Over-Ear
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
76Great
$428
Full review dataBowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Focal Bathys: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Focal Bathys comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Focal Bathys - Outstanding overall at around $799.
Over-Ear
Focal Bathys
86Outstanding
$799
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery8.0
Value7.0
Focal Bathys
Sound9.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery8.5
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e | Focal Bathys |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $428 | $799 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 86 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2023 | 2022 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 40mm Aluminium/Magnesium ‘M’-shaped dome |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10-20000 Hz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Impedance | 33 Ω | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 30 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 30 h | 30 h |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 7 h | 5 hours in 15 minutes |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | hybrid | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | Yes | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | supported | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 307 g | 350 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 8 |
What reviewers said
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that prioritizes refined audio tuning and elegant construction. It delivers a long-lasting 30-hour battery, hybrid noise cancellation, and modern conveniences like multipoint Bluetooth and wear detection, though its ANC performance is competent rather than class-leading. This model is best viewed as a subtle improvement over its predecessor, focusing on sonic polish rather than major feature changes.
- Pro:Refined, natural sound signature with excellent detail
- Pro:Premium, luxurious build quality and stylish design
- Pro:Long battery life that often exceeds the rated 30 hours
- Con:Noise cancellation is good but not top-tier for the price
- Con:Slightly heavy on the head for extended wear
- Con:Only AAC codec support, no aptX or LDAC
Focal Bathys
The Focal Bathys are premium wireless over-ears that blend high-fidelity audio with everyday convenience. They feature adaptive ANC, a USB-C DAC mode for hi-res wired listening, and support for aptX Adaptive, making them a top pick for sound-focused users who also want wireless flexibility. While their noise cancellation is solid but not the absolute best in class, their impressive battery life and versatile connectivity options stand out in the premium segment.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality with detailed, dynamic drivers
- Pro:USB-C DAC mode enables high-resolution wired audio
- Pro:Strong battery life, often exceeding rated figures in tests
- Con:ANC is competent but not class-leading
- Con:High price point limits accessibility
- Con:Real-world wireless endurance may fall short of claims in some scenarios
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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