Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X
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
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X
The Audio-Technica open-back headphones receive praise for their comfortable fit, lightweight design, and detailed soundstage that reveals nuances in music. However, the stock cable is widely criticized as poor, and some users find the tuning shouty or bright, recommending the R30x or R70xa instead. Overall, they are seen as a good value for the price, especially for mixing and guitar playing, but the cable and pad longevity are concerns.
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight design
- Detailed and revealing soundstage
- Good bass response for open-back
- Great value for the price
- Crisp and clear audio
Cons
- Poor stock cable quality
- Shouty or bright tuning for some
- No replacement head pads available
- Short cable lacks 1/4" adapter threads
- Long cable can be a hazard
Scores
Specifications
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Audio-Technica ATH-R50X | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.30 kg | 0.21 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | Leather | velour |
| Headband | Aluminum, Leather | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 45 mm★ |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | — | 5 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | — | 50 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 93.30000305175781 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | — |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX LL, SBC | Audio-Technica ATH-R50x Professional Open-Back Over-Ear Reference Headphones, Black, 3-Pack |
| 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 | 3 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
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X
- Strong social proof (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong sound (85th percentile)85th %ile
- Strong build (76th percentile)
- Strong comfort (67th percentile)
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X offers 2.5x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 14 of 39 specs.
