Bowers and Wilkins PX8 Wireless Discussion

[Denkmal]

Use the included EQ and bump up the bass +2 db. Should compensate for the glasses.

This might work in silent surroundings but as the problem stems from the glasses breaking the seal it doesnt help much if you really need the ANC.

I am actually selling my PX now since I realized how uncomfortable they are and also how bad they sound vs P7 and PX7.

 

[jthomp72]

This might work in silent surroundings but as the problem stems from the glasses breaking the seal it doesnt help much if you really need the ANC.

I am actually selling my PX now since I realized how uncomfortable they are and also how bad they sound vs P7 and PX7.

No, I understand I struggle with it a little bit… I compensated by getting thinner, framed glasses on the sides and eyes sort of position my ear cups, so they are resting more towards the bottom of my ear and it works for me

 

[Benesyed]

One example of the PX8 having less clarity and detail retrieval compared to the ML5909 and Focal Bathys:

"King of my Castle (Roy Malone's King Mix" by Wamdue Project - On my floor speakers at around 1:07-1:12 there is graininess in the track as if you are playing a vinyl record. That detail is inaudible in the PX8 whereas its as clear if slightly clearer on the ML 5909. The Bathys are also able to pick up this detail as well though they have a cooler more "mature/analytical" portrayal of the song.

 

[angelom]

...Presently I've landed on +2 dB treble, -1 dB bass. Ugh... this decision isn't getting any easier!

Right now I'm using +3 dB in treble and -1 dB in bass in off mode, and +3 dB in treble and -3 dB in bass in ANC / transparency mode.

After more and more listening, I think now I'm happy with: +2 dB in treble and -1 dB in bass in off mode, and +2 dB in treble and -3 dB in bass in ANC / transparency mode.

 

[MisterEwing]

After more and more listening, I think now I'm happy with: +2 dB in treble and -1 dB in bass in off mode, and +2 dB in treble and -3 dB in bass in ANC / transparency mode.

Clearly, at least with the PX8 we have a very similar preference in sound signature. I still prefer the sound signature of the Bathys but with these eq settings the PX8 is very easy and enjoyable listen.

 

[angelom]

I only listened to the P9 a few times and back then my reference was the P7w. Beautiful but as I recall the bass was a bit over the top, even compared with the P7w. Also they never fit me right.

I hope the PX8 will be more comfy for my big head.

I buying the P9 when is coming out some years ago after I loving the p7w very much. BIG disappointment with P9 and I returning after 2 days only. The P9 for me is having very thick, boomy and muddy sound like thick veil is covering everything, with very bad treble. My p7w sounding very better, in my opinion.

One example of the PX8 having less clarity and detail retrieval compared to the ML5909 and Focal Bathys:

"King of my Castle (Roy Malone's King Mix" by Wamdue Project - On my floor speakers at around 1:07-1:12 there is graininess in the track as if you are playing a vinyl record. That detail is inaudible in the PX8 whereas its as clear if slightly clearer on the ML 5909. The Bathys are also able to pick up this detail as well though they have a cooler more "mature/analytical" portrayal of the song.

Try "The Boy With The Gun" by David Sylvian from the album Secrets of the Beehive. I think you will hearing similar differences.

 

[jthomp72]

I buying the P9 when is coming out some years ago after I loving the p7w very much. BIG disappointment with P9 and I returning after 2 days only. The P9 for me is having very thick, boomy and muddy sound like thick veil is covering everything, with very bad treble. My p7w sounding very better, in my opinion.



Try "The Boy With The Gun" by David Sylvian from the album Secrets of the Beehive. I think you will hearing similar differences.

I have the Bathys on order as well as the KEF Mu7 for comparisons. I will be attentively testing them out.

 

[angelom]

Clearly, at least with the PX8 we have a very similar preference in sound signature. I still prefer the sound signature of the Bathys but with these eq settings the PX8 is very easy and enjoyable listen.

I prefer the sound of the Bathys too and, in fact, my decision few days ago is keeping Bathys, returning px8 and selling my 5909, so I returning the tan coulor px8 and putting my 5909 for sale in classifieds here in head-fi. But I returning Bathys later for 3 reasons I explaining next week, and now is looking like I will keeping the px8 that I ordering again (in black colour) and selling my 5909.

