Bowers & Wilkins P7 Review

Ron from newrecordday.com reviews the Bowers & Wilkins P7 headphone.
The Bowers & Wilkins P7’s push the envelope on what to expect of a headphones performance regardless of the price of admission. We love the design, comfort, and phenomenal sound and think they are certainly worth the asking price of $399. While we wouldn’t declare these to be the perfect “on the go” headphone, they will exceed expectations for in home listening and come with our highest recommendation.

[@vcancer]

At the time when the Bowers & Wilkins P5 first came out I was blown away by the music that was coming out of my Ipod. It sounded like I was at a concert hall watching Sound Garden LIVE but in my head. I was never able to get them at the time. Now I think I going to get these. Thanks for your review.

[@joshdocken4651]

I've been experimenting with headphones for awhile now - my experiment was done as soon as I put the P7's on my head. I'm using them at my desk at work with a PS Audio GCHA headphone amp and I love them! Thanks for the review!

[@Borednlonely]

All the headphones, you'll ever need. I have owned many much more expensive headphones and I would pick these. The more expensive audiophile headphones don't do enough to warrant the extra price. I have owned the following; Oppo PM2, Sennheiser HD800, Audeze LCD 2, Sony MDR Z1R. The P7s sound amazing. Excellent bass and clean treble. This is coming from a a hifi guy. So I have good experience of high end audio.

[@michiel75]

I can only agree on your review of the P7. The are just amazing, and in a total different leage than the P3. The fact that the P7 even sound great on a iPod or iPhone makes them even more awesome. The P3 on the other hand needs a more powerfull and better headphone-amp to make the best of its dynamic punchy sound. The P7 bass performance is very good, it goes extremely low with ease and composure.but its the excellent midrange and highs that makes them stand out. What you said about the big / wide soundstage did also grab my attention

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

Try the wireless version, better than the wired, B&W tweaked the drivers and used different materials in the earcups, they are far easier to drive from your phone.

[@tacanacy]

When I saw the P7, I thought it would be a classic case of beautiful aesthetics with bad or mediocre quality, but after reading and listening to many reviews now, it seems to deliver almost equally well in audio.

[@TheDarknessShows]

Been looking all day for an intellectual headphone critic, I'd say I just found one. Sold me on these phones, that's for sure!

[@ianmedium]

Another great review Ron. I am a headphone based portable music lover and have a number of headphones and am looking forward to hearing more headphone related reviews from you. To give you an idea of how into this I am my equipment list is as follows. source Astell&Kern AK120 which now has the addition of the sublime Centrance Glove Audio A1 DAC/amp which is a stunning piece of kit! Headphones, oh boy, I am nuts! Audeze LCD2, Beyer T5P/ DT1350, Final Audio Design heaven S and Piano Forte IX, Etymotic ER4S and finally JVC HA-FX500. So you can see I love headphone listening. In comparison to these B&W's I would highly recommend you give the DT1350's a listen the give even greater sound stage and detail than these I feel, they are my go to on ear mid priced portable headphone. Thanks for your great reviews. I always look forward to seeing a new one from you!

[@Newrecordday2013]

ianmedium Thanks for watching and the kind words! I love reviewing headphones and have a feeling I have barely scratched the surface with the Bowers! Reaching out to a number of companies and look forward to more reviews this next year!

[@andrewcutts7416]

Noooo, I'm still using and enjoying my P5 Mk2s. I'll save these for my 70th birthday treat later in the year. Great reviews, I've always loved headphones from way back. I remember having some Sennheisers with those yellow foam ear pads, and some chunky Pioneers both probably in the 1970s.

[@TamerBekir]

I have the P7's and P5's. I must say I use P5's to travel and 7's for in home relaxation, and they are both the greatest headphones I have ever owned. The style, feel, and of course, the audio it is just unbeatable. I wish I did have a setup like yours with a receiver and record player with an aux. There is nothing like the amazing sound and clarity of a vinyl.

[@danteandre-kahan5296]

Could I ask how you find the isolation on the P7s in the real world, outside of the store? I'd be using them for travel and studying as well as home listening, as I can't stand the feel of on-ears. Thanks!

[@Haaalo079]

i watched this with a p7 sound is just perfect

[@Arcadium1177]

Really enjoyed your reviews on both this set and the P5 Series 2, definitely giving me a lot to think about it? I'm debating the P5 Wireless vs. P7's. Size and portability vs. superior audio quality.... hmmmm

[@MrThemarty915]

Nice review! You can try the Focal Spirit headphones line?? It is one of the most important manufacturers of speakers that also make headphones.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Ill send some emails! Thanks!

[@maartenvanoers8428]

Hey there, been watching your reviews pretty much nonstop all day and I value your expertise. I need advice on the following. I'm looking for cans for mainly home use.. and I've seen you review both options I'm looking at. Please help me decide between the B&W p7 wireless and the Philips fidelio x2hd. Thanks in advance!

