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Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2022
Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2022

91
/ 100
From $699
VS
Focal Clear MG wins by 1
Focal Clear MG — Open-back
Focal

Focal Clear MG

Open-back

92
/ 100
From $1,499
Specdex verdict

Focal Clear MG takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black lands at 91 and Focal Clear MG at 92. That puts Focal Clear MG ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Focal Clear MG if…

  • ✓Reference-level detail
  • ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • ✓Long-term ownership appeal
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Tie

Tuning, detail, and staging

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Noise cancelling

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black leads on anc (89 vs 0).

Comfort

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black

Long-session wearability

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black leads on comfort (90 vs 88).

Value for money

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($699 vs $1,499).

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black 91
vs
92 Focal Clear MG

Score breakdown

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black
91
anc 89
sound 91
comfort 90
battery 82
features 87
Focal Clear MG
92
anc 0
sound 92
comfort 88
battery 100
features 50

Specs side-by-side

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black versus Focal Clear MG — full spec comparison
Spec Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black Focal Clear MG
Type
Over-ear
Open-back
Release year
2022
—

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Focal Clear MG

Pros
  • +Reference-level detail
  • +Well-regarded in audiophile community
  • +Long-term ownership appeal
Cons
  • −Requires amplifier (most)
  • −No active noise cancellation
  • −Impractical for commuting

FAQ: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black vs Focal Clear MG

Which is better, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black or Focal Clear MG? +

Focal Clear MG scores 92 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black worth the price? +

At $699, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in sound.

Is Focal Clear MG worth the price? +

At $1,499, Focal Clear MG delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in battery.

Does Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black or Focal Clear MG last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black or Focal Clear MG? +

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black — leads on anc (89 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.

Which is better for comfort, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black or Focal Clear MG? +

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 · Midnight Black — leads on comfort (90 vs 88). Long-session wearability.