[LoryWiv]

I’m disappointed as I wanted to get into a new brand (Focal). My current desktop setup is Hifiman Ananda with Schiit Audio Asgard 3 and Bifrost 2. Can anyone recommend a wired Focal that would be good in this setup?

I got the Bathys from Headphones.com and didn’t realize I need to pay a 10% restocking fee (!) so hoping to recoup that with a wired set.

For my 2 cents the best value proposition in Focal's lineup is Clear MG. I really enjoy mine.

 

[Soundizer]

This might already been posted, so apologies if seen already.

Fantastic review. Exactly what I was hoping for. I returned the Bathys as found thinness in mids and lacked natural mid base which was also picked up on in this video to a certain degree. I am more interested now in PX8. My main HP is Focal Clear MG which has a nice full midrange and mid base. Perhaps PX8 is more closer to actual Focal Clear MG then Focal Bathys. Strange but true? Maybe

 

[Soundizer]

Does PX8 show any indication of receiving AptX Adaptive in its App or from light indicators? So not just Apt X, but specifically AptX Adaptive?

 

[Soundizer]

Quick question....I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and sometimes use the Creative BT-W3 with my Px7 and Pi7....I think they sound better with aptx HD but maybe it's in my head. Any value of using these with the Px8? Mine arrive tomorrow!

How can you tell if Px7 is receiving AptX HD?

 

[hjf54]

W3 has indicator lights that tell which aptx you are getting. I think yellow is the HD if I remember.

 

[Knottian]

@mainguy, I may have missed it in the video but did you have thoughts on running the PX8 in wired mode? I often use my current range of headphones, including my PX7, in wired to get the full capabilities when I run from my iPhone/iPad, so I was curious what the takeaway was in improvements over wired vs wireless. Still debating between the S2 and PX8; I want the PX8 but given that I just got a new stereo amp to drive my bevy of speakers, trying to justify the extra $$ to the wife is going to be a struggle.
Wish there were some good PX7 vs PX7 S2 vs PX8 videos out by now.

 

[jthomp72]

@mainguy, I may have missed it in the video but did you have thoughts on running the PX8 in wired mode? I often use my current range of headphones, including my PX7, in wired to get the full capabilities when I run from my iPhone/iPad, so I was curious what the takeaway was in improvements over wired vs wireless. Still debating between the S2 and PX8; I want the PX8 but given that I just got a new stereo amp to drive my bevy of speakers, trying to justify the extra $$ to the wife is going to be a struggle.
Wish there were some good PX7 vs PX7 S2 vs PX8 videos out by now.

I’ve said this in other places, but I think that the internal DAC on the P8 is doing all the work. So a dedicated amp won’t do you much good.

As far as wired vs wireless. It’s a 10% bump in everything that’s good, the best way I can describe it. Totally not world altering or anything, I promise.

 

[Borbarad]

Well well, finally got my PX8 (black).

And after the short listening so far the answer is very much a no-brainer: Bloody hell. B&W is finally back.

All those years since the brilliant P7 (and P9 to a degree) we finally have a true B&W again. Listen to few a songs from Zaz, then Wolfalice, Greta Van Fleet, my fourth favourite group MUSE and of course my favourite group of all time, Genesis , in particular Afterglow, Mama & Los Endos. Love it, The Genesis Songs, especially the drums and bass pedals sound and rumble sold it immediately.

Also the Store Specialist here in Hamburg Germany (Auditorium) was full in praise as well “The PX7 S2 are okish but the PX8 are another level. Will get one myself“

B

 

[Knottian]

I’ve said this in other places, but I think that the internal DAC on the P8 is doing all the work. So a dedicated amp won’t do you much good.

As far as wired vs wireless. It’s a 10% bump in everything that’s good, the best way I can describe it. Totally not world altering or anything, I promise.

Apologies if there was confusion from me mentioning the amp; I don’t plan on using it for any of my headphones (it’s used for my various speakers). I only mentioned the amp because it’s a recent purchase so my “play money” is limited over the next month; so, as a PX7 owner, I was looking for a great comparison of the S2 and PX8 compared to the PX7.

I’m curious about the wired mode too mainly because my PX7s running wireless vs 3.5mm vs USB-C is absolutely night and day, on my iPad for example (with the USB-C being even a significant upgrade in volume, tonality, and clarity over even the 3.5mm).

 

[buzzlulu]

What is up with the tan color? It seems like no one has it in stock - even including B&W direct.

 

[jthomp72]

Apologies if there was confusion from me mentioning the amp; I don’t plan on using it for any of my headphones (it’s used for my various speakers). I only mentioned the amp because it’s a recent purchase so my “play money” is limited over the next month; so, as a PX7 owner, I was looking for a great comparison of the S2 and PX8 compared to the PX7.

I’m curious about the wired mode too mainly because my PX7s running wireless vs 3.5mm vs USB-C is absolutely night and day, on my iPad for example (with the USB-C being even a significant upgrade in volume, tonality, and clarity over even the 3.5mm).

It’s not a significant upgrade. Whatever voodoo that bowers and Wilkins has put on the interior amp is doing the lords work wireless. Is wired better? Yeah. Not night and day.

 

[Borbarad]

Oh, and Juist for info. The PX8 does not work with a Lightning cable connected to an iPhone, just USB-C with an iPad. When I connect a UBC Cable in the Lightnight to USB adapter it works but the message is „the device requires to much Power“ (iPhone 13 Pro)

B

 

[vincenz]

It’s not a significant upgrade. Whatever voodoo that bowers and Wilkins has put on the interior amp is doing the lords work wireless. Is wired better? Yeah. Not night and day.

Agree-- I only did a short A/B test, but I could barely hear any difference at all other than the ever-so-slight bass boost on wireless. The difference was negligible enough for me to not even continue testing or caring after a couple songs. If I couldn't really tell a stark difference on a short test, it would not be worth the inconvenience of running them wired at all. I have other headphones for that if I wanted.

@mainguy, I may have missed it in the video but did you have thoughts on running the PX8 in wired mode? I often use my current range of headphones, including my PX7, in wired to get the full capabilities when I run from my iPhone/iPad, so I was curious what the takeaway was in improvements over wired vs wireless. Still debating between the S2 and PX8; I want the PX8 but given that I just got a new stereo amp to drive my bevy of speakers, trying to justify the extra $$ to the wife is going to be a struggle.
Wish there were some good PX7 vs PX7 S2 vs PX8 videos out by now.

I think he mentioned here at some point (great reviews, btw) that he was comparing them both on wireless and via iOS, which I agree with also as running these kinds of headphones wired are kind of counter-intuitive, I think.

I think unless you just had to have headphones like NOW, I would save up the extra for the Px8. Even 10% better is worth the difference in my book. You can spend way more than the extra $300 on much less difference in the audio world.

 

[andyph666]

Can someone recommend a good source? Should I get an android phone for aptx adaptive or a music player with aptx adaptive? Thanks.

 

[Radiorog]

Can someone recommend a good source? Should I get an android phone for aptx adaptive or a music player with aptx adaptive? Thanks.

As a px7 user, i have a Samsung galaxy s8 phone which i believe uses aptx hd. I'll be upgrading my phone soon amd the main criteria i will be looking at is that it has aptx hd.