The Px8 S2 McLaren Edition, a new version of the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 wireless headphones has been unveiled.
Developed in collaboration with McLaren Automotive and the McLaren Formula 1 Team, the new headphones build on the success of the acclaimed Px8 S2. The design integrates the signature McLaren Papaya finish together with a striking Anthracite Grey, as well as the McLaren Speedmark on both the headband and earcups.
A diamond-cut bright edge on each elliptical logo plate and memory-foam cushions and headband trimmed in soft, luxurious Nappa leather delivers a premium feel. Reflecting the two brands’ shared technical and performance-led aesthetic, the Px8 S2 McLaren Edition offers the high-performance sound quality that Bowers & Wilkins is famous for, coupled with a design that connects fans of McLaren cars and the McLaren Formula 1 Team to the visual identity of the McLaren brand. This is the third headphone in the successful partnership and elevates the performance standard by offering proprietary Bowers & Wilkins-optimized noise cancellation technology to effectively shut out unwanted noise.
“This exciting new edition of our exceptional Px8 S2 headphones perfectly celebrates our long-term partnership with McLaren” said Lyle Smith, President of Sound United at HARMAN “and gives fans another industry-leading audio product showcasing McLaren’s design DNA to express their passion for their team.”
The performance of the Px8 S2 McLaren Edition is taken to even greater heights of detail, resolution and spaciousness thanks to upgraded bespoke 40mm Carbon Cone drive units. These drive units feature a comprehensively redesigned and improved chassis, voice coil, suspension and magnet, and are carefully angled to the listener’s ears to ensure a consistent distance from every point across the surface of each driver to each ear, ensuring better imaging and stereo spaciousness. The headphone also features Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive 24/96 wireless technology and aptX Lossless plus Bowers & Wilkins-developed DSP (Digital Signal Processing) to deliver 24-bit / 96kHz high-resolution sound quality.
As with all other current generations of Bowers & Wilkins headphones and earbuds, the Px8 S2 McLaren Edition can be configured and controlled using the brand’s Music app. You can activate or disengage the noise-cancelling transparency mode to let in more or less of the outside world, monitor the headphone’s charge levels, select the wear sensor sensitivity and define your preferred operation for the physical ‘Quick Action’ button on the headphones. Listeners can now opt to fine-tune the sound through an adjustable five-band EQ, complete with the option to store their preferred settings as easily accessible presets.
With a 30-hour battery life, Px8 S2 McLaren Edition can play all day long, while a 15-minute quick recharge is sufficient to provide up to seven hours of additional listening time.
Since 2015, Bowers & Wilkins and McLaren have partnered to develop the high-performance audio systems found in McLaren’s supercars and Ultimate Series cars. The relationship is built on firm technical foundations and rooted in the brands’ shared values of delivering the highest levels of performance. More recently, the strategic long-term multi-year partnership was extended to see Bowers & Wilkins become McLaren’s Official Audio Partner across McLaren Automotive and the McLaren Formula 1 Team.
The new Px8 S2 McLaren Edition are now available from the Bowers & Wilkins website and selected retailers, priced at $899US / £729 / €829.