Latest news with #Px7S3
Engadget
28-07-2025
- Engadget
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review: A sonic powerhouse only slightly improved
When it comes to audio performance, Bowers & Wilkins is on a hot streak. The company manages to consistently offer balanced and detailed sound across its line of headphones and earbuds. The Px7 and Px8 lines have been mainstays on our best headphones list for a while now, primarily for their outstanding audio quality. With the Px7 S3 ($449), the company updated a previous model with changes to its sound platform and some subtle design tweaks. And that combination continues an upward trajectory that shows no signs of slowing down. Bowers & Wilkins continues its run of making devices with exceptional sound quality, but it's time to switch up the formula in terms of design and features. $449 at Macy's Explore More Buying Options $449 at Amazon$450 at Verizon Bowers & Wilkins has been crafting a superb mix of sound and design for a while now. That run of form continues on the Px7 S3 with an audio platform that's powered by 40mm bio cellulose drivers, discrete headphone amplifiers and a 24-bit audio connection. There's also support for the full suite of aptX codecs (Lossless, Adaptive, HD and Classic) as well as TrueSound mode. That latter item is a dedicated audio profile that the company says 'allows you to hear music and movies with the striking accuracy and realism of the original recording, with nothing added and nothing taken away.' All of that combines for some truly stellar audio performance on the Px7 S3. The sound is crisp and detailed, even offering nuance to more bass-heavy and chaotic genres. I heard some particular elements in the percussion on Turnstile's 'DULL' that I hadn't noticed before on other headphones or earbuds. You can also hear the band's use of guitar effects to a greater degree on this model (hello reverb and chorus). Plus, even at their most raucous, tracks have nice separation so that all of the instruments gain an airy, atmospheric quality rather than sounding compressed. I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference between the stock tuning and the TrueSound mode. I think that's a testament to the device's sonic prowess out of the box. But, if you find that you do need to make a change, there's a full 5-band EQ available for that. Billy Steele for Engadget Bowers & Wilkins says it 'greatly upgraded' its active noise cancellation (ANC) setup on the Px7 S3. It added two more microphones on this model, so there are now eight total units with an even split on each ear cup. ANC has always been… fine on the company's headphones, but it never came close to the supreme world-blocking capabilities of Bose or Sony . Here, there is noticeable improvement, but TV sounds, human voices and constant noise from planes, fans and sound machines still cut through. Other improvements on the Px7 S3 include slight changes to the design of the headphones. Bowers & Wilkins slimmed down the ear cups and refined the headband, and these two updates offer a sleeker silhouette and improve overall comfort. There's still the mix of metal, leather and textured fabric from the Px7 S2 and Px7 S2e, with the only obvious aesthetic change being a new ridged ring around the earcups. There's no doubt the company has created a sophisticated look, but it would be nice to see some bigger design changes now that three consecutive models have looked nearly identical. Bowers & Wilkins claims you'll get 30 hours of battery life on a charge with the Px7 S3. As it has in the past, the company doesn't specify if this is with ANC on or off. The company has a habit of understating its runtime stats though, and the Px7 S3 continues that trend. After 15 hours of what I'd consider 'normal' use — mostly with ANC active, but several times with ambient sound on for calls — I had over 60 percent left in the tank. Better-than-stated battery life is never a bad thing, so just know you'll probably outlast the company's numbers in that regard. Billy Steele for Engadget The first strike against the Px7 S3 is its price. At $449, this model is $50 more than its predecessors in the Px7 line. Sure, everything is more expensive these days with the constant churn that is tariffs and other financial uncertainties, but it's still worth considering that Bowers & Wilkins is asking you to pay more for its upgrades this time around. The next issue I have with the Px7 S3 is the location of its controls. On the Px7 S2e, the buttons were on the edge of the ear cups — a positioning that's common among the competition. For this model though, Bowers & Wilkins moved the controls to the edge of the smaller panels where the headband connects to the ear cups. As such, the ledge or lip there is skinnier, so the buttons are more cumbersome to find with your thumb. This may seem like nitpicking, but it's a change that impacted the overall experience for me as someone who is constantly testing headphones. Bowers & Wilkins typically focuses on the basics when it comes to its headphones. This means you'll get excellent sound quality, capable ANC and some audio customizability, but that's about it. The same holds true for the Px7 S3, as you won't find any advanced features here that companies like Sony and others may tack on for your convenience. There's no automatic pausing when you start to speak or sound profiles that can be set to change based on location. It also lacks voice detection for your phone's assistant and doesn't offer advertised support for spatial audio. While any number of these could help soften the blow of that $449 price tag, I'd argue the sound is so good you'll likely be satisfied despite the limited set of features. Bowers & Wilkins has been taking an 'if it ain't broke, slightly tweak it' approach to its Px7 line for a while now, but the S3 version is a more robust upgrade than the previous release. However, the company's updates are mostly on the inside, with further enhancements to an already stellar sound profile and slight ANC improvements. There are some changes on the outside too, but I'd like to see the company make some bigger strides there the next time it sees fit to 'slightly tweak' this model. The company's spelled-out branding adorns the outside of both ear cups.
