Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Reviewed: Bowers & Wilkins' Best Over-Ears Yet?

Todd Anderson · 2025-07-09T20:28:49-0500

Just when you thought Bowers & Wilkins had set the bar high, along comes the Px7 S3 (MSRP $449) – sharply dressed, feature-packed, and poised to redefine expectations in the premium wireless space. If the Px7 S2e caught your eye, the S3 is here to steal the show, armed with a slew of updates that just might raise eyebrows and ears alike.

A New Take on Premium Audio
Let’s start with what really matters – the audio guts. The Px7 S3 debuts with a newly revamped 40mm biocellulose driver, meticulously refined from magnet to voice coil and suspension to chassis. To spice things up, each driver now has its own dedicated amplifier, an innovative move by Bowers & Wilkins that promises punchier dynamics and richer, cleaner sound delivery.

For Hi-Res enthusiasts, the S3 carries built-in support for aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and AAC decoding. This makes for wireless streaming with crystal-clear Hi-Res sound, ensuring that listeners who pay for sources like Qobuz and TIDAL can extract every bit of detail locked in those data-rich streams.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) also gets a refresh with an eight-microphone configuration, thoughtfully distributed with four mics per earcup. This arrangement doesn't just aim to silence the outside world; it’s also geared to improve call clarity, thanks to advanced ADI Pure Voice technology. According to Bowers & Wilkins, owners should experience clear conversations in noisy environments, which, if I’m being honest, is a major stumbling block for many wireless wearables.

When it comes to battery life, the S3 boasts a robust 30 hours of playback with ANC activated. That’s enough for an extended day of travel or several days of typical use. And if you find yourself in a power-zapped pinch, a rapid 15-minute charge instantly delivers seven hours of playback. While not unique, it’s a feature that adds real-world convenience.

Speaking of convenience, charging is performed via USB-C (cable included) through an earcup port that also accommodates a direct connection to sources using the included USB-C to mini-stereo jack. This cable unlocks access to 24-bit/96kHz audio, which theoretically makes for higher levels of audio bliss, source-dependent, of course. The cable is long enough (roughly 47") that you have decent freedom when wired in, making it a great option for audio fans with better than CD-quality sources.

Control freaks will appreciate the upgraded Bowers & Wilkins Music app, featuring a fully customizable five-band equalizer and user-controlled presets. That tweakability builds upon a proprietary DSP engine that innately provides a foundation of precise and lifelike playback. And if those kinds of features aren’t enough, Bowers & Wilkins says a future firmware update will introduce Spatial Audio and Bluetooth LE Audio, the latter of which should boost wireless audio quality, lower power consumption, and bring fun add-ons like audio sharing to the table.

Out of the Box

Being a brand of pedigree and stature, it’s no surprise that the Px7 S3 arrives in style. Packaging consists of paper-based products, with serious attention to detail. Gone are blocks of foam and wasteful plastic bags. Bowers & Wilkins deserves big props for opting for materials that can be recycled or, in the case of the included velcro wire ties, reused.

Once cracked open, the inner box presents a rigid cloth-covered travel case that doubles as the headphones' own internal packaging. That same case features a compartment for cable storage, with a separate part of the primary packaging housing a small quick-start booklet and warranty information.

Bowers & Wilkins has billed the Px7 S3 as a sleeker, lighter design than its predecessor, and first impressions don’t disappoint. Each earcup is crafted from a blend of high-quality plastics, cloth, metal, and leather, featuring intricate details that catch the eye. And the single-sided arm mechanisms angle the earcups, allowing them to slant slightly backward while the headband sits on the crown of your head. The cups also swivel in two directions, one resulting in a narrower storage posture that's needed for the case, while the other is slightly wider for times when you hang the S3 around your neck.

The removable ear cushions are an impressive blend of silky soft leather and memory foam, forming a partnership that’s anything but rigid. Supple and conforming are better descriptors. The headband is similar, but slightly firmer in its response to pressure.

Set-Up

Bringing the Px7 S3 to life is as easy as sliding a switch on the left earcup, waiting for an audible tone and LED indicator light, and pairing the 'phones with the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.

The app provides access to a range of information, including charge status, ANC and pass-through settings, paired device management, and a five-band equalizer. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the built-in wear sensor, which stops playback when either earcup lifts from your head. Additionally, you can disable an auto-standby mode that's triggered after 15 minutes.

Once you've dialed in your sound and finished the initial setup, the app doesn't need to play a significant role in day-to-day use. ANC and pass-through modes can be toggled on and off using an action button mounted on the left earcup, and volume, playback, and call functions are controlled by a button array on the right earcup. To gauge battery life, a color-changing LED provides a general indication of charge status. So, as you can see, your app exposure can be limited if you’re looking for a plug-and-play experience.

Performance

For this evaluation, I used the Px7 S3 on a daily basis for nearly two weeks straight – wearing it around the home, in a coffee shop and a busy airport terminal, and during several flights.

The clamping force of the headband is strong but not overbearing. I found it able to withstand all sorts of head movements, bumps, and moments where the headphones came in contact with headrests. It has a propensity to stay in place, and, more importantly, it’s comfortable. In fact, I wore the S3 for up to 5 hours at a time without feeling like my head was in a vice.

ANC and pass-through both behave as one would expect, with ANC effectively taking the edge off mid- and high-frequencies. While performance in noisy environments, like an airplane, is quite good, it falls short of the experience delivered by a solid pair of true-wireless ANC earbuds. Part of the reason is the very nature of the Px7 S3’s over-ear design, which allows certain types of noise – like deep cabin rumble and high-frequency hiss from in-flight airflow – to be more pronounced. Of course, there are trade-offs when considering buds versus 'phones, so you'll need to evaluate the pros and cons before making the right choice for yourself. Just know, the Px7 S3 can throw a nice blanket of silence over your environmental experience when ANC is engaged.

Call quality is also in line with what I’d expect from a quality pair of headphones. Conversation clarity proved to be excellent for both the caller and callee during testing, though call quality for callers is impacted by environmental noise around the callee. It’s not as severe as some models of earbuds I’ve tested in the past, but the sound of clanking dishes and running water was firmly positioned in the background of conversations, which isn't ideal for calls requiring silence. Of course, if you have ANC engaged, your awareness of these sounds will be diminished, but your calling partner will still hear them clearly.

When it comes to music, the Px7 S3 delivers an even tonality out of the box. Its baseline is quite excellent, but my taste requires a bit more weight on the low end and zing on the top. That was easily achieved using the EQ function in the app. Once set, I was well on my way to some seriously fun listening sessions.

From Lorde’s Pure Heroine to Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me, The Cars’ self-titled debut, and Third Eye Blind’s Screamer, the S3 took my go-to demo albums and crafted a sonic canvas that remained locked in most of the time. Highs and mids intertwined with precision, vocals came through throaty and natural, and my EQ bump to the nether regions left bass sounding tight and controlled. There was a rare moment — “Royals” comes to mind — where bass breakup crept in at max volume with ANC or pass-through enabled. But most tracks with punchy low-ends, like “Drive” by The Cars, played smooth and unfettered, no matter the volume or environmental mode.

Interestingly, the headphone’s sound signature shifts depending on the environmental mode. For music, I preferred ANC engaged, as it lent a thicker, more detailed presentation. With ANC turned off, the sound shed some mid- and low-end heft, resulting in a thinner but wider soundstage.

The majority of my listening sessions were awash with dynamic energy, whether streaming wirelessly over Bluetooth or going wired with the S3’s mini stereo cable into a THX Onyx headphone DAC/Amp. Instrument separation remained crisp, vocals stayed clean, and the overall signature leaned toward a refined balance rather than an exaggerated flair.

Conclusion

At $449, the Px7 S3 opens the door to seriously fun high-end audio. With a purpose-built, comfortable design and performance that punches above its price point, it’s tough to imagine finding a better all-around package for under $500. Add in solid ANC, a customizable in-app experience, and the promise of Spatial Audio via a future firmware update, and there’s plenty here to appreciate.

Remember that “bar” I mentioned at the beginning of the review? Bowers & Wilkins hasn’t just nudged it – they’ve raised it with confidence.

Buy from Amazon in Anthracite Black: https://amzn.to/3U0G4yq
Buy from Amazon in Canvas White: https://amzn.to/4eIXOrB
Buy from Amazon in Indigo Blue: https://amzn.to/3TtrZJN

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Specifications
General

Fit Style: Over-the-ear
Earcup Type: Closed-back
Earcup Dimensions: 2.978" x 3.827"
Noise-Canceling: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Bluetooth Version: 5.3
Mic for Taking Calls: Yes
Battery Life (ANC On): 30 hours
Charging Time: 15 minutes = 7 hours playback
- Siri: Yes
- Google Assistant: Yes
- Amazon Alexa: No

Connectivity

3.5mm Input: Yes (via included USB-C to mini-stereo cable)
USB-C Charging/Data Port: Yes
Other Audio Inputs: None
Wireless Audio Codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, AAC, SBC

Physical & Dimensions

Weight: 10.55 ounces
Cord Length (Included Cable): 48"
Included Accessories: Rigid travel case, USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-C to 3.5mm stereo cable

Audio & Build

Driver Type: 40mm biocellulose full-range
Amplification: Dedicated amplifier per driver
Frequency Response: Not specified
Sensitivity: Not specified
Impedance: Not specified

Warranty

Parts Warranty: 2 years
Labor Warranty: 2 years

AV NIRVANA is member and reader supported. We may receive a small commission from affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

Px7 S3 Wireless Headphones Reviewed: Bowers & Wilkins' Best Over-Ears Yet?

Popular tags