Bowers & Wilkins PX5, A Comprehensive Review of These High-End Headphones

Audio technology goes through various ups and downs but sound purveyor Bowers & Wilkins has been an anchoring point. Over the years, they have been at the forefront of highly distinctive design, while remaining uncompromising in their approach and ultimately producing some of the best sounding and built audio gear from the top to the bottom of the market. The PX5 wireless over-ear headphones – available at £349.99 – come from a company with a rich history, steeped in a tradition of delivering products that can be relied upon to deliver exemplary sound and proudly wear the ‘British’ tag. In this review, we take a look at the latest addition to a legendary line-up of high-end audio kit.

Design and Comfort: A Symphony of Style and Ergonomics

Picture the scene: you’re sitting at the piano, just about to start playing a piece by Chopin. As you bring your hands together on the keys, you begin to play. Why is the piece of music shorter than you expected? Because without wires, you were able to stand up and play it right there, without the restricting constraints of wires. The Bowers Wilkins PX5 give off an air of refinement the moment they come into view. The pair are subtle and minimalistic, with the finest attention to detail.

With build material that’s luxurious and tactile, and earcups that feel like they mean business, the PX5 look and feel like a classy pair of headphones. Colourways are Space Grey and Blue – 𑁆 gorgeous. We like comfort but you have to factor into the design some level of comfort, like the soft plush earpads. These cups are designed to truly conform to the shape your ears, and they feel brilliant, actually, and it looks like it just floats there.

So it's not just a styling answer – but the fact that it's incredibly comfortable too, especially for those long flights or even long commutes or for the person who likes to listen for a really long duration. You're not going to get ear fatigue with that thing. Not during the long flight anyway. The fitting snugly on your head, and an adjustable headband allows you to find your right fit. This ensures the PX5 stay put no matter what body movements you make.

Sound Quality: A Sonic Tapestry of Clarity and Detail

The Bowers Wilkins PX5 will really kick into life when you first put them on your head, hit play and start listening. They’re a truly spectacular pair of headphones. If you’re looking for a rich, balanced sound signature that reveals the subtleties of your favourite tunes, then the PX5 could be for you. This is an aesthetically gorgeous pair of cans that capture music with life-like sound, whether you prefer classical, rock, electronic, jazz. Feel the rhythms of every note, hear every instrument, intonation and vocal inflection with near perfect clarity and purity, as if you are right in the middle of the live performance. There is incredibly deep bass with some nice hitting lows without the mids and highs getting drowned out.

Mids are well balanced and crystal clear, vocals have great body and articulation. And the highs are crisp and airy with great extension, and there is plenty of soundstage openness around the musical scene. The PX5 allows you to hear every bit of detail in your music that is recorded. For example, playing songs with indistinct percussion or background piano notes, the PX5 gives every note its own space and clarity – so whether you’re listening to Asa, The Eagles, J Cole, Renaissance or some classical music, you’ll hear everything.

Active Noise Cancellation: A World of Quiet Immersion

It has active noise-cancellation (ANC) that can make your whole world a calm soundscape, or at least parts of it: you could be on a train surrounded by tannoy announcements, or in a Starbucks with chatting Facebooking millennials, or on a street where taxis and ambulances compete with construction site pneumatic drills, and the PX5′s ANC will learn those sounds, and program itself against them, using smart algorithms to reduce every bit of unwanted sound around you as much as possible. It is amazingly effective at restoring elementary low-frequency noises that are there but usually lost in the mix, such as the drone of diesel engines (ie, planes), people’s LAN cable ticking loudly against a desk, or the rhythmic whirring of a computer fan.

The aptX processor is most effective at keeping all of this out, ensuring that, wherever you are, you can listen to your music undisturbed. This is a real boon for anybody who works in an open-plan office or has colleagues who like to chat around their desks. Blissfully using the PX5’s ANC at its maximum while music fills my ears is one way I have taught myself the secret of peace. This headphone’s active noise cancelling is so powerful, there is virtually nothing that can disrupt your immediate experience while it’s playing.

