[Headphone Review] Why I ended up buying the B&W Px7S3 compared to the WH-1000XM6
It is currently Amazon Prime Day.
Why not take this opportunity to buy that thing or that other thing you had in your cart?
Hello everyone. This is Ryogu (@ryog_gadgets).
Amazon Prime Day has officially begun. I bought a few things during the early sale, and they have already started arriving. Among them, I want to talk about a rather big purchase this time.
I will share the story along with the struggles I faced before purchasing, so if you only want to see the product review, please skip to the "Review" section.
Premise: My encounter with the SONY WH-1000XM5
I originally used AirPods Pro for work, but due to issues with my company PC and Apple ID, I couldn't fully utilize the "strengths" of Apple products.
That is why I chose the SONY WH-1000XM5. It is famous as a high-end headphone, and I am completely satisfied with its noise canceling, microphone performance, and sound quality. Nowadays, there are days when I wear them all day long.
In the midst of this, the successor model "WH-1000XM6" was released.
As someone who loves new things, I am naturally curious.
Consideration 1: SONY WH-1000XM6
It feels like a legitimate evolution from the XM5, and while the appearance hasn't changed much, there are improvements everywhere.
Return of the folding mechanism
The "folding" feature that disappeared in the XM5 has returned. It is easy to carry around, which is great.
Improved noise canceling & call performance
The number of microphones has increased from 8 to 12, and with a new processor, it achieves even greater silence.
The ambient sound intake is also more natural, and I guarantee you will find yourself asking, "Wait, was I wearing headphones just now?"
I exaggerated a bit.
Tuned in collaboration with a renowned sound engineer
Developed in collaboration with sound engineers for a clearer and richer sound.
Honestly, I thought, 'Is this a replacement case?'
……Until I tried the B&W Px7 S3.
Consideration 2: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Actually, I used to own the Kingsman model P5W from B&W (I like Kingsman enough to collect their merchandise).
This time, I reconsidered B&W for the first time for the 'purpose of listening to music.' I auditioned it at an electronics store and it immediately became a candidate.
The sound quality is unmistakable, as expected from a long-established brand
It's not just theory; it's the feeling that 'the world is expanding.' It's close to the feeling of wearing glasses for the first time.
High sound quality despite the slim housing
It looks clean, and there is less of a 'headphone feel' when worn.
Future potential
Spatial audio support is planned via firmware update. I'm looking forward to this as well.
Fight!!! The showdown: XM6 vs Px7 S3
Well, with both contenders ready, let's have the showdown.
🟥 Red Corner: The latest model of the popular headphones, an all-rounder that leaves others in the dust with incredible ANC, sound quality, and convenience,WH-1000XM6!!
🟦 Blue Corner: A veteran in the audio world, the supreme sound quality and design crafted by B&W instantly satisfy the owner's desire for possession,Px7 S3!!
Fight!!
Sound quality: Needless to say, the Px7 S3 takes the win
Design: I prefer a unique design over a generic one, and it has a sense of luxury, so the Px7 S3 wins
Convenience: This is definitely where WH-1000XM6 wins, but if I want to use high-quality noise canceling or touch controls, I can just use the XM5.
When I think about it carefully, if the premise is to add a new pair of headphones to my XM5, the Px7 S3 is definitely the better choice. (Though it did take me about a month to decide.)
So, I went ahead and ordered the Px7 S3. Exciting.
Review: Px7 S3
Thanks for waiting. It's finally time for the unboxing.
This is what it looks like when you take the contents out.
There's a filter on the photo, but the actual color is a pale beige. I was hoping for a bit of a gray tint, but this gentle look is good too.
The case is a firm semi-hard case, so it seems like it will protect them well. While the XM6 uses a magnetic closure, this one uses a zipper. Honestly, I would have preferred the magnet.
Now, let's meet the device itself. Opening it up~
Wait, hold on, this is super stylish...!
The luxurious metallic feel around the Bowers & Wilkins logo, the fabric material covering it, and the slits on the side where the microphones are likely built-in are exactly to my taste.
In terms of appearance, while the XM5 has a gadget-like feel, the Px7 S3 is truly an acoustic device. It's cool.
The housing is as thin as the reviews said. I checked in the mirror, and it fits perfectly and looks natural, which I really like. Except for my face.
If they're this thin, maybe my wife won't even notice...?
First, let's attach the magnetic adapter I bought during Amazon Prime Day.
I'm not sure if you can tell from the photo, but the B&W headphones have the speakers angled to match the angle of your ears.
On the left side, there is a power button and an environment control button. The charging and USB audio port is also on the left.
On the right side, there are buttons for volume and play/pause. The play button has a textured surface, so it seems unlikely I'll get confused even without looking.
Still, it looks so cool.
By the way, cables like the USB can be stored in the case.
Well, the appearance was completely satisfying.
Next, it's finally time to actually listen to them. After all, they are headphones. Listening is what matters.
~ Listening ~
No, they really are great.
As expected from a long-established speaker manufacturer, it feels like they are really pursuing quality.
Since I had the chance, I tried listening with a wired connection this time. The Px7S3 can be listened to via a wired connection by connecting the device to the USB port with a Type-C cable. The sound is also better this way. (The XM5 only allowed wired connections via a 3.5mm jack, so this is also a good point.)
I listened to various things, andI felt the sound of J-Pop tracks was especially good—light, clear, and crisp.
The instrument sounds are clearyet the vocals arecaptured perfectlyand I felt that each elementstood out distinctly.
When listening to Tatsuya Kitani's "Ao no Sumika - From THE FIRST TAKE", the piano, Tatsuya Kitani's breathing, and the violin soundsreally convey a sense of explosive speed. Actually, THE FIRST TAKE is just unfair.
That was the impression of a complete amateur.
I switched back to the XM5 and listened again, and while I wouldn't go so far as to say it felt muffled, it did leave a flat impression.
To think my ears would become like this the moment I learned what a good product is...
Summary
This time, I reviewed theBowers & Wilkins Px7 S3that I had been curious about for a while.
Good headphones really are great. It's like music pierces one level deeper into your daily life. You might even want to schedule time just to listen to music with these.
While drinking coffee I brewed myself,putting on the Px7 S3, closing my eyes, and quietly immersing myself in the sound. I think it's a masterpiece that makes you want to create that kind of time.
Currently,a campaign is underway where you can get an AptX Lossless compatible Bluetooth transmitter or ear pads. I cannot deny that this gave me a push.
Please check the website to see if the campaign is still ongoing.
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