Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
HiFiMan He400SE
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
HiFiMan He400SE
The HiFiMan HE400se is widely praised for its exceptional sound quality, particularly its natural and detailed presentation with a wide soundstage. Users highlight its comfort and solid build, though some note the need for a good amplifier and a better cable. Overall, it is considered an outstanding value for entry into planar magnetic headphones.
Pros
- Natural and detailed sound
- Wide soundstage
- Comfortable for long sessions
- Solid build quality
- Great value for money
Cons
- Stock cable is too short
- Requires a good amplifier
- Slightly heavy
- Sound leakage in open spaces
- Treble may be recessed for some
Scores
Specifications
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | HiFiMan He400SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.30 kg★ | 0.39 kg |
| Ear Cushion | Leather | — |
| Headband | Aluminum, Leather | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | planar magnetic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm★ | — |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | — | 20 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | — | 20 kHz★ |
| Impedance | — | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 91 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX LL, SBC | HIFIMAN HE400SE Stealth Magnets Version Over-Ear Open-Back Full-Size Planar Magnetic Wired Headphones for Audiophiles/Studio, Great-Sounding, Stereo, High Sensitivity, Comfortable, Sliver |
| 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 | — |
| 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
HiFiMan He400SE
- Strong user sentiment (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (84th percentile)84th %ile
- Below average comfort (10th percentile)10th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average connectivity (19th percentile)19th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Pricing
HiFiMan He400SE offers 2.6x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 97 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 16 of 39 specs.
