Replacing the StereoNET Applause Award-winning PX7 headphones, the new S2 is the latest in a highly successful line of premium, performance-orientated headphones that stretches back over a decade, and according to B&W, has been engineered with that same philosophy in mind.

Built around an all-new acoustic platform designed to deliver unmatched high-resolution sound quality, at its heart are newly developed, custom-designed 40mm drive units. B&W says it specifically created these to suit the requirements of headphone listening. The drivers are said to “offer an ultra-fast response – allowing them to faithfully reproduce every nuance in a piece of music – while remaining supremely low in distortion, resulting in a more accurate, high-resolution presentation”. The drive units are also carefully angled inside each earcup to ensure a consistent distance relative to the listener's ear from every point across the surface of each driver.

Leveraging Qualcomm's aptXTM Adaptive wireless technology, the S2 automatically optimises wireless music transmission from compatible phones, tablets and computers. Coupled with powerful Bowers & Wilkins-developed DSP (Digital Signal Processing), 24-bit high-resolution sound quality is achievable from capable streaming services. USB-C and 3.5mm cable connections are also supported, with both cable types included in the improved, slimmer carry case that accompanies the product.

To refine active noise cancellation, six upgraded high-performance microphones work together to deliver the best results: two measure the output of each drive unit, two react to ambient noise from the outside world, and two provide outstanding voice clarity with enhanced noise suppression. Careful positioning and angling of those microphones is said to improve performance even in the noisiest environments.

Stephanie Willems, Brand President of Bowers & Wilkins, told StereoNET:

I'm incredibly proud of our new Px7 S2 headphones. They're supremely comfortable, beautiful to look at and sound great. They're the perfect way to take True Sound with you everywhere you go.

The new Px7 S2 is the first headphone to work directly with the Bowers & Wilkins Music App. The App can be used to pair Px7 S2 to a mobile device, fine-tune the sound through adjustable EQ, activate or disengage the noise-cancelling transparency mode to let in more or less of the outside world and finally, monitor the headphone's charge levels. In a future upgrade, the Music App will allow users to stream their chosen music directly from their mobile device to their Px7 S2s.

With 30 hours of battery life, Px7 S2 can play all day long – and more – on just one charge, while a 15-minute quick recharge is sufficient to provide up to seven hours of additional listening time.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 is available in three finishes, including grey, blue and black - each with complementary detailing. The all-new construction and profile is more comfortable for extended listening, with a slimmer overall shape, lighter weight and more luxurious earpads with improved memory foam to perfectly encapsulate and cushion your ears for ultimate comfort.

In more good news, B&W will launch the flagship Px8 later this year, selling for $549. The company says, “this no-holds-barred 'reference-level' wireless model will take Bowers & Wilkins headphones to all-new levels of premium design, luxurious materials and audio performance.”

Available now, the Px7 S2 is available now for $399. StereoNET is currently reviewing a pair so stay tuned for our comprehensive review coming soon.