Weirdly, I own both! Much prefer the PX8! Sound is a different class, more comfortable, longer battery life, can switch them off too! PX8's also come with an actual usable case, not a bra.
As a PX8 owner for like more than a month or so, I am very glad to have purchased them. I haven't tried Airpods Max but PX8's sound signature is addictive. When you put them on, you never want to take them off and makes you want to listen music forever. This become very clear after 1-2 weeks of listening of PX8 which helped PX8 to complete its burn-in time I guess.
Tried both a few weeks back. When it comes to sturdiness and build quality Apple takes the cake, they feel much more robust, same goes for design (although that’s down to personal taste). I feel the Pods also have the better noise cancelling system, it blocks absolutely everything. Now when it comes to where it actually counts, sound quality/performance, B&W take the win with authority. We are talking about a massive difference. These are easily the best headphones I’ve tried; stellar audio definition, fullness and clarity on every single sonic spectrum.
I have to disagree on the AirPods Max sounding muddy and not great. I will agree that Dolby atmos doesn’t always sound great and I’ll also agree that the B&W PX8’s do sound very good and the earcups feel so much better than the AirPods Max. However the AirPods Max feel better on the top of the head, not causing a hot spot or soreness. I would argue that they are closer in sound compression than led to believe. Just my opinion.
Talking about Dolby Atmos: I was severely underwhelmed by it. If turned on, it just takes some energy out of the music. Percussion may sound a little bit hollow and unenergetic in comparison to simple stereo signal. Oh and about the AirPods. When I bought those, I was so disappointed about the condensation issue. 3 hours of taking a walk outside while constantly listening to music and the driver was SOAKING WET from condensation. Apple says it’s normal but I don’t like the idea to dismantle the whole thing so it can dry before being put away or to risk water damage. I’d certainly hope that the Px8 doesn’t have an issue like that and honestly I can’t imagine that a renowned audio company would ever make such bad design.
In my opinion, the B&W PX8 has the best sound quality of any wireless headphone. I say this with full responsibility. When I listen to songs I know well, I get to know them anew. Incredible, full, deep, juicy sound that you can quickly become addicted to. I also compared them with the PX7 S2 and the difference in sound is definitely in favor of the PX8. On paper, aside from the higher quality materials, there isn't much of a difference between the two, so I was surprised because the PX8 sound was much nicer than the PX7 S2. Either the carbon cone gives such a pronounced effect or the drivers in the PX8 have a lot more changes than we might think. I haven't tested the AirPods Max, but after the PX8 masterful sound quality, I believe it's hard to compete with it. Regards
transparency mode is great - not just for calls, but you can listen to your coentent while also 'remainig in the room' which I prefer especially when watching something @ home..
I this time and era, i feel like all youtubers should talk more about reparability. I've been shooping around for a new pair of headphones for the last 3 months but when you take into consideration the ear cups materials and parts accesibility you realize that almost all headohones are not repairable. First, good quality ear cups are hard to find. You end up buying from Ali some cheap ear cups that are going to fail eve faster than the originals. A few companies do sell replacement ear cups like bose, bowers and Apple but, for battery replacement almost nobody sells them. I love sony's products but they are the worst in terms of parts accessibility if its for their general public products. I wanted to buy the PX7 S2 but no replacement battery is anywhere to be found and i dont want to imagine throwing away 1000cad dollars after a few years because i cant find a repalcemnt battery in 6-8 years. Thats also why i refuse to buy any sort of earpods. If everybody started to include that in their reviews, people will think about what is going to happen in a few years when something breaks and no parts are available. Garbage, like the last 2 pairs of sony heaphones i throw away because of some little part broke.
I return my Airpods Max and bought the bowers after try bowers in a music store. Apple isn’t an audiophile Company but has audiophile prices. I’m really happy with my choice
reviewing something that can't support codecs from android 8 era to some brand that makes high end car stereos is an intellectual blow to mankind. and that part when you said "because they're made by apple" was the cherry on top.
