Audio-Technica Awas vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 - Outstanding overall at around $799.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Audio-Technica Awas
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

HearWiki score

Sound

8.4

9.5

Noise cancelling

8.0

Battery

8.5

Calls

7.0

Value

6.1

5.5

Price (USD)

$1,500

$800

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 (2026) against Audio-Technica Awas (2021). The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Hybrid against None.

Awas2021
Px8 S220265 yr newer

What differsAwasPx8 S2

ANC type: None; Hybrid

Specifications

AwasPx8 S2

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $1,500; $800
HearWiki score: 71; 85
Released: 2021; 2026
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 53 mm dynamic; 2× 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 53 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 2
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 42 kHz; -
Impedance: 40 Ω; -
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: -; 5.3
Codecs: -; SBC, AAC, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Multipoint pairing: -; Yes
Battery life: -; 30 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 30 h
Quick charge: -; 15 min → 7 h
Wireless charging: -; No
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: -; hybrid
Transparency mode: -; Yes
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: -; Yes
Controls: -; buttons
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 395 g; 310 g
Foldable: -; Yes
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: -; Yes
Connector: 6.35 mm; USB-C
Balanced connection: Yes; -
Microphones: -; 8

Specification comparison of Audio-Technica Awas vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Spec	Audio-Technica Awas	Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$1,500	$800
HearWiki score	71 / 100 Good	85 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2021	2026
Audio
Driver	53 mm dynamic	2× 40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	53 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	2
Frequency response	5 Hz - 42 kHz	-
Impedance	40 Ω	-
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	-	5.3
Codecs	-	SBC, AAC, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Multipoint pairing	-	Yes
Battery
Battery life	-	30 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	30 h
Quick charge	-	15 min → 7 h
Wireless charging	-	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	-	hybrid
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	Yes
Controls	-	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	395 g	310 g
Foldable	-	Yes
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	-	Yes
Connector	6.35 mm	USB-C
Balanced connection	Yes	-
Calls
Microphones	-	8

What reviewers said

Audio-Technica Awas

The Audio-Technica AWAS is a premium closed-back headphone with Japanese cherry wood housings and a warm, musical sound signature. It features a large 53 mm dynamic driver, is easy to drive, and comes with both standard and balanced cables, though its high price and wired-only design limit its appeal to dedicated audiophiles.

Pro:Beautiful cherry wood build with premium feel
Pro:Clear, detailed sound with strong separation
Pro:Easy to drive despite large driver

Con:Very expensive for a wired-only headphone
Con:Bass is restrained, not for bassheads
Con:Sound can feel serious rather than playful

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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