Daily Mail
29-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Review: The Best-Sounding Headphones Yet?
As someone who listens to music for at least eight hours every day, there are very few brands I trust with sound. Bowers & Wilkins is one of them, mainly for their sleek, durable builds, and ability to deliver clear, booming sound, which almost feels like a soothing balm to my ears. Their latest release, the Px7 S3s, are a testament to that excellence and deliver big on noise cancellation, sound quality, and connectivity. Previously, I've had gripes with certain Bowers & Wilkins products and working through connectivity issues, but with the Px7 S3s, connectivity issues are a thing of the past, and I truly think this is the best-sounding pair of headphones they've produced to date. I put them to the test for a week, at home, at work, and on the go, and here's what I thought. Our Verdict: The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are best suited for the audiophiles who love to listen to songs exactly how the artist intended for them to be heard. Every instrument, voice, and beat is clearly highlighted with these headphones, making it a truly enjoyable listening experience — for both bass-heavy and lighter classic tunes. If you've been waiting to jump on the Bowers & Wilkins bandwagon and haven't been convinced in their previous offerings, this one will change your mind as it stacks up so well to the competition. They look great, sound great, feel great, and have a long enough battery life that you don't need to constantly spring for a charge. How we test Every headphone we test goes through a series of challenges. We wear them through crowded city streets and quieter workplaces, all to gauge noise cancellation and transparency performance. As for sound, we put them through the test by shuffling through Spotify's Nasty Bits playlist to test bass, and Spotify's Vocalist Mix playlist to test for highs and lows. If water-resistant, we wear them at the gym multiple times a week to test their fit, grip, and durability. Each headphone gets over seven days of testing before a verdict is fully declared. Time to time, we come back and update our headphone review pieces after major software updates or if we notice something drastically change after the initial review. Why trust us Nishka Dhawan has been testing products and writing reviews for over seven years. When it comes to headphones, Nishka has tested over 32 models and put each one through a rigorous review process. Nishka's reviews are honest and realistic to ensure you have all the information you need to make the right purchase decision. She previously ran the tech section at RS Recommends, and has reviewed and written about tech goods for NBC Select, ABC, and Digital Trends. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Review Design: Starting with the design, the plush memory foam-style earcups and thick cushiony headband look and make these headphones feel really luxe. They're lighter than the previous model (just 300 grams) and have no leather in their build — just memory foam. You can shop the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 in three colors: Anthracite Black, Canvas White, and Indigo Blue, and each boasts a slim, sleek profile. The carrying case is great too and features a zipper design. Together, the case and the headphones fit easily into my work tote or daily bag without weighing me down. Performance: I've already talked a bit about the sound quality but really want to highlight that these headphones really do sound that good. Even while hearing your music at low volumes, bass sounds thumpy and vocals are clear and crisp. The headphones are built to go quite loud though, if you're really in the mood for your favorite headbanger — private concert in your work cubicle, anyone? I'm not going to bore you with technical jargon of highs, mids, and lows, but all you need to know is that whether you're listening to a podcast or your favorite pop anthem, vocals are clear, each instrument is neatly highlighted, and you'll never miss a beat. Even in muddled songs, or songs with one too many instruments which just sound loud to begin with, your ears will never feel overwhelmed, and you'll be able to zone out with ease — without your music sounding like 'noise.' Oh, and if you love deep bass from your favorite rock or EDM tracks, these headphones truly shine. Bass sounds warm and well-rounded, without feeling like someone is trying to punch your eardrums out. As for