Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Shure SRH1540-BK-EFS
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
Shure SRH1540-BK-EFS
The Shure SRH1540 headphones receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their excellent sound quality, particularly the punchy bass and detailed mids and highs. Users praise the build quality with aluminum and carbon fiber construction, as well as the comfort of the Alcantara ear pads, though some note the clamping force can be tight initially. Common criticisms include excessive cable noise, a high price point that many feel is only justified during sales, and the need for aftermarket ear pad replacements for optimal comfort. Overall, these are considered among the best closed-back headphones in their class, especially for bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality with punchy bass
- High-quality aluminum and carbon fiber build
- Comfortable Alcantara ear pads
- Spare ear pads and cable included
- Great for bass-heavy music genres
Cons
- Excessive cable noise
- High price point, best on sale
- Clamping force may be too tight initially
- Ear pads may need replacement for comfort
- Sound leakage similar to open-back headphones
Scores
Specifications
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Shure SRH1540-BK-EFS | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✗ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.30 kg★ | 0.32 kg |
| Ear Cushion | Leather | Alcantara |
| Headband | Aluminum, Leather | padded |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | — | 5 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 25 kHz★ |
| Impedance | — | 46 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 99 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX LL, SBC | Shure SRH1540 Premium Closed-Back Headphones with 40mm Neodymium Drivers for Clear Highs and Extended Bass, Built for Professional Audio/Sound Engineers, Musicians and Audiophiles (SRH1540-BK) |
| 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 | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | 1.8300000429153442 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
Shure SRH1540-BK-EFS
- Strong build (76th percentile)
- Strong sound (74th percentile)
- Strong social proof (72nd percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (72nd percentile)
- Below average comfort (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 offers 1.7x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 15 of 39 specs.
