Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 -- an AUDIOPHILE'S REVIEW!

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🎥 Camera: Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
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0:00 Intro
0:42 Sound quality
4:29 Carry case, build quality & comfort
7:50 Bluetooth codecs, connection stability
10:15 Control & haptics
12:16 Active noise cancellation
15:49 Phone call quality
17:08 Smartphone apps
18:24 vs. Apple AirPods Max?
19:43 Which one is best?
23:04 Whatabout?
23:17 Bloopers
👉🏻 As seen in this video...
Sony WH-1000XM5
🛒 (US) howl.me/cigxHt3J88C
🛒 (UK) amzn.to/3RLdCNB
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
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Google Pixel 6
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🛒 (UK) amzn.to/3CEXw3x
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
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#headphones #sony #bowersandwilkins
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[@filipviljamaasvensson]

It finally happened - I have made the exact same comparison as you! It was very interesting as one will always wonder if you'd reach the same conclusion as the reviewer. And yes, noise cancelling of the Sony is much better, BUT, the soundquality (tone, transparencey, and soundstage) is much better on the Px7 S2. No comparison, in my opinion. Bought the Px7 S2 two days ago and have just had a fantastic day walking around the citty, listening to classical piano on a reasonable level, just because I could. Comfort is good with my very tiny framed glasses. Alright, no one is going to read this comment anyway. But, for internet posterity...

[@MeasureOnce]

Just to prove you are seen (heard)! I have the older versions of both these headphones, and think the B&W are superior sounding in those models too. I got used to the button situation. For me, the software of the PX7 s1 was really poor - after initially pairing with my phone on day 1, on day 2 it just would not work. Super frustrating. After days of fiddling in developer options (android) and resetting my phone to factory (twice!) I got it to work. However, pandemic. We got locked down for a long time. Not travelling to work, or for work, so these became my pc headphones. I mostly use earbuds on the plane or train even now we can travel again.

[@Ale-kc9pq]

no wayyy, a more expensive headphones sounding better than a cheaper one??? who would have thought?

[@false7618]

@@Ale-kc9pq they're the same price?

[@marcfavell]

@@Ale-kc9pq it's not always the case you can get Edifier W860NB and get back minus the noise cancellation which the Sony is King at the sound quality of the edifiers give the sony's a run for their money and can be had for $70.⁰⁰ 🇨🇦 on sale what happens a lot

[@shawnhorton2000]

I read it

[@danielthomas7747]

Again what a great and honest review. The reasons I am following your channel are : - well structured & professional presentation - objective & honnest presentation - well made review. Thank you.

[@darkstepwarrior88]

So nuanced and a good pace that gives you time to think about the information you are giving.

[@taxana6]

Thank you so much. Very helpful for my orientation and decision taking. Keep up the good work!

[@MalteSchnabel]

Thank you for pointing out the phone call quality and the fact that comfort often decides which pair of headphones we are using.

[@catgaming9791]

Excellent review. Thank you.

[@denniskeogh5401]

First of all I would like to say, your pronunciation is wonderful. I come from Germany and listening to you is very pleasant. seriously. Your review helped me a lot in deciding which headphones to get. I hope you keep making videos as good as this one. I'll leave you a like and a follow. Best regards

[@pwdickson1]

Perennial question, will you be trying the new Focal noise canceling headphones?

[@Masssch]

This was super helpful in making a decision - thank you for the review. Great stuff!

[@vwmusicplaylist1935]

What an outstanding comparison review. Gets right to the key points. Subscribed.

[@imramugh]

Great review with insight and practical advice. Love it.

[@khuti007]

What a kickass intro mate, Bloody hell well done !

[@AlHR23]

PX8 Vs Focal Bathys review next?

[@stephenknight6562]

You so spot on about factoring all the other features and how well they work and of course comfort and comfortable portability.

[@ChristopherMarshburn]

Clearly one of the best reviews of headphones I’ve seen. And there are lots out there.

