Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Meze Liric: 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 7 of 7 measures.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Meze Liric

HearWiki score

Sound

9.5

7.8

Noise cancelling

8.0

Battery

8.5

Calls

7.0

Value

5.5

Price (USD)

$800

$1,100

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

Px8 S220265 yr newer
Liric2021

What differsPx8 S2Liric

ANC type: Hybrid; None

Specifications

Px8 S2Liric

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $800; $1,100
HearWiki score: 85; 65
Released: 2026; 2021
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 2× 40 mm dynamic; hybrid
Driver type: dynamic; hybrid
Driver size: 40 mm; 92 mm
Drivers per side: 2; -
Frequency response: -; 4 Hz - 92 kHz
Impedance: -; 61 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 100 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; 427 g
Foldable: Yes; -
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: Yes; -
Connector: USB-C; 3.5 mm
Balanced connection: -; Yes
Microphones: 8; -

Specification comparison of Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 vs Meze Liric
Spec	Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2	Meze Liric
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$800	$1,100
HearWiki score	85 / 100 Outstanding	65 / 100 Good
Released	2026	2021
Audio
Driver	2× 40 mm dynamic	hybrid
Driver type	dynamic	hybrid
Driver size	40 mm	92 mm
Drivers per side	2	-
Frequency response	-	4 Hz - 92 kHz
Impedance	-	61 Ω
Sensitivity	-	100 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	427 g
Foldable	Yes	-
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	Yes	-
Connector	USB-C	3.5 mm
Balanced connection	-	Yes
Calls
Microphones	8	-

What reviewers said

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2

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

Meze Liric

The Meze Liric is a premium closed-back planar headphone that pairs a luxurious, compact build with a detailed and controlled sound signature. It is designed for portability and easy driving, though its rich tuning prioritizes engagement over strict neutrality. While it excels in clarity and comfort, it may not deliver the deepest bass punch or the most expansive soundstage for its price.

Pro:Excellent build quality and luxury finish
Pro:Detailed, controlled, and revealing sound
Pro:Comfortable for extended listening sessions

Con:Lacks physical impact and low-end punch
Con:Requires high-quality sources to shine
Con:High price for its performance

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

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