In the saturated market of noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones, there are mainstream stars—from Sony, Bose, and Apple—and then there are premium challengers, which focus primarily on sound quality to attract music lovers. This is the case with Bowers & Wilkins with its Px7 S3, the third generation of a model that has established itself as one of the best portable audiophile headphones.
Announced at 429 euros upon its release, the Px7 S3 aims to correct the minor flaws of its predecessors while retaining its strengths: rich, detailed sound, delivered by in-house speakers. But faced with rivals that are constantly improving, do these British headphones have what it takes to justify their high-end price?
A design that's still as chic as ever
At first glance, the Px7 S3 isn't radically different from its predecessor. But the small tweaks really hit the mark. Bowers & Wilkins has refined the curves, adopted softer ear cushions, and slightly reduced the weight (297g). The result: a headset that exudes luxury, with impeccable finishes and a selection of high-end materials.
The brushed metal structure contrasts elegantly with the acoustic fabric surfaces. Available in several colors (ecru white, indigo blue, anthracite black), the Px7 S3 has a sober but refined look, far from the somewhat bling-bling designs of some competitors. These are headphones that assume their premium positioning.
Comfort and controls: noticeable progress
Beyond the look, comfort has clearly improved. The new memory foam ear cushions offer better pressure distribution and allow for long listening sessions without discomfort. The headband is well balanced, and the pressure on the temples remains moderate, even for glasses wearers.
When it comes to controls, Bowers & Wilkins sticks with physical buttons, a choice that will appeal to those who shy away from sometimes capricious touch surfaces. The right earcup contains volume, play/pause, and track navigation controls, as well as a dedicated voice assistant button. On the left, a button toggles between ANC, transparency, and off modes.
The Px7 S3 also supports multipoint Bluetooth connection (two devices simultaneously), a function that is obviously essential in 2025 and at this level of the range.
A simple, but effective application
The Bowers & Wilkins Music app, available on iOS and Android, comes with the headphones. It allows you to customize certain settings: toggling noise reduction modes, adjusting the transparency level, and accessing a five-band manual equalizer.
The software is simple, fast, and stable during our tests. We simply regret the absence of more advanced functions like ear canal analysis or personalized sound profiles, but the fundamentals are there.
Noise reduction: finally up to par?
This was one of the major criticisms of previous generations: active noise reduction (ANC) less effective than that of the market's top brands. Good news, Bowers & Wilkins Wilkins has upped its game. The Px7 S3 has six microphones to capture and cancel ambient noise, and the result is finally up to scratch.
In noisy environments (such as on public transport), the headphones effectively attenuate low frequencies and reasonably cut out conversations around them. While it doesn't fully compete with the Sony WH-1000XM5, still the king in this area, the gap is narrowing. In transparency mode, the reproduction of external noise is natural, even if it lacks a bit of finesse compared to the best.
For hands-free calls, the Px7 S3 does the job. Voices are clear and well isolated from ambient noise, even if some artifacts can appear in very windy environments. Nothing prohibitive, but it's slightly behind the best hands-free kits of the moment.
Audio quality always at the top
This is obviously where the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 intends to make the difference. And it succeeds without forcing it. Equipped with new 40mm transducers developed in-house, the British headphones deliver a full sound, with a precision rare for a Bluetooth model. Bowers & Wilkins has refined the acoustic signature of this third generation, and it shows.
From the first listens, the Px7 S3 seduces with the overall balance of its reproduction. The bass is deep and tight, without ever falling into excess. Here, there is no inflated bass to flatter the ear: we are on a hi-fi approach, where each bass drum impact retains its readability and punch without encroaching on the rest of the spectrum. The headphones are particularly at home in styles like jazz or funk, where the rhythm section must remain both present and precise.
The midrange, meanwhile, is the real star of this sound signature. The voices are beautifully showcased, warm and full of nuance. The Px7 S3 naturally reproduces the singers' vocal range. This richness of timbre gives an impression of proximity to the artist, which is particularly appreciated by fans of chanson, folk or refined pop.
On the treble side, Bowers & Wilkins has found a happy medium. The high frequencies soar high, bringing brilliance and airiness to the soundstage, but without aggressiveness or sibilance, even at high volume. This is a strong point for listening to classical or orchestral music, where the reproduction of brass and high strings requires finesse and control.
The soundstage is also commendable: wide for closed headphones, they offer good ventilation and a good sense of instrument placement. On live recordings or immersive electronic pieces, the headphones succeed in creating a real sound bubble around the listener.
While the Px7 S3 particularly shines with demanding genres — jazz, classical, folk, acoustic rock — it does not disappoint on more modern productions. Pop and electro tracks benefit from its well-controlled reproduction, although some fans of oversized bass might find it a little too tame.
The aptX Adaptive codec, compatible with many Android smartphones, also allows you to enjoy a quality superior to that offered by classic SBC and AAC. Wired, via the supplied USB-C cable, the headphones deliver an even cleaner and more dynamic reproduction, closer to what you would expect from a true home hi-fi headset.
Whether powered by Bluetooth or wired, the Px7 S3 remains above all a headset for nomadic audiophiles who refuse to sacrifice sound quality on the altar of practicality.
Generous battery life
Another strong point of the Px7 S3: its battery life. Bowers & Wilkins announces up to 30 hours of listening time with noise cancellation activated. A figure that we almost reached during our tests (a little over 28 hours of actual mixed use).
Charging is quick: 15 minutes on the mains power supply provides around 7 hours of music, a welcome performance for users in a hurry. The USB-C port and the included audio cable complete the offer for those who want to listen wired.
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