Bowers & Wilkins P9 Premium Headphones, Brown

This review is going to focus solely on sound quality, pictures, details of accessories are all in the others. So lets get into the meat of why these headphones are superb, and stand up even to giants like the Focal Clear.

I picked up the P9 a year ago in the bargain bin at John Lewis for £405. At the time I owned the fun Sennheiser Momentum 3, MW65 by Master and Dynamic, beautiful Focal Clear, and renowned Campfire Audio Andromeda.

So I'd say I owned the class leaders in the £300-400 range and the £1000-1500 range. Which are interesting comparisons for the P9

The P9 surprised me in a big way. They reproduce music in such a fun, dynamic way, which is hard to describe - for instance everything on my MW65 and M3 felt hollow or flat when I went back to them. A sad realisation, as both of those headphones were far more convenient to use.

I decided to take the P9 and Momentum 3s with me on a 5 week trip to Greece to properly feel them out. By the end, the P9 was so far ahead that the M3s were collecting dust.

The P9s delivered a far more textured, nuanced bass than the M3, but the most evident improvement was vocals. They're so much wider and deeper on the P9, it became blatantly obvious listening to Lana Del Rey, or the Norwegian singer Aurora. Vocals are a big part of my collection, so I found this a noticable difference. Add to this the fact the M3s colour music a bit too much for my liking, and the P9s easily justified being £100 more. Actually, they'd have justified being £500 more to me at this point, the difference is that stark when you hear the wonderous tonality the P9s produce vs even a stellar headphone like the M3.

That said these headphones have their flaws. The bass can be too thunderous at times, while fantastic for movies, and certain genres, it can be overbearing and take too much of the show.

They also have a laid back quality, and lack the excitement of something like the Clear, not to mention the nuance.

These really are a unique sounding headphone, something you have to try. Beautifully flawed in a way.

The flagship of the Bowers & Wilkins headphones is a product I’ve been wanting to hear ever since I first read about it on a Head-Fi teaser post a few years ago because their P7 headphone has been a staple of mine for several years now and I’ve come to truly love their original sound. Though since the release of their “series 2” I personally don’t care too much for I’ve still yearned to hear what their best is. Fast forward to a few weeks ago and I felt like stopping into my local Magnolia store to hear what speakers they had for audition. Among them were a few Bowers & Wilkins model and I decided to have a listen after a gentleman there helps me get them going (their demo software must utilized by an employee). After a little bit we get into conversation about how I loved the original BW sound but don’t like the direction they went with their series 2 in at which point he introduces himself as a BW rep who was just in town checking up on one of his stores. We talk some more and he states that the series 2 is actually the sound they wanted and that their original releases doesn’t reflect on the sound they wanted to settle with. Being amazed by this I informed how I reviewed headphones and would really like to try their newest model myself and see how it compares with the P7 and my memory of their series 2 sound (I’ve purchased the original P3-7’s but, as I said earlier, didn’t care for the series 2’s darkness). So if I may now, after a very long intro, give my thoughts and impressions on the Bowers & Wilkins flagship headphone, the P9 Signature.







The Opening Experience






The handshake that Bowers & Wilkins provides in each and every headphone I’ve purchased and unboxed has always been that of class and appreciation. The exterior is very simplistic, which as I’m sure many of you know is something I LOVE seeing, with only a picture on the headphone on the front, sides, and back, and the company’s mission statement also on the back (that is printed in several different languages). The box is a thick cardboard that opens up into two separate pieces that once opened showcases the P9 folded in their cutout. Consistency is also something that I personally enjoy seeing company’s do. Every Bowers & Wilkins product that I’ve ever opened have always maintained the overall appearance and opening experience rather it be the P9’s here or their introductory product, the P3. Underneath the P9’s you’re given the second, 10’ non-mic cable, a amazingly soft carrying pouch made of alcantara leather and suede (that personally I wish came with a box but I understand it with it being primarily a “mobile” headphone). Now, inside the suede carrying pouch you’re given the third, 3’ non-mic, cable, the warranty and instruction manual, and their ¼“ adapter.

I must say that I really enjoy the care Bowers & Wilkins put into packaging their headphones. They understand that they don’t need to bog their boxes down with “look at me” jargon and can simply say ‘here, listen to them and let them speak for themselves.’ I admire this and find the “hand shake” they gave me with their P9 an enjoyable one.


Construction



The build on the P9, like all of its predecessors, is fantastic. The entire frame is made from an aluminum like material (so NO plastic) which gives it a hefty and premium weight. A lot of people I’ve let listen to them even comment on how much they love the weight to them and that really makes them feel premium unlike the plastic they’re used to. I guess I’m one of the few people who actually like weighty headphones (so long as it’s designed competently for comfort) so I certainly consider that a huge positive. The headband and ear cups are made out of alcantara leather with a nice amount of thickness to them, which I’ll cover more in the comfort section. The pads AND cable are EASILY DETACHABLE! I cannot stress how much I love seeing this feature, especially the detachable cable part. Staying on the frame, while these are on your head it is EXTREMELY difficult to make sizing adjustments. Never have I personally tried a headphone that’s like this and at first I didn’t care for it too much but after a very short time I grew to really appreciate it. So what this does is once you find the size that’s good for you, which admittedly involves a good bit of taking the headphone on and off your head, it stays there. Not one single time have I used this headphone that I had to adjust the headband, once I found the area of adjustment that worked for me it was set, five minutes of work has paved way for weeks of convenience (likely MUCH longer but that’s all I have them for). I can honestly say that my HD800 S’ do NOT share this convenience, I’m ALWAYS having to adjust them back.

The driver housings utilize a very interesting tether like movement system that gives an impressive amount of fit options and angles over the standard x/y axis hinges, though I do foresee these wearing down and breaking in the far future. The housings are also hinged (if you didn’t already pick up on that from the opening experience section) so these can be folded down to fit nicely in their included carrying pouch an into a suitcase.

As for negatives, I do have two. First is the cable itself. Though yet it’s detachable, which is always a positive, it’s a very basic feeling cable that doesn’t really feel premium to me at all. In the same respects I also don’t hear any microphonics from it at all so it does likely have some nice internal shielding, I wish it looked like it came off of a $900 headphone. My second is the ear cups. Though they’re, for the most part, comfortable they have a rather large piece of plastic that goes the majority of the length of the pad. I understand this adds firmness to the pad but I feel that they used too much plastic and not enough foam. Even after listening to these, a lot, for a few weeks now they always feel a little awkward for the first few minutes after putting them on until my ears get used to them.

So overall, I’m very satisfied with the build quality of the BW P9, though there’s some small shortcomings I see none of them are but small items.


Comfort





So the unboxing and build was fantastic, how is its comfort level? As I said above, they’re fairly hefty and so long as they’re designed competently in the comfort area I personally prefer a heavier headphone. Well, to cut to the chase, I find the BW P9’s comfort to be acceptable. I don’t particularly favor it but I most certainly don’t dislike it. When you first put on the P9’s they’re rock hard on your head, almost uncomfortably in fact but after a few hours of wearing them they start to stretch out a bit (sorry Bowers & Wilkins about your new [now demo] unit ) but always maintain their firmer pressure on your head. The main thing that makes them not the best in comfort is the plastic in the ear pads, they just eliminate the foams ability to compress and mold to your head. I believe if they were to cut the plastic in half and then increase the foams density they’d have the comfort spot on.


Sound




The original flagship, the P7, is what gave me my epiphany moment of what type of sound I yearned for. Mids so smooth and sensual I truly felt like whatever I listened to what being performed purely for me, highs the reached for the night sky and never gave up on the dream, and bass that’s enough slam to not sound hollow but yet also have just enough decay as to relax oneself into the music. I’ll say that my first impressions when first putting some sound through the P9 met my expectations fairly well especially after speaking to the rep. and him mentioning how the series 2 is what B&W envisioned. The sound of the P9 is very fun and personal with an emphasis on the bass slam, for those who have heard and enjoy the new “true” house sound of the Bowers & Wilkins brand will likely wholeheartedly love the new P9 for it capitalizes on what makes it good and turns it up a level. Now, for those who’re like me who enjoyed their original house sound, the new P9 may not be what you’re expecting.

The soundstage on the P9 is up close and personal but absolutely not claustrophobic but it is most certainly VERY impressive in its positional awareness. This really became noticed when watching tv shows and the like but on well recorded tracks where there’s lot of moving pieces, like “He’s A Pirate” performed by Zebrowski Music School or “Beethoven’s 5 Secrets” by Piano Guys (the live version linked to be most specific) just to list a couple. Both of those songs have several different instruments playing that are spaced a respectable ways apart and the P9 does a fantastic job at individualizing them so you, as the listener, are able to feel like your at the performance.

