Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Anthracite Black Wireless ANC Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 Anthracite Black Wireless ANC Headphones

The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 in Anthracite Black is the understated finish in the S3 range: a deep charcoal-grey colourway with a fabric-wrapped headband and earcups, paired with the same third-generation acoustic platform as the rest of the line. It is an over-ear wireless headphone built around sound quality first, with active noise cancellation, a dedicated amplifier stage and a true 24-bit audio path between source and driver. Anthracite Black is the finish that disappears into a work bag, a studio desk or a long flight.

Key features

• Two 40mm dynamic full-range bio-cellulose drivers
• Active noise cancellation using eight microphones, four per earcup
• Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Classic, AAC and SBC
• Up to 30 hours of playback, with seven hours from a 15-minute charge
• Five-band customisable EQ and TrueSound mode in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app
• USB-C audio and charging, plus a USB-C to 3.5mm cable for wired listening

Driver platform and sound

Each earcup carries a 40mm bio-cellulose driver, a material chosen for its stiffness and low distortion at the diaphragm sizes headphones need. Behind it sits a high-performance DSP with its own dedicated amplifier and DAC, so the conversion and drive stages are designed for this headphone rather than borrowed from the phone at the other end of the Bluetooth link. The result is a 24-bit connection end to end when the source supports it. Tuning follows the house approach: controlled low end, clear midrange presence for voices and acoustic instruments, and treble detail that stays composed at higher volumes. Leave TrueSound mode on for the factory voicing, or use the five-band EQ to trim bass weight or add presence.

Noise cancellation and calls

Eight microphones are split across the two earcups, combining feedforward and feedback sensing so the cancellation system hears both the room around you and what actually reaches your ear. That keeps steady cabin and traffic noise down without the hollow feel weaker systems produce. The same microphone array handles calls, with the ADI Pure Voice algorithm working to separate your voice from wind and background chatter, so you stay intelligible on a busy street.

Connections and battery

Bluetooth 5.3 carries the wireless link, and the codec list is unusually complete: aptX Lossless is available when the source phone or player supports it, with aptX Adaptive and aptX HD below it and AAC for Apple devices. A USB-C port handles both charging and digital audio, and the supplied USB-C to 3.5mm cable covers analogue sources such as in-flight systems. Battery life is rated at 30 hours of playback; a 15-minute top-up returns around seven hours, enough to cover a working day from a coffee-break charge.

Design in Anthracite Black

The S3 chassis is slimmer than the model it replaces, with a refined headband and memory-foam earcups shaped for longer sessions. Anthracite Black pairs the dark fabric finish with matching dark trim, so scuffs and fingerprints show far less than on a gloss finish. At 300g without the case, it stays comfortable all day, and folds into the included carry case measuring 177 x 60 x 234mm.

Choose the PX7 S3 in Anthracite Black for a flagship wireless headphone that prioritises driver quality, codec support and call clarity.