[@sufieaberries1405]

I made a decision to get BW PX7 S2 & I’m loving it so far. The sound quality just amazes me & even if you have it on full blast, no one else can hear the music seeping out of the headphones. I played some lofi music for work on it & oh wow.. amazing

[@ARC87]

Great comparison review 👍🏼. Did you experience any issues with wind noise while going out for a walk (with any of the two)?

[@absolute-sound]

Well done review and now we are waiting for a new Bower&Wilkins Px8 review 😁

[@richiejrich]

Great review/comparison! This is everything I’ve wanted in a headphone review. I HOPE you get the opportunity to review the new B&W PX8!

[@rc2257]

Superb review, thanks!

[@edwardwood969]

Nice review John. I always enjoy your videos regardless of length. Do you use headphones at home? If so, wired or wireless?

[@rotaks1]

Great comprehensive review. Hopefully you will get a Focal Bathys soon to review? Thanks for all your hard work!

[@weakbruteforce]

I own both. Not an audiophile but I will say, the B&W beats the Sony!

[@phasehonda]

Amazing unbiased review and I just subscribed

[@garciaclark-ve4jx]

great review. keep up!

[@maxdronov]

Great review! Thank you very much.

[@fir13]

Absolutly lov your reviews, Darko! Would you rview Focal Bathys and B&W PX8?

[@sip3397]

hello, can they be considered as auido hi-fi wired headphones like the Meze 99 classics or are the mezes better in terms of audio quality?

[@darendigit]

Great video, subbed!

[@Big-J-8579]

I have used the Bose QuiteComfort headphones for years. Recently upgraded to the 45s. I only use them for traveling (airplanes). I love them and have never been interested in anything else. Thanks again!

[@rogerschofield3324]

Thank you, well-balanced review.Helpful.

[@CreateConsumeRepeat]

You’re reviews continue to amaze me. Keep up the amazing job. One suggestion would be to list all the music in your episodes.

[@sasagpopovic]

Playlists are available for Patreon suporters🙌

[@detomasso5872]

One of the best reviews I have watched so will be subscribing immediately and you have made my decision. I only have one want when it comes to headphones and that is sound quality, nothing else matters so it's the Bower & Wilkins for me , thank you for a 1st class review my friend 👍

[@fardosh4193]

Thanks for this excellent video and yes I love this kind of reviews!

[@ninerfan415]

Love the comparison videos.

[@Dufus57]

Great, comprehensive and well explained review. I’ve just ordered the Px7 s2e, which is now £379 (the s2 is now £279, so a great deal)

[@donnagathers6979]

Thank you for all your hard work that you put into this video. 😊

[@falcodarkzz]

The PX8 is even better, I'm using them alongside the Focal Bathys at the moment to see which to keep.

[@rjj00]

in sub bass too? hearing mixed things

[@EnthusiastGamers]

hi Darko great review, i hope soon you will be able to bring the new PX8 to compare the differences .. i have a Sony MX5 but i am interested in bowser & wilkins! I am looking for an even more articulated and elegant sound!

[@RenePolster]

Finally someone is saying that the Sonys are in Soundquality not as good as Bowers & Wilkins or B&O or Sennheiser. The Sony are good as Travel Headphones but if you search a Pair of Bluetooth Headphones for Sound there are so much better Options on the Marke!!!!

[@runesbroken]

I like my PX7 S2s sound more than the WH1000XM4, but LDAC on the Sony’s do sound very comparable when listening on a compatible device.

[@enjoyunreality]

Wich ones for example?

[@hoogh100]

Great review!

[@miggyyusay]

That last point about wired headphone manufacturers made me remember that the Focal Bathys bluetooth noise cancelling headphones exist. I'd love to see a review of them from you

[@klaymoon1]

Great review. B&W is out with px8 now. Hope you review it too!

[@chawonytube]

Well reviewed. Great content.

