Thank you so much for this fantastic video! I bought mine P7 Wireless new for 300 just before they stopped selling them 6 years ago. I bought the Px8 now and expected an advanced sound, but the P7 is sounding so much better (natural, clear, detailled) compared to the kind of dull/ artificial sound of the Px8 (even without ANC). That confused me a lot, because the Px8 is praised everywhere for its sound as the P7 was back then. And I dont have audio-knowledge, so I have to rely on that. Now I really appreciate my P7 even more, especially after that video :) Maybe I should search for another P7 as long as they are easily available second hand. Again thank you so much for this incredible video. Best regards from Germany :)
Thanks very much and I’m glad you enjoyed the review. Your experience with the P8 is proof that audio gear experiences are all subjective and what might be perfect for somebody else may not be for you, and vice versa. You are 100% right to trust your own ears and decide for yourself (and your wallet) what is right for you! Happy Holidays!
Great video! I can confirm a lot of what you said. I paid full retail for mine back in early 2014 and still use them. They are still in excellent condition with no leather peeling/discoloration, no loose stitches, and obviously no broken plastic nonsense. The leather is still soft too. The only issue I've had is that the glue from the pads likes to seep out over time and it makes the pads hard to remove and when you do get them off there's a bunch of sticky glue residue where the pad meets the rest of the headphone, which doesn't look great but you can't see it when the pads are attached. I've replaced the pads and haven't yet removed the new ones, so not sure if they fixed that. I'd say they were my introduction into the higher end of headphones and I have gotten more than my money's worth. I think they still sound great, although these days I do run them with eq mostly to tame the bass a little. The stock tuning has a little more rumble than I generally prefer, but I enjoy the mids and treble. The treble is especially nice because while the headphone overall is tilted a bit to the warm side, the treble doesn't get lost. It has enough shimmer to be satisfying. The mids are actually pretty neutral, which I like. Overall they present a pretty impressive amount of detail especially considering they're 10 years old and were targeted to the average consumer, not to the boutique audiophile crowd. They do really shine with good recordings, but aren't too punishing for lesser ones. I use them at my computer running off a JDS Atom stack and they get plenty of time listening to music, gaming, and watching movies. Really happy with them. Also, the arms/hinges are stainless steel and the dark metal part of the cup that has the brand on it is aluminum, as far as I remember. Couldn't ask for nicer materials, and they've stood the test of time on my pair.
i still have the b&w p7, long ago someone got their p3 to work and i listened to it, i instantly liked the sound, in combination with a fiio x5. after my denon headphones where broken i bought the p7. i still like them after 9 years,
Still have mine for over a decade now! I always go back to it! It so musical i love it. My other headphones are 660s, focal radiance, meze 109 pro, p9 signature...
I remember seeing these P3/P5/P7 headphones in the store in the early 2010s and their design always stuck with me. Recently I bought a P3 in perfect condition for a fraction of the original price, much like you're describing in your video. Now I'm looking into the P7. These headphones are truly a steal nowadays!
I like the P3's a lot. As I mentioned in the video I have a set and they are probably one of the very best on-ear headphones I've ever tried. The P7 is definitely "From The League Above" and if you can find a set in good condition like I did it's just a no-brainer. Good luck with your P7 hunt!
I have the P7 Wireless, and loved them until they developed a buzz in the right channel at high volume, and I needed better mics. So I purchased the PX7S2 a week after they came out. A year later the leatherette started pulling away from the earcups and the headband. I've been waiting a month to get the replacement sent, which forced me to pull out the old P7's and I was shocked that the batteries were still fully charged after more than a year of being in a drawer. I've been loving the P7's again. They are like cadillacs for your head, the leather is still in great shape. The sound is so great, kind of like my old Adcom systems. Maybe a little high on bass for some people but I like bottom end. Image and detail is amazing. I am going to see if I can sort out the buzz in the right channel and use them again. The build is so good. PX7S2...not so much. Perhaps they sorted out the massive adhesive failure I experienced with the PX7S2e.
I still have this model and it still sounds great. The leather case has already deteriorated (I still remember that new-leather smell), but the headphones themselves still looks and functions well.
I have a P7 from ebay and I am very happy with them. Please keep your momentum and make new videos! Speaking of Momentum, could you make a video about Senheisser Momentum wired over ears? They seem to be designed too to use sources like phones. Nowadays you can still buy high end phones with 3.5 mm jack (Asus Rog 6 for example) and it is my favourite way of enjoying music. Thanks a lot for that video!
Thanks for the informative video. I've been eyeing a pair on the secondary market. I might just go for for them after your endorsement. Cheers Geoffrey
Thank you for your very informative video. I think I'm lucky because after the video I started looking for a P7 in excellent condition. I bought one on Vinted for €50.. it's the best deal I've made in headphones. It's being delivered, I can't wait to test it. I have the impression that the old B&W models are better than the Pxs2 and Px8... I recently bought a PX (the first) and what a classic!!! I expect a lot from this P7 especially since there are no electronics and it has carbon transducers.. like the px8.. The finish is also better on the older models. All this to say that you should favor older models, they are better deals.
