If the lockdown has taught us anything, it’s that the outside world is overrated. On the rare occasion we have to venture out, we’ll be wearing a pair of plush noise canceling headphones to block out unwanted noise such as traffic, roadwork, auto-tuning, and office chatter. And we are not the only ones.
But which noise suppressors should you buy?
While in-ear headphones can do a decent enough job of blocking out unwanted noise, they’re not suitable for a pair of in-ear headphones. And for the ultimate in convenience, go with a cordless pair.
Here, we’ve pitted two of the best wireless headphones against each other to see which one is the best. The Sony WH-1000XM4 and the B&W PX7 are two of the best headphones around, so it’ll be a close thing. Let’s see how they stack up.
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bowers & Wilkins PX7: price
We tested the Sony WH-1000XM4 headset at £ 350 ($ 350, AU $ 550), and since their very recent launch, the price hasn’t come down yet. Of course, keep an eye out for sales times – like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday – and, who knows, you might be getting a good deal.
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 costs the same as the Sonys when we first clapped (and ears) on it, and again, the price hasn’t budged yet. Ride on sales!
** Winner ** Draw
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bowers & Wilkins PX7: battery life
If you’re looking for the best wireless headphones, battery life is a key consideration. There is nothing more boring than your headphones halfway through a long flight or commuting to work.
The PX7s offer 30 hours of wireless playback with active noise cancellation enabled. It is matched by the Sony WH-1000XM4.
It is also extremely close to the fast charging front. Plug in the PX7s for 15 minutes, and you’ll get five hours of battery life. The Sonys offer the same run time from a 10 minute charge – a marginal improvement, but not big enough to give it the ride.
So for the second round in a row, there is really nothing to choose between them. This one goes over.
** Winner ** Draw
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bowers & Wilkins PX7: comfort and fit
Of course, it’s not good to have a marathon battery life if the headphones aren’t comfortable enough to wear for that long. Fortunately, both offer comfort in spades – they really are two of the best headphones you can buy.
The PX7s have a well-padded headband and ear cups that squeeze just the right amount to keep them stable without feeling like your head is in a vise. They are also lighter than their predecessors, which also contributes to comfort.
The XM4s have a slightly changed design from their predecessors, but they’re not as high-end as the PX7s. They are, however, much lighter than their rivals – around 50g – making them a very comfortable fit. Again, there’s just the right amount of grip from the ear pads, and they give a solid seal around your ears.
It’s another tight, but the Sonys just got past this lap.
** Winner ** Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bowers & Wilkins PX7: features
The PX7s were the first headphones to be released with aptX Adaptive. This next-generation Bluetooth technology combines the 24-bit / 48 kHz capability of the now widely adopted aptX HD with the advantages of aptX Low Latency (improved synchronization of audio and video content between your source and your headphones).
In other words, if you’re using the PX7 for gaming or smartphone apps, the sound from the screen should instantly hit your ears. The aptX HD codec also helps to make the wireless connection more robust.
Like the Sonys, the PX7s have active noise cancellation. You can choose between low, medium, and high, depending on your environment. Press and hold the noise cancel button and you’ll enter Ambient Mode, which lets in some outside noise – handy for hearing announcements at stations, or ordering a drink from a flight attendant, for example.
The XM4s also have an ambient mode that works like the PX7’s. But if you don’t want to switch to ambient mode, you can use the Quick Attention feature instead. Cover the right earpiece with your hand and it will let in enough sound to have a conversation. But there’s also a Talk-to-Chat feature, which automatically detects you’re talking and allows ambient audio to sneak in. You can also set the sensitivity of this mode to avoid triggering it accidentally.
An NC Optimize automatically calibrates the noise cancellation based on different factors such as your face shape and whether or not you wear glasses. If you are a frequent traveler, they can even take into account changes in air pressure. You activate it with a long press of a button.
The XM4s also have new brains. Sony’s new DSEE Extreme engine not only tries to improve compressed music to near high-resolution quality, but it also adds an artificial intelligence technology called Edge-AI. It was developed with the help of Sony Music Studios Tokyo to analyze music in real time and reproduce sound more faithful to the original track.
Instead of supporting aptX or aptX HD, the XM4s support Sony’s own LDAC technology, which does much the same. And they support Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format, which is a direct challenger to Dolby Atmos Music, and which is supported by various streaming services like Deezer and Tidal.
Like the PX7s, the WM4s will automatically pause music when you take them off and restart them when you turn them back on. They can also adjust their noise reduction and ambient sound levels to suit your situation and location, and you can even geo-fence certain locations to trigger certain settings. They can connect to two wireless devices at the same time, and they ring more clearly during voice calls thanks to Precise Voice Pickup technology.
For the breadth and usefulness of their features, the Sonys have this round hands down.
** Winner ** Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bowers & Wilkins PX7: sound quality
But it’s the cycle that really matters. If you’re looking for the best headphones (and especially the best wireless headphones), sound quality is of utmost importance.
The PX7s performed impressively. Their sound is a solid, detailed and balanced sound that prioritizes rhythmic precision and communicates music in an entertaining way. There is a more dynamic expression on the show and more insight, while the soundstage is considerably larger and more open.
But the XM4s also have a wide-open feel and an ability to dig into untold levels of detail on a track. They’re composed and confident, especially in handling low frequencies, and there’s a lot of power and punch, with some poise to go with it. They also time exceptionally well.
This might be the closest ride of them all – both pairs look fantastic. But the Sonys just border it thanks to their more composed layout. The PX7s have a lot of enthusiasm, but the XM4s sound a little more authentic.
** Winner ** Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony WH-1000XM4 vs. Bowers & Wilkins PX7: verdict
It was always going to be close, but the Sonys take the crown. They’re slightly more comfortable, have a more comprehensive feature set, and sound a bit more authentic, making them one of the best headphones around.
That’s not to say the PX7s aren’t a fantastic buy. They excel in all areas and are only a grower in the face of such stiff competition. They also sound louder than the Sonys and they’re a few months older, so there’s every chance you’ll find them at a discount. Take them, pronto.
Our advice? While the Sonys can have it, if the choice comes down to one or the other, whatever decision you make, you’ve already won.
MORE:
Best headphones 2020
Best wireless headphones 2020
Best noise canceling headphones 2020: in the ears and on the ears, from budget to premium