[@peakmeditation7659]

excellent review, perfect thank you, i've even heard of all the music you like......think you even mentioned Momus in another review :-)

[@c.carrillo7813]

Excellent review

[@mwsaab9]

For me the sound quality is absolutely the main criteria; second wearing comfort. Have a pair of PX5 ans I love them 🙂 Tried Sony, Bose etc. years ago and went for the B&W. I found the sound quality on the B&W was just more defined and fuller.

[@DeadWorld169]

Great review! For me I've been torn between the px7 s2 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4

[@steveabplanalp9607]

I recently purchased the Sony XM5s for ANC in some long haul flights. I'm so impressed with how much difference they made to my overall flight enjoyment. Even without music they provide a calming cushion of ANC from the cabin noises. Since returning home, I've used them in the gym and office with both Android and IOS. The comfort is really good, and I love the sound quality they offer. Not at Apple Pro head phone level though still very enjoyable for long music listening. Bluetooth music streaming has come so far!

[@vastount1]

Excellent review!

[@wofi1532]

After this good review of these market leaders, next review will be FOCAL BATHYS ? ;)

[@mischwald2000]

I absolutely agree on what you have said. I decided to go with the BW (actually I took the latest release with the e for evolved) as I wanted to have the better sound and all the other stuff wasn’t that important to me. But if you use headphones for their functionality, the Sony might be the better choice. Great video!

[@DJSvenNo1]

Great review, I was totally distracted by the Mission speakers In the background 😳

[@JortLuijtelaar]

Hi John, Thanks for the review, I was missing an option in your poll. for me the looks of the Headphone is the most important of a bluetooth headphone and I think I am not the only one who sees headphones also as a fashion product. I am one of the stubborn ones who dislikes the WH-1000XM5 just because everyone has it. I am currently rocking the KEF Space One. But at the moment I am hoping the new Lossless codec will be on some new headphones/smartphones soon. I am also interested in your thoughts of the new KEF Mu7.

[@HSNG10]

For my typical use case of BT ANC headphones, I would go for Sony WH-1000XM5 as: 1. Great app that just works. Having an app that has software gremlins is frustrating, especially on travel when we don't have the time to troubleshoot. 2. Great ANC and call clarity. Especially important for air travel. 3. Comfort for long wearing. I like it light for travel. Don't care about "premium luxury product" look and feel for something meant for travel. Less attraction for undesirable interest. I'm willing to give up a bit of sound quality for the above. Also the Sony sound signature does not fatigue over time. My favorite wired close headphone is the Sony Z7M2. I can listen to it for hours.

[@BillyKueekSG]

Still using my XM2 when I go traveling with Bluetooth. At home, I use the Philips X1S with MB Quart Bluetooth adapter. For real music listening time. I still listen to my variety of Focal Elegia , Clear MG, 6XX, Sundara or Arya. Going for ZMF next

[@maria_manias]

This is EXACTLY the comparison I was looking for! And you touched on all my main issues: sound quality is my main concern but because I also wear glasses all day I need to factor the comfort! It guts me to know the B&W is better sound quality but that I’ll most likely have to settle for the Sony otherwise I won’t be able to wear them for a long period of time 😩

[@palmohit]

Another nice review! However, looking forward to your review of the Mission 770s behind you!

[@valz1985]

Nice review. Please do a video on px8 vs xm5

[@peymannaji]

Both are great but I go for Px7. I will buy it next week. Because I need a real and pure sound quality and also the product quality.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

I am looking forward to your review of the PX8. Improved driver and hopefully they improved on the music stopping when you take them off your ears

[@migueldemaria3830]

great review, thanks

[@mirceaxvlad]

Hey John. You keep refferencing a lot of music in your reviews, that honestly, most of the times, I never heard of. Do you have a playlist (or old-school text list) of the albums you keep listening to, in you videos? I could only find a few playlists on spotify made by third parties. Thanks

[@undeadson8119]

Any point in getting the B&W S2 if I own the AirPods Max? Do I gain any sound quality vs.APM?

