The Px7 S3 can handle a computer, a headphone jack and a Bluetooth phone without a separate desktop amplifier. For a buyer drawn to the sound, that versatility gives it a place at home as well as on the train. The quality of the quiet on that train is a separate question.
In depth
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review
Published
Best forMusic listeners who alternate between a wired desk setup and a Bluetooth phone.
At a glance
- Noise cancellation
- Supported
- Weight
- 300 g
- Battery life
- Up to 30 h (ANC on)
- Connections
- USB-C audioBluetooth 5.3supplied 3.5 mm–USB-C cable
Pros
- Both digital USB and analog-source cables are supplied.
- A five-band equalizer offers more control than simple bass and treble adjustments.
Cons
- A compatible source is required for aptX Lossless.
- There are stronger options for blocking a noisy commute.
Sound & Controls
- 40 mm bio-cellulose drivers
- Five-band equalizer
Bowers & Wilkins gives you five adjustment bands in its Music app. Start with a song whose voice you know well, then adjust one region at a time. It’s useful when a pair you like for full-band recordings puts too much weight behind a podcast host’s voice.
Noise Cancellation & Design
- Adaptive noise cancellation
- 300 g without case
RTINGS found improved cancellation compared with older Px7 designs, but judged Sony and Bose alternatives stronger for overall isolation. That matters if silence on the underground is the point of the purchase. If most listening is at home, the slimmer earcups and fit may be easier differences to appreciate. 1
Connectivity & Battery
- Bluetooth 5.3
- USB-C audio
- Up to 30 hours with ANC
Use USB-C directly with a compatible computer, or the supplied analog-source cable with a conventional seatback jack. aptX Lossless needs a compatible transmitter; the codec name on the headphone alone doesn’t change a phone’s output. A 15-minute top-up is rated for up to seven hours. Bowers & Wilkins rates a full charge for up to 30 hours with noise cancellation fully enabled.
Alternatives
If a Px7 S2e already fits well and its tuning suits you, the new equalizer is worth paying for only if there’s something you want to change. The Px8 S2 offers carbon drivers and more elaborate materials. Those are reasons to audition it, rather than grounds to assume it will suit your ears better.
Verdict
The Px7 S3 suits someone who uses wired listening often enough to appreciate both supplied cables and wants a say in the tuning. Compare isolation separately if it’s replacing a dedicated travel headphone.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- RTINGSBowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review (opens in a new tab)https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/bowers-wilkins/px7-s3
Comparative noise isolation and changes from the previous generation.