The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 visually, it resembles the slightly smaller PX5, and technically it is very similar technology. Even if the size of the driver differs through the size of the headphones and the PX7 has installed a slightly larger driver here. However due to the other design, there are a few advantages that may even justify the slightly higher price.
The Bowers & Wilkins PX5 is not just any on-ear headphones but one of the highest quality on-ears currently available on the market. Not only from the materials chosen for the B&W PX5 (carbon, for example), but also from a sound and functional point of view. But just because the data-sheet is bursting with power, this does not necessarily have to be shown in reality. That’s why I took a close look at the B&W PX5. Here you can find out whether the $250 for the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 is really worth it.
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7 | Bowers & Wilkins PX5 |
| Sophisticated, comfortable design | Excellent build quality |
| Strong ANC with multiple modes | Quality ANC with in-app controls |
| Can be used in wired mode | Support for aptX Adaptive |
| Great set of features | Good battery life |
| Finicky connectivity | Quite expensive |
As with the PX5, the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 is operated via push buttons on both sides of the ear cups. With this, all functions that you need can be carried out again. This includes music tracks (start, stop, back and forth), volume (quieter, louder), calls (answer, reject, merge, switch, mute), ANC, and the voice assistant. In addition to wireless use, it can also be used with the AUX and the USB-C cable.
With the PX7, too, the operation was problem-free and straightforward, although a quick look at the operating instructions is worthwhile because the control is not intuitive at first glance. Then, however, the operation via push buttons is well solved, although I would like to note here that the innovation is, of course, a little lacking. Nevertheless, the principle of function over innovation applies because what use is an excellent new touch-field if it doesn’t work?
The Bowers & Wilkins PX5 on-ear headphones are operated via push buttons on the sides. This can be used to set the noise canceling, switch the headphones on and off and activate the coupling mode. You can also start and pause playback, jump to the previous track, jump to the next track and change the volume. Calls can also be controlled in various ways (accept, reject, hold, merge and jump), and the voice assistant can also be started with the B&W PX5. Or, to cut a long story short, you can perform all functions with the headphones. The Bowers & Wilkins PX5 also has ear recognition, but more on that later.
I am delighted with the operating functions of the Bowers & Wilkins PX5. If I want to criticize anything, it’s the fact that the operation is initially not 100% intuitive, and I first had to look at the operating instructions to find all the functions. Once you’ve done that, the B&W PX5 is easy and reliable to operate. Some people will be annoyed that headphones in this price range still rely on “old school” push buttons, while others will be happy that this is the case. Yes, I would have found it more intuitive if touch surfaces had been used on the Bowers & Wilkins PX5, but I am far more satisfied with push buttons than I would be with on- and over-ear headphones In-Ears.
Specification
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7 | Bowers & Wilkins PX5 | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Weight | 310 gram | 241 gram |
| Model | PX7 | PX5 |
| Weight | 10.7 ounces | 9 ounces |
| Dimension | 3.15 x 6.89 x 8.66 inches | 2.76 x 6.3 x 8.66 inches |
| Type | Over-Ear closed | Over-Ear closed |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Colors | Space Grey, Carbon, Silver | Blue, Space Grey |
| Driver | 43.6 mm driver | 35.6 mm driver |
| Audio Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Frequency Response | 10 – 30,000 Hz | 10 – 30,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 20 Ohms | 20 Ohms |
| ANC | Yes | Yes |
| Detachable | No | No |
| Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0, jack (3.5 mm) | Bluetooth 5.0, jack (3.5 mm) |
| Battery life | 30 hours Bluetooth with ANC | 25 hours Bluetooth with ANC |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Design & Comfort
Bowers & Wilkins PX7
The headphones are equipped with soft ear pads and a soft head pad. Thanks to the carbon material, the headphones are otherwise very light and easy to wear. You can hardly feel it on your head, so wearing it for several hours is no problem. However, after about an hour, some moisture will develop on the ear pads. In my opinion, the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 is not suitable for sports because they slide too much back and forth. With quick and jerky movements, it can fall off the head.
ANC (Active Noise Cancelling)- The active noise canceling of the Bowers and Wilkins PX7, ambient noises, especially in the low and medium frequencies, can be effectively blocked out. The headphones still have problems with the high frequencies, so I can still clearly hear typing on the keyboard or voices in the environment, even with the highest ANC setting. The higher frequencies are felt to be faded out a little less than with the PX5, although the design means that there should be a higher shielding. However, as described, all other frequencies are well faded out, and you can, for example, free yourself from the annoying noise of the train ride or driving a car.
Transparency mode- Thanks to the transparency mode, outside noises are allowed to pass through. The app can also be used to influence strength. The noise floor is slightly higher with the transparency mode. In the highest setting, all ambient noises are passed on very amplified, while everything happens in the background in the lowest setting. In general, the transparency mode of the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 is excellent.
Ear recognition- The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 has an ear detection system that automatically ensures playback stops as soon as you take the headphones off your ear. Here, too, the intensity can be adjusted with the app’s help so that the music stops, for example, when you lift it slightly or only when you have entirely removed the headphones from your ear. This also works fine.
App- The app, not only can firmware updates be carried out, but also noise-canceling, transparency mode, and ear recognition can be set as described above. But not only that is possible. Background noises such as raindrops or forest noises can also be played, and other settings made. However, I do miss an equalizer. There is no such thing.
Bowers & Wilkins PX5
The Bowers & Wilkins PX5 has two significant advantages that are very comfortable to wear. On the one hand, the entire bracket is softly padded; on the other hand, it is continuously adjustable. So you find the optimal size for yourself, which is comfortable to wear and has soft padding at the same time, which allows longer wearing. So I find that you can wear the B&W PX5 quickly for between 2 to 3 hours without being uncomfortable.
