Over-Ear
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
85Outstanding
$800
Full review dataBowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo: 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
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
80Outstanding
$1,300
Full review dataScore 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.
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
- Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
HearWiki score
85
80
Sound
9.5
8.9
Noise cancelling
8.0
-
Battery
8.5
-
Calls
7.0
-
Value
5.5
8.4
Price (USD)
$800
$1,300
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 Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo (2025). The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Hybrid against None. It also adds USB-C.
- Px8 S220261 yr newer
- Noire Xo2025
What differsPx8 S2Noire Xo
- ANC type
- Hybrid
- None
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
Px8 S2Noire Xo
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $800
- $1,300
- HearWiki score
- 85
- 80
- Released
- 2026
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 2× 40 mm dynamic
- 62 mm planar magnetic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- planar
- Driver size
- 40 mm
- 62 mm
- Drivers per side
- 2
- 1
- Impedance
- -
- 13 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 90 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
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- hybrid
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- Yes
- No
- Weight
- 310 g
- 1542 g
- Foldable
- Yes
- -
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Connector
- USB-C
- 4.4 mm balanced
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- Model code
- -
- XNXO
- Microphones
- 8
- -
What reviewers said
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
No summary yet - we haven't aggregated enough reviews.
Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo
The Dan Clark Audio Noire Xo is a premium open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a balanced, natural sound with impressive detail and a wide, layered soundstage. Its comfortable design and 13-ohm impedance make it easy to drive, though it truly shines with a quality amplifier. While it lacks ANC and wireless features, its wired, balanced 4.4mm connection caters to audiophiles seeking a high-fidelity, reference-style listening experience. Its hefty 1542g weight and $1299 price point are notable considerations for potential buyers.
- Pro:Excellent planar magnetic clarity and detail
- Pro:Wide, layered soundstage with precise imaging
- Pro:Comfortable fit suitable for long sessions
- Con:Heavy weight may cause fatigue over extended use
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless options
- Con:Price is high, especially without upgraded accessories
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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