Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 First Look: Better Than Ever?

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Hands-On First Impressions

Big news from Bowers & Wilkins: the Px7 S3 over-ear headphones have officially landed. Here at Smart Home Sounds, we’ve had the chance to get hands-on with them, and we’re already excited by what we’re hearing. As official Bowers & Wilkins partners and specialists in premium home audio, we always want to go beyond the spec sheet and give you the honest, real-world insights you need before deciding if these are the right fit for you.

Don't worry, this isn’t our full review just yet; that’s coming once we’ve had a bit more time to test them across different environments and against some of the competition. But, even after just a few early listening sessions, there’s already plenty to dig into.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Px7 S2e: What’s New, What’s Not

Let’s get the familiar bits out of the way first. Both the Px7 S3 and the Px7 S2e offer a healthy 30 hours of battery life, with handy quick charging that gives you around 7 hours of playback from just 15 minutes on charge. The 40mm bio-cellulose drivers also make a return from the S2e, and both models share that same high-end build quality Bowers & Wilkins is known for. 

But beyond those shared strengths? Almost everything else has been tweaked, and you can feel it the moment you pick them up. Here’s a quick breakdown of the key differences:

Px7 S3 vs Px7 S2e: Key Differences at a Glance

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Price & Availability

• Release date: April 24th, 2025
• Price: $TBC / £399 / AU$699 (approx.)

The Px7 S3 lands at £399 RRP, which is £20 more expensive than the price the S2e version launched at. And yes, we know a price jump always invites a bit of scrutiny, but from the way Bowers & Wilkins is pitching this model, there’s a clear sense they believe the upgrades on offer more than justify the jump.

If you’re already weighing up your next pair of over-ear headphones, we’ve got the Px7 S3 available to order now at Smart Home Sounds with FREE next-day UK delivery, 2-year warranty and expert support on hand if you’d like a bit of advice before you buy.

Still unsure which model is right for you? Explore our website — or chat with one of our tech guides for honest advice.

All-New Look, Slimmer Design:

One of the first things you notice when you unbox the Px7 S3 is just how much more refined they look and feel. The shape’s been slimmed down, so they sit closer to your head, giving them a neater, more streamlined profile. It’s not a complete design overhaul; they still feel part of the same family as the S2e, but if you’ve worn the older model, the difference is immediate.

Bowers & Wilkins has also clearly paid attention to user feedback. One issue that cropped up with the S2e was the headband occasionally peeling away after extended use. This time, they’ve added a stronger adhesive along with a new mechanical latch system to stop that from happening. It’s the kind of smart fix you might not spot straightaway, but over time, it should make a real difference to durability.

Comfort has had an upgrade, too. Not only are these headphones 10 grams lighter than the previous version, but the memory foam used in the earcups and headband has been changed to feel softer and more premium. Press down on the padding, and you’ll see it bounce back into shape faster, which speaks to the improved build quality overall. The headband is slightly thicker too and the arm mechanism has also been redesigned, giving the headphones a more robust feel in the hand.

That weight reduction, combined with the softer materials and tweaked design, makes these a lot easier to wear for longer listening sessions. Whether it’s a few hours of editing, working from home, or just getting lost in a playlist, we’ve had no issues with ear fatigue, which wasn’t always true of the older model.

They’ve even refined the carry case. It’s slimmer and easier to pack, which is a real win if you’re the type of person who’s always on the go and already packing more gear than your bag can handle.

New Button Layout, Same Reliable Feel:

If you’ve used Bowers & Wilkins headphones before, you’ll be pleased to hear the physical buttons are still here. While some brands lean into touch controls (which can be hit and miss), there’s something reassuring about a proper button when you’re on the move.

This time, though, the button layout has been altered slightly. The volume up, volume down, and play/pause buttons have been reshaped to make them easier to find and control without looking, and the power button has been moved over to the left earcup, now sitting alongside the quick action button instead of being isolated on the opposite side.

Having used Bowers & Wilkins headphones for years now, this tweak does mean they’re not the most intuitive at first for existing users, but once you’ve got the feel for it, navigation becomes second nature.

