if the px7 s2, sony 1000xm5, or shure aonic 50 offer a true passive wired mode where they don't need power to use them?
I can tell that px7 doesnt, neither px8
PX7/PX7S2 needs power to drive the integrated DSP iirc, no passive mode.
Chris, between the B&W Px8 and the Focal Bathys which one would you buy and why?
I have the Bathys...They are AMAZING!! Hopefully, there will be an instalment for LDAC soon.
my similar answer to similar questions below: I liked the balance in the Px8 a bit more, though the Bathys undeniably has a wider soundstage and arguably a more natural timbre (I'm sure people are reading this and ready to fight me over that statement). The Bathys has a small scoop in the center mids that isn't conducive to the acoustic guitar that's in a lot of the music that I listen to - some people might like this though and find it gives some extra space in the balance, which I wouldn't disagree with. My preference is pretty specific to the genres that I listen to.
@@KingEdmund E, thank you! I am going to purchase the Bathys
@@KingEdmund okay!
These are NOT analogue compatible. The 3.5mm jack is attached to a usb.c which internally converts all sound to digital max 24/48 bit. No vinyl or hirez 😂. Mine returned.
The B&W PX8 McLarren is very beautiful and comfy, but the sound is truly underground! All mids are missing. It sounds muffled and not fun at all. The spare EQ app isn't fixing the sound. You can only turn bass and treble, but no mids. sorry, it's simply just pretty and the sound pretty bad for the money. expectations were high and the disappointment even higher. I really dont recommend them. Not even if they were 300,00.
Man. Need time to break in
To all those who read reviewers' reviews of Bowers & Wikins PX8, please don't believe them at all because I am Singaporean and purchased my Bowers & wikins on 18th September 2023 from Jaben Singapore. Totally disappointing and not cheap at SGD 935.00.
The sound quality is a complete let down as they claim the sound is ever so good I can honestly tell you it is complete rubbish why the bass frequencies are very boomy and muddy sound instead of clean bass. The mid-range vocals are very suppressed and lack richness and warmth. After adjusting the equalizer settings, the high frequencies are very bright sounding.
The noise canceling is the worst, when I turn on the active noise canceling I 100% hear the noise of the standing fan wind spinning.
Overall, everything claimed by those reviewers on UA-cam is untrue as they did not purchase the Bowers & wikins PX 8 themselves but loaned it to them for review purposes only. Please note, if not, you will regret it after buying it with your hard-earned money! ! ! ! ! !