Nowadays the competition in the field of Noise cancellation over-ear headphones is very high. We can see new models coming out every day with different features.
So it becomes very difficult to choose the best one for us.
In this article, I going to compare the recently release Bowers Wilkins PX7 S2 with last month’s release of the Sony WH-1000XM5.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bowes & Wilkins PX7 S2 are two of the best wireless over-ear headphones in the current era, so it going to be hard to choose one of them.
Let’s take a look at how they stand against each other.
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General Comparison: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 | SONY WH-1000XM5 | |
| Release Date | June 2022 | May 2022 |
| Predecessor | Bowers & Wilkins PX7 | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
| Parent Company | Bowers & Wilkins | Sony |
| Type | Over-ear headphones | Over-ear headphones |
| Chip | Qualcomm chip | Sony’s QN1 and V1 chips |
| Weight | about 307 grams | about 250 grams |
| Colors | Grey, Blue, and Black | Black and Silver |
| Water-protection | No | No |
| Bluetooth | version 5.0 | version 5.2 |
| Bluetooth codecs | aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, and SBC | SBC, AAC, and LDAC |
| Wireless range: | 30 ft | 32ft |
| Battery life | about 30 hours | 30 to 40 hours (With Mixed usage) |
| Charging | Wired USB-C charging | Wired USB-C charging (USB-PD) |
| Inputs | USB-C | USB-C |
| Case Charging Type | USB-C | USB-C Charging Case |
| Noise cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient noise mode | Yes | Yes |
| Live Listen | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | Physical Buttons | Simple Touch Control |
| Microphones | 4 Microphones for ANC and 2 Microphones for Telephony | 4 beamforming microphones |
| Voice assistant | No | Google and Alexa voice assistant |
| EQ settings | Yes | Yes |
Price: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
When Sony released the WH-1000XM5 in May 2022, they were priced at $400, and because they have recently come out, the price hasn’t yet dropped.
However, if you keep an eye on the sale periods like Amazon Prime Day, Cyber Monday, or Black Friday you can get a significant discount on the headphones.
The Recently come out Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2, on the other hand, is available at the same price tag as the Sony WH-1000XM5, $400. Price may be dropped out in the future but for now, it is the same.
Winner: Draw
Battery Life: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
One of the most important factors when choosing the best wireless headphones is battery life.
As it is very annoying when your headphones die in the middle of the day or during a long flight and you have to carry the charging cable with you everywhere.
The B&W PX7 S2 has a quoted battery life of 30 hours, and in my test, I found it to last for around 27 hours, which is still very impressive.
The Sony WH-1000XM5, on the other hand, offers slightly better battery life. In my test, it lasted for around 28 hours, which is 1 hour more than the PX7 S2.
Also when it comes to fast charging both are extremely close to each other, as PX7 S2 offers 7 hours of usage in 15 minutes of charge while Sony offers 5 hours in 10 minutes of charge just like Bose 700.
So Here both the headphones are very close to each other, and I think the extra 1-hour battery life of the Sony WH-1000XM5 makes it a winner in this category.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5
Comfort and Fit: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
Of course, a battery life of over 30 hours is meaningless if the headphones are not comfy to wear for so long. However, both the Sony and Bowers & Wilkins headphones are extremely comfortable and can be worn for hours without any discomfort.
This time, B&W has paid attention to comfort by utilizing softer and more luxurious materials in the PX7 S2. The non-folding PX7 S2s are somewhat lighter and smaller than their predecessor, weighing 307 grams.
Moreover, the ear cushions are made of a unique “Memory foam” that evenly distributes pressure around your ears. The leatherette headband didn’t make my head sweat or dull pain, even after wearing it for hours.
Sony has also improved the comfort of their latest model by adding mushy earpads and easy-to-adjust headbands. The WH-1000XM5s is much lighter than the PX7 S2, weighing 250 grams.
Additionally, the gap between the earcups and your head is smaller, so it doesn’t press too hard on your skull and provides a better seal.
So, in the end, I will say both headphones are very comfortable and it’s tough to choose a winner in this category but I will give a very slight edge to the Sony WH-1000XM5s
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound Quality: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
After the battery life, sound quality is the most crucial factor in choosing the best headphones (Especially when you are looking for the best wireless headphones).
When it comes to sound quality, both the Sony and Bowers & Wilkins headphones are exceptional. The PX7 S2 delivers a very well-balanced sound with a good open soundstage. As well as they have a powerful bass-boosted sound that makes them great for all types of music. The mids have a natural sounding, and the highs are detailed without being harsh.
I experience all these by listening to the Arctic Monkeys, Hozier, Ed Sheeran, and Kendrick Lamar.
On the other hand, the Sony WH-1000XM5 also offers excellent sound quality. When I tested them, I found bass is punchy and well-controlled without being overwhelming. Mids are detailed and clear, and highs are sharp but not harsh.
The soundstage is also very good, and I can easily pick out the instruments and vocals in the songs.
I tested the sound quality by listening to the same songs as on the PX7 S2, and I think Sony has a slight edge over B&W in the sound quality department.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5
Features And Controls: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
Like its predecessor, Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 also features aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codec support. which helps in syncing the audio with video very quickly.
PX7 S2 also features hybrid noise cancellation technology, which is an upgrade over the standard noise cancellation which is available on the original PX7. Hybrid Noise Cancellation uses 4 microphones, whereas there are 2 microphones used for telephony.
When it comes to controls, the PX7 S2 does not feature any touch control. You have to use the buttons on the earcup to control music playback, answer phone calls, and summon your virtual assistant.
Moreover, B&W PX7 S2 has the Bowers & Wilkins‘Music control app support, which gives you access to the ‘Equaliser’, ‘Noise Cancellation’, and ‘Smart Settings’.
On the other side, Sony WH-1000XM5 features the new QN1 and V1 Noise Cancelling Processor, which is an upgrade over the previous model.
Moreover, the controls on the earcup are touch-sensitive, so you can control music playback, answer phone calls, and summon your virtual assistant without any hassle.
Also, Sony WH-1000XM5 has LDAC, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs support instead of aptX Adaptive, and aptX HD. Moreover, the XM5 supports Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format which is an immersive, three-dimensional audio experience.
And Sony has its own companion app, which gives you access to the ‘Equaliser’, ‘Noise Cancellation’, and ‘Ambient Sound Control’.
So, in the end, I will say both headphones offer a great feature set. But for me, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has a slight edge over the B&W PX7 S2.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5
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Conclusion
After testing both headphones side by side, I can say both are great in their ways. But if I had to choose one, I would go for the Sony WH-1000XM5.
The reason I would choose the XM5 is that they offer a better battery life, slightly better sound quality, and touch-sensitive controls.
I am not saying that the B&W PX7 S2 is a bad headphone they are also great in every area. But for me, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a better choice.
FAQs
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 are both continuations of ongoing mainline series that have been met with great acclaim. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a more neutral sound profile, although they’re still pretty bass-heavy, a virtual soundstage feature, and a significantly better performing ANC system. On the other hand, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is more comfortable better built, and supports aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs to help you get good sound quality via Bluetooth.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is known for its superior active noise cancellation (ANC). It uses a QN1 HD Noise Cancelling Processor, which is extremely effective at blocking out ambient noise. While the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 also offers noise cancellation, it may not be as effective as the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Both headphones are designed with comfort in mind and feature padded ear cups and adjustable headbands. However, comfort can be subjective and depends on factors like the size of your head and ears. It’s always a good idea to try them on before making a purchase if possible.
Yes, both headphones have built-in microphones and support for making calls. However, the call quality can depend on various factors like the ambient noise and the device you’re connecting the headphones to.