Sound Quality & Performance:

When it comes to sound, even though the Px7 S3s sport the same 40mm bio-cellulose drivers as found in the Px7 S2e, everything else around them has been given a refresh. The chassis, voice coil, suspension, and magnet have all been reworked to improve detail, reduce distortion, and deliver a more dynamic, engaging sound overall.

So far, that work seems to have paid off. The bass feels tighter and more controlled. It’s there when the track calls for it but backs off when it’s not needed, which gives the mids and highs the space they need to shine. Vocals come through crisp and clear, and the soundstage feels a little wider too, edging closer to the PX8’s level of sound performance.

On the software side, there are some nice additions too. The Px7 S3 supports Bluetooth 5.3, along with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless at 24-bit/96 kHz, which means you’re well covered for high-res streaming from platforms like TIDAL and Qobuz. There’s also a new headphone amp onboard, which will be great news if you like to make the most of your headphone listening experience.

One of the headline features coming via a future software update is support for Spatial Audio and Bluetooth LE Audio with Auracast. Sure, it’s a little frustrating not to have these at launch, but it sounds like Bowers & Wilkins is keen to make sure they get this right rather than rush it out.

You’re also getting a new 5-band EQ in the Bowers & Wilkins Music App, which is great if you’re someone who likes to tweak your sound exactly how you want it. We haven’t had a chance to fully explore the app features yet, but that’s on the list for our full review on our YouTube channel.

Noise Cancelling Upgrade:

Noise-cancelling has been given a boost on the Px7 S3. The previous S2e model had six microphones in total, four of which worked on ANC. The S3 version now steps up to eight optimally positioned mics in total, six of which are dedicated to noise cancellation, so you’re getting a big leap in how much external sound these headphones can detect and respond to. 

From our experiences so far, they’ve been doing a great job at handling everyday distractions like office chatter and background noise. However, there’s still more testing to be done here, especially against some of the big-name competition like Apple and Bose, but so far, things are looking good.

Enhanced Call Performance:

The extra microphones aren’t just there to block out background noise; they also make a big difference when it comes to call quality too. On the Px7 S3, all eight mics work together, combining with Bowers & Wilkins’ latest ADI Pure Voice processing to keep your voice sounding clear, even when you’re taking calls in busier spaces.

It’s a clear step up from the previous model, which only used two mics for calls and relied on Alango voice processing. By switching to a more advanced system and doubling down on mic integration, the Px7 S3 looks set to do a far better job of isolating your voice and cutting out background noise.

First Impressions: Are the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Worth It?

The Px7 S3 feels like exactly the kind of upgrade you’d hope for from Bowers & Wilkins. They haven’t started from scratch, but they’ve gone through and fixed the things that needed attention while also enhancing what was already a success. 

Would we have liked to see them hold onto the previous price tag? Of course. But, given the upgrades on offer here, the £399 price point feels fair. You’re getting a premium experience without having to stretch to flagship-level spending.

Of course, there’s no shortage of competition at this level. Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, Apple, and Sonos – all of them have great options, and some come in a bit cheaper, too. But what Bowers & Wilkins has done here makes the Px7 S3 a genuinely exciting contender, especially if premium build, noise cancellation and sound quality are at the top of your wish list. 

Sure, there’s still more testing to do, but the biggest compliment we can give the Px7 S3 right now? We’re genuinely excited to keep putting them through their paces!

Other Useful Content

Blog: Bowers & Wilkins Headphones: The Ultimate Buyers Guide

Blog: Sonos Ace Review: Worth The Wait?

Video: Headphone Buying Guide 2025: Don't Buy Before Watching THIS!

Video: Sony WH-CH720N Review: The BEST Sub £100 Headphones?

For more information about Headphones or any other home cinema products, get in touch, and one of our Tech Guides would be happy to help!

	info@smarthomesounds.co.uk
	Live Chat on our Website
	0800 677 1100

Why buy from Smart Home Sounds? We offer Lowest Price Guarantee, Free Next Day Delivery* and 0% Finance Available. Looking for more personal advice? Contact our team of experts today. Shop Headphones