Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Focal Utopia
What Buyers Say
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 headphones are overwhelmingly praised for their exceptional sound quality, premium build, and comfort. Users highlight the detailed, balanced audio, luxurious materials, and effective ANC, though some note that ANC is not the best in class and the price is high. A few minor complaints include the bulky case, control placement, and call quality, but overall, these are considered top-tier headphones for audiophiles.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Premium build materials
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Effective noise cancellation
- Good battery life
Cons
- High price
- ANC not best in class
- Bulky carrying case
- Controls placement awkward
- Call quality average
Focal Utopia
The Focal Utopia 2022 is widely praised for its exceptional clarity, detail retrieval, and realistic sound that reveals new layers in familiar music. However, several users caution that it requires high-quality amplification and DAC to shine, and some find the treble harsh, the headband creaky over time, and the soundstage narrower than competitors like the Sennheiser HD 800 S. Overall, it is considered a top-tier audiophile headphone but not universally enjoyable for all music tastes.
Pros
- Exceptional clarity and detail retrieval
- Realistic, immersive sound
- Reveals new layers in familiar music
- Tight, articulate bass
- Premium build quality
Cons
- Requires high-quality amp and DAC
- Harsh treble for some listeners
- Heavy weight
- Headband creaks over time
- Narrow soundstage compared to HD 800 S
Scores
Specifications
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Focal Utopia | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.30 kg★ | 2.70 kg |
| Ear Cushion | Leather | Perforated lambskin memory foam |
| Headband | Aluminum, Leather | genuine leather |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | Beryllium |
| Driver Size | 40 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | — | 5 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 50 kHz★ |
| Impedance | — | 80 Ω |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX LL, SBC | — |
| Surround | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling & Transparency Mode, High-Res Playback, 30H Playtime with Quick Charge Support, Bluetooth Headphones, Onyx Black | Bowers | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | — |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3★ | — |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | — |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | — |
| Detachable Cable | ✓★ | — |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 2 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 15 Minutes for 7 Hours | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓★ | — |
| Mic Count | 8★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | — |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | — |
| Detachable Mic | ✓★ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri | — |
| Touch Controls | ✗ | — |
| App | Bowers & Wilkins Music | — |
| Volume Limiting | ✗ | — |
Pros & Cons
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
- Strong mic (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong sound (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong connectivity (98th percentile)98th %ile
Focal Utopia
- Below average connectivity (4th percentile)4th %ile
- Below average comfort (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 16 of 38 specs.