New Products

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) has announced the Px7 S3, a third-generation over-ear model that the company positions as its “most advanced and capable” wireless headphone to date. The new design replaces 2023’s Px7 S2e and brings several firsts to the line, including a discrete on-board headphone amplifier, an upgraded eight-microphone active-noise-cancellation (ANC) system, and upcoming support for both spatial-audio processing and Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast broadcast mode.

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Hardware Changes

New 40 mm biocellulose drivers
B&W says it re-worked the driver chassis, voice coil, suspension, and magnet to reduce distortion and improve dynamics. The drivers remain angled in the earcups to maintain a consistent path length to the ear.

Dedicated analog amplifier
Instead of relying on the system-on-chip for power, the S3 uses discrete amplification. The company claims the change delivers “more scale and energy,” though it hasn’t published power specs.

Wireless & Wired Connectivity
The Px7 S3 ships with Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive (24-bit/96 kHz) and the newer aptX Lossless codec. A 3.5 mm analog cable and a USB-C cable for both charging and audio are included. Bluetooth LE Audio—and its LC3 codec—will arrive in a firmware update later this year, alongside the brand’s first implementation of spatial-audio processing.

Noise Cancellation & Call Quality
B&W’s in-house ANC platform now uses eight microphones: four monitor external noise, two monitor driver output, and two handle voice pick-up. The company pairs the array with Analog Devices’ latest Pure Voice processing, a combination it says is its most effective yet for suppressing cabin and street noise without altering tonality.

Ergonomics & Controls
The S3 adopts a slimmer yoke, a lower-profile headband, and thicker memory-foam cushions. Physical controls remain, but the power switch moves to the left earcup and the three media buttons are reshaped for easier identification by touch. A Quick Action button can cycle ANC modes or trigger a mobile voice assistant, depending on user preference.

Battery Life
B&W rates the headphones for 30 hours of playback with ANC engaged; a 15-minute fast-charge is said to provide up to seven additional hours.

App & EQ
The company’s Music app continues to handle setup, streaming integrations, and firmware updates. A new five-band parametric EQ allows users to store multiple presets; a “True Sound” switch bypasses EQ for the factory voicing.

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Pricing & Availability
The Px7 S3 is available now in the U.K. for £399 and in Europe for €429. U.S. pricing is expected to be around $429, though the company says final North- and Latin-American pricing will be announced later. Finishes include Anthracite Black, Indigo Blue, and Canvas White; both ear cushions and the headband are user-serviceable.

Bowers & Wilkins also teased a forthcoming flagship, the Px8 S2, expected before year-end. As with any pre-release product, Sound & Vision will reserve judgment until we’ve had an opportunity to test the Px7 S3 under controlled conditions.