Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $398.

Over-Ear

Score breakdown

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

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

8.8

9.0

Noise cancelling

7.5

9.6

Battery

7.3

8.1

Calls

6.5

9.6

Value

8.9

8.2

Price (USD)

$230

$400

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?

New platform

Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e (2023). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, Top codec LC3 against aptX Adaptive, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

Px7 S2e2023
WH-1000XM620252 yr newer

What differsPx7 S2eWH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Top codec: aptX Adaptive; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Hybrid; Adaptive

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

Px7 S2eWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $230; $400
HearWiki score: 78; 89
Released: 2023; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 2× 40 mm dynamic; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 40 mm; 30 mm
Drivers per side: 2; 1
Frequency response: 10 Hz - 20 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 33 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 30 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): 30 h; 30 h
Full charge time: -; 210 min
Quick charge: -; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: No; No
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; buttons
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 307 g; 254 g
Water resistance: none; none
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 6; 12
Microphone type: MEMS; MEMS

Specification comparison of Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$230	$400
HearWiki score	78 / 100 Great	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2023	2025
Audio
Driver	2× 40 mm dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	2	1
Frequency response	10 Hz - 20 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	33 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	-	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.2	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	30 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	30 h	30 h
Full charge time	-	210 min
Quick charge	-	3 min → 3 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	buttons
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	307 g	254 g
Water resistance	none	none
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	-	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	6	12
Microphone type	MEMS	MEMS

What reviewers said

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e is a premium wireless over-ear headphone that prioritizes refined audio and elegant construction over class-leading noise cancellation. It delivers a detailed, natural sound signature with solid battery endurance and modern connectivity features, making it a strong value, especially when found at a discount. While its ANC is competent rather than exceptional, the overall package appeals to those who value sonic character and build quality.

Pro:Refined, natural sound with excellent tuning
Pro:Premium, stylish build quality
Pro:Strong 30-hour battery life

Con:Noise cancellation is good but not class-leading
Con:Lacks water resistance
Con:Heavier than some competitors

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.

Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed

Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
Con:No wireless charging option
Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls

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

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