I have the p3 and still in great condition esp the leather and its not I dont use them I do esp as I am bad at sleeping so use them to help me sleep , so I can vouch the leather is durable and they still sound loud and amazing for such a small headphones, I have just bought a pair of PX7 S2e whilst they look amazing it really shocks me they dont use letter but rather then the pleather so cant see these lasting I had a gaming head set that the pleather broke up in bits after a few years. The sound of the Px7 S2e are crisp but find them not as loud for some reason maybe its a silly health and safety issue ? I wonder which is the better sound ? for me nothing wrong with old school headphones those oldies were made to last and sound great
I have a B&W P7 and a Sennheiser HD-650. I carefully hold the HD 650 box as I can eventually sell it for any reason. But I really don't care about box, bag or other bells and whistles from P7 because I will NEVER sell it. HD-650 is a excellent headphone (but just while there's no any other better model) P7, in the other hand, is a headphone for life.
I really wish they would stop making noise cancellation because messes with the sound it’s OK on the Affordable headphones. with premium headphones should have an option to turn it off.
Agreed. Right now you can have either noise cancellation or you can have superior sound, but you can’t have both. Both have their advantages in different situations. On an airplane, I’ll happily trade some sound quality to reduce the roar of those jet engines.
If you want a P7 there are plenty to choose from on eBay. You’ll want to choose wisely, of course, but you can find good deals if you are patient. Good luck!
I was given some P5 … glad it was a gift because I wouldn’t pay $300 for them. Build is great, comfort is there but sq is lacking. I paid $250 for my Sennheiser 600 at the time. No way I would pay $300 for P5s.
For sure, the P5 is no match sonically for the 600. But to be fair these were different products made for different market segments of customers who have wildly different preferences. The P5 was a portable headphone made to have a sleek, stylish profile that would give you very good sound no matter what device you plugged them. But the obvious assumption was you’d plug them into your iPhone, iPad or MacBook. The Sennheiser 600 was made for audio engineers who needed as neutral a sound signature as possible, and the assumption was they would be plugged into a very expensive computer audio I/O device or a mixing console, or maybe a high end preamp or receiver.
Thank you so much for this fantastic video!
I bought mine P7 Wireless new for 300 just before they stopped selling them 6 years ago.
I bought the Px8 now and expected an advanced sound, but the P7 is sounding so much better (natural, clear, detailled) compared to the kind of dull/ artificial sound of the Px8 (even without ANC).
That confused me a lot, because the Px8 is praised everywhere for its sound as the P7 was back then.
And I dont have audio-knowledge, so I have to rely on that.
Now I really appreciate my P7 even more, especially after that video :)
Maybe I should search for another P7 as long as they are easily available second hand.
Again thank you so much for this incredible video.
Best regards from Germany :)
Thanks very much and I’m glad you enjoyed the review. Your experience with the P8 is proof that audio gear experiences are all subjective and what might be perfect for somebody else may not be for you, and vice versa. You are 100% right to trust your own ears and decide for yourself (and your wallet) what is right for you! Happy Holidays!
Great video! I can confirm a lot of what you said. I paid full retail for mine back in early 2014 and still use them. They are still in excellent condition with no leather peeling/discoloration, no loose stitches, and obviously no broken plastic nonsense. The leather is still soft too. The only issue I've had is that the glue from the pads likes to seep out over time and it makes the pads hard to remove and when you do get them off there's a bunch of sticky glue residue where the pad meets the rest of the headphone, which doesn't look great but you can't see it when the pads are attached. I've replaced the pads and haven't yet removed the new ones, so not sure if they fixed that. I'd say they were my introduction into the higher end of headphones and I have gotten more than my money's worth.
I think they still sound great, although these days I do run them with eq mostly to tame the bass a little. The stock tuning has a little more rumble than I generally prefer, but I enjoy the mids and treble. The treble is especially nice because while the headphone overall is tilted a bit to the warm side, the treble doesn't get lost. It has enough shimmer to be satisfying. The mids are actually pretty neutral, which I like. Overall they present a pretty impressive amount of detail especially considering they're 10 years old and were targeted to the average consumer, not to the boutique audiophile crowd. They do really shine with good recordings, but aren't too punishing for lesser ones. I use them at my computer running off a JDS Atom stack and they get plenty of time listening to music, gaming, and watching movies. Really happy with them.
Also, the arms/hinges are stainless steel and the dark metal part of the cup that has the brand on it is aluminum, as far as I remember. Couldn't ask for nicer materials, and they've stood the test of time on my pair.
i still have the b&w p7, long ago someone got their p3 to work and i listened to it, i instantly liked the sound, in combination with a fiio x5. after my denon headphones where broken i bought the p7. i still like them after 9 years,
Still have mine for over a decade now! I always go back to it! It so musical i love it.
My other headphones are 660s, focal radiance, meze 109 pro, p9 signature...
