Over-Ear
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
76Great
$428
Full review dataBowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM4 - Outstanding overall at around $300.
Over-Ear
Sony WH-1000XM4
88Outstanding
$300
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
Sony WH-1000XM4
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e | Sony WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $428 | $300 |
| HearWiki score | 76 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2023 | 2020 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 10-20000 Hz | 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 33 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | - | 38 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 30 h | 30 h |
| Full charge time | - | 180 min |
| Quick charge | 15 min = 7 h | 10 min = 5 h |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | - | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | supported | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 307 g | 254 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | 2 |
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
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ears that blend top-tier adaptive noise cancellation with a well-balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer a lengthy 30-hour battery, LDAC support, and a comfortable, lightweight build that still holds up well against newer competitors. With handy features like multipoint pairing, touch controls, and a quick charge function, they remain a versatile choice for daily use and travel.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Detailed, accurate audio with LDAC support
- Pro:Comfortable and lightweight for long sessions
- Con:No dedicated aptX codec support
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users
- Con:Plastic build feels less premium than price suggests
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
Compare something else
Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.