RockStar2005
Headphoneus Supremus
Just purchased the B&W P7 for the second time in 4 years to compare it to my Sennheiser HD1 Over-Ear headphones. After reading several reviews, I noticed a trend that many were saying the P7 sounded better than the Momentum 2.0 or HD1 (which IS the M 2.0, but renamed and with a widened headband). Now, when I initially tried the P7, I felt they were too bassy. But that was back before I learned how to EQ. Now that I am better at that, I decided to give it another try. Both headphones got 5-star ratings AND awards for their own price category on "What Hi-Fi?", which is my GO-TO audio reviewer.
Turns out, those reviews were right! As great as the HD1 is, the P7 was better on 3 fronts: 1) Hiss - The P7 appeared to have slightly less hiss at the same volume than the HD1 did 2) Soundstage - The P7 has a wider soundstage than the HD1, but not too wide where it becomes disengaging 3) Instrument Separation - Due to the wider soundstage, the P7 also had slightly better instrument separation.
I found both to be rather comfortable, though the P7 did need a little stretching overnight over its box for a night or two to get it where I wanted it. Some call the P7 an on-ear headphone, but I DO NOT. My ears are regular size and fit just fine in its ear pads, which are rectangular. Normally I would prefer the oval-shaped ear pads of the HD1s, but somehow the P7's seem to be just fine there. The HD1 comes with some plastic on the ear cups, but the rest is essentially either brushed aluminum or genuine leather. The P7 though has no plastic, just aluminum and genuine sheepskin leather on the headband and ear pads.
Both come with detachable cables (about 4' long) with in-line remotes, and the P7 has an extra cable with no remote. The HD1 comes with a silky soft beige case (I have the Ivory/Chocolate Brown color model) and a really nice hard case. The P7 comes with a hilarious-looking "Louis Vuitton" type hard case, which I don't like as much, but it's alright. Doesn't zipper up like the HD1's case does, so there is some MINIMAL exposure. I would've preferred the HD1's type of case, but not a big deal. You can always stuff it in a plastic bag and then backpack or luggage case when traveling if you're worried about it getting rained on, etc. Also, both fold inwards for maximum portability!
Price-wise, the HD1 was $250 (normally $350), and the P7 was $350 (normally $400), so there is a difference there which might explain why the P7 sounds better. Bowers & Wilkins' philosophy behind the P7 was that they wanted their headphones to make music sound the way it does when played through speakers. Fortunately, this philosophy really DOES work rather well in the real world, as these sound incredible!
Very highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EQs (created in the Poweramp music app; make sure Tone & Limit are OFF):
**Update: JUST ADDED a new 4th Custom EQ, "B&W P7 (Bass Xtra+). I am finding this one to be a great fit for listening to most Led Zeppelin tracks, album or live. I also added a 5th EQ with boosted bass for train and plane rides. Try them (and the rest too) out and let me know what you think!
I SHOULD add that at least the main EQ seemed to work very well on the HD1, and other headphones as well, including the Meze 99 Classics & the Sony MDR-1ADAC. By "work very well" I mean it sounded noticeably better than both "No EQ" and the "Rock" preset on my Poweramp app, which was my default until recently. I still use "Rock" in my car though as it still sounds the best there.**
Main -
Bass Lite -
Bass Xtra -
Bass Xtra+ -
Bass Train -
Turns out, those reviews were right! As great as the HD1 is, the P7 was better on 3 fronts: 1) Hiss - The P7 appeared to have slightly less hiss at the same volume than the HD1 did 2) Soundstage - The P7 has a wider soundstage than the HD1, but not too wide where it becomes disengaging 3) Instrument Separation - Due to the wider soundstage, the P7 also had slightly better instrument separation.
I found both to be rather comfortable, though the P7 did need a little stretching overnight over its box for a night or two to get it where I wanted it. Some call the P7 an on-ear headphone, but I DO NOT. My ears are regular size and fit just fine in its ear pads, which are rectangular. Normally I would prefer the oval-shaped ear pads of the HD1s, but somehow the P7's seem to be just fine there. The HD1 comes with some plastic on the ear cups, but the rest is essentially either brushed aluminum or genuine leather. The P7 though has no plastic, just aluminum and genuine sheepskin leather on the headband and ear pads.
Both come with detachable cables (about 4' long) with in-line remotes, and the P7 has an extra cable with no remote. The HD1 comes with a silky soft beige case (I have the Ivory/Chocolate Brown color model) and a really nice hard case. The P7 comes with a hilarious-looking "Louis Vuitton" type hard case, which I don't like as much, but it's alright. Doesn't zipper up like the HD1's case does, so there is some MINIMAL exposure. I would've preferred the HD1's type of case, but not a big deal. You can always stuff it in a plastic bag and then backpack or luggage case when traveling if you're worried about it getting rained on, etc. Also, both fold inwards for maximum portability!
Price-wise, the HD1 was $250 (normally $350), and the P7 was $350 (normally $400), so there is a difference there which might explain why the P7 sounds better. Bowers & Wilkins' philosophy behind the P7 was that they wanted their headphones to make music sound the way it does when played through speakers. Fortunately, this philosophy really DOES work rather well in the real world, as these sound incredible!
Very highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EQs (created in the Poweramp music app; make sure Tone & Limit are OFF):
**Update: JUST ADDED a new 4th Custom EQ, "B&W P7 (Bass Xtra+). I am finding this one to be a great fit for listening to most Led Zeppelin tracks, album or live. I also added a 5th EQ with boosted bass for train and plane rides. Try them (and the rest too) out and let me know what you think!
I SHOULD add that at least the main EQ seemed to work very well on the HD1, and other headphones as well, including the Meze 99 Classics & the Sony MDR-1ADAC. By "work very well" I mean it sounded noticeably better than both "No EQ" and the "Rock" preset on my Poweramp app, which was my default until recently. I still use "Rock" in my car though as it still sounds the best there.**
Main -
Bass Lite -
Bass Xtra -
Bass Xtra+ -
Bass Train -
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