I remember seeing these P3/P5/P7 headphones in the store in the early 2010s and their design always stuck with me. Recently I bought a P3 in perfect condition for a fraction of the original price, much like you're describing in your video. Now I'm looking into the P7. These headphones are truly a steal nowadays!
I like the P3's a lot. As I mentioned in the video I have a set and they are probably one of the very best on-ear headphones I've ever tried. The P7 is definitely "From The League Above" and if you can find a set in good condition like I did it's just a no-brainer. Good luck with your P7 hunt!
I have the P7 Wireless, and loved them until they developed a buzz in the right channel at high volume, and I needed better mics. So I purchased the PX7S2 a week after they came out. A year later the leatherette started pulling away from the earcups and the headband. I've been waiting a month to get the replacement sent, which forced me to pull out the old P7's and I was shocked that the batteries were still fully charged after more than a year of being in a drawer. I've been loving the P7's again. They are like cadillacs for your head, the leather is still in great shape. The sound is so great, kind of like my old Adcom systems. Maybe a little high on bass for some people but I like bottom end. Image and detail is amazing. I am going to see if I can sort out the buzz in the right channel and use them again. The build is so good. PX7S2...not so much. Perhaps they sorted out the massive adhesive failure I experienced with the PX7S2e.
Which one do you think sounds better🤔
I still have this model and it still sounds great. The leather case has already deteriorated (I still remember that new-leather smell), but the headphones themselves still looks and functions well.
I have a P7 from ebay and I am very happy with them. Please keep your momentum and make new videos! Speaking of Momentum, could you make a video about Senheisser Momentum wired over ears? They seem to be designed too to use sources like phones. Nowadays you can still buy high end phones with 3.5 mm jack (Asus Rog 6 for example) and it is my favourite way of enjoying music. Thanks a lot for that video!
Thanks for the informative video. I've been eyeing a pair on the secondary market. I might just go for for them after your endorsement. Cheers Geoffrey
My pleasure and good luck with your search!
Thank you for your very informative video. I think I'm lucky because after the video I started looking for a P7 in excellent condition. I bought one on Vinted for €50.. it's the best deal I've made in headphones. It's being delivered, I can't wait to test it. I have the impression that the old B&W models are better than the Pxs2 and Px8... I recently bought a PX (the first) and what a classic!!! I expect a lot from this P7 especially since there are no electronics and it has carbon transducers.. like the px8.. The finish is also better on the older models. All this to say that you should favor older models, they are better deals.
What mic did you use? Your voice sounded so good.
I have the p3 and still in great condition esp the leather and its not I dont use them I do esp as I am bad at sleeping so use them to help me sleep , so I can vouch the leather is durable and they still sound loud and amazing for such a small headphones, I have just bought a pair of PX7 S2e whilst they look amazing it really shocks me they dont use letter but rather then the pleather so cant see these lasting I had a gaming head set that the pleather broke up in bits after a few years. The sound of the Px7 S2e are crisp but find them not as loud for some reason maybe its a silly health and safety issue ? I wonder which is the better sound ? for me nothing wrong with old school headphones those oldies were made to last and sound great
So true...!! (hey, do you happend to have the link of the original pouch? and Ear pads?)
Here you go…
bowerswilkins.encompass.com/model/BWLP7HEADPHONES
I have a B&W P7 and a Sennheiser HD-650.
I carefully hold the HD 650 box as I can eventually sell it for any reason.
But I really don't care about box, bag or other bells and whistles from P7 because I will NEVER sell it.
HD-650 is a excellent headphone (but just while there's no any other better model)
P7, in the other hand, is a headphone for life.
my P7 fell apart that metal part that goes down to the driver failed. But hey, after 10 years, Nothing last forever.
Yep. The older I get the more I realize that is sadly true - nothing lasts forever. 10 years is a good run though!
ive got these and the px7 s2, and I prefer theze
I really wish they would stop making noise cancellation because messes with the sound it’s OK on the Affordable headphones. with premium headphones should have an option to turn it off.
Agreed. Right now you can have either noise cancellation or you can have superior sound, but you can’t have both. Both have their advantages in different situations. On an airplane, I’ll happily trade some sound quality to reduce the roar of those jet engines.
I have the p5, sound stage is great! now want a p7 but discontinued. Love the old school plug and play so don’t like the px7
If you want a P7 there are plenty to choose from on eBay. You’ll want to choose wisely, of course, but you can find good deals if you are patient. Good luck!
I was given some P5 … glad it was a gift because I wouldn’t pay $300 for them. Build is great, comfort is there but sq is lacking. I paid $250 for my Sennheiser 600 at the time. No way I would pay $300 for P5s.
For sure, the P5 is no match sonically for the 600. But to be fair these were different products made for different market segments of customers who have wildly different preferences. The P5 was a portable headphone made to have a sleek, stylish profile that would give you very good sound no matter what device you plugged them. But the obvious assumption was you’d plug them into your iPhone, iPad or MacBook. The Sennheiser 600 was made for audio engineers who needed as neutral a sound signature as possible, and the assumption was they would be plugged into a very expensive computer audio I/O device or a mixing console, or maybe a high end preamp or receiver.