The B&W PX headphones not only feature great noise cancelling, bluetooth capabilities and sound quality but they look incredibly stylish while doing it. In typical B&W fashion the build quality and design of these headphones is absolutely first class. Check them out today.

Overview

Bowers & Wilkins has made a few different wireless headphones including the excellent P5 & P7 Wireless, but the PX is the company's first headphone to feature both Bluetooth and Noise Cancelling - and it's actually the company's first noise cancelling headphone of any kind.

Available in two colour options, Space Grey and Soft Gold, the PX has that sleek, sophisticated design that Bowers & Wilkins headphones are known for, constructed predominately from lightweight aluminium with a unique ‘Ballistic Nylon Shell’ used to cover the outer earpads and the top of the headband

The PX is comfortable to wear and very sturdy with memory foam-equipped, elliptical-shaped ear cushions that adhere magnetically and are easily replaceable. Like earlier wireless Bowers & Wilkins headphones, the PX comes with a quilted carrying case and a cable for listening in wired mode so you can plug into an in-flight entertainment system. It's worth noting that this headphone charges via USB-C, not Micro-USB, and its battery life is rated at 22 hours with wireless and noise cancelling turned on. 

Multiple Noise Cancelling Settings

B&W's adaptive noise cancelling is beautifully executed with a number of features not found elsewhere. Using the free companion app for iOS and Android devices you can toggle through three modes of noise cancellation based on the environment you're in. The three modes are Flight, City and Office.

Flight: This is the highest level of noise cancelling and blocks out engine noise during flights and minimises cabin sounds.

City: The middle level of noise cancelling reduces environmental noise but still lets you remain aware of what’s happening around you.

Office: Is the lightest noise cancelling which limits background chatter and office noise whilst still allowing you to tune into a nearby discussion if desired.

To maximize sound quality, you can turn off noise cancelling altogether in the app or push a button on the right ear cup to toggle it on or off. Another option is to adjust the level of pass-through sound so you can better hear people talking around you.

On Your Head, Off Your Head

Another great feature on the PX is its 'Wear Sensor'. PX is B&W’s first smart headphone, with built-in sensors that pause the headphones if you lift either earcup, and go into standby if you put them down or drop them around your neck. And it really works. Some brands have tried this before and been quite frustrating, because they required manual restarting after even a momentary removal of the headphones. The PX is rather smarter, switching back on when you wear them again, even if it's the following morning, AND making the previous Bluetooth connection, AND restarting your music.

So, if you use the PX headphones regularly with, for instance, a newer TV that has Bluetooth transmission, you could simply put on the headphones, they would connect to the TV and mute its speakers without any other interaction required. Better still, you can just put them down on the table for the connection to be severed and the sound to return through the TV speakers. Clever stuff – that works!

Drivers Inspired By The Flagship B&W P9

The 40mm PX's drivers are derived from the reference B&W P9 Signature headphone, and the angled design is intended to create a more convincing soundstage, and it does.

The PX sound very open for a closed-back headphone, with good clarity and a natural sounding midrange – in fact they sound pretty natural overall. The bass goes deep but does not swamp the rest of the music. Overall this is a slightly warm sounding headphone, the midrange is gorgeous on voices and the highs are clear and detailed, but very importantly, there is absolutely no excess sizzle in the treble – Hallelujah.

In The News

UK Magazine What Hi-Fi? was pretty impressed with the B&W PX headphones & gave them five stars in every category - sound, build & comfort!

Their verdict was: "The PXs are a fantastic package, boasting excellent sound quality, successful noise-cancelling and a smart design."

"For: Transparent detailed sound; excellent dynamics; impeccable sense of timing; clever, intuitive features; impressive noise-cancelling; good battery life; fine build."

"Against: Nothing significant."

Technical Features

• Circumaural Design
• Adaptive noise cancellation and voice pass-through
• Bluetooth audio – Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX-HD
• Natural UI (User Interface) - In-built sensors handle functions such as stopping audio playback when you remove the headphones
• Smart sensing for Play/Pause/On/Off
• USB-C charging and audio interface
• Rechargeable lithium battery
• Soft leather memory foam cushions
• World-class acoustics
• Premium materials and build quality
• Mobile companion app for personalised audio playback
• Fold flat design
• 4 x Mics for ANC (2 x feedforward Mics + 2 x feedback Mics)
• 2 x Mics for telephony (CVC2 - Clear Voice Communication 2)

Bluetooth

• Bluetooth Codecs
  • aptx-HD (High Definition) Standard Latency plus HD
  • AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)
  • SBC (Low Complexity Sub-band Coding)
• Bluetooth Profiles
  • A2DP v1.3
  • AVRCP v1.6
  • HFP v1.6
  • HSP v1.2
  • GAP
  • SDAP
  • DIP

Specifications

• Battery: 850mAh - Lithium Polymer
• Battery Life
  • Up to 22 hours BT/ANC
  • Up to 29 hours BT/no ANC
  • Up to 33 hours ANC/wired
  • Up to 50 hours wired/no ANC
• Drive Units: 2 x 40mm full range
• Frequency Range: 10Hz to 20kHz
• Input Impedance: 22 Ohms
• Distortion (THD): <0.3% (1KHz/10mW)
• Sensitivity: 111dB/V @ 1kHz
• Inputs: Bluetooth, 3.5mm stereo jack, USB-C (audio, battery charging & firmware updates)
• Included Accessories: 1.2m stereo jack audio cable, 1.2m USB-A to USB-C cable. Protective pouch
• Weight: 335 grams
• Finish: Space Grey. Also available in soft gold.
• Manufacturer's Warranty: 1 Year. 

Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE