Bowers and Wilkins PX8 Wireless Discussion

[seekay00]

Hello everyone,

I'm excited to share my experience with the new PX8 headphones that I unboxed yesterday! After connecting them to my Hiby RS8, I was eager to dive into the listening experience. Initially, I found the sound quality to be a bit harsh, and the bass felt somewhat muddy.

To optimize their performance, I decided to initiate a burn-in period.

Today, after just two hours of dedicated listening, I’m thrilled to report a remarkable transformation! The bass has tightened up considerably, and the sound quality is a true delight.

For those curious about their comparison to the SM4, it's clear that the PX8s operate in a different league. Not only do they offer superior sound, but their craftsmanship is also noteworthy. The case they come in is elegantly designed, adding a touch of luxury to the overall package.

I opted for the Dark Forest Green color, which I find striking and unique, it was a great choice!

I also explored various connection options: Bluetooth, USB-C, and the standard 3.5mm jack.

Each method provided outstanding sound quality, which is a big plus.

Overall, these headphones are exceeding my expectations! I initially planned to use them primarily for in-house listening, but I'm enjoying them so much that they’re going to be my daily pair.

Are these the endgame for me? I think they might be, unless, of course, the PX9 comes out soon!

Hey there,
Yes, different league, the Momentum 4s sound better. To me they were hardly comperable and I had been burning the Px8s in since november.
Gave them every possible chance until my return window was closing and wanted to love them so much but sadly our paths have taken apart.

 

[skazz]

Hello everyone,

I'm excited to share my experience with the new PX8 headphones that I unboxed yesterday! After connecting them to my Hiby RS8, I was eager to dive into the listening experience. Initially, I found the sound quality to be a bit harsh, and the bass felt somewhat muddy.

To optimize their performance, I decided to initiate a burn-in period.

Today, after just two hours of dedicated listening, I’m thrilled to report a remarkable transformation! The bass has tightened up considerably, and the sound quality is a true delight.

For those curious about their comparison to the SM4, it's clear that the PX8s operate in a different league. Not only do they offer superior sound, but their craftsmanship is also noteworthy. The case they come in is elegantly designed, adding a touch of luxury to the overall package.

I opted for the Dark Forest Green color, which I find striking and unique, it was a great choice!

I also explored various connection options: Bluetooth, USB-C, and the standard 3.5mm jack.

Each method provided outstanding sound quality, which is a big plus.

Overall, these headphones are exceeding my expectations! I initially planned to use them primarily for in-house listening, but I'm enjoying them so much that they’re going to be my daily pair.

Are these the endgame for me? I think they might be, unless, of course, the PX9 comes out soon!

Most of us graduate to -2 or -3 dB bass EQ in the app after a while, since that seems to work well for balancing across frequencies. I look forward to your followup review after a while as to whether you end up there or prefer more bass.

According to SoundGuys, this is how the B&W EQ in the app actually works:

Pretty crude, but it means that dropping the bass will also affect the upper bass and into the mids, which actually helps to balance the overall sound.


One thing I really noticed recently is that the Px8s lose some of their 'magic' / musicality when the ANC is working hard in a noisy location - they end up sounding a bit dull due to all the work happening to cancel noise. They are definitely best used with a quiet environment if you want to do any serious listening in my experience.

 

[GlobalAudioSquad]

Hey there,
Yes, different league, the Momentum 4s sound better. To me they were hardly comperable and I had been burning the Px8s in since november.
Gave them every possible chance until my return window was closing and wanted to love them so much but sadly our paths have taken apart.

It seems like we have different preferences when it comes to sound, which is totally normal!

I’d suggest giving these another try, especially if you’re using USB-C or wired connections, because they really sound amazing.

However, if you’re on Bluetooth, they might sound a bit similar.

 

[GlobalAudioSquad]

Thanks that's interesting information here. I’ll be experimenting with the EQ over the next few weeks and will report back. However, I can already confirm that reducing the bass has been beneficial so far.

I also feel that different songs require different EQ settings with these headphones, which is a new experience for me.

 

[GlobalAudioSquad]

Hey there,
Yes, different league, the Momentum 4s sound better. To me they were hardly comperable and I had been burning the Px8s in since november.
Gave them every possible chance until my return window was closing and wanted to love them so much but sadly our paths have taken apart.

I wanted to share my experience with the Sennheiser Momentum headphones. I’ve owned all the Momentum models from 1 to 4, and my favourite was probably the Momentum 3.

I noticed a significant drop in quality when Sennheiser transitioned from the 3 to the 4, primarily due to the switch to more plastic housing. For me, the Momentum 3 was the best option at that price point. However, after trying the PX8, I realize I should have considered upgrading to a higher price point much sooner.

Don’t get me wrong, I will still use the SM4's when I go to the gym, but the PX8 will be my daily go-to headset. They are wonderfully balanced, sonically superior, and most importantly, a lot of fun to use, in my opinion.

 

[greenhorn]

The P9s also are wired, uncomfortable and tuned to produce an even warmer sound than PX8. They are absolutely not comparable.

No, no. The P9 has been the top of the B&W headphones. The PX8 are a step back: wireless for addressing the wireless-oriented customers, but definitely a step back in terms of sound quality.

 

[Denkmal]

No, no. The P9 has been the top of the B&W headphones. The PX8 are a step back: wireless for addressing the wireless-oriented customers, but definitely a step back in terms of sound quality.

I didn’t say anything else. They are not comparable. And P9 have some amazing qualities but are far from hifi and also uncomfortable like wearing a leather chair.

 

[AcademicBarzo]

I didn’t say anything else. They are not comparable. And P9 have some amazing qualities but are far from hifi and also uncomfortable like wearing a leather chair.

I miss my P9s. I returned them after a month or so of ownership for precisely the reason of comfort. The hard plastic surrounds were something of a torture test.

 

[greenhorn]

If the B&W P9 is not a high fidelity headphone, then I don't know what high fidelity means. And those guys from Bowers and Wilkins probably don't know either

Anyway. And as for the comfort, they surely are comfortable to me. My son has larger ears and he said they were uncomfortable for him, so I guess it's a matter of physionomy.

 

[KopaneDePooj]

Anyone else noticed differences in sound after latest FW update?

There's a lot of buzz here
https://www.reddit.com/r/BowersWilk..._px8_software_update_bowers_wilkins/?sort=old

and I wouldn't upgrade if sound is changed, as I like it as it is now.

 

[skazz]

T

Anyone else noticed differences in sound after latest FW update?

There's a lot of buzz here
https://www.reddit.com/r/BowersWilk..._px8_software_update_bowers_wilkins/?sort=old

and I wouldn't upgrade if sound is changed, as I like it as it is now.

he only thing I've noticed for sure on my iPhone is that the app connects to the headphones noticeably quicker now...

 

[chad123]

Hello Everyone,
New px8 user (my first headphones!!!)- just got them today. I am in the process of charging them but was able to listen to a few songs via apple music (iPhone 16 pro max) Bluetooth connection.
Felt the clarity was missing (seems muddled), so a few questions (also did update firmware to the latest version):

1. Will the clarity improve over usage as these are new - is there a break-in period with these headphones and if so how long is it in general
2. Also read someplace that using the b&w app to send music to px8 is better - not sure what the general consensus is as of now.
3. And any points for me as a new user to consider with these headphones

Much appreciated!!!
Regards

 

[Jazzophile]

Hello Everyone,
New px8 user (my first headphones!!!)- just got them today. I am in the process of charging them but was able to listen to a few songs via apple music (iPhone 16 pro max) Bluetooth connection.
Felt the clarity was missing (seems muddled), so a few questions (also did update firmware to the latest version):

1. Will the clarity improve over usage as these are new - is there a break-in period with these headphones and if so how long is it in general
2. Also read someplace that using the b&w app to send music to px8 is better - not sure what the general consensus is as of now.
3. And any points for me as a new user to consider with these headphones

Much appreciated!!!
Regards

1. No. Break in is irrelevant.

2. No.

3. Lower the bass slider to -3.5 in the app to balance the sound out to something closer to neutral.

 

[skazz]

Hello Everyone,
New px8 user (my first headphones!!!)- just got them today. I am in the process of charging them but was able to listen to a few songs via apple music (iPhone 16 pro max) Bluetooth connection.
Felt the clarity was missing (seems muddled), so a few questions (also did update firmware to the latest version):

1. Will the clarity improve over usage as these are new - is there a break-in period with these headphones and if so how long is it in general
2. Also read someplace that using the b&w app to send music to px8 is better - not sure what the general consensus is as of now.
3. And any points for me as a new user to consider with these headphones

Much appreciated!!!
Regards

I'd say there are a few things:

• Try playing them a few notches louder. They need to be "woken up" somewhat. The detail is all there, just hiding if you play them too soft.
• Try the EQ in the app. I, and many others, use them at -3dB bass EQ which does a lot to clean up the mid-bass.
• You might also want a bit more treble (depending on your tastes) so feel free to play with the app. Changes from the app happen instantly, so play to your heart's content.
• Wireless via bluetooth using the iPhone AAC protocol (default) sounds fine to me versus playing them wired over USB-c to USB-c cable (unlike what some claim on reddit where supposedly the difference of using the cable for them is "night and day"). But feel free to compare if you like.
• Sending music through the app to change the sound is just silly - it may perhaps alter the default volume a fraction but I can't believe anything else. Besides, Apple Music isn't one of the choices through the app, only Qobuz or Tidal.
• I find the Px8s quite lifeless if you play them in a noisy environment with ANC on, but with quiet at home they really reveal a lot of capability.

In the end, though, they will be a little dark, warm, lush compared to many headphones. They make up for this in my opinion by having great timbral accuracy (for acoustic instruments) and being extremely musical. You foot just starts tapping without you realising, which is a major plus to any sound reproduction system.

 

[chad123]

1. No. Break in is irrelevant.

2. No.

3. Lower the bass slider to -3.5 in the app to balance the sound out to something closer to neutral.

thank you Jazzophile!