Bowers & Wilkins FP42978
The redesigned acoustic system and angled carbon drive unit deliver detailed audio with superior imaging and clarity, while 30-hour battery life from a 2-hour charge and 7 hours from a 15-minute charge support on-the-go use. The Nappa leather and aluminum arms provide a comfortable fit, and the dual adjustable mics improve call quality. Best for commuters and office workers who prioritize music fidelity and call clarity over gaming performance.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 looks premium but scores poorly across the board. Sound, comfort, ANC, and connectivity all land in the bottom half of our database. At $576 USD, it's hard to recommend when the Sony WH-1000XM6 does everything better for less.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gorgeous Nappa leather and aluminum build
- 30-hour battery with fast charging
- Detailed sound from the carbon driver
- Easy setup via the B&W Music App
Cons
- Sound quality scores in the bottom fifth of our database
- Comfort is a real letdown at the 10th percentile
- ANC is mediocre for this price
- Connectivity is nearly dead last
The proof
Performance
The Px8's headline feature is that carbon drive unit, and sure, it's detailed. But detail isn't everything. Our sound score puts it in the bottom fifth of all headphones we've tested. The ANC is mediocre at best, sitting around the 32nd percentile. Battery life is fine at 30 hours, nothing special. The mic is a weak spot too, 15th percentile. Call quality will get you through a meeting but won't impress anyone. Build quality feels solid in hand, but our data says it's below average for the category.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.7 lbs |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Sony WH-1000XM6, the Px8 gets embarrassed. Sony's ANC, comfort, and connectivity are all significantly better, and you'll pay less. The Sennheiser HDB 630 also offers better sound and build quality for the money. Even the TOZO HT3, a budget option, beats the Px8 in comfort and connectivity. The Apple AirPods Max 2 is the only competitor that's similarly priced, and it outperforms the Px8 in ANC and mic quality. The Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 is a closer match on sound, but it's more comfortable.
| Spec | Bowers & Wilkins FP42978 | Sennheiser HDB 630 | Sony WH-1000XM6 | JBL Tune 670NC | TOZO HT3 | Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | - | over-ear | over-ear | on-ear | over-ear | on-ear |
| Driver Type | - | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | - | 42 | 30 | 32 | 40 | 45 |
| Impedance Ohms | - | 480 | 48 | 32 | 16 | 48 |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | - | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 60 | 30 | 70 | 90 | 60 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowers & Wilkins FP42978 | 32 | 14.9 | 33.7 | 19.5 | 46 | 10.3 | 3.9 | 9.7 |
| Sennheiser HDB 630 Compare | 98.2 | 82.7 | 75.7 | 98.1 | 91.3 | 44.5 | 98.4 | 95.1 |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 Compare | 98.2 | 89.4 | 90.8 | 91 | 76.5 | 80 | 99.9 | 83.6 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.2 | 64.1 | 75.7 | 84.9 | 94.3 | 87.1 | 99.2 | 98.6 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 89.8 | 82.7 | 94.3 | 98.6 | 97.8 | 52 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
| Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 Compare | 98.2 | 75.6 | 94.3 | 98.2 | 91.3 | 52 | 97.7 | 61.2 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Here's the thing. The Px8 costs around $576 USD, and in Europe you'll see prices ranging from EUR 322 to EUR 431 depending on where you look. That's a huge spread. If you're in Europe, the best deal is at the lower end of that range, but even then, you're paying a lot for a headphone that scores below average in almost every category. The Sony WH-1000XM6 costs less and beats it in nearly every metric. The value just isn't there.
Amazon 1 offer From €430
Price History
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Overview
The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 looks the part. Nappa leather, aluminum arms, that angled carbon driver. It's a premium package at a premium price. But our database tells a different story than the marketing copy. The scores here are rough. Sound lands in the 20th percentile, comfort is even worse at 10th, and connectivity is basically dead last. For a headphone this expensive, that's a problem.
Common Questions
Q: Is the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 worth the price?
Based on our testing, no. The sound quality, comfort, and ANC all score below average, and you can get better performance from cheaper competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM6.
Q: How comfortable are the Px8 for long listening sessions?
Comfort is a weak point. The Px8 scores in the 10th percentile for comfort, so extended wear may cause discomfort for many users.
Q: Does the Px8 have good noise cancelling?
The ANC is mediocre. It sits around the 32nd percentile, which means it blocks some noise but falls well short of leaders like Sony or Bose.
Who Should Skip This
Skip the Px8 if you need strong ANC for travel or office use. The noise cancelling is mediocre at best. If comfort matters for long sessions, look elsewhere, because the 10th percentile comfort score is a red flag. And if you want reliable wireless connectivity, this is one of the worst we've seen. The Sony WH-1000XM6 or Sennheiser HDB 630 are better picks for most people.
Verdict
The Px8 is for someone who values looks over performance. If you want a headphone that feels luxurious in your hands and you don't care about ANC, comfort, or connectivity, this might work. But for most people, there are better options at lower prices. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the obvious choice if you want the best all-rounder.