[@Eskarinka1]

Thank you for this great review. It is so refreshing be looking for a review and get one instead of a paid off sales pitch.

[@randallhill7979]

Great review 👍

[@nietzschegustav1397]

May I’ll ask what jacket are you wearing in the video

[@Gokhan_B]

It's been a great review. I'm a glasses wearer and in the videos I've watched before, no one has touched on this issue. I loved the details you covered during the review. By the way, I don't have a very good English. I hope I didn't write something wrong and upset you. I follow your channel, I wish you a day full of health and success.

[@thewaygokid3135]

Playing some Matt Johnson. Your the man! Soul Mining came out when I was a junior in college. It rocked my world. Love all his stuff.

[@mohamadhanawi7650]

How does the WH-1000XM5 touch and hold act under the rain? I have Sennheiser PXC 550 and that is just pain under rain (it has touch as well but under rain it start, stop, raise and lower the volume because of water)

[@RaGe_74]

I do not have the B&W only the sony's, in combination with the oneplus 9pro.this gives me the Dolby option with a 10 band equalizer. and also the headphones app equalizer. I use the phone equalizer for the normal tones and the headphones app for the True bass function. After your review i understood the muffling sound so i started fidling with the settings. Most of it came down to turning the bass to - 2. So much easier to listen now (for me that is ofc.)

[@marcus1970]

John, What's up with the bass during the Patreon note at the start of the video?

[@Alans_Archive]

Really enjoyed the video John. I got the PX 7 at the beginning of the year after watching your review and spending some time listening to them in a HiFi Store. I am looking forward to a potential video from you on the PX 8 by B&W 🎧

[@deadline7610]

Nicely Done. Maybe this review was a bit premature with the soon to be announced KEF Mu7 ANC Headphone & the Bathys from Focal :) I hope they make it your way.

[@t-o-s7878]

Where is your jacket from? Absolutely love it

[@ColinBenjamin]

2:28-2:42 I’ve been waiting for somebody to say this about Sony for 3 YEARS!!! That’s a perfect analogy. I’ve been describing my XM3s like “listening through a wall” or like “listening from another room” since I got them. And that was the main reason why I was skeptical of the XM5s. Im happy you’ve saved me from making the same mistake twice.

[@Cashholiday479]

As an xm5 owner they are absolutely amazing!!

[@jacksonwright5145]

I got the Sony because they were more comfortable to me and I was mostly looking for great noise cancellation. They have fantastic ANC. I wear them while doing the dishes and can't even hear the water running or the clinking and clanking. Also when my upstairs neighbors are being loud lol. That said, I DO find that the B&W sound better. I much prefer their signature. Maybe one day I'll have both, but for now I can't shell out that kind of money, and I certainly can't for the Airpods Max (especially considering I have a Pixel and don't plan on changing over).

[@fl0rin09]

Best headphones for bass or top 3?thaks

[@miguelbarrio]

Nice thx. Would be great if you review the Focal Bathys, super excited about this one.

[@allansh828]

I am wearing them right now. It sound just like Celestee on Naim Uniti Atom HE, albeit has smaller soundstage.

[@delarocquejean-jacques5792]

Thanks for this video.

[@Y-J65]

Are you going to be testing the new px7 s2e

[@carlodemarchis]

Thanks for this. One question what is the best device to connect this level of Bluetooth headphones to a Rega IO AMP?

[@wunfungchan2649]

looking forward to your review of the mission speakers.

[@olesrensen9441]

Perfect review.

[@LASoundCrafter]

Beautiful and concise review. Also, thanks for bringing up the Apple headphones.

[@yowandbm]

Excellent video, I especially like street shots of everyday use, talking to the coffee shop lady, walking, sipping coffee and having phone calls. Always nice mood and some added humour- could be more of it if you ask me! As far as the comparison goes I’m for Sony based on all info you gave. In my 4y experience with JBL EX5BT which don’t sound that amazing, but good enough, comfort and usability are most important for me.