No surprises here, have used B&W for many years , they know what they're doing when it comes to sound, and the AirPods look ridiculous which would only be acceptable if they actually sounded great, which they don't.
AirPods Max are so uncomfortable though. The clamping is very much like the Beats Studio 3s and it's like putting your head in a vice. And they're heavy.
I had some px7’s that I liked. Problem was that the left speaker kept going out. Had it fixed under warranty and the same thing happened again. That said, Im interested in these. Hoping they fixed any issues.
Can you compare the Audeze maxwells with music compared to the PX8 and Airpods max? They have bluetooth 5.3, LDAC, 90mm Planar magnetic drivers, frequency range of 10hz-50,000khz and 80+ hours of battery life.
Thanks for the comparison. Some ads showed up for bowers and wilkins and Ive seen them on some clothing sites I buy stuff from so I wondered if they were quality and well so far they seem like it and like a better alternative then to buy one of the most expensive apple headphones haha
When I test headphones I do it completely out of the box. I don’t do any EQ because I want the manufacturer to let me know how it should sound - probably your most used line in life. Thanks for the videos brother. I like your content. Just got the Sony X5. Was walking by a shop in Amsterdam and they had a special offer for €275. I don’t think I was going to let that go. They sound amazing. I’m curious about the PX series. Might get the PX8 as a gift for myself sometime :)
I got the PX8 McLaren edition and I am so disappointed by that sound. It’s missing the mids completely, they sound muffled and simply no fun or with the money. The app is missing the mids also. No adjusting there.
Have you gotten used to them yet or are they still bad and if so do you think they are worse because of the special addition rather than the original ones
I have the AirPods Max, but have never listened to the Px8, so I can't comment on the differences in audio quality, but when I check the prices on Amazon the AirPods Max is 450 USD while the Px8 is 700 USD. That's a 250 USD difference, so maybe not that surprising that the Px8s sound better! I would certainly expect them to at that price!
Great and fair comparison, though I must say, I do not buy crapple products. They are always way over priced, years behind the other manufactures and just do not deliver. So the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is the clear winner.
Today P8 are $699 USD vs $479 AirPods Max on US Amazon. I am constantly switching between iPhone/iPad/Apple TV. I really like my AirPods Max and only have Apple products so I will stick with them.
As a totally smitten owner of a recently acquired AirPods Maxes, I'd hope a pair of 2022 of B&W headphones would sound much better than the 2 y.o. APM. Still, I really enjoy all the videos comparing them to the latest headphones.
I had the air pods max for a year and got a pair or Px7 S2e’s few days ago. Even them is SOO MUCH better in sound quality that I consider getting the px8 as well lol
Have no interest in the Apple and I use two iPhones daily and at least for the next 5 months until I switch back to my Androids. Please make a comparison between B&W vs. Sennheiser and Sony.
That's funny, I was just jamming Breathe Again this morning. I've probably listened to Eye of the Storm by them a million times while working the last few months.
I have the Airpod Max in the same Colour As yours and are satisfied with them for the following to reasons 1 I got them at a great discount and 2 I mainly use them watching movies and series via my AppleTV and the surround sound experience is very good. I will however not wear them outside as I prefer my AirPod pro first gen for that as they are more than sufficient for listening to podcasts
Dolby Atmos - This basically gives loads more options in audio mixing. So it depends on how the audio engineer uses it. Most often I find it is better, but sometimes it is worse. In Apple Music you can turn Dolby Atmos on and off in settings to try different versions of the same song. Also Dolby Atmos is a few notches quieter, but then it can have more bass if the audio engineer wants to use it.
Sounds to me (literally) that very few if any engineers have figured it out yet for music. I genuinely think it’s tech for tech’s sake. For cinema it makes perfect sense but it is far too complex for the dynamics of music.
Dolby Atmos is Dolby Atmos. For headphones it's just another sh*tty marketing trick, like with dumb soundbars. You should check what Dolby Atmos actually is.
