Bowers & Wilkins P5 On-Ear Headphones B&W - Black (discontinued by manufacturer)

Product Information

Though the cans are constructed mainly of metal and leather, they are comprised of 100-percent attention to detail. These are simply the best-made headphones you've ever seen. From the memory-foam-padded, sheepskin-swaddled earcups to a subtle biomimetic cant that evokes the placement of ears on a head, evidence of careful consideration is front and center. It goes without saying that while the past two years have seen a lot of comings and goings in headphone-land, the B&Ws haven’t changed in the slightest. Listening to music was consistently fantastic, but I encountered slight discomfort at times while wearing the P5 Series 2. Ranging from 30 minutes to an hour, everything is peachy. But extended use past the one to 2-hour mark requires some adjustments to carry on without annoyances. This type of discomfort is common with on-ear headphones, and my experience with the P5 Series 2 wasn't anything out of the ordinary. I was just a little surprised that the premium materials didn't do more to reduce typical discomfort.

That said, we suggest you skip meals for a couple weeks and divert the money you would've spent eating on a pair of Bowers & Wilkins P5s. Isolation (9.5/10): The P5 is surprisingly well-isolating, nearly keeping up with the legendary HD25-1 despite also being more comfortable. The flat earpads, surprisingly, seal well enough for some driver flex to be coaxed from the P5. Obviously designed with portability in mind, the P5 performs beautifully as an on-the-go set on busy streets or public transport. Leakage is a little higher than with the HD25-1 but still impressively low for a supraaural.

Connectivity

This television contains lead only in certain parts or components where no technology alternatives exist in accordance with existing exemption clauses under the RoHS Directive. The removable cable still cleverly connects to the headphones underneath the left earpad. Both earpads snap on and off easily with the help of magnets, revealing the upgraded drivers underneath. B&W claims the new drivers are based on the P7's drive units, which means the main upgrade in the Series 2 is sonic, not visual. SOUND LIKE NO OTHER: PX7 S2 uses custom-designed 40mm drive units, carefully angled inside each earcup for a truly focused, immersive listening experience. The result is headphone sound no rival can match. Comfort (9.5/10): Far smaller than I originally expected, the B&W P5 occupies about the same amount of aural real estate as the Monster Beats Solo and Sennheiser HD25-1. The flat rectangular pads remind me of the ones used by Sennheiser’s HD228 and 238. Helped along by the compliant fitment mechanism of the P5, the pads spread pressure very evenly across the ear and remain comfortable for many hours. The supraaural coupling also prevents the headphones from getting too warm over prolonged listening sessions.

One note about the PI5’s fit in relation to audio: It’s possible to wear the earpieces for a long time and for the fit to still feel secure, but for the in-canal seal to become slightly less strong, which can result in less powerful bass response. If the earphones start to sound less full as you wear them, chances are the earpieces need a minor adjustment to better secure the canal seal.There are more complete-sounding headphones available at the price, but few you’d dare to wear in public – and none whatsoever with greater perceived value or pride of ownership. CARBON CONES: The Px8’s new Carbon Cone drive unit reduces distortion, resulting in massively improved clarity. Coupled to a fully optimised drive unit ‘motor’ system’, with revised magnet, voice coil and surround, the result is unparalleled accuracy and realism. CANCEL THE NOISE, NOT YOUR MUSIC: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 headphones use six microphones for active noise cancellation that shuts out unwanted intrusions while preserving sound quality. Careful positioning and angling of those microphones ensures outstanding call quality too.

THE NEW LEADER IN HEADPHONE DESIGN: Px8 over-ear headphones combine cast aluminium arms for superior durability, plus sumptuous Nappa leather plus perfectly crafted memory foam earpads for effortless all-day comfort. Diamond-cut bright metal detailing perfectly finishes the luxurious, premium look. Bowers & Wilkins estimates the PI5’s battery life to be roughly 4.5 hours, with the case holding about 20 hours of extra charge. For a true wireless charging case, that’s a solid stat—but the battery life of the earpieces is close to the bottom of the barrel. Your results will vary with your volume levels and your use of ANC. PI5 Noise Cancellation and Audio Performance PREMIUM DESIGN, PERFECT FIT: The PX7 S2 headphones have been carefully designed for comfortable, extended listening, with luxurious memory foam earpads that perfectly encapsulate and cushion your ears, and an elegant fabric finish. Play to their strengths with a listen to Smog’s Dress Sexy at My Funeral and the P5s serve up a coherent, well-defined soundstage and give each element of it plenty of room for manoeuvre.SMART, INTUITIVE, EFFORTLESS: Use the Bowers & Wilkins Music App to adjust noise cancellation, select your EQ preferences or launch your phone’s voice assistant. And with 30 hours of battery life, you can listen all day long on just one charge.