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Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2: 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.

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
  • HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2
HearWiki score
85
71
Sound
9.5
8.7
Noise cancelling
8.0
-
Battery
8.5
-
Calls
7.0
-
Value
5.5
7.5
Price (USD)
$800
$1,400

Specifications

Px8 S2HE 1000 V2
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$800
$1,400
HearWiki score
85
71
Released
2026
2016
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
2× 40 mm dynamic
131.2 mm planar magnetic
Driver type
dynamic
planar
Driver size
40 mm
131.2 mm
Drivers per side
2
1
Frequency response
-
8 Hz - 65 kHz
Sound signature
-
neutral
Impedance
-
35 Ω
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
-
ANC type
hybrid
-
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Wear detection
Yes
-
Controls
buttons
-
Voice assistant
Yes
-
Weight
310 g
420 g
Foldable
Yes
-
Detachable cable
Yes
-
USB-C
Yes
-
Connector
USB-C
-
Balanced connection
-
Yes
Microphones
8
-

What reviewers said

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

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

HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2

The HiFiMAN HE 1000 V2 is a high-end open-back planar magnetic headphone that delivers a neutral and highly resolving sound. With its large 131.2 mm driver and lightweight 420g build, it offers excellent technical performance for critical listening, though it requires a quality amplifier to shine. Its balanced connection option adds flexibility for audiophile setups.

  • Pro:Excellent neutral tuning with high clarity
  • Pro:Large planar driver for fast, detailed transients
  • Pro:Lightweight for a flagship planar design
  • Con:Requires a powerful amp to sound its best
  • Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
  • Con:High price point may not suit casual listeners

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

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