I’m sure it is a marketing trick… but often (not always) sounds better. Which is something I am willing to pay for : )… from my understanding it encourages audio engineers to be more directional with the soundstage which is something I like. Is there something I’m missing?
What does it happen here?! I'm owner of brand new AirPods Max received a couple of weeks ago and I'm very happy with sound quality (specially when I use them for video and for Apple Music with EQ setting turned on). A year ago you put these headphones on the top of listening experiences and just a couple of months ago you made a long term review reaffirming your complete satisfaction with these...What happened since then??? A new pair of headphones is been shipped with better sound quality (for your own taste) and, automatically, the previous premium champions "doesn't sound very good", suddenly? I'm disappointed by this sudden and suspicious change in your opinion. The fact that a product is better than the previous one doesn't mean that the previous one becomes a bad alternative...does it?
Hold on, just because he said that the PX8 sounds better doesn’t mean the Max is ‘bad’. Bear in mind that technology and devices progress and that there will always be newer, better devices with time. We are talking about two premium non-audiophile headphones which both perform well in their price bracket. There will be cheaper ones which sound worse and more expensive ones which sound better. Should you go and buy those other ones? Not necessarily. It just so happens that he thinks (indeed many think) that the PX8 is a better headphone when compared to the Max. That’s all. He could have compared the PX8 to the Focal Bathys and said the Bathys was better (yes, I’ve seen the video!) but the Bathys, like the PX8, is newer, is a different headphone and is more expensive. Then he could get into Mark Levinson … where would it stop? If you enjoy your headphones, all is good. There will be many headphones out there which are ‘better’. Some will be a few dollars more and some will be many many dollars more. But that doesn’t mean you go out and buy them, does it?
@@aSlimtube what a curious thing to say. Are you suggesting that he’s not giving his genuine subjective opinion? That he is somehow trying to fool people? FWIW I think opinions like on this channel are useful in the general fabric of keeping up and are useful for helping towards a view of what to buy if you’re in the market. Sure, you wouldn’t listen to just one opinion before buying a very expensive set of headphones without trying them. But to dismiss such views out of hand seems really curious.
Just got my PX8 today and ABed it with my airpods max. Didn’t took an hour. I’m definitely returning it. Airpods max is way better sounding. This decision of getting the PX8 was after watching tons of PX8 reviews and everybody said it sounds better than the airpods max…sheesh! Now comparing it to the focal and B&O. I will have to purchase them and see if it sounds better. I hope they do…
Spatial Audio is so worth it. When using Infuse. It supports Spatial Audio. Watching movie with the base LITERALLY rumbling in your ears. I have no words to describe how amazing the experience. Regarding the case, imagine taking the headphone out of the backpack on a crowded train to listen to music. Guess which one is easier to pick it out. I think the case is brilliantly thought out.
@@jyexe525 As far as I know for Netflix. Other than Apple TV it works only on iDevices. And I really would like to know why Netflix limit the 4K resolution, high bitrate and Spatial Audio on apps but does not allow them on browsers. Despite I pay for the most expensive plan. It doesn't seem fair to me. Even with the small screen on the iPhone, I can see clearly that it gets to have a higher bitrate than watching on browsers.
very nice and useful product review,thanks for your effort I finally decided to buy a PX8 but I have another question for you; Can you share the brand and sales link of the headphone stand you used in the 4:19 second of the video? thank you very much again for your help,take care.
Great review! Why would anyone buy the AirPod Max? They NEVER turn off and that case design is flat out embarrassing for a creative company like Apple. At $700 USD the B&W Px8's are very expensive. I would compare them to the new Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra to see if the Px8's are worthy of the price tag. The new Bose are over $400 USD so still quite a bit less than the Px8's. The new Bose have some great features like spatial sound stage and from what I've heard from reviewer here, it's pretty amazing.