However, you have to live with two compromises. The second point is that the B&W PX5 headphones have a relatively high center of gravity, which means that they slide back and forth during sports and are not necessarily suitable for sports. But they are ideal for walks or in peace.
Adaptive Noise Cancelling- The difference between the individual levels (low, auto, high) in noise-canceling is just as visible as the actual difference between activated noise canceling and deactivated. When noise canceling is activated, almost all noises are tried to be suppressed or only specific frequencies depending on the level. At the highest level, even voices are noticeably softened, whereas in the low level, mainly low frequencies are canceled out. With the higher continuous frequencies, even the most substantial level is still difficult, but there is also a noticeable improvement here.
With all the joy of a well-functioning noise canceling, what you shouldn’t forget is the noticeably changing sound. The bass is richer and deeper in the highest noise-canceling level while much more restrained in the other levels.
Transparency mode- In the transparency mode of the Bowers & Wilkins PX5, the headphones switch the playback down significantly and push it into the background. This is, therefore, significantly quieter. Ambient noises then penetrate the ear much more intensely, and you can fully hear what is happening around you. For me, the lowering of the volume is a bit too strong. What I think is good here is that you can still change the strength of the transparency in the app.
App- The app is nicely designed and includes setting options for noise canceling, transparency mode, connection, language, software, and the carrying sensor. You can also play soundscapes. However, I miss the ability to make your sound settings and use an equalizer.
Audio Quality
Bowers & Wilkins PX7- The voice quality is also not bad. Especially in quiet surroundings, the voice is transmitted quite clearly and can convince during phone calls and voice messages. If the environment is a bit louder and disturbing ambient noises, these are tried to be faded out with the help of CVC technology. However, the voice quality suffers overall because the voice loses volume here. Still, I made good phone calls most of the time, especially in the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7- The voice quality is undoubtedly the weakest feature of the B&W PX5, although Bowers & Wilkins certainly doesn’t do a bad job here. In most cases, I can be heard loud enough, although there is always a noise accompanying your voice and you sound slightly muffled by default. In noisy environments, the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 makes it harder to understand than in quiet environments because ambient noise is only minimally softened when making calls, if at all. At the same time, this is not one of the core features of the Bowers & Wilkins PX5, and the voice quality is good again. At least making voice recordings for WhatsApp or making a quick phone call in between is no problem for the B&W PX5 headphones.
Connectivity
Most of the connection was made via Bluetooth during the Bowers and Wilkins PX7. Here the connection works at all times without any problems and almost entirely without dropouts. There was only one brief interruption during the entire test period. Otherwise, thanks to the Bluetooth button on the auricle, the connection is effortless and quick. If you have already connected a device, the connection with the last connected device takes place automatically. However, the connection with the AUX cable and the USB-C cable also works very well. Here you can play higher-quality audio tracks again, especially with the AUX connection. However, when connecting the Bower and Wilkins PX7 via AUX cable, you have to note that the control with the buttons does not work here.
The range is also about 10 meters with the Bowers and Wilkins PX7, although there is undoubtedly a meter or two more under optimal conditions. Of course, the environment also influences the range, but you can generally move around the room without any problems, e.g., in the office.
The B&W PX5. In many cases, this did not last for 10 meters, which is a must for me. Yes, the 10 meters can be reached if you are in an optimal starting situation, but if this is not the case, the connection becomes crumbly at 8 meters. However, it is otherwise always stable and without dropouts. In addition, I can efficiently and quickly couple the B&W PX5 headphones with my smartphone, computer, or similar devices, and thanks to the AUX cable, I could even use them with all kinds of other devices or on the plane (with the help of an adapter).
Battery Life
According to the manufacturer, the battery life is around 30 hours with activated ANC. The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 also has a quick charge function that gives you an additional 5 hours of playback time within 15 minutes of charging. Otherwise, the headphones are charged via USB-C and need at least 3 hours for a full charge.
According to the manufacturer, the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 lasts 25 hours with activated noise canceling. Should the power run out, you can use the fast charging function of the B&W PX5 to gain 5 hours within 15 minutes, which I find remarkable. You won’t find wireless charging here. This feature is currently mostly reserved for true wireless headphones.
Conclusion!
As with the on-ear PX5, the results of the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 are highly positive. I can hardly find a point here that would somehow grossly bother me. Only the price premium for the on-ear model is a bit too high. The market prices are approaching more and more here so that the point is almost negligible. The Bowers and Wilkins are entering the race for premium Bluetooth over-ear headphones as one of the best models and are running steeply towards the Earpod Ratgeber Award for the first half of 2021.
As expected, the sound is of high quality and primarily pure enjoyment. It is also one of the best in its class, even if it has to be said that the high price would not have allowed any other sound design. If you want to get more out of it, you can grab the cable and enjoy the music on a decent system. However, for the maximum number of points, I lack the brilliance in the heights that I would expect here.
The Bowers & Wilkins PX5 leaves little to be desired and does above average in the simple test. However, I didn’t expect anything else from this manufacturer and the price, and if I’m honest, anything else would have been a disappointment. But I don’t have to be angry about these, because there aren’t any. The B&W PX5 pleases all around and offers an excellent soundscape that can be achieved with only a few other devices.
As expected, the surrounding effect of the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 is rich in detail both in terms of width and depth and provides the necessary basis for a good movie experience. You can immerse yourself in this with the high noise-canceling setting.
