In the realm of high-end consumer audio, few brands are as respected as Bowers & Wilkins. The England-based firm not only provides some of the best-sounding tech available, regardless of price, but it presents each of its products in indelible design-centric housing. That combination of aesthetic and quality is likely what attracted McLaren to outfit its supercars with integrated audio systems from Bowers & Wilkins. The brand has even developed custom-engineered speakers to pair perfectly with the unique acoustic environments of the car.
However, the partnership has also yielded non-automobile products such as the Px8 McLaren Edition headphones in 2022, featuring subtle orange accents on the black monitors. With the launch of the gen-2 Px8 back in September, the two brands have collided yet again with special-edition cans to mark a decade of working together.
F1-Inspired Design Language
The Px8 S2 McLaren Edition doesn’t hide its motorsport influence. Where the standard Px8 S2 headphones comes in Warm Stone or Onyx Black, this version opts for McLaren’s signature Papaya finish paired with Anthracite Grey like previous collabs. The die-cast aluminum arms get wrapped in exposed cable detailing that mimics the wiring looms you’d find in an F1 car.
McLaren’s Speedmark logo appears on both the headband and earcups, with diamond-cut bright metal detailing around each elliptical logo plate. The memory-foam cushions and headband are trimmed in Nappa leather, which is standard across the Px8 S2 line but feels particularly appropriate here given McLaren’s luxe interiors.
New Look, Same Great Taste
For those hoping for some sort of new feature beyond cosmetic touches, you won’t find them here. Like past McLaren Editions, the Px8 S2 merely brings a new colorway to the fray. Luckily though, these headphones were quite impressive to begin with.
The Px8 S2 boasts a substantial upgrade over the original Px8 with its redesigned 40mm carbon cone drivers, while the driver chassis, voice coil, suspension, and magnet system have all been reworked to reduce distortion and improve resolution. More importantly, each driver is angled within its earcup to maintain consistent distance from every point on the driver surface to your ear.
The tech stack includes Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive 24/96 and aptX Lossless for high-resolution wireless streaming up to 24-bit/96kHz, plus Bowers & Wilkins’ proprietary DSP that’s been optimized specifically for these drivers. Active noise cancellation runs through eight microphones (four per cup) and avoids the overly processed sound that plagues some ANC headphones. There’s also transparency mode for when you need to hear your surroundings, all manageable through the Bowers & Wilkins Music app along with a new five-band EQ and customizable presets. Battery life sits at 30 hours, and a 15-minute quick charge gets you seven hours of playback.
Spec Sheet
Model: Px8 S2 McLaren Edition
Drivers: 40mm bespoke carbon cone (angled configuration)
Wireless: Bluetooth 5.3, aptX Adaptive 24/96, aptX Lossless
Resolution: 24-bit / 96kHz high-resolution audio
ANC: Bowers & Wilkins-optimized noise cancellation, transparency mode
Battery Life: 30 hours (7 hours from 15-minute charge)
Materials: Die-cast aluminum arms, Nappa leather trim, diamond-cut metal detailing
Finish: McLaren Papaya / Anthracite Grey
Features: Replaceable earcups and headband, 5-band EQ, multipoint connectivity
Price: $899
Pricing & Availability
The Px8 S2 McLaren Edition is now available through the Bowers & Wilkins website for $899, a $100 premium over the standard model.
Recap
Bowers Wilkins x Mclaren Px8 S2 Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins and McLaren are celebrating a decade of partnership with the Px8 S2 McLaren Edition—basically the standard Px8 S2 headphones dressed up in McLaren’s Papaya orange and Anthracite Grey with F1-inspired design touches.
