Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Quick take: The Sony WH-1000XM6 costs $1 less.
| Spec | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399 | $398 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (450) | 4.6★ (3,200) |
| Type | Over-Ear Headphones | Over-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | ANC | Adaptive ANC |
| Battery (single charge) | 30 hrs | 30 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 15 min = 7 hrs | 3 min = 3 hrs |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 30 mm |
| Weight | 300 g | 254 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
Pros & cons
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
- ✓Bio-cellulose 40mm drivers many reviewers rank above the XM6
- ✓aptX Lossless for Snapdragon phone owners
- ✓Physical buttons beat touch-panel guesswork
- ✓15-minute charge buys 7 hours
- ✓Fabric-and-metal build looks properly premium
- ✓8-mic ANC took a real step forward this gen
- ✗ANC still a notch behind Bose on a plane
- ✗Spatial audio arrived a year late via firmware 1.4.0
- ✗Promised LE Audio and Auracast support still pending
- ✗Non-folding design means a bulky case
- ✗Firm clamp punishes bigger heads at first
Sony WH-1000XM6
- ✓Arguably the best ANC money buys right now
- ✓Folding hinges return after the XM5's rigid design
- ✓12-mic array delivers excellent call quality
- ✓3-minute charge buys 3 hours of playback
- ✓Wider headband spreads pressure better than the XM5
- ✓LDAC and LC3 codecs plus reliable multipoint
- ✗$449 list price stings versus the discounted XM5
- ✗30-hour battery is now merely average — Momentum 4 doubles it
- ✗LDAC streaming drains the battery noticeably faster
- ✗Matte finish picks up skin oils quickly
- ✗Power button sits awkwardly close to the ANC button