Battle of the ANC Titans: B&W Px7 S3 vs Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra – Ultimate 2025 Showdown

In the world of premium noise-canceling headphones, three names dominate the conversation in 2025: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, Sony WH-1000XM6, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Each of these flagship wireless headphones promises top-tier audio performance, cutting-edge Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and a suite of smart features for the discerning listener. In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll pit these ANC titans against each other across every key aspect – from sound quality and noise-cancelling prowess to comfort, battery life, and beyond. By the end, you’ll know how they stack up, what experts say, and what the future holds for each brand. Let’s dive into the showdown of 2025’s best headphones and see which one emerges on top.

Audio Performance (Clarity, Bass, Mids, Highs)

All three models deliver premium sound, but each has its own sonic character and strengths:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: The Px7 S3 offers a balanced, dynamic, and engaging sound that many audiophiles will love. TechRadar’s reviewer even called it “balanced, entertaining and thoroughly convincing,” ranking it among B&W’s best products pound-for-pound techradar.com techradar.com. It produces punchy bass and clear highs, thanks to newly redesigned 40mm bio-cellulose drivers with discrete amplifiers techradar.com. Notably, the Px7 S3’s tuning is on the bassier side – SoundGuys report it’s “definitely bassier than most” headphones, a love-it-or-hate-it sound profile that emphasizes low-end warmth soundguys.com. This unconventional tuning means the Px7 S3 may not sound strictly neutral, but it delivers a spacious and immersive presentation that many listeners find engaging soundguys.com soundguys.com. In fact, the soundstage is impressively open and 3D-like, which can make music and movies feel more lifelike. Overall clarity is high, and detail retrieval is excellent – TechRadar says “in every respect, the Px7 S3 impress” for sound quality techradar.com. Just be aware that its heavy bass tilt might not suit those seeking a flat studio reference sound soundguys.com, although most people will enjoy its rich, lively audio.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony’s latest WH-1000XM6 delivers a warm, vibrant sound signature with emphatic bass. According to Rtings’ measurements, the XM6’s bass is about +5 dB above neutral, giving music a full-bodied punch rtings.com. Despite the strong bass, the midrange and treble remain well-balanced – Sony manages to preserve exceptional detail and clarity in vocals and highs whathifi.com. In fact, What Hi-Fi praises the WH-1000XM6 for its “exceptional levels of detail” and “spacious, musical sound,” saying the audio quality “can match anything at this level” whathifi.com. The headphones produce a great sense of dynamism and rhythm, handling everything from deep sub-bass to sparkling highs without distortion. The soundstage is reasonably wide for closed-back cans, and instrumentation is well-separated, contributing to an enjoyable, immersive listening experience. Simply put, the XM6 sounds “simply sensational”, with a fun yet refined tuning that appeals to casual listeners and audiophiles alike whathifi.com. Sony also includes DSEE Extreme upscaling and 360 Reality Audio support for those using compatible services, further enhancing the listening experience. Unless you absolutely require a completely flat response, the XM6’s engaging sound – rich bass, clear mids, and smooth treble – is likely to impress.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Historically, Bose favored comfort and ANC over audiophile sound, but the QuietComfort Ultra is Bose’s best-sounding headphone to date theguardian.com. The audio is punchy and detailed across the spectrum, with a slight emphasis on bass to keep things lively theguardian.com. That bass boost (roughly +2 dB according to Rtings) gives music warmth and depth without overwhelming the mids rtings.com rtings.com. Meanwhile, the treble is balanced, avoiding harshness and allowing vocals and instruments to come through clearly. The result is a clean, crisp sound that remains distortion-free even at low volumes – a hallmark of Bose’s relatively neutral tuning theguardian.com. “They still have the firm’s rather clinical sound,” notes The Guardian, which means the QC Ultra aims for accuracy and clarity over added color theguardian.com. This pays off in that you can listen at low volume without losing detail theguardian.com. In head-to-head comparisons, Bose’s sound quality is excellent but slightly behind the very best in class – the QC Ultra “will not beat Sennheiser or Sony on pure sound quality,” one expert noted theguardian.com. Still, unless you’re critically listening for the last word in fidelity, you’ll find the QC Ultra delivers a very satisfying audio experience with rich bass, natural mids, and crisp highs. It also supports Bose’s Immersive Audio (spatial audio) feature: when enabled, it can simulate a wide “speaker-like” soundstage with head-tracking, which works great for movies and some music genres theguardian.com theguardian.com. Bottom line – Bose finally marries its legendary noise cancellation with equally commendable sound.