Connectivity and Features: Seamless Integration and Control

Bluetooth 5.0 allows for a stable connection and a fast, low-latency transmission of your favourite tunes to the Sennheiser PX5, and with aptX HD, streaming lovers can download high-quality music and hear it at its very best, revealing all that the cans have to offer and delivering every last nuance of detail that the recording has in store. Guaranteeing a stellar sound, no matter what, is hugely important. Convenient touch controls on the right earcup provide a simple and intuitive way to control playback, volume and ANC, or bring up your voice assistant, with a tap, a swipe or a hold. The integrated microphone also delivers clear hands-free calls. With PX5, it’s effortless to quickly switch between music, calls and noise cancellation configurations without ever needing to dig out your phone.

Battery Life: Extended Listening Sessions Uninterrupted

In terms of battery life, the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 have an estimated 22 hours of life with ANC on. If you are off on a long flight, in the car on a long journey or even exploring a city all day, the PX5 will keep you going without the need to plug in and charge up. Anyone looking for headphones to use on the road will benefit from this long battery life. A quick 15 minutes of charge translates into up to 5 hours of playback, meaning that you can fast-charge these on the go and be out the door in minutes. If you’ve forgotten to charge overnight, they’ll be topped up in no time at all.

Overall Verdict: A Premium Listening Experience Worth the Investment

This headphone packs amazing sound quality, fit, feel and performance; the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 is my number one overall headphone recommendation for the serious audiophile who wants comfort and serious performance. At $400, they sound great, are comfortable and just work, while removing a great amount of ambient noise. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the Bowers & Wilkins PX5.

You’re getting more bang for your buck than comparable mainstream headphones out there. These are serious audiophile-level headphones. If you want a true hi-fi experience from a pair of wireless headphones – the best arguably ever made, in fact – then stop trying to decide between B&W’s PX5 and the Sony WH-1000XM5. The Bowers & Wilkins is a premium pair of wireless headphones, and arguably the most stylish and comfortable ones around.

It’s also the best headphones for listening to music in any condition, from quiet at home to noisy on a plane. It’s amazing that the audio quality doesn’t suffer when out and about to the extent that it audibly does with the Sony framework. If you desire the best possible listening experience from your music, then the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 is the pair of headphones to get. They are the best headphones, period.

Who Should Buy the Bowers & Wilkins PX5?

• Audiophiles who prioritize sound quality and fidelity above all else
• Individuals seeking a comfortable and stylish headphone design that makes a statement
• Travelers looking for effective noise cancellation to block out distracting ambient noise
• Pros: headphones for work, commuting, an oasis of calm for overstimulated army ants. Anyone who appreciates a high-quality listening experience and has the money for good audio equipment, that’s who.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Q: Are the Bowers & Wilkins PX5 waterproof or sweatproof?**

Q: Are the PX5 water- or sweat-proof? A: The PX5 is neither waterproof nor sweatproof. We recommend not using them in wet or humid conditions. If you do prefer a headphone that’s waterproof or sweatproof… you might want one of a different model.

**Q: What is the warranty on the PX5?**

A: The PX5 is covered by a 2 year limited warranty with Bowers Wilkins …

**Q: Can I use the PX5 with a wired connection?**

Q: Yes it does, will come with 3.5mm cable in the box, so you can use it for wired listening if network key is low or your preference is to go wired!So the PX5 is dual-mode that supports wireless and wired, according to your needs and preference.

**Q: Are there any color options available for the PX5?**

A: The PX5 is available in two distinctive colour schemes: Space Grey and Blue. Get the PX5 to match your style and attitude. Be it subdued and stealth-like, or bold and loud, there’s a PX5 colour option for you.

**Q: How do I connect the PX5 to my device?**

A: The PX5, connects with your device using Bluetooth 5.0.Only start to pair your headphones with your device and you are ready to enjoy the music. Bluetooth operation is quite stable and reliable with PX5, as you can move freely without the worry of losing connection. You will have a seamless user experience with PX5 as it makes connection with your device easy.

Final Thoughts: A Testament to Audio Excellence

With Wilkins PX5, the legendary British hi-fi maker tallies another tremendous win for good sound: hifi bliss in a portable wearable form factor, with premium noise cancellation, stunning design and swinging amounts of comfort.

If today’s best headphones are all winners, among the very best. PX5 headphones are an ideal buy, regardless of whether you’re a music-snob audiophile, a short-haul or long-haul traveller, or if you’re looking for a premium set of headphones to take your daily listening experiences to new heights.