I picked up a pair of Bowers today brand new in a box at the pawnshop for $450.00 their gorgeous omfotable and sound freaking amazing!! AirPod max…ewwww nope!! And their ugly!! Great review!!
My cousin got his Apple Air Max when they first come out with a price tag of 549 and I just recently got mine with a price tag of 499 a few days ago. and I must say my Apple Air Max sounded more balanced than his. the mid range has more presentation while trouble seem to be slightly dialed back a few notches. and when I switched back over to my cousin Airpod max his had a slightly darker sound signature with added trouble then mine. I tested both airpod max with no eq while passive mode was active. so did Apple make some minor sound adjustments to their later airpods Max? because I love my air Max as of 2023
Likely you or your cousin might have an EQ preference turned on the settings. Worth trying those settings. I personally prefer ‘small speakers’ as it gives more bass and less treble for a darker sound. On a Mac you can see what each option looks like on a ten band equalizer. Also there could be some differences from firmware, or driver burn in… but those are less likely to make this much of a difference. Lastly I would be sure to A/B them side by side. Amazing how subjective the sound of headphones can be.
I graduate college next Saturday 12/17 n i came up with a genius idea Everyone that’s going to show up from my family can chip in and basically pay for mine 😂 I want these but I refuse to spend $500 of my own money on headphones
The airpods max having only Bluetooth 5.0 is laughable for 549+ bucks my 16 dollar pair of throwaway headphones have Bluetooth 5.3 and that was from last year. Those airpods not using usb type C is also a problem because it is easier to find a usb type cable in any store for cheap in an emergency or just use a usb c cable from your other devices.
Respect! After seeing Apple Watch on Your wrist I've been already expecting another AirPod Max blind a55 licking... But I'm so happy to see non-biased comparison! Now I will watch all the rest Your reviews. You got my loyalty here.
@@MarkEllisReviews Thanks 🤝 Since You don't have a comparison video, and I trust Your opinion... Which would be better for in-home and gym using among PX8, PX7 s2 and Momentum M4 (I've checked all those in You reviews, but can't compare them to each other)? I have Sony WH-1000xm3 currently. And I find their sound absolutely terrible even for a gym using alone.
For some reason, the reviews for the B&W headphones are all over the place. Alas, I do not have a pair. Of those I do have, I have come to rely on the “what do I reach for test.” Over the past year, I have found myself reaching for my Bose headphones first, the Sonys and Bang & Olufsen tied for second and the AirPods Max third. Several others mostly reside in their cases. I also reach into my pocket for earbuds now and again but I really do not like wearing earbuds and do so out of the necessity of not looking crazy all of the time in public. Why the Bose (I have the 700s and the Q35)? They sound just fine for my podcast, RU-vid and music listening and their controls are beautifully designed and executed. They are also the most reliable headphones I own. If I had to give up all of my headphones, which would be a blessing really, and allowed by the government to keep only one, I would hold on to the Q35 (now the Q45). They are comfortable, fold up in a small package and just do everything well. Mr. Bose, add weather resistance to the next update if you would.
B&W's house sound tuning is very much a matter of "either you love it or hate it" like I have found there is not a single middle ground here. I love it, but it took me awhile to appreciate it. I tried to Bathys and the 5909 too but I just had to come back to the Px8. It's just a more pleasing and easy going sound that makes me listen for hours. The others are fatiguing to me. Yeah I know that I lose some detail but I just don't care.
Comparing the AirPods Max to the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 is like comparing a donkey to a black stallion. I think the AirPods do sound pretty good after trying them in the Apple Store, but the Px8 have a MUCH better sound and overall offer an INFINITELY better value! I bought the Px8 knowing this, so wasting my money on the AirPods is the last thing I would do
You mention that the PX8s don’t support Dolby Atmos? But as I understand it, it’s the streaming device that has to support Atmos, not the headphones. In fact Dolby say that Atmos will work on any set of headphones. However, once certain headphones, namely Apple’s own and some Beats headphones support Spatial Audio “with dynamic head tracking.”
