The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is the British brand's new flagship wireless headphone, and it's arguably the most complete pair of over-ear cans B&W has ever built. If you've been comparing the Sony WH-1000XM6, the Apple AirPods Max, or even B&W's own PX7 S3, the Px8 S2 is the one to beat once you factor in sound quality, materials, and everyday usability. At 8mm in Raipur, we've been demoing the Px8 S2 alongside the rest of our Bowers & Wilkins range, and this guide covers everything you need to know before you buy — design, sound, battery, and how it compares to the outgoing Px8.
What's New in the Px8 S2
The Px8 S2 replaces the original Px8 as B&W's range-topping headphone, and almost every part of it has been reworked. It gets custom 40mm Carbon Cone dynamic drivers, a redesigned 24-bit DSP with a dedicated amplifier and DAC, upgraded active noise cancellation, and a slimmer, lighter build that B&W says is its most ergonomically refined headphone shell to date. It's a meaningful jump over the first-generation Px8, not just a cosmetic refresh.
Design and Build Quality
Every Px8 S2 headphone is finished in soft Nappa leather with solid, die-cast aluminium arms and a signature exposed-cable detail along the hinge — a nod to the original B&W P5 from 2010. The earcups are noticeably slimmer than the outgoing Px8, with more room inside for your ears, and the overall weight has dropped to around 310g for genuinely all-day comfort. It's available in two finishes, Onyx Black and Warm Stone, and folds flat into the included semi-hard carry case for travel.
Sound Performance: Carbon Cone Drivers & 24-bit DSP
This is where the Px8 S2 earns its flagship badge. The custom 40mm Carbon Cone drive units are paired with a high-performance 24-bit DSP and a dedicated headphone amplifier, delivering true 24-bit/96kHz resolution over both wired and wireless connections. Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, and aptX HD support means you get close to wired fidelity without a cable, provided your source device supports it. A new five-band customisable EQ in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app also lets you tune the sound signature — bass, mids, and treble — to your own listening preference, something the original Px8 didn't offer.
Active Noise Cancellation & Call Quality
The Px8 S2 uses an 8-microphone array — four dedicated to adaptive ANC and four to call pickup — along with B&W's updated adaptive noise cancellation and ADI PureVoice call-clarity processing. It's a noticeable step up from the previous generation for both blocking out ambient noise and sounding clear on calls, though purely on ANC depth it still trades blows rather than dominating dedicated noise-cancelling specialists. For music, movies, and calls in a busy environment, it's more than capable.
Battery Life & Connectivity
B&W rates the Px8 S2 for up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge, with a 15-minute quick charge good for roughly 7 hours of listening — useful before a flight or a long day at work. Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity lets you pair to two devices simultaneously, and USB-C is supported for both charging and digital audio input, alongside the bundled USB-C to 3.5mm cable for a fully wired, lossless connection.
Px8 S2 vs Px7 S3 vs the Original Px8
If you're deciding between B&W's current headphone line-up: the PX7 S3 is the more affordable all-rounder with a similar design language but a smaller driver and simpler materials, while the Px8 S2 sits above it with Carbon Cone drivers, a superior DSP/amp section, and premium Nappa leather and aluminium construction. Compared to the original Px8, the S2 is lighter, more comfortable, louder over Bluetooth, and adds the five-band EQ and improved ANC — worth the upgrade if outright sound quality and comfort matter most to you.
Why Buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 from 8mm.in
As an authorised Bowers & Wilkins dealer, 8mm gives you the chance to actually audition the Px8 S2 before you buy — not just read specs on a screen. Our team helps you compare it against the PX7 S3 and other flagship headphones side by side at our Shankar Nagar experience centre, so you know exactly what you're paying for. You also get genuine B&W warranty support, setup assistance, and after-sales service, which matters at this price point.
Ready to experience the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2?
Visit the 8mm experience centre in Shankar Nagar, Raipur, for a live demo of the Px8 S2 alongside our full Bowers & Wilkins range, or shop the Px8 S2 online at 8mm.in. For pricing, availability, and personalised recommendations, WhatsApp us directly at +91 89829 27700 — our audio specialists are happy to help you choose the right headphone for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the price of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 in India?
Pricing varies with taxes and ongoing offers. For the current price at 8mm, check the product page or WhatsApp +91 89829 27700 for the latest quote.
2. What's the difference between the Px8 S2 and the PX7 S3?
The Px8 S2 is B&W's flagship model, with custom 40mm Carbon Cone drivers, a more powerful 24-bit DSP/amp section, and Nappa leather and aluminium construction. The PX7 S3 sits a tier below with a similar design but simpler materials and a more affordable price.
3. Does the Px8 S2 support aptX Lossless?
Yes. The Px8 S2 supports Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Classic, AAC, and SBC, giving you high-resolution wireless audio when paired with a compatible source device.
4. How long does the battery last on the Px8 S2?
The Px8 S2 offers up to 30 hours of playback per charge, with a 15-minute quick charge delivering approximately 7 hours of additional listening time.
5. Can I try the Px8 S2 before buying?
Yes. You can audition the Px8 S2 in person at the 8mm experience centre in Shankar Nagar, Raipur, alongside other Bowers & Wilkins and premium headphone options before making a decision.
6. Is the Px8 S2 good for calls and noise cancellation?
Yes. It uses an 8-microphone system with adaptive ANC and B&W's ADI PureVoice technology for clearer calls, making it well suited to travel, commuting, and hybrid work.
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Written by Yug Gupta | Audio Specialist at 8mm.in
