Bowers & Wilkins has spent decades building loudspeakers that recording studios trust, and that same obsession with accurate sound now defines its flagship headphone. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 takes everything that made the original Px8 a favourite among audiophiles and rebuilds it from the driver up — new chassis, new DSP, sharper noise cancellation, and a slimmer silhouette wrapped in Nappa leather and aluminium. If you're choosing a pair of wireless headphones you'll actually want to wear all day, this is where the search usually ends.
What's New in the Px8 S2
The headline change in the Px8 S2 is a reworked 40mm carbon cone driver. It's the same size as before, but it now sits on a stiffer chassis with a new voice coil and motor system — technology first introduced on B&W's Px7 S3. This means the driver can be pinned more securely inside the earcup and even removed for servicing, while the amplifier and DSP engine (shared with the Px7 S3) have been retuned specifically for the new driver's behaviour.
● 40mm Carbon Cone dynamic drivers with a new motor system and stiffer chassis
● Upgraded 24-bit DSP with dedicated amplifier and DAC
● Eight microphones in total (up from six), improving both ANC and call quality
● New five-band customisable EQ in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, plus a True Sound bypass mode
● Slimmer, lighter earcups and a more compact carry case
Sound Quality: Carbon Cone Drivers Meet 24-bit DSP
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 supports true 24-bit/96kHz audio resolution over a wired USB-C connection, and up to 24-bit wireless streaming via Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, and aptX HD support. In practice, that translates to a detailed, well-balanced sound signature — punchy bass without bloat, a natural midrange for vocals, and clean, extended treble. The stiffer carbon driver lets the Px8 S2 dig deeper into low frequencies before the DSP needs to step in to control distortion, which is why bass on these headphones sounds tight and controlled even at higher volumes.
For listeners upgrading from the original Px8, or comparing against rivals like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra, the Px8 S2 leans into reference-grade accuracy rather than an artificially boosted sound — exactly what you'd expect from a brand better known for studio monitors than lifestyle audio.
Design & Comfort: Nappa Leather Redefined
Bowers & Wilkins didn't just upgrade the internals — the Px8 S2 wears a redesigned, ergonomically tested shell that's noticeably slimmer than its predecessor. Soft Nappa leather earcups, solid die-cast aluminium arms, and B&W's signature exposed cabling give it a genuinely premium, jewellery-like feel, while lighter earcups and smoother internal ridges make long listening sessions — flights, workdays, gaming marathons — far more comfortable.
Active Noise Cancellation & Call Quality
With eight microphones working across ANC, telephony, and ambient sensing, the Px8 S2 delivers a meaningful step up in noise cancellation over the Px7 S3, and handles steady low-frequency noise — aircraft cabins, HVAC hum, traffic — particularly well. On calls, B&W pairs this with ADI PureVoice processing to isolate your voice from background noise, so you come through clearly whether you're on a video call at home or taking a call from a busy street.
Battery Life & Connectivity
The Px8 S2 offers up to 30 hours of wireless playback on a single charge, with a 15-minute quick charge over USB-C adding roughly 7 hours of listening time — ideal for anyone who forgets to charge overnight. Bluetooth 5.3 brings Multipoint connectivity for pairing two devices simultaneously, along with support for aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC. For wired listening, the box includes both a USB-C to USB-C cable (digital input) and a USB-C to 3.5mm cable (analogue input) — handy for in-flight entertainment systems or DAC-less devices.
Px8 S2 vs Px7 S3: Which Should You Choose
Both headphones share the same amplifier, DSP platform, and Bluetooth codec support, so the decision largely comes down to materials, noise cancellation, and budget. The Px8 S2 uses a more refined carbon driver chassis, Nappa leather and aluminium construction, and noticeably stronger ANC — making it the pick for listeners who want the absolute best B&W can build. The Px7 S3 delivers much of the same sonic DNA at a lower price point for buyers who prioritise value. If reference-level sound quality, premium materials, and flagship-grade noise cancellation matter more than price, the Px8 S2 is the clear step up.
Why Buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 from 8mm.in
As an authorised Bowers & Wilkins dealer, 8mm brings 35+ years of home theatre and AV expertise to every purchase — which means you can audition the Px8 S2 in person, compare it against other flagship headphones on our showroom floor, and get genuine after-sales support, not just a box on your doorstep. Every pair we sell is backed by our experience centre team in Shankar Nagar, Raipur.
Ready to hear the difference? Experience the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 for yourself at 8mm's experience centre in Shankar Nagar, Raipur, or shop the Px8 S2 online now at 8mm.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the price of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 in India?
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 is priced as B&W's flagship over-ear headphone, positioned above the Px7 S3 in the lineup. For current pricing, finishes, and availability in India, check the Px8 S2 product page at 8mm.in, or visit our Shankar Nagar experience centre in Raipur.
2. What are the key upgrades in the Px8 S2 over the original Px8?
The Px8 S2 carries over the same 40mm carbon cone driver size but pairs it with a stiffer chassis and new motor system borrowed from the Px7 S3, along with a revised amplifier and DSP tuning. It also moves to an eight-microphone array (up from six), a five-band customisable EQ in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, stronger active noise cancellation, and a slimmer, lighter design with a more compact carry case.
3. How long does the Px8 S2 battery last?
The Px8 S2 delivers up to 30 hours of wireless playback on a full charge. A quick 15-minute top-up via USB-C gives you roughly 7 hours of additional listening time, and a full recharge takes about two hours.
4. Does the Px8 S2 support high-resolution wireless audio?
Yes. The Px8 S2 runs on Bluetooth 5.3 with support for aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC, enabling true 24-bit/96kHz wireless streaming from compatible sources. For wired listening, it also accepts USB-C digital input and a USB-C to 3.5mm analogue cable, both included in the box.
5. Is the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 good for calls?
Call performance is one of the biggest upgrades in this generation. The eight-microphone array, paired with ADI PureVoice call processing, isolates your voice from background noise for clearer calls, whether you're on a flight, in a busy office, or working from a café.
6. What colours does the Px8 S2 come in?
The Px8 S2 is available in refined finishes including Onyx Black and Warm Stone, crafted with soft Nappa leather earcups and solid die-cast aluminium arms. Browse current finishes on the Px8 S2 product page at 8mm.in.
7. Can I use the Px8 S2 wired as well as wireless?
Yes. Alongside Bluetooth 5.3, the Px8 S2 supports wired listening through USB-C (digital input, ideal for pairing with a phone or laptop DAC) and through the bundled USB-C to 3.5mm cable for analogue sources like in-flight entertainment systems.
8. Where can I buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 in Raipur?
8mm.in is an authorised Bowers & Wilkins dealer in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. You can audition and buy the Px8 S2 at our Shankar Nagar experience centre, or order it directly through the Px8 S2 product page.
Written by Yug Gupta | Audio Specialist at 8mm.in
