Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Focal Clear Mg: 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

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

85Outstanding

$800

Full review data

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.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Focal Clear Mg

HearWiki score

Sound

9.5

8.9

Noise cancelling

8.0

Battery

8.5

Calls

7.0

Value

5.5

6.2

Price (USD)

$800

$1,500

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 Focal Clear Mg (2021). The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Hybrid against None.

Px8 S220265 yr newer
Clear Mg2021

What differsPx8 S2Clear Mg

ANC type: Hybrid; None

Specifications

Px8 S2Clear Mg

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $800; $1,500
HearWiki score: 85; 77
Released: 2026; 2021
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 2× 40 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 40 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 2; 1
Frequency response: -; 5 Hz - 23 kHz
Impedance: -; 55 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 104 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; -
Voice assistant: Yes; -
Weight: 310 g; 450 g
Foldable: Yes; -
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: Yes; -
Connector: USB-C; XLR
Balanced connection: -; Yes
Microphones: 8; -

Specification comparison of Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Focal Clear Mg
Spec	Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2	Focal Clear Mg
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$800	$1,500
HearWiki score	85 / 100 Outstanding	77 / 100 Great
Released	2026	2021
Audio
Driver	2× 40 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	40 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	2	1
Frequency response	-	5 Hz - 23 kHz
Impedance	-	55 Ω
Sensitivity	-	104 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	Yes	No
ANC type	hybrid	-
Transparency mode	Yes	-
Companion app	Yes	-
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	Yes	-
Controls	buttons	-
Voice assistant	Yes	-
Design
Weight	310 g	450 g
Foldable	Yes	-
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	Yes	-
Connector	USB-C	XLR
Balanced connection	-	Yes
Calls
Microphones	8	-

What reviewers said

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

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

Focal Clear Mg

The Focal Clear Mg is a premium open-back wired headphone that delivers detailed, dynamic sound with a warm, engaging character. Its robust build and comfortable fit make it suitable for long sessions, though it shines best with quality amplification. While it lacks noise cancellation and leaks sound, its performance justifies its high-end price for audiophiles.

Pro:Excellent resolution and instrument separation
Pro:Punchy, dynamic bass response
Pro:Comfortable for extended listening

Con:Very expensive
Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
Con:Warm tuning may color some recordings

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

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