Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review: Living with these high-spec headphones is a first class audio upgrade

The Px7 S3 are, by some measure, the most sophisticated wireless, noise-cancelling headphones Bowers & Wilkins has ever made. More than just a third-generation refresh, these over-ear cans feature a comprehensively re-imagined industrial design, resulting in improved performance, wearability, and noise cancelling. Even the carry case has had a makeover, making it more compact and easier to fit into a bag. 

As someone who has reviewed more audio gear than I care to admit, I can tell you: they’re something rather special.

The Px7 S3 are, for all intents and purposes, the default flagship in Bowers & Wilkins over-ear headphone range…

The Px7 S3 are, for all intents and purposes, the default flagship in Bowers & Wilkins over-ear headphone range. A position they’ll hold at least until similar magic is wrought on the next iteration of the Px8, due in a matter of months. 

They follow in the footsteps of the well-received Px7 S2e. But while the lineage is evident in name, this model is no mere threequel.

The Px7 S3 has been reimagined from scratch. New drivers, new chassis, new amp and DSP architecture. Even the way it rests against your head has changed.

This is a ground-up reboot, and you can hear the difference.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Design and features

Let’s talk design, because for many buyers, that’s half the appeal. The Px7 S3 is slimmer and more sculpted than its predecessors. Laid flat, it has a sleeker profile that feels fashionably practical.

There’s a new headband mechanism, offering a better fit and improved weight distribution. Gone is the slightly vice-like clamp of earlier Bowers & Wilkins cans; in its place is a kinder, more balanced feel. These are headphones you can wear for hours without fatigue setting in.

Materials are predictably plush. The earpads are wrapped in supple PU vegan leather, the cups swivel and fold neatly into the redesigned carry case. They’re available in three easy-to-match finishes: Anthracite Black, Indigo Blue, and Canvas White.  

Buttons have been redesigned too. They’re bigger, better spaced, and more tactile. Volume and playback controls now live on the right cup, while Bluetooth, power and a Quick Action button are relocated to the left. It’s intuitive, with none of that fumbling guesswork that can plague the user experience.

The brand has also upgraded Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The position of the microphones that monitor outside noise have changed, as part of the overall earcup design. This new configuration, which uses eight mics in total, allows for more precise cancellation without dulling musicality.

There are three ANC modes: On, Off, and Pass-Through (aka Transparency mode). Each works just as advertised, but more importantly, they operate without upsetting the audio balance. Listening with full ANC was my preferred option, and I didn’t note any nasties.

The Px7 S3 incorporates Bluetooth aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, alongside a proprietary high-performance DSP. Combined with support for 24-bit/96kHz audio via Qobuz or TIDAL (through the B&W Music app), this means you’re getting some of the best wireless audio fidelity available today.

Call quality has also been elevated, thanks to ADI Pure Voice processing. Whether you’re pacing around the house or taking a call from a busy café, the other party hears you – not the wind, traffic, or barista frothing milk.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Detail, space, and musicality

Offering fulsome musicality, and outstanding clarity, the Px7 S3 do their brand heritage justice. These headphones don’t just sound good – they sound composed. New 40mm biocellulose drivers are angled toward the ear and the result is better stereo imaging and spatial accuracy.

Listening to Pink Floyd’s ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, I felt enveloped by the soundstage. Trippy in the best sense.

The new drivers have been paired with a dedicated amplifier and separate DSP chip. This division brings two advantages. It means reduced demand on the DSP and the system itself can be driven harder. This doesn’t mean it’s louder, but it has the potential for greater dynamics, greater transient response.

That’s a lot of behind-the-scenes engineering, but what I noticed superficially was an uptick in clarity and musicality, in equal measure.

The headphones are genre agnostic. Whether you’re partial to a little ‘Take Five’ jazz or Take That pop, they’re equally attentive. 

I liked the fact that bass is firm but never bloated. Mids are lush and articulate, while highs are detailed without harshness. There’s also vocal texture aplenty. ‘Something to Fall Back On’, from Todd Rundgren’s extraordinary A Capella album, portrays every possible vocal nuance, and sounds wonderful. Nothing is left on the table.

Dynamic control is also remarkable at lower volumes. I’m told this is thanks to the split DSP and amp setup; the Px7 S3 maintains fidelity even when you’re listening at moderate levels. That’s a real win if you prefer to relax rather than rave.

For those who like to fine-tune, the accompanying app offers five-band EQ with presets. Alternatively, you can engage the new ‘True Sound’ mode, a factory setting that reflects the tuning choices of Bowers’ Southwater Research Establishment. This latter option strikes me as the default sweet spot for most genres.

A note for the future: spatial support and LE Audio (with Auracast) will be coming via firmware updates. That means the Px7 S3 isn’t just good now, it’s poised to get better with time.

Battery life is respectable, at 30 hours with ANC on. A 15-minute charge nets seven hours of playback, which is handy if you forgot to plug in before leaving the house. USB-C and 3.5mm audio cables are included, making the headphones versatile enough for wired or wireless use, laptop or Digital Audio Player. They sound particularly refined paying hi-res from a DAP.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Verdict

Bowers & Wilkins have another winner here. The Px7 S3 is a superb choice if you want over-ear headphones for long listening, stylish travel, and pure musical enjoyment.

Going back to the drawing board has led to a more forgiving fit, improved noise-cancelling and detailed, balanced sound. We rate the Px7 S3 an outstanding buy.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 is available now, priced at £399. For the level of engineering, comfort and audio fidelity on offer, this feels like a very fair ask.