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Sony WH-1000XM3 — Over-ear · 2018
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM3

Over-ear · 2018

86
/ 100
From $349
VS
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e wins by 3
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — Over-ear · 2023
Bowers & Wilkins

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

Over-ear · 2023

89
/ 100
From $399
Specdex verdict

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Sony WH-1000XM3 lands at 86 and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e at 89. That puts Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Sony WH-1000XM3 if…

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

Pick Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e if…

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

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

Sound quality

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e leads on sound (89 vs 86).

Noise cancelling

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e leads on anc (87 vs 84).

Comfort

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

Long-session wearability

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e leads on comfort (88 vs 85).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Sony WH-1000XM3 86
vs
89 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

Score breakdown

Sony WH-1000XM3
86
anc 84
sound 86
comfort 85
battery 82
features 82
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
89
anc 87
sound 89
comfort 88
battery 82
features 85

Specs side-by-side

Sony WH-1000XM3 versus Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — full spec comparison
Spec Sony WH-1000XM3 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2018
2023

Sony WH-1000XM3

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

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

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

FAQ: Sony WH-1000XM3 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e

Which is better, Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e? +

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e scores 89 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Sony WH-1000XM3 worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM3 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in sound.

Is Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e worth the price? +

At $399, Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in sound.

Does Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e 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 sound quality, Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e? +

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — leads on sound (89 vs 86). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e? +

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e — leads on anc (87 vs 84). ANC strength for commute and travel.