noise cancellation, I wore these headphones on busy New York streets, and apart from the sound of fire engine sirens and blaring horns creeping in, the noise cancellation worked quite well. At the office, I couldn't hear myself type or any of the chatter around me, which was great for zoning out. Pass-through is fine too — you can hear your surroundings without having to turn down your music, which is always nice. If you're a bit of an audiophile, you can also adjust EQ settings through the Bowers & Wilkins music app, which makes it easier to customize a soundscape to your liking. Value for money: Okay, Bowers & Wilkins ' products are known for being on the more expensive side, but I actually think these headphones are pretty fairly priced at $449. They're much cheaper than the PX8s which cost $699, and deliver better performance too in my opinion. They're also basically the same price as the Sony WH-1000XM6 which I also reviewed previously. Yes, there are cheaper headphones on the market, but if you're looking for the best sound quality and all-day comfort — literally, I wore these headphones for eight-plus hours — then you need to be willing to spend on these. I will say, every Bowers & Wilkins product I've had has lasted me years, so you shouldn't need to upgrade your headphones again for at least two to three years — maybe more. FAQS Are the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 water resistant? No, these are not waterproof and cannot be exposed to rain or moisture. These headphones are for listening only — please don't take them to the gym, they're not sweat-proof either. Do you need the Bowers & Wilkins Music app downloaded to use these headphones? While you can connect directly to the headphones via Bluetooth or the audio jack, having the app is great as you can edit and tune EQ, check for software updates, keep an eye on battery life, and even adjust various other sound settings. It's also an easy way to see which devices are connected to your headphones, so I highly recommend downloading the app.
Tom's Guide
23-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Forget Sony WH100XM6 — these excellent over-ear headphones are now available to pre-order in the US
If you're looking for the best pair of over-ear headphones you can buy right now, there's a strong argument that the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 is it. We awarded it 4.5 stars in our recent review and we can't get enough of these headphones right now. Following their release in the U.K. and Europe, Bowers & Wilkins has just confirmed these headphones are now available to pre-order in the U.S. That wasn't always a given; B&W said it was weighing up options as to whether it would launch the headphones in the U.S., and there was always a question of how much they'd cost due to the ongoing uncertainty around tariffs. But you can order them right now for $449 at Amazon, with shipping slated for June 11 — the day after their formal release. And since Sony just confirmed it was bumping the U.S. price of the WH-1000XM6 to the same price, we'd recommend opting for the Px7 S3s. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are one of the best pairs of over-ear headphones you can buy right now thanks to supreme sound quality, awesome comfort and a great battery life. In our Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review, we called these Editor's Choice 'phones the best sounding headphones for the price with impeccable build quality. What do you need to know about the B&W Px7 S3? Well, our audio editor thinks they're an excellent alternative to Sony and Bose with better sound, a more comfortable fit, and better build than both. The headphones have been redesigned from the previous iteration of the Px7s, to make them two ounces lighter. The padded headband and plush memory foam of the earcups mean you can wear these all day without noticing and, well, they've got tactile physical buttons for controlling volume and playback. Although it's likely you'll use these wirelessly, you can plug them in with a USB-C cable for hi-res listening at 24-bit 96kHz. The only thing to note is that you won't be able to use wired listening if the battery is dead. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Overall though, at a time when many companies are either hiking prices or withholding U.S. product launches entirely, it's great to see these excellent British headphones are going to make their way across the pond after all — and at a good price to boot.
