Headphone Reviews

The headphones have other advanced and useful functions. There is a "Wear Sensor" that automatically pauses playback by simply lifting an earcup or completely removing them. This feature can be defeated in the app, or you can adjust its sensitivity. I love that I can control how much movement is required to activate them. I've had issues with other headphones that turn off if I just move them slightly to push my hair off my face, etc. When they're removed, they go into a power-saving standby mode and quickly restart once they're put back on. The standby timer is adjustable in the app.

There are a couple settings you'll want to change as soon as possible with the app. One is the streaming quality for mobile data and another for WiFi. My system defaulted to the "Reduced Data" setting, so I put in on "Highest" for the remainder of the audition.

Performance
I am so embarrassed to admit this, but it was so impressive that I have no choice but to share. The day these headphones arrived at my house, I had to do some quick cleaning. I couldn't resist trying them on to hear if they sounded anywhere close to how good they looked. (Spoiler alert: they did.) I cued up my favorite house-cleaning list on Spotify: Pop Rising and got to work. I know my Miele vacuum is known for being a very quiet model, but while I was using it with the Px8 in ANC mode, I had to feel the vacuum for vibrations to ensure it was actually running. It was insane! I had to literally slip them slightly off my ears because I wanted to be able to hear if the vacuum was getting hung up on anything or if I kinked the hose. I kept them on while moving down to the basement and used the ShopVac. This was audible, but it wasn't as painfully loud as it usually is.

I also had a chance to use the Px8 on an airplane trip. The first flight was an Embraer 175 while the second leg was an Airbus A320. I was surprised at how much of the engine whine of the E-175 was blocked even without turning on the noise cancellation. I found that the higher-pitched whine and the lower rumble of the A320 were nicely eliminated with ANC on. The Ambient Pass-Through mode was great for hearing inflight announcements, but I found it added back too much external ambient noise, so I chose not to use this mode often.

For the rest of my audition sessions, I settled into my quiet listening room and used the wired connection most of the time. I loved having the option to connect via USB to my computer, and then also to be able to quickly switch to streaming from my phone while I was using the Px8 on the run.

I am obsessed with The National's song "Somebody Desperate" from the movie Cyrano. While some headphones slightly degrade the sound quality in their noise-cancellation modes, I found the PX8 subtly enhances it. The melancholy opening notes of the acoustic piano and the stirring cello accompaniment have a rich depth that is more expansive and warm with the ANC on. With it off, Matt Berninger's vocals are brighter, and his breathlessness is more apparent.

Poking around on YouTube, I stumbled on a fascinating track from JVKE. "Golden Hour" has a gloriously retro, vintage feel to it, with its arpeggiated piano track and old-school crooner choruses. However, it's brought instantly up to date by the almost rap-type rapid-fire verse and the deliciously deep bass synth. The Px8 handled those bass notes deftly. Again, I preferred the deep, enhanced bass in the ANC mode, even though I know it's exaggerated. Switching all DSP off, I was still impressed with the natural sound quality. In both modes, I thoroughly enjoyed the soundstage and imaging of these headphones. When JVKE was onscreen conducting an invisible orchestra, the placement of each section of the strings was precise and accurate.

I was anxious to check out the new electric guitar version of Philip Glass' "Opening" with Sergio Sorrentino. This solo track is one of the most mystifying and soulful compositions by Glass. The guitar recording showcases the detailed intricacies that are perfect for the Px8. The pedal tones never get muddy, even in the more complex sections of the track. The higher notes are pure, with natural transparency, never coming close to being harsh or sharp.

The next track on my playlist was "I'm a Mess" by Avril Lavigne with YUNGBLUD. The acoustic guitar has a clean, bright sound with an impressive upper extension that still leaves space for Lavigne's higher notes. The detailed nuances of the mix were especially apparent in the subtle amounts of delay and echo on the lead vocals. YUNGBLUD and Lavigne's voices blend beautifully in the choruses, but each voice is distinct and separate. Lavigne's extremely high notes in the last bridge stay clean without harshness or sibilance, even at very high listening levels.

And finally, the song that I was grooving to while I was vacuuming up my house; you might as well dance it out while you clean. Lizzo's "About Damn Time" has a disco-inspired bass line and a pounding kick drum that never lets up. The bass has a wonderfully musical tone, even in its deepest notes. At softer listening levels, the bass isn't nearly as impressive, but it still has a taut, punchy feel.

As with any over-ear headphones, comfort needs to be discussed. Once again, the Px8 did not disappoint. I tend to run hot – most headphones get warm on my ears after a while. However, I could wear the Px8 for hours without discomfort. They weigh in at 11.3 ounces. My only slight gripe is that they fit so snuggly that when I had to occasionally wear reading glasses, there was a bit of pressure from the arms of the glasses. Since noise-cancellation relies on a tight fit, there was a bit more ambient noise allowed in while wearing them with glasses.

Conclusion
Even without looking at, feeling, or listening to the Px8, there are so many things I love. I truly love that they have button controls instead of touch pads on the earcups. I end up accidentally doing "something" when wearing touch-pad headphones– advancing a track, pausing, adjusting volume, whatever, when I was only rubbing my ear or moving my hair. I love being able to assign different functions to the Quick Access button. I love the pass-through ANC mode. And I love the high-quality streaming function. And did I mention how much I love how they look, feel and sound?

They are expensive and have extravagant finishes. But you really do get what you pay for. With the Bowers and Wilkins Px8, you get luxurious ANC headphones with exactly the sound quality you would expect.