@@katiewelikanna3588yes I always have troubles because almost all headphones (especially Sennheiser) tend to slip off. It’s not the case with B&W PX8. By comparison for me the Sennheiser Momentum4 are a nightmare from that perspective. As I noticed the problem is that the distance between my top of the head and the ears is shorter so the cups and wings of the headphones don’t get inside enough to fit that distance properly.
Great review! It’s funny, I find the Max to be muddy at the top end and a bit bass heavy. As you say, all very subjective. The AirPods Max do improve a bit with EQ. It would be very interesting to know how the PX8s compare when EQ’d - no doubt they’d be even better again! Dolby Atmos really does depend on the mixing. Some great, some absolutely pants. I’d be interested to know what you’d make of non BT headphones. A pair of much cheaper wired IEMs will blow so many BT headphones out of the water. Ok it’s best to run them off a small DAC but they work perfectly well from the MacBook headphone jack. Something like the 7hz Timeless (less than £200) are certainly streets ahead of the Max - i wonder how the PX8 would fare in comparison - and how much they improved when played wired, using the built-in DAC
I eq my Px8 with -2 for bass and neutral for treble. And it's perfect. But for bass fanatics, they sure deliver! And they sound musical and fun, always!
Why I completely, utterly, subjectively and respectfully disagree. I remote work globally and while the Airpods Max have some issues, they are far outweighed by the positives. Firstly, however shallow it may be, they’re a flex. Hot girls in airport shops make a beeline for you and who doesn’t want that. On flights and long taxi drives they perform brilliantly. Just arrived in Cusco, Peru a few days ago and unfortunately my apartment while being very nice literally overlooks the runway of the Airport. Max’s to the rescue again with the noise cancellation. Now i just watch the planes take off and land at my desk without bother. Are their better headphones out there, for sure. Wouldn’t swap my Max’s for anything else. I can also confirm awesome MILF attention!
I have watched this video many times and I feel like you're not being fair with the airpod max, they are 2 years old bro, and still cheaper than the px8 and the first of Apple's over-ear headphones. B&W have a lot of headphones.for me, the Airpod max is better if after 2 years the only thing the B&W could do is just a bit better in sound quality. When the gen2 of the Max is out you can do the comparison and I'm sure the MAX will still be more cheaper than the B&W. Chaw🙃
px8’s have way too much bass. it’s bloated, and interferes with the midrange. this is what is refered to as muddy, not excessive treble. listening on your phone is also not a helpful source. there is no sound card. this is not an accurate way to make a comparison.
Well most headphones lack bass. That's the main difference between having your own music system in your room with custom woofer and top of the line speakers with pre-amp and Amp VS just headphones you can use. The main difference being you have more room for driver movement, more wattage, more room for error and lesser requirements for tolerance and muddling (because of multiple drivers too). Even today I haven't found any headphones which would even remotely replicate the quality of a dedicated music system. If these come anywhere near it, then it's justified to buy these since I can take my music system with me in office or on the road. If there is a lot of bass you can always reduce it in EQ and increase mids if they are muffled, you can't do it the other way round. I might have to try these since the site specifically says 30 days trial and return if you don't like it. I am all for spending even $1500 if they come close to a music system. I am also going to try the new Bose QC Ultra. Bose makes the best music system by far (maybe swap out the woofer) but they are severely lacking in the earbuds and headphones department. I have the QC earbuds 2 and they are better than any other earbuds I have tried, but the internal amplifier lacks volume output. And you need top of the line EQ software (I use THX Spatial audio on Windows), and that doesn't always exist on platforms like phones. But with THX Spatial audio, I can say for sure that these buds rival even top of the line headphones, something I found lacking on the Bose 700 which I returned.
I won’t choose any of them if there is an AirPods Pro 2. If there is not, I would choose AirPods max for using outside and buy a wired headphone for home use. 😂
