There’s something satisfying when two brands from very different backgrounds manage to find common ground and do it naturally. That’s pretty much the story of Bowers & Wilkins and McLaren, a partnership that started in supercars and has slowly expanded into personal and home audio. Their latest release is the Px8 S2 McLaren Edition, a fresh take on B&W’s flagship wireless headphones with subtle design features and quiet technical improvements. At first glance, you’ll notice that the iconic McLaren Papaya adds a pop of color to the PX8’s rich charcoal gray finish.
The mix of die-cast aluminum, diamond-cut edges and Nappa leather provides a connection to McLaren and its production process for technical cars such as the P1, 750S and 765LT Spider. Inside, Bowers & Wilkins has installed all-new angled carbon cone drivers. The sound is designed to feel a bit more open and detailed. Noise cancellation is strong but not aggressive, more of a gentle buffer than a complete sensory blackout. And with 30 hours of battery life (plus the very handy 7-hour quick charge), they’re more suited to long days and cross-country flights than quick coffee runs.
With the Bowers & Wilkins Music app you can easily adjust the EQ, optimize the wear sensor and set up the shortcut button. Transparency mode works when you need to hear what’s happening around you. Considering how far the partnership has come, from the audio systems on early McLarens to the new W1 supercar, this edition feels like the natural “of course they did that” moment. Not a hype piece, not a collector’s item, just a thoughtfully crafted pair of headphones that reflect two brands that care about getting the details right.
Source: Bowers & Wilkins