Imaging is also another area that the P9 hits home with. If you’ll let them, they’ll transport you to whatever performance you’re listening to. If you’ll close your eyes and relax and let the music take over, the P9 will show you the instruments and even the artists singing very vividly. Though I wouldn’t call these a very musical headphone for their bass punch and fun “V” shape sound, they’re still very non-fatiguing to listen to and one can truly enjoy the music, so perhaps in that regard, they are fairly musical. But if I may, allow me to now talk about the individual aspects of their sound so that, hopefully, I can convey what I’m trying to a little better.


Treble


The treble, to me, is the eyes of the music. It should sparkle and be full of energy and emotion and even bestow excitement. For the most part the Bowers & Wilkins P9 was an easy headphone to review but the treble is definitely the hardest for me to put my finger on how to describe and portray it. The treble on the P9 is very accurate and realistic sounding and has plenty of extension without sharpness but at the same time it sounds rather dull and unexciting. An analogy of what comes to mind on how to describe the P9’s highs is an artist who’s so good at what they do and they’ve been doing it so well for so long they’ve lost their passion. It’s like a musician singing the exact notes they always have at the same pitch etc… but they just don’t have their heart and soul in it. Everything’s there, except for the enjoyment and passion and such, the music is just missing that special something. Listen to this piece by Fritz Kreisler's called “Love’s Sorrow” performed by Anne Akiko Meyers. This is a really beautiful and emotional piece that I love listening to but when played through the P9 it’s just, not as special. I know that I always split up my review of the sound into these individual aspects so that I can describe them better, and this section didn’t really do that, but it’s the best way I can try and portray how the highs on the P9’s are. On the surface, they’ve everything that makes for outstanding treble presentation, just missing the passion.


Mids


The mids, the soul and voice of the music. This is where music expresses its emotion fully and with the P9 I feel that it does a fairly good job. Their motto used to be “Concert for One” (and may still be but when looking at their site I couldn’t see it mentioned anywhere [realise I may very well have just looked it over]) but as they’ve moved away from their original sound I feel as if the mids have also fell by the wayside. Now, they’re still beautifully clean and detailed and, at least for me, true to accurate, but they’re now quite recessed into the background and instead of being accented by the bass decay, they’re now sometimes drowned out by it (which is actually reminiscent of a concert so, there’s that). Now, with the above said, the P9 does have the potential to have some truly amazing vocal representation. Listen to the songs “Man I Want To Be” by Chris Young or “Long Black Train” by Josh Turner. These songs are just about all vocals with only a couple accentuating instruments and it’s such a treat to listen to. The P9’s make both of their vocals, especially Turner’s, sound very personal. I’ve learned that, as long as a song is mastered to showcase the artists voice over overwhelming instruments (which sadly is what’s popular today), the P9 will amaze you by how stunning it sounds. So you know what? Perhaps they still perform a Concert For One.


Bass


The heartbeat of the music. To be full a headphone must possess the ability to present a strong bass presence without overdoing it. It must have force and slam to feel the music but also the control to know its place in the onsemble. Each of these aspects are presented absolutely flawlessly in the P9, there’s so much bass density that I don’t care if you’re a traditional audiophile or a bass head, you’ll find that the P9 bass will likely satisfy whatever your needs. It’s so fun to listen to music through these that it’s sometimes hard to get work done (like writing this review) because you end up bobbing your head along with the beat and have a good time. Oh dear, I’m going to use a super non-audiophile song as an example but dear goodness is it fun to listen to, but “Freaks” by Timmy Trumpet and also “I’m an Albatraoz” by AronChupa are great examples of the forceful yet controlled bass presence that the BW P9 commands.


Conclusion




In summary, I think that Bowers & Wilkins did a great job with their P9 flagship headphone. They’re goal was to create an audiophile grade, portable, headphone to showcase that B&W is not solely a speaker brand, and I think, for the most part, they accomplished their mission. Though I didn’t personally fall in love with the sound I can’t deny that it may just be biased from loving their original so much. Their construction is as rock solid as all of the products they offer and their pride in what they make shows. I do think the P9 has some room for improvement on the comfort side, mainly with the pads, but it’s not the end all be all. So for those who’re like a bass heavy and fun headphone all while maintaining audiophile quality all while on the go, I really think you should look into the Bowers & Wilkins P9, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.






Also, make sure to check out my unboxing and review videos. They’re pretty awesome AND you getta put a face to the Army-Firedawg name. If this review helped you out at all please hit that thumbs up button for it really helps me out a lot. Till next time my friends, stay safe.