Active Noise Cancellation Effectiveness

One of the biggest selling points of these headphones is how well they can hush the outside world. All three excel at ANC, but Bose and Sony remain a notch ahead in this department:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: With the Px7 S3, B&W introduced a new “bespoke” ANC system, and it’s surprisingly effective. SoundGuys found the PX7 S3 “solidly within the conversation of really good ANC headphones,” able to compete toe-to-toe with Sony and Bose’s flagships soundguys.com. It significantly reduces ambient noise on planes, trains, and city streets, especially thanks to the headphone’s excellent passive isolation. The thick memory-foam ear pads form a tight seal that physically blocks a lot of noise before the electronics even kick in soundguys.com. This strong seal maximizes the ANC performance, helping the Px7 S3 attenuate a broad range of frequencies. In practice, that means engine rumbles, road noise, and low droning sounds are greatly diminished, and even voices and higher-pitched noises are softened. While the Px7 S3’s noise canceling is very impressive, it may be just a touch behind the absolute market leaders in certain scenarios. SoundGuys notes you might find it “lagging in peak noise” reduction compared to the best of Bose/Sony soundguys.com. For example, Bose’s system still handles sudden sounds (like people talking or loud transients) a bit better. But for most users, the difference is minor – the Px7 S3 brings B&W into the top tier of ANC. It also offers an adjustable Transparency mode (ambient mode) so you can let outside sound in when needed. Overall, B&W has gone from an ANC underdog to a serious contender with the PX7 S3’s effective noise cancelling techradar.com.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony has been king of ANC for years, and the WH-1000XM6 further cements that reputation. Equipped with Sony’s new QN3 processor and an array of 12 microphones (four more than the XM5), the XM6’s noise cancellation is nothing short of superb techradar.com. Sony claims the QN3 chip is seven times more powerful than the previous gen, enabling it to cancel a wider range of frequencies and respond faster to environmental noise changes techradar.com. In real-world use, the XM6 can “easily reduce environmental noise from airplane engines or chattering commuters,” as Rtings notes rtings.com. Low-frequency rumbles virtually vanish, and higher-frequency sounds (voices, clacking keyboards, etc.) are greatly muted. In fact, What Hi-Fi reports the XM6’s ANC is “excellent” and among the best, only rivaled by Bose whathifi.com. The headphones also adapt to your surroundings – Sony’s Adaptive Sound Control can automatically adjust ANC level based on your activity or location (e.g., less cancellation when walking outside for safety, maximum cancellation on a noisy train). With “incredible noise attenuation,” the XM6 makes a loud environment blissfully quiet rtings.com. It even handles wind noise better than many; however, in very gusty conditions you might still hear some rustle (a common ANC challenge). Sony also provides a very natural Ambient Sound mode that you can trigger with a simple hand-over-ear gesture for an instant conversation or awareness of announcements. All told, the WH-1000XM6 stands at the top of the class for ANC effectiveness, neck-and-neck with Bose for the crown of quiet.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose practically invented consumer ANC, and the QuietComfort Ultra headphones deliver market-leading noise cancelling performance theguardian.com. Reviewers have been amazed at how effectively these cans create a silent bubble. The QC Ultra’s ANC excels not only at the steady low-frequency noises (airplane engines, traffic rumble) but also at handling sudden or higher-pitched sounds like chatter – areas where even Sony can struggle theguardian.com. The Guardian states Bose’s new system “handles sudden and higher tones such as chatter better than anyone else,” and calls the noise cancellation “top-class” theguardian.com. In measurements, the QC Ultra can reduce overall external noise by about 87%, which is an outstanding figure soundguys.com. When you wear these on a busy street or during a commute, things like bus engines, train screeches, and loud HVAC hums just fade away to near-inaudibility soundguys.com. Bose also finally introduced an improved Aware Mode (transparency) that sounds very natural theguardian.com. In Aware Mode, you can hear ambient sound almost as if you weren’t wearing headphones, and Bose even added a feature to dampen sudden loud sounds (like a honking horn or screeching subway brakes) so they don’t startle you theguardian.com. This gives you awareness without the discomfort of unexpected noise spikes – similar to Apple’s adaptive transparency tech. With up to seven adjustable ANC modes in the Bose Music app, you can customize profiles (e.g., commute, office, home) and toggle easily. The consensus is that Bose slightly edges out Sony in ANC: it’s a close race, but Bose’s consistency and comfort under all noise conditions are superb theguardian.com. If absolute silence is your priority, the QuietComfort Ultra will not disappoint.

Comfort and Build Quality

Long listening sessions demand comfort, and build quality is key for longevity. Here’s how each model fares in fit and finish:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: The Px7 S3 exudes luxury and solid build quality. B&W has used premium materials – memory foam earpads, fabric and leather trims, and impeccably finished metal components – giving these headphones a high-end feel techradar.com techradar.com. TechRadar praises the “undeniable pride of ownership” you get with the Px7 S3’s design and finish techradar.com. They feel robust and durable, yet not overly heavy considering the materials (about 300g in weight soundguys.com). Comfort is generally very good: the ear cups have thick cushions that distribute pressure evenly, and the headband is well-padded (and even user-replaceable, a nice touch for longevity soundguys.com). Most users will find the clamp pressure moderate – enough to stay secure but not clamp too hard. However, some reports mention a “variable fit” issue soundguys.com: due to the earcups being slightly shallower and the drivers angled, you might need to adjust them to find the optimal seal and comfort on your head. People with larger ears or those who wear glasses might need a little fiddling to get the perfect fit (the ear pads are spacious, but not quite as deep as Bose’s). Once properly adjusted, the Px7 S3 is comfortable for hours, and B&W’s redesign in this S3 model made the profile slimmer and less bulky-looking than before techradar.com. They don’t fold up, but the cups do rotate flat for storage in the included sturdy travel case soundguys.com. In summary: the Px7 S3 offers a premium build and very good comfort, though it’s marginally heavier and possibly a bit less universally “forget-it’s-on-your-head” comfortable than the lighter Bose.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony’s XM6 is designed with comfort in mind for long listening. Weighing roughly 250 grams, it’s lightweight and exerts minimal clamping force rtings.com. Sony actually widened the top of the headband in this generation for better weight distribution, and uses plush memory foam padding on the band and earcups techradar.com. The result is a headset that many reviewers have called extremely comfortable – you can wear it for a 10-hour flight without soreness. Rtings notes the XM6’s light weight