If anyone is interested I finally just finished my personal non-scientific testing of my collection of P7W, PX7 and Momentum 3, via wired connections and also BT. The sources used were an iPad Pro (USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to 3.5mm Jack, BT) and an iPhone X (Lightning to 3.5mm Jack and BT). All NC was switched off to give the P7Ws a level playing field as much as possible.
To start I was curious if the usb-c connection method would work with the iPad and was impressed it did (considering its an Apple product!). First up were the M3s and they were awesome, so much more volume than I expected when compared against the 3.5mm and BT options. I had to run the volume slider just a little over half and was more than happy with my listening material (a selection of 70’s Rock and some more contemporary selections). The M3s via this method came alive and were just what I’m after at this stage, nice and warm, open and eminently enjoyable. Next we’re to the PX7s and it does seem as thought the maximum amount of volume allowed is limited at the point of the headphone and so they weren’t driven as hard maybe(?), but for me the sound was more closed, and less open sounding than the M3s. Finally the P7Ws (obviously driven via the USB-C to 3.5mm jack) and they still impress to this day, great volume, great soundstage but in comparison to the M3s a little bit brighter perhaps.
Changing to use the USB-C to 3.5mm jack for the M3s and PX7s the volume required boosting near the very top, although the M3s were still more than loud enough, the PX7s again reached a limit where the volume control on the iPad had no effect after almost 3/4 of the way near maximum. As far as I could tell the sound signature was still the same as via direct USB-C connection. Using BT resulted in the same effect for both sound quality and volume levels.
Next up was the iPhone X using the Lightning to 3.5mm jack, and the M3s, for me, required full volume to get near the levels required for listening (maybe my old ears are just buggered
). Same again happened with the PX7s in terms of volume being required to be pushed to the max, but again the volume limit on the headphones didn’t help. The P7W were epic here in terms of power required to drive them, via the 3.5mm cable, they came alive as the always do. Finally via BT the volume limits required for all were better i.e less required to get the same levels out, no doubt helped by the amps in the headphones perhaps. In terms of sound via BT the M3s were again nice and warm but open, P7W were less warm than I remember against the M3 and a little brighter, but the PX7 were the warmest and closed in, at least it felt that way to me on the recordings I tested with.
TLDR: Ultimately I was after a much more comfortable option for the P7W which I loved so much. Like many on this board I finally thought B&W had cracked it with the PX7s but for me the sound isn’t what I’d hoped for personally. As for the M3s, well they are superb, both in terms of the sound signature I’m after and enjoy and also importantly in comfort. It took Sennheiser three attempts to get that right for the momentum’s, but here we are. The M3s just melt into my head!, where as with the PX7s I’m always fiddling and adjusting them to get a comfortable fit. Plus the fact they ran beautifully via usb-c via the iPad was a nice bonus, hopefully the iPhone catches up in this regard with usb-c. Take everything I said with Ali can of salt as your enjoyment/mileage will no doubt vary....enjoy