 

[mainguy]

I buying the P9 when is coming out some years ago after I loving the p7w very much. BIG disappointment with P9 and I returning after 2 days only. The P9 for me is having very thick, boomy and muddy sound like thick veil is covering everything, with very bad treble. My p7w sounding very better, in my opinion.



Try "The Boy With The Gun" by David Sylvian from the album Secrets of the Beehive. I think you will hearing similar differences.

The P9 is a very weird headphone to me. On one side, you have people who literally hate it, and on the other, you have people like Convince me Audio, tons of reviewers, etc, who love it. Some people have made the argument audiophiles dislike it, but not in my experience.

I struggle to figure out why. One part of me wondered if there are fakes floating around, or if there were two production runs. No way would anyone call the pair I've got muddy, or say the treble is lacking. It is close in detail to my Focal Clear, and significantly above Bathys/PX8 for detail in the treble region. I also had p7w, and I can say with dead certainty the P9 is technically on another level, it's noticably more detailed and spacious in it's presentation.

P9 remains a bit of a mystery to me. I know three people who bought pairs and absolutely adored them.

I think everyone should give it a go once.

 

[angelom]

The P9 is a very weird headphone to me. On one side, you have people who literally hate it, and on the other, you have people like Convince me Audio, tons of reviewers, etc, who love it. Some people have made the argument audiophiles dislike it, but not in my experience.

I struggle to figure out why. One part of me wondered if there are fakes floating around, or if there were two production runs. No way would anyone call the pair I've got muddy, or say the treble is lacking. It is close in detail to my Focal Clear, and significantly above Bathys/PX8 for detail in the treble region. I also had p7w, and I can say with dead certainty the P9 is technically on another level, it's noticably more detailed and spacious in it's presentation.

P9 remains a bit of a mystery to me. I know three people who bought pairs and absolutely adored them.

I think everyone should give it a go once.

I ordering directly from B&W so not fake, and is the first batch because I ordering when is coming out. I'm sure no fakes of this headphone exist. Fakes are only for products that selling very well and having more low price usually.

About people (and reviewers even, but I'm suspicious of reviewers in general) that loving this headphone, all that I know is that here in head-fi isn't a success at all and nobody (except few people only) mentioning this headphone like (very) good headphone in that time or later. And, incidentally, is a surprise for me that the construction quality isn't so good like I hoping, and the design not really my style either.

 

[mainguy]

About people (and reviewers even, but I'm suspicious of reviewers in general) that loving this headphone, all that I know is that here in head-fi isn't a success at all and nobody (except few people only) mentioning this headphone like (very) good headphone in that time or later.

There's a 120 page head-fi thread on the P9 and it's mostly praise.

 

[Denkmal]

The P9 is a very weird headphone to me. On one side, you have people who literally hate it, and on the other, you have people like Convince me Audio, tons of reviewers, etc, who love it. Some people have made the argument audiophiles dislike it, but not in my experience.

I struggle to figure out why. One part of me wondered if there are fakes floating around, or if there were two production runs. No way would anyone call the pair I've got muddy, or say the treble is lacking. It is close in detail to my Focal Clear, and significantly above Bathys/PX8 for detail in the treble region. I also had p7w, and I can say with dead certainty the P9 is technically on another level, it's noticably more detailed and spacious in it's presentation.

P9 remains a bit of a mystery to me. I know three people who bought pairs and absolutely adored them.

I think everyone should give it a go once.

Agreed, it is a strange product.
I doubt there would be fakes around as this is so well constructed from expensive materials.
In any case I completely agree with you that it is a technically very detailed and spacious headphone but the tuning is clearly not for everyone. Also as long as cant go wireless I would pick something completely different and probably open backed.

I hope the PX8 will offer me a good compromise between performance, comfort and convenience.

 

[scarfacegt]

For me,the p9 was really good for movies.It was like you almost were in an cinema.But on music it was to dark/warm/thick sounding.It was like you had an blanket over the details.

 

[jthomp72]

For me,the p9 was really good for movies.It was like you almost were in an cinema.But on music it was to dark/warm/thick sounding.It was like you had an blanket over the details.

But some people absolutely love that sound signature. I don’t, but I know plenty of people who consider it a throwback to the early hi-fi sounds of the 60’s and 70’s

 

[alchemical]

There's a 120 page head-fi thread on the P9 and it's mostly praise.

I loved mine, and still consider it very fondly.