Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) has unveiled their newest wireless headphones, the Px7 S3, which promise advancements in sound quality, noise cancellation, and overall comfort. These headphones will be available in three colors: Anthracite Black, Indigo Blue, and Canvas White, and are being promoted as the most sophisticated model the brand has released to date. However, this title may soon be challenged, as B&W has announced that their upcoming flagship model, the Px8 S2, is currently in development and expected to debut later in 2025.
The launch of the Px7 S3 has been somewhat impacted by the ongoing tariff situation in the U.S. While the headphones are fully available in the United Kingdom, where they retail for £399 (approximately $531), there is no confirmed release date for North and Latin America. Potential buyers in these regions are encouraged to sign up for notifications on the Px7 S3 product page for updates. Interestingly, the product pages for the U.S. and Canada list prices of $429 and $599 CAD, respectively, although these prices may adjust by the time of availability.
### Significant Enhancements
The Px7 S3 represents a major upgrade over the previous B&W Px7 S2 model, which was already well-regarded for its noise-canceling capabilities. The design features adjustments to the chassis, including streamlined earcups, a reimagined headband, and a new arm mechanism that provides a snugger fit.
It would have been beneficial to see the inclusion of magnetic ear cushions for easier replacements, but B&W assures that trained service technicians can replace both the ear cushions and headband.
Internally, the Px7 S3 boasts improved 40mm bio-cellulose drivers with refinements to the chassis, voice coil, suspension, and magnet. B&W claims that these updates will minimize coloration and distortion while enhancing resolution and dynamic range. For the first time, the company has incorporated a dedicated headphone amplifier, promising a more expansive and energetic sound profile.
Hi-res audio support has been enhanced through the introduction of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound codec family, replacing the older aptX HD codec. This includes aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless for compatible smartphones. The Px7 S3 continues to support USB audio with lossless decoding capabilities of up to 24-bit/96kHz via the onboard DAC.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is now powered by an eight-microphone system, an improvement over the six-mic setup in the Px7 S2. B&W asserts that this will better eliminate unwanted sounds, particularly during phone calls, thanks to its utilization of ADI Pure Voice technology.
Battery life remains at a claimed 30 hours, but refinements within the B&W Music app allow for personalization of sound through a five-band EQ with saveable presets.
In an intriguing update, B&W has promised future firmware enhancements for the Px7 S3, which may include support for spatial audio and Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast. While a release date has not been specified, a representative indicated that the planned spatial audio feature would not include head tracking, unlike what is available in some rival high-end headphones such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Apple AirPods Max.