[@juniornlondock]

Hey great review... I have two questions i see that u have logic running in the background so i assume that ur a musician ... Do u think the p7 r ideal for music production ? And whats the brand name of the record player/turntables in the video ? Thanks

[@drsukumarnatarajan]

Great video review! I've just bought the p3s and find them very uncomfortable to wear for more than 30 minutes. My ear lobes hurt! Since you've tried all 3 in the B&W series, any thoughts on whether the p7s are more comfortable (I've tried the p5s and found them even less comfortable than the p3s!)? Cheers.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Sukumar Natarajan Thanks!

[@jbkivontop]

Great review New Record Day. Have you had a chance to compare these to the new Sony MDR-1A yet. I looking at both of theses but I can not find them anywhere to demo before I buy one of them. What do you think?

[@Newrecordday2013]

+John King Not sure! I havent had a chance to check out the Sonys but working on a huge headphone review that covers 9 different headphones!

[@adriantroff5180]

The Sony's have a bit more boosted bass in comparison and they have a slightly smaller soundstage at least in my opinion.

[@stevenoconnor5693]

You should check out the new bowers and Wilkins 685 s2 and do a review of them. Even if you just get them and return them after the review.

[@yowaddup102]

I tried these once, they sounded just as good as my audio technica ath m50s. And my grado sr 350es (which are a little better than the grado sr 80 s) would just crush the Bower and Wilkins P7s!

[@Ragingfighter1]

Very good review I subscribe to your channel why don't you review the Bowers and Wilkins C5 series 2

[@Newrecordday2013]

Ragingfighter1 I will reach out to B&W and see if I can get some sent over.

[@kwan_vincent]

Hi! i am planning to buy Master and dynamics M40, i love it so much when i test it.. but after i watched the B&W P7 review, i don't know which one should i get.. which is better? thanks!!

[@Newrecordday2013]

+Vincent Kwan I haven't heard the Masters so I cannot comment.

[@kwan_vincent]

Okay, thanks! :)

[@Digital_Chef]

I have a request. I'm slowly expanding my audio setup(connected to a macbook). I would love to see a good order of expanding plus some hardware recommendations :) Dont know if that's your cup of tea though

[@shivansmyth9315]

Loved the intro! :D haha

[@nino_kO1]

I am going to buy this one , are they good ? And can you explane that what you said about cable , so there are 2 types one for iPhone users and other for Android or something like that?

[@vismind90]

Awesome review! What's the name of the background music playing in the video?

[@Newrecordday2013]

vismind90 Hi, thanks! The music you hear is a loop used from Final Cut Pro X.

[@myoldchannelelelel]

Awesome review! Are you also going to review the P9 Signatures?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Ive sent in the emails but have not heard anything back.

[@Isaac1995]

I've tried the P9 and it's like having a concert in your ears, but with a price tag of £700, it's quite pricey

[@edmwn]

Are the p7 good for hip hop or dubstep anyway? Because i want to buy them but im not sure

[@Newrecordday2013]

Edward Nunu Sure, they are great for any genre of music!

[@kiyoshios3334]

great review!

[@alicedapra86]

I own a pair of Sennheiser Momentum, which I enjoy, but I'd like to change them because...well, I'd like to try something new. I mostly listen to deathcore, metalcore, viking, folk, power and heavy metal and was wondering whether the B&W P7 would be a better choice than Sennheiser Momentum. Thanks to anyone who will be willing to provide their feedback. :)

[@nino_kO1]

+Agata Marè yes they are fantastic especially for metal music the rock... you will enjoy belive me

[@alicedapra86]

+Nineq 96 Thank you for your reply. :-) I've asked my dad, a 57-year-old man audiophile since he was 16, and he confirms me B&W provides detailed and great sound. I'll take a look into the P7, even if I've heard rumours that Bang and Olufsen (B&O) are even more detailed and sound more "soundstage" than the P7...aaaah, I'm so torn between the two headphones!!

[@nino_kO1]

No problem m8.

[@6AM_YT]

+Alice Daprà I have the P7 and M2's. The M2's have more of a pronounced midrange and smaller sound stage. The P7's have more of a V shape EQ with more bass power and better highs. I think you'd be happier with the P7's for rock.

[@austinschreibman1943]

Very cool headphone stand. Where can I buy one?

[@GMT2019]

Bowers and Wilkins PX or the P7 wireless have better sound?

[@quinonezes86]

What kind of speakers are the red ones you have and where did you get them?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Those my friend, are the GR-research LGK's custom painted by yours truly! www.newrecordday.com/gr-research-lgk/

[@67Bigsby]

Good review!!!!!

[@FernandoDANTE]

What's that turntable? No amp required to connect to the headphones?

[@Borednlonely]

where can i buy the metal headphone stands near the end?

[@BasedGhoul]

***** Maybe I should give the P7 a second shot. I listened to them at a local box store and wasn't impressed. I found the lows were uncontrolled and bled into the lower mids while the highs sounded a touch unrefined and tinny. Personally, I never liked the P5, which I owned, and was left wanting when I auditioned the P7. I don't know, maybe a quieter environment, better sound chain, and better source which I'm intimately familiar with would make me change my mind. Mind you, you only have to surf around on my channel to see I'm more of an AKG and Hifiman fan and love the K712 and HE-400i. Hifimans HE-560 and HE-6 were on another level altogether. I hope to one day own the K812 becuase I've always been a sucker for AKG soundstaging in their upper tier product line. Nice review and keep up the good work. If I ever run across a nicely priced used pair in good condition I'll take the time to give the P7 a second shot. Bless

[@yowaddup102]

+A DigitalFreak Video Byte i wanst impressed either, my ath m50s were just as good for half the price

[@MrFreddy1201]

Hey could you test audioquest cables??

