Bowers Wilkins PX7 Review

Here we go again with another headphone and another review. You’re probably thinking why did I just bother getting another pair after returning the PX?

I started reading about the PX7 and thought, these are really intriguing. Similar sound signature to the P7 (which are bassy) and lighter - meaning more comfortable.

So first and foremost, I’m a massive B&W fan. I’ve had the P5, P5s2, PX… and now have just invested in the PX7. And honestly, at this price I couldn’t have said no. Amazon did a deal for these headphones at £260 (RRP 340). And with Amazon’s customer service, if I wasn’t happy they can always go back.

So here’s the TLDR first on why I’m keeping these and love them:

• THAT BASS THOUGH
• So comfortable even when wearing with glasses
• Lighter
• It comes with a nice hard travel case (not a massive plus but definitely appreciated)
  
  

Let’s dive into each bit:

That Bass Though

So one of the criticisms I had with the B&W PX was that there was no bass in them. That’s unfair to say but the bass wasn’t where I wanted it to be. It was flat and there wasn’t much boom. Bass for things like kick drums yes, but no sub bass. Well the PX7 solves that problem.

Given the majority of the music that I listen to is bass heavy or EDM type music. it was a no brainer to get something a bit more bass heavy because I enjoy that.

Overall, the sound is still quite well balanced, as with many B&W products. I’d say the signature is more on the bass side - exactly like the P7. While the PX are very bright, the PX7 are more tame. They’re lacking a bit on the mids, which aren’t as prominent, but they are still plenty. The highs aren’t as sharp as the PX, where the PX have this lovely bright signature for the high hats of drums, the PX7 aren’t there. This isn’t a bad thing for me, but it might be a bad thing for people who really love their classic rock music. The song I use to test this would be Bohemian Rhapsody, where there’s a lot of things going on during the middle of the song.

Truthfully, I love my bass too much, and sacrificing a little bit of highs is ok for me. If you want a comparison for sub bass - Try Late Night Tip - Three 6 Mafia. You’ll notice that that low sub bass just isn’t possible on the PX, but is on the PX7. What the PX does do well in is the punches. RNB kicks are good. I personally love that rolling sub bass.

So comfortable even when wearing glasses

With the PX, the clamping force on the headphones were a bit much. In fairness, it’s great with things like the seal for noise isolation. However - if you wear glasses, that clamping force quickly becomes uncomfortable for long term wear.

With the PX7, the ear pads are great. Lovely and soft, goes well with glasses, and it’s not as much clamping force. I think they realised that people who wear glasses found the PX very uncomfortable… which leads me onto the next point…

Lighter and Travel Case

Yep… lighter materials. The PX is metal etc, the PX7 is carbon fibre. It’s much lighter on the head, so definitely much more welcome addition for longer wearing/listening and commuting etc. The hard case is also quite nice. Every B&W has came with a pouch that was like a quilted case, but I wouldn’t want to throw them into my backpack and etc. This is definitely a welcome addition to the product. It shows B&W are definitely listening to customers and trying to compete with the best.

What are the drawbacks?

With these headphones, compared to the competition it’s a rather tricky one.

• I love the bass, and the sound signature, however Sony’s WH-1000XM3/4 have the option to tweak the EQ to that sound.
• The noise cancelling on the PX7 is definitely improved over the PX, but still not up to the standards of the Sony or Bose.
• The app is a bit poor
  
  

The Takehome

Now with those drawbacks, you’re probably thinking what’s the point?

Well - I FUCKING love the sound, and use it mostly for listening on commute and spare time. They’re brilliant, comfortable, and hands down a bargain at the price I got them for. There’s also one lovely thing I like about the B&W that’s a bit exclusive to their design… well 2 things actually:

• The ear cups are massive. So my ears don’t really heat up and they are seriously free/comfortable in there
• The build quality from B&W are absolutely STELLAR. They won’t creak like the Sony do. They’re made of seriously premium material.
  
  

That’s a short review of why I love the PX7. They’re one of the best headphones I’ve ever bought.