Bowers & Wilkins PX5 Wireless On Ear Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation - Space Grey

Product Information

Bluetooth device reconnection preferences can now be adjusted via the Headphones app. On Bluetooth reconnection, your headphones can automatically pair to either the last connected device, or your preferred 'primary' device (requires Headphones app v2.3 or later). Generally, the headphones offer a strong build, ensuring that they can handle most of the abuse that you can throw at them. At first glance, you might assume that the frame is plastic — but on the contrary, it’s a carbon fiber that’s both lightweight and strong. Apart from that, there’s a nice memory foam in the ear cups and headband.

The new Px7s sit for long periods just as comfortably as the previous model – the weight is almost unchanged from the previous model at 307g (down from 310g) but there has been a useful shaving of size, the headphones now some 3cm smaller in each dimension. We found that their compact design made the PX5 very convenient when we took them on busy trains and buses, and we’d certainly recommend them to commuters. The very outside of the earcups, however, are made of metal, and have “Bowers & Wilkins” printed on them in this very nice raised, striated text.Given that they feature no EQ adjustment, the PX5 stand or fall on their one, unalterable sound. So it’s just as well they’re an extremely enjoyable listen with an impeccably balanced sonic signature. The Bowers & Wilkins PX5 Wireless On-Ear Headphones are pricey though; we'll need to carry out further tests to find out whether that high price can be justified by its support for aptX Adaptive. On-ear headphones usually aren’t as comfortable as over-ear headphones, but they’re definitely more comfortable than in-ear headphones — and that seems to be true here. That said, there’s plenty of padding and the clamp isn’t too tight, so we were able to wear the headphones for hours without running into any major comfort issues.

Try sliding the headphones power switch to the middle 'On' position. To do this, firstly slide the Power Switch to the bottom position to switch them completely Off. Then, move the Power Switch to the middle position to power them On. An audible cue should sound and the LED indicator should glow. The noise cancelling is great for constant noises and muffles most other noise but voices can still mostly be heard if set on low, i found this really good when working in an office or while commuting as you can hear the stops being announced but not the rumble of the train.

Ambient Pass-Through has been improved, music/content volume can now be adjusted when Ambient Pass-Through is enabled. The volume level will also be remembered after toggling off or power cycling. The Bowers & Wilkins app (for Android and iOS) has some useful features. The ANC section allows you to adjust the level of ambient pass-through from the mics, blending it with the ANC levels like you can with the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. The app also has some soundscapes you can play for relaxation or focus (like rain and waterfalls). You can install software updates via the app, as well as tweak some settings, such as the auto-play that starts audio up the moment you place the headphones on. I wore the PX5 for a week in a variety of situations. At work in the office – including during Skype calls – when audio editing and while watching videos. Two devices were always connected. My iPhone as telephone and as a travel audio player, as well as an iMac as my work computer. At home, there were some listening sessions with the aptX-HD-enabled Nokia Smartphone. I never felt I had to worry too much about the technology as the PX5 was always ready. I recharged the PX5 twice during the one-week test period. Once on the first day and a second time rather casually during operation via USB, because I used the PX5 as the USB audio device for audio editing.