[@Newrecordday2013]

MrFreddy1201 Ill see what I can do! Thanks!

[@chirayuagrawal5576]

How are they in comparison to the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0?

[@TwiddleJones]

+Chirayu Agrawal I tried them out today mate, in terms of sound the P7 are much better, I wasn't that impressed with the sennheisers momentum 2.0 but I suppose you have to try them out for yourself to really know what you like. Peace!

[@kjetildetlie3561]

When you use glasses.. is the P5 s2 or P7 most comfortable?

[@Newrecordday2013]

Kjetil Detlie Yup! No problem!

[@kevin-zd4po]

do they have memory foam like the p5

[@Rejor111]

I'm stuck between these and the Oppo Pm-3s. So hard to decide xD

[@TacoSt8]

yea same with me, im planning to sell my p7 ive never tried planar magnetic before

[@ghoastar]

The Oppo is very dark and relaxed, if that's what you like. Otherwise, go with the P7.

[@Rejor111]

Yeah, i haven't even bought one yet. Hard to choose, but now I'm thinking of going wireless for the portability... and the P7 Wireless is, apparently, a very good choice now.

[@ghoastar]

Very good one. Go for it, if you want a wireless option.

[@nidi991]

I have the same problem choosing between those both but the P7 are super uncomfotabele compared to the oppos and the cushins are so small and stiff

[@nataliehudgins3364]

I want

[@1foreverr]

How does Aqualung sound on P7?

[@ejbthekid]

review the sennheiser hd 700 :)

[@Newrecordday2013]

The Unboxer Id be down with that!

[@xavierzutafun]

You do realize that L means left and R means right, right?

[@SuperAdobeFlash]

Are these better than B&O ?

[@mateuszzado6005]

What vintage amp You using, the silver one?

[@Newrecordday2013]

+Mateusz Zado Just an old Pioneer I found in a thrift store, nothing special

[@mateuszzado6005]

Thanks, looks awesome.

[@kiyoshios3334]

b&w p5 wireless or p7? thanks!!

[@Newrecordday2013]

+Kiyoshi José Omaza Saldaña P7.

[@Chrisfragger1]

What are your desktop speakers?

[@Newrecordday2013]

gr-research LGK's. gr-research.com/lgk10kit.aspx

[@Chrisfragger1]

***** Ahh alright thanks! They don't look too bad. Hey, what you think of this deal I got? 3 B&W M1 satellites and a B&W aws608 sub for 10 bucks.

[@pearspeedruns]

Do you play clarinet?

[@geengenee]

for brand obsessed who ready to pay double price only for letters. I bet that HD598 for $200 is much better.

[@Psil0]

I've tried a bunch of headphones over the past few years. I didn't care much about the brand when I selected the P7 for my next pair (indeed, I did a lot of research, and if anything the look and branding of these cans was a turn off more than a turn on for me). The HD598 are a pair of open backs. You cannot wear them in the bus, in the metro or at work because they leak lots of sound, by design. Besides, if you want a similar sound quality to the P7, it is the HD 600 and higher models you should be looking at. Also, Sennheiser, while sounding great in general, is not nearly as yummy in terms of bass quality and quantity (due partly to the open back design).

[@geengenee]

Shimeon CS you are moron if you are wearing hd598 in subway or bus, it's only for home use. For subway it is only in-ear variants.

[@Psil0]

Or the P7, which is great for commuting, since it is closed back. Which is pretty much my point. Two different headphones for very different needs.

[@Tfish64]

Shimeon CS we will sit heare on the bus and then go home with the same headphones while shimeon will have to swap his headphones 😂

[@shawoo]

these or Q35?

[@sync232]

"you don't hear this giant bowl of music rolled up together, making it DIFICULT to pick out suble details and nuances that otherwise are easy to miss'' What?

[@Xhristmas_]

In many other headphones some of the instruments/sounds may be drowned out by others. So basically he's saying that the headphones bring clarity to all the notes that is played in the music.

[@Mr-big-R]

What about Bluetooth

[@we.visuals]

You should compare these to the Bose QC 35's.

[@zoealvarezvazquez1200]

Beats pro or p7?

[@vn01208503]

obviously p7

[@quinonezes86]

Audience 1+1 speaker review please.

[@Newrecordday2013]

Getting close man! Hang in there!

[@aristotleyalung8033]

now he can brag about the wireless p7s which people say are even noticeably better than the old p7s. I think I'll sell my new free p7s and buy the wireless p7s.

[@hmm2928]

p7 to the gym!!! 😂 isn't it premium headphone 😅

[@Mr-big-R]

I have zik 2.0 and it's better then this one