Tom's Guide
10-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Which noise-cancelling headphones win?
Bowers & Wilkins went back to the drawing board with the Px7 S3, creating a new pair of headphones from the ground up. The result is a pair of headphones with good battery life, solid ANC, and stunning sound quality. The ANC kings remain a solid option for those looking for a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They're very comfortable and feature the best noise cancelling of just about anything. Battery life leaves something to be desired, but not enough to be a deal-breaker. Bose has long been the class leader for ANC, with the QuietComfort Ultra headphones dominating our best noise-cancelling headphones list for some time. The algorithm that Bose uses is simply the very best that you'll find just about anywhere, and it more than justifies their higher price. But the cans fall apart slightly when you look at other specs, like battery life and sound. That's where the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 step up to the plate. B&W's latest headphones pack in a stunning design, excellent build quality, and some of the best sound you've ever heard. While they've yet to see a US release date, the Px7 S3 might be a better pair of headphones than the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones in the long run — so let's see how the sets of cans stack up against each other. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Price £399 / AU$599 $429 / £449 / AU$645 Colors Canvas white; anthracite black; indigo blue Lunar Blue; Deep Plum; White Smoke; Black Size Not specified Not specified Weight 10 ounces 8.8 ounces Battery life (rated) Up to 30 hours Up to 24 hours Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD support Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC and LDAC, aptX HD support support Special features ANC, pass-through audio mode, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable sound, quick charge, Spatial Audio, Bluetooth LE, audio hand-off ANC, Immersive Audio, Bluetooth multipoint, customizable EQ, quick charge This is going to depend on where you are in the world. If you live outside of the U.K., the Px7 S3 are a much better deal than the QuietComfort Ultra. The B&W cans will set you back £399, as opposed to the £449 of the Bose. They're both available on and stock is fairly regular. The Bose are older and have seen discounts, but they are rarer than we'd hope. Unlike the equivalent Sony option, the WH-1000XM5, there haven't been as many discounts. Still, if you're in the U.K., the B&W cans are the better buy. There's a different story in America. Here, you'll find the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for $429, and… no price tag for the Px7 S3 while Bowers & Wilkins work out post-tariff pricing. I'm hoping things are as opportune as the U.K., but that remains to be seen. Alas for the B&W cans, the Bose option is available in both markets to buy — and thus they take this round early on. Thanks to their metal hinge design and sublime finishes, the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones look suitably worth their loftier price tag. I really like them. There are color options galore, from a diamond colorway to navy blue. Unfortunately, the build quality isn't quite there though: They rattle a bit too much for my liking, and when placed in their protective case, the left earcup can become pinched. As a result, my review unit has an unfortunate mark on the cushion. They're not built poorly, but you'd hope for more for the price. Despite the single color all over approach, the Px7 S3 have some lovely texture variation to catch the fingers and the eyes, and their shaping is far more interesting than the Bose. There's an air of luxury in the way that the Bowers & Wilkins look, and it extends to the build — they feel great in hand, and don't rattle, no matter how much you might wiggle them around. The hinge is sturdy, the headband creak-less, and the earcups feel lovely. Both are very comfortable, but I found the slightly firmer foam of the B&W meant I could wear them for longer than the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. The carrying cases are comparable as well — B&W's feel nicer with no fake leather and a nice textured finish, but both are protective. The Px7 S3 case won't pinch any earcups either. Despite the Bose's folding abilities, both cases take up about the same amount of space in a backpack. In the end, the design and build of the B&W cans take the cake. Spoiler alert! If you've got all physical controls, you dominate in this field. The Px7 S3 features physical controls, so you can already imagine where this one is going to go. The buttons on the Bowers & Wilkins are small and clicky, but easy to make out thanks to textured surfaces. They're split over the two earcups, with the right housing the power and ANC controls, and the left containing the playback and volume control. Thanks to those physical controls, I've found no accidental pauses, skipping, or ANC toggling. The Bose have a mixture of physical and touch controls, the latter of which is super interesting — but it doesn't