[@leewainwright3526]

In my experience with the xm4 the auto pause never worked unless you removed them altogether if you put them around the neck they would carry on playing

[@Cimera701]

Thank you for the cleanest and honest reviews of both the Bowers and Sony headphones. I agree that Sony has the comfort but the Bowers are better at sound quality.

[@mrrx]

Thanks for another great review. You included everything what can possible user think of. I did similiar review for myself years ago with Sony XM3, B&W PX and B&O (don't) recall model, maybe H7, I know those didn't have NC. It was in specialized headphones shop on busy street and staff was very friendly and allowed me to go outside and also sit in their store for some time. Sony won that time quite clearly because they had the best noise cancelling but also sound and wearing comfort and also included haptic "interface". When I tried it first time there I was amazed. Sony had the best sound, full, crisp. B&W were close to Sony but missing bass, I would definitely had to use EQ. B&O sounded sharp, bright. Comfort was best with Sony also but build quality credits gone to B&O. Anyway, it's interesting how it got improved during those years and probably I will go and check latest models. Maybe it's time to upgrade my XM3.

[@faltatilbet]

Great review.

[@cappachino78]

Great review! Hope that we get a test of B&W Px8 and compared to Px7 and Sony wh-1000XXM5

[@willie9537]

John, I've been thinking about the nuraphone headphones. I look through your videos and I couldn't find one for those cans. I would REALLY appreciate your thoughts on them.

[@VeitLehmann]

Thanks a lot for the review, very insightful! Wouldn't the Momentum 4 be a happy compromise between the Bowers and the Sony? Have you tested them enough to tell? I think that they clamp less than the Bowers but more than the Sony, and sound quality should also be more on Bowers level, although with more pronounced bass and a different, but equally good mids representation, and with similar treble, detail and soundstage. At least that's my impression after quickly having tested both, although not in a direct comparison.

[@jean-christophethirion4553]

Great side by side comparison. I own the previous generation of the Sony, the XM4, and I confirm your comments about the XM5. Can’t tell anything about the BW as I never had the opportunity to listen to it. About the use of a noise cancellation headphone, my criteria by importance is the comfort, the noise cancellation and finally the sound quality. Phone calls and videoconferencing doesn’t matter as I use a dedicated Jabra 65 Evolve 2 for this application. Sound quality for both microphone and speakers is better for this kind of use. Back to the XM4, I use the noise cancellation in airplane, train, office… or when I cut the grass in my garden ! And for a future review, I would be happy to hear your comments about the new Focal Bathys. Its positioning as a audiophile abd NC headphone is unusual. Thanks again for your nice and honest videos.

[@frankiepavinato]

I went with the XM5. As John said it’s very comfy and it’s a fantastic all rounder. Noise cancellation is wonderful. And they come in dark blue and they are so beautiful.

[@FourCornersDenmark]

I bought the px7 vers 1 over Sony xm4 purely on Sound and i still love them (and my pi7 as well 😊) thanks for a great Chanel

[@RavenSWE]

I’ve had the Px7 s2 since the day they came out in July and I’m super happy with them. I tried a number of headphones side by side including the xm5 and picked based on sound quality alone, as it is the number one factor for me by a long way. I think bowers shortcomings are small niggles and Bluetooth connectivity has been excellent for me. It depends on what you want, 90% of people wouldn’t sacrifice all of the xm5s pros for a bit better sound, my other half certainly wouldn’t, but when you love music you have to make sacrifices sometimes. On that note, until apple sort out the frankly ridiculous shortcomings of the aipods max I would not pay that much for them, even if they do sound better

[@catire98]

You nailed it in regards to functionality vs. "pure sound quality." I find myself grabbing what looks like a lower quality headphone because of how well it feels/performs for the occasion. That's why I have several pairs 😜🎧

[@GWVEEN]

Thanks you!!! Call quality is the 3rd most important thing (in my opinion) about headphones