EARS: WHERE THE STORY ENDS

The search for your perfect pair of headphones can be an epic quest - there are so many, at such a range of prices, so how can you possibly choose? By letting us tell you about the very best options, wired and wireless, over-ear and in-ear, that you can currently buy...

-  Simon Lucas

BOWERS & WILKINS Px8 S2

When the time came to replace 2022's Px8 wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones, Bowers & Wilkins didn't exactly start again from scratch.

Some significant aspects have been retained, or otherwise lifted from the more affordable Px7 S3 model - in fact, the most obvious changes are visual. The Px8 S2s are slightly more low-profile and slightly lighter than the model they replace, and make a gesture towards 'design' in the way the cable is exposed in the aluminium arms.

At 310g these are slightly lighter than the headphones they replace, and they stay comfortable for hours at a time. This is helped by just the right amount of memory foam beneath the leather of the earcups and headband (both of which can now be renewed or replaced).

There's a clear improvement on the original Px8s when it comes to active noise-cancellation, and a significant step up in audio quality. They retain the 40mm full-range carbon-cone dynamic drivers from the old cans, but with a stiffer chassis plus an upgraded voice coil and motor system.

They're are an accomplished and thoroughly entertaining listen, with bespoke tuning that ensures they comfortably outperform the extremely well regarded (and more affordable) Px7 S3s. You get a large, well defined, unified soundstage, with a huge amount of carefully contextualised detail, steaming through dynamic shifts without sounding even remotely stressed. Add in a super-smooth frequency response and nicely neutral tonality, and they're very close to being the complete solution.

No, they can't do as thorough a job on outside distractions as the very best noise-cancellers around, but that's a small price to pay for sound as rewarding as this.

Price £629/go.stuff.tv/Px8S2

Key specs