work all that well. The 'multi-function' and power buttons are both on the right earcup, joined by a touch-sensitive slider control… thing. The Bose have a mixture of physical and touch controls, the latter of which is super interesting — but it doesn't work all that well. This is what you'll use for the volume — and little else. You swipe up for more volume and down to decrease the noise. Playback is controlled with the 'multi-function button.' This needs multiple presses or a hold to control playing, pausing, and the ANC — and that's annoying. A multi-press is one thing, but one button for almost everything is almost as annoying as accidental button presses with an overly sensitive touch panel. The volume slider is annoying too – sometimes you'll increase the volume too much without meaning to, or decrease it beyond the desired spot. It's very imprecise, which is not great. As you might imagine, the B&W cans beat the Bose option here. Bose has never had sound quality at the top of the list, but the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones still sound pretty good. A great deal of attention has been paid to the sonic capabilities of the cans, and, as a result, they're some of the best-sounding headphones that Bose has ever made. There's some excellent bass on offer, although it does have a habit of becoming unruly. Detail is good, and the dynamics are fun, giving you a very solid-sounding pair of headphones. But… the Bowers & Wilkins blow them out of the water. They're more controlled, more detailed, more spacious, and far more mature in the sonic presentation. They're a masterwork for the price, packing in sound that is only rivalled by headphones that cost hundreds of dollars more. The Bose don't sound bad — but they don't sound anywhere near as good as the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. Both headphones offer very similar feature sets, and you'll not be wanting for anything with either: Both have multiple ANC modes like transparency, although only the B&W can turn it completely 'off.' On the Spatial Audio front, the Bose packs in Bose's own 'Immersive Audio' feature, which uses some fancy wizardry to make your music sound bigger. Some love it, and some hate it — I'm closer to the latter category rather than the former. The B&W will have a spatial audio component, although it's coming in a future update so I don't know how good it is yet. B&W tell me it's all about making the sound feel like it's coming from a pair of stereo speakers in front of you, which sounds intriguing — but I'll reserve judgment for when I've actually heard it. Both the Bose and the B&W apps are easy to use and helpful, although the latter does connect to your favorite streaming services for a very cool feature if you've invested in other B&W devices. You can hand off music to WiFi-connected speakers from your headphones and vice versa so that the music doesn't stop — it's fun, and works well. The Bowers & Wilkins are also going to get Auracast in the future, which is something that the Bose option doesn't have. Overall, I'm going to call this one a tie — mostly because I can't try the biggest features of the Px7 S3 quite yet. This section doesn't need to be very long — if you want the best ANC, buy the QuietComfort Ultra headphones. The noise cancelling is like magic, blocking out every ounce of noise even when music isn't playing. The lack of any external noise is almost eerie, but it makes them the best ANC headphones you can buy right now. It would be nice if you could turn it off, of course, so that you could increase the paltry battery life (I'll get to you later), but it's still incredibly impressive. That's not to say the Px7 S3 noise cancellation is bad, far from it – it's just not on the same level as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. Still, at least you can turn it off when you've blocked out the sound of that baby at the back of the bus. The battery life available in the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is fine, but not great. They fall well below our expected minimum 30 hours with only 24 hours of staying power on tap. That's better than the likes of the AirPods Max, but nowhere near as good as the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. The B&W feature 30 hours of battery, in line with our expectations for noise-cancelling headphones in 2025. You can even extend that if you turn the ANC off, something you can't do with the Bose headphones. That's six hours more — and my testing showed that I might even be able to get them to last longer, depending on volume level with ANC on. Charging stats are in Bowers & Wilkins' favor as well. A 15-minute charge boosts them up to 7 hours of life, while the same time plugged in for the Bose only nets you another 2 hours of use. To fully charge the headphones you're looking at 2.5 hours with the B&W, but 3 for the Bose. Bose's battery life simply doesn't match up — the Px7 S3 win this round. First things first — the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 aren't yet available in the U.S., making the Bose the winners overall by default. But, the moment the B&W are available in the U.S., they'll take the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones to school, and take all their lunch money. And their shoes. The Px7 S3 are just a better pair of headphones all around — they're built much better, with no rattles and creaks, and they don't get pinched when you put them in their excellent carrying case. Their sound is the very best around, and their battery life completely outmatches the staying power of the Bose. If you want ANC, you're better off with the Bose, of course. But you'd be missing out on one of the best headphones around, which block plenty of noise without completely silencing the entirety of the rest of the world. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are a good pair of headphones, but the Px7 are just better. I'm just hoping they aren't dead on arrival, thanks to a massive price hike the moment they hit U.S. shores. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Price and value (5) 4 3 Design (15) 15 14 Controls (10) 9 5 Sound quality (25) 25 20 Active noise cancellation (20) 19 20 Call quality (10) 8 9 Connectivity (5) 5 5 Battery life (10) 7 5 Total Score (100) 92 81
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I've used the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones for 6 months — here's what I like and don't like
With the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, Bose created a pair of headphones that block out everything, without it being uncomfortable (like the AirPods Max) or compromised by gizmos (Sony WH-1000XM5). It just works. The best noise-canceling headphones have since had a permanent place in my backpack whenever I leave the house to go and do like, anything. But then a different pair of headphones came along that usurped them as my primary travel cans — the new Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. Which got me thinking: Is there more to life than really really, ridiculously good noise canceling, and has my opinion of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones changed since I started using them 6 months ago? The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are the best ANC headphones that you can buy — if you're interested in noise canceling. Sound is good, and comfort is exemplary. 24 hours of battery isn't quite good enough though, unfortunately. The Bose QC Ultra allow for silence. Eerie, immersive, all-encompassing silence. With a simple orchestral swell, the ANC initiates and blocks out the noise of just about everything, giving you a permanently blank sonic canvas onto which your music can paint its very own watercolor. It's as good as the day I first slipped the headphones onto my head — and every time it wows. I love it! It's great! But, since I first experienced it, I've found some… problems. The ANC remains on, like a constant reminder that the battery life could be better, but Bose locked you into mediocre longevity. It's great that it's there, but sometimes I'd like to turn it off. And I don't just mean transparency, or a lowered level with a name ('Immersive' in this case), I mean off. So that the algorithm isn't fiddling with the frequencies in my music, or playing havoc with the battery life. Off. Yet, alas, there is no way for the ANC or its other modes to be turned off. It remains on, like a constant reminder that the battery life could be better, but Bose locked you into mediocre longevity. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. There's one thing I'll never lament for whenever I slip the QuietComfort Ultra headphones over my head — and that's their effortless, all-day fit. They are light, they are well cushioned, and feature a very well judged clamping force. As a result I've been able to wear them for hours and hours at a time, only taking them off to go for what is supposed to be my half-hourly leg stretch. They're easily some of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, out-comforting the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the AirPods Max. Speaking of battery life, it remains substandard. 24 hours wasn't enough when they were released in 2024, and it's certainly not enough now in 2025. Now I am still of the opinion that you don't need days upon days of battery life. I think 30 hours reaches the perfect sweet spot for decent staying power, with plenty for most journeys. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, while better than the Apple AirPods Max, do not reach this milestone of battery life. You can't even extend it because, as I said earlier, you can't turn the ANC off. Instead, you can only make it worse by activating other features. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are some of the very few that I've ever been caught short with battery life-wise — and that's annoying. I am not a great lover of many spatial audio formats, and the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are no different. Occasionally over my months of on-the-road testing, I've re-attempted the 'Immersive Audio' feature of the cans, and every time it's fallen flat. As with so many spatial audio implementations that don't use the Dolby Atmos standard, it uses a custom algorithm to make your music sound 'bigger.' That means using only what was already in the mix, and I find that it only serves to make things sound thinner rather than more immersive. The battery trade-off really isn't worth it — 18 hours instead of the 24 you usually have on tap. Spatial audio might be here to stay, but I am yet to find a version that actually makes sense to me. I can't say that the QuietComfort Ultra headphones are built badly, because they're not. They feature some lovely metal accents in the hinges, and their plastic parts feel good. But over my six months of fairly heavy use, I've found some build issues. When I put them in the case, for example, I've found that the left earcup cushion gets squeezed, and it's left a funny divot in the foam. Shake them and they rattle like a bag of bolts — something that can't be said of similarly priced headphones. As other headphones are released that are built far better for a similar price, it feels a shame that I can't heap praise on the Bose. I've not had any issues with the synthetic leather Bose has used to cover the foam on the earcups and the headband, but it does feel slightly thin. I am very careful with my headphones — they go straight into their case when I'm not using them — but the pleather feels thin enough that I'm slightly concerned with its longevity. They're built about the same as the Sony WH-1000XM5; which is to say fine. But as other headphones are released that are built far better for a similar price, it feels a shame that I can't heap praise on the Bose. Bose has never been known for class-leading sound, and while the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones marked a big step up for the brand, they're still not exemplary. Don't get me wrong, they sound pretty good in a vacuum, with solid frequency representation across the board, but there are better-sounding headphones for the same money. The highs are detailed and crisp — the sharp cymbals of Opeth's §6 are clear, and there's plenty of plonk to piano notes in Menahem Pressler's Deux Arabesques recording. The mids are well defined for guitars and vocals, with loads of lovely acoustic body to enjoy in Allegaeon's Refraction. But the bass is a bit too much. It's 'big' and fairly uncontrolled. It has a habit of running rampant, like a bull in a china shop. I call the presentation a 'wall of bass'. Loads of listeners will like it, although I'd wager a comparison with something that highlights the sonic shortcomings will quickly demonstrate the problem. Touch controls: My mortal headphones nemesis. When I first used the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, I found touch controls that I didn't think would annoy me — until they did. The touch implementation on the cans is a kind of touch slider thing for the volume. In theory, it works well — swipe up for more volume, and down for less. Simple. Until it accidentally boosts the volume to ear-destroying levels, or quiet enough that it wouldn't wake a sleeping mouse. All playback functions and ANC modes are controlled by one button. Then there's the physical controls — all playback functions and ANC modes are controlled by one button. Multiple presses activate skip, play, and pause, while holding it down cycles the noise-canceling functions. Time has only hardened me to the control method of the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones controls. I don't like them. It might seem like I don't actually like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — that's not true. I still really like them and their all-conquering ANC, but my extended time with them has revealed more and more chinks in their shiny, shiny armor. While the ANC is excellent, I wish it could be turned off to extend the battery life. The battery life itself needs to be better, and the build isn't quite up to scratch. The spatial audio setting doesn't do it for me, and the controls are annoying. The final nail in the 'into the pile you go' coffin is the sound quality. I just value sound too much for the 'wall of bass' not to create a bitter taste in my mouth whenever I come off the back of something that sounds better. They're still a great pair of headphones — if you want the best ANC, there really is nothing better. But I've had an affair. A blue one. With Bowers and Wilkins written on the earcups. They peek at me from within their textured carry case, their imminent style and presence tempting. A flash of physical controls, a glimpse of some thick, plush comfort foam. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and I have been seeing each other for the last few weeks, and they've managed to slip into my heart like little else. Their ANC might not reach the same level as the QuietComfort Ultra headphones, but they're even more comfortable, and they sound so good. At the moment, the Px7 S3's are only available in the UK — Bowers & Wilkins is waiting to see how the tariff situation plays out — but should be coming to the U.S. in a few weeks. So now I have something new to accompany me on my travels. I'm sorry, QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, it's not you, it's me — and I am not immune to something newer and shinier. I'm sorry.
