Px7 S2e Vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Which One to Buy in 2024?

Px7 S2e vs. Sony WH-1000XM5, two similarly priced and overall excellent headphones that I have used so far. However, both have a few pros and cons, so which one you should buy? Let’s get the answer in this comparative review. 

Tech Specs 

Specifications	Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e	Sony WH-1000XM5
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.2	Bluetooth 5.2
Audio Supported	SBC, AAC, aptX HD and Adaptive	SBS, AAC, and LDAC
ANC	Yes	Yes
Multi-pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery life	30 hours +	40 hours+
Weight	10.8 ounces	8.8 ounces
Price	$399	$399

Pros and Cons 

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e		Sony WH-1000XM5
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
Excellent sound quality	Don’t fold	Rich and Engaging Sound	Don’t fold
Great design and build	Noise-canceling is less effective compared to rival	Impressive controls	Earcups heat up often
Effective Noise Cancelling	Lacks touch controls	Fantastic call quality	less premium design
		Long battery life

Design and Build

For starters, Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e has a cooler, more premium design that justifies its price right after you take it out of the box and have a first glance. In comparison, the WH-XM5 feels cheaper and more prone to everyday wear and tear. I have also noticed that it is easier to get finger marks and smudges on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones than B&Ws. 

Although both headphones are sturdy enough to handle continuous use, the Px7 S2e feels more resistant. Moreover, there are plenty of color choices with B&Ws, and I especially like the Forest Green. 

Both the headphones, however, can’t be folded into a ball to easily tuck in the backpack, which somehow hinders their portability. Also, the Bowers and Wilkins, compared to Sony WH-1000-XM5, are heavier with 307g of weight. So, if you want slim and lightweight headphones, XM5 is a better option. 

Altough both the headphones are comfortable to wear, and you can use them for long sessions of gaming or meetings, the earcups of WH-XM5 might heat the ear after a few hours of use. 

Controls 

The biggest difference between Px7 S2e and WH-XM5 is the type of controls. The Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e headphones have physical controls, which I would prefer anytime over touch controls because they provide tactile feedback of a successful command register. 

There is a quick action button on the left earcup. The power button, volume up/down, and play/pause buttons reside on the right earcup. The quick action button cycles through ANC modes, but you can reassign it to summon voice assistance. 

The physical controls are easily pressable and responsive. The Sony WH-1000XM5 touch controls are also pretty responsive, and even though I don’t prefer touch controls, WH-XM5 does a great job in this department and registers as soon as you tap, but the controls are not oversensitive.

Sound Quality

The real Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Sony WH-1000XM5 battle starts here. After all, good sound quality compensates for many other minor feature flaws when it comes to choosing noise-canceling headphones. 

Altough both headphones deliver excellent sound quality, they have completely different sound profiles. While Sony XM5 has a brighter and richer sound that suits various genres of music, B&W’s sound profile is extra bassy, and I would argue that it’s more suitable for the Hip Hop genre. 

Another difference in the sound quality of both headphones is worth highlighting. The XM5 sometimes delivers muddy vocals and instruments, especially in mid-ranges, but the Px7 S2e shines here, however, its overall sound gets cloudy due to too much bass (at least for me. but some people might find it more engaging). 

Also, Sony’s frequency response is more consistent than Bowers and Wilkins’s, but if you wear glasses and have thick hair, you will find inconsistent bass in both if your fit is not proper. 

Moreover, you can adjust the sound profile of Sony headphones via multiband EQ in the companion app, which lets you tweak the frequency response, but the Px7 S2e only allows you to adjust treble and bass. 

Active Noise Cancellation 

Noise cancellation is where B&Ws can’t beat Sony XM5. While Px7 S2e works great to keep ambient sounds away from your ear while traveling, some sounds still manage to get past the barrier. 

However, Sony does a more effective job of providing you with a vacuum from external sounds so you can enjoy your music without any interference. While testing the ANC, I found that the lawnmower’s noise was blocked by Sony more effectively than B&Ws and the same happens with the bus engine. 

However, in office chatter, I find both almost similar in action. Also, an adaptive ANC in the Sony XM5 adjusts the ANC according to the environment; it’s disappointing that B&W lacks this feature.

Call Quality

The call quality of both headphones is decent, and your voice comes out clear and rich on the other side. However, there is a lack of fullness in the voice with both headphones. I would also edge B&W here because XM5 gives a kind of white noise during calls, and some users also reported echoes of themselves.  

Battery Life 

Both headphones perform great when it comes to battery. The company claims that the Px7 2Se has 30 hours of battery life, and Sony advertised the XM5 with the same number with ANC on. 

However, when you turn off the ANC, WH1000-XM5 can run for up to 40 hours. Another perk of XM5 is that it comes with Smart-Pause, so when you remove the headphones, the music automatically turns off. Overall, both headphones have excellent battery longevity. 

Alternatives Comparison

Now that you comprehend the features, pros, and cons of the Px7 S2e and Sony XM5, let’s briefly compare other popular models from these brands. 

Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2 vs Sony XM5

PX7 S2 is the sibling of Px7 S2e, and both share some features, but when it comes to sound quality, PX7 2 not only takes points over Px7 2e but also over XM5 because its vocals and instruments are clearer in mids and the sound is more full-bodied. The bass is also very balanced and does not shock the ear. However, XM5 has a leg up when it comes to ANC and weight. 

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 vs Sony WH-1000XM4

Now, if you compare Bowers and Wilkins Px7 noise-canceling headphones with WH-1000XM4, you will see a lot of what XM4 offers is missing on Px7 S. For instance, the app customization is far better on Sony along with the effectiveness of noise cancellation.

However, the sound quality of the Px7 S2 feels warmer than XM4, which is bass-heavy. The B&W S2 also supports an aptX adaptive codec for high-quality audio streams. You can further compare the Sony WH-1000XM4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5 specs to make a more informed decision.

What People Are Saying?

To give you a more in-depth idea of both devices, I have also scoured the internet to see what other people are saying, and I find so many different answers. For instance, in Bowers and Wilkins’s Px7 review, users were pleased with their experience with the headphones, from sound quality to ANC. 

Sony’s WH-1000XM5 review and testimonials from current users also highlight some positive aspects, such as excellent ANC and comfort. However, some users argue that the sound is a bit muffled with XM5. So, I guess it all depends on the kind of sound profile you like.

Bottom Line 

Px7 S2e vs. Sony WH-1000XM5; it is hard to crown one device a winner because they have very different sound profiles. Moreover, the call quality is also sufficient in both, but the build is more aesthetic and premium in Px7 S2e, while XM5 is lighter, slimmer, and offers better ANC. So, it all comes down to personal preference. 

FAQs

1. Is Bowers and Wilkins a good brand?

Yes, Bowers and Wilkins is a good brand. They have been in the industry for a long time, and their headphones have managed to satisfy users, but some people might find this brand a bit expensive. 

2. When is the price of the Sony WH-1000XM5? 

WH-1000XM5 is priced at around $399, but you can easily find a good discount in many stores and get it for around $300. 

3. How do you connect Sony WH-1000XM5 on an airplane? 

If you are on an Airplane or any place where Bluetooth is restricted, you can simply use the headphones with a wired connection.