Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Soundcore Life Q20
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
Soundcore Life Q20
The Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones are widely praised for their exceptional value, offering impressive active noise cancellation and a warm, bassy sound that rivals more expensive models. Users consistently highlight the outstanding battery life, often lasting weeks on a single charge, and the comfortable fit that accommodates glasses and long wear. While the sound quality is excellent for most, some note that high-pitched sounds can be slightly harsh, and the new battery indicator uses a musical tone instead of a voice prompt. Overall, these are considered a smart, durable choice for anyone seeking dependable, affordable headphones.
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable for long wear
- Great sound quality
- Affordable price
Cons
- High-pitched sounds can be harsh
- Battery indicator uses musical tone instead of voice
- Limited manual equalizer customization initially
Scores
Specifications
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Soundcore Life Q20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.30 kg | 0.26 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | Leather | memory foam |
| Headband | Aluminum, Leather | memory foam |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers | 1 | 4★ |
| Freq Min | — | 16 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | — | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 105 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX LL, SBC | Foldable design with ergonomic headband, memory foam ear cups and multi-point rotation, travel pouch |
| 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 | hybrid |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3★ | 5.0 |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | 1.2000000476837158 m |
| Range | — | 15 m★ |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs | 60 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | 0.25 hrs★ | 2 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 15 Minutes for 7 Hours | 5 minutes for 4 hours of listening |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 8★ | 4 |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri | Siri, Google Assistant |
| Touch Controls | ✗ | ✓★ |
| App | Bowers & Wilkins Music | Soundcore |
| Volume Limiting | ✗ | — |
| Gaming Mode | — | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | — | Water-Resistant |
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
Soundcore Life Q20
- Strong sound (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong anc (94th percentile)94th %ile
Pricing
Soundcore Life Q20 offers 15.4x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 6 of 7 usage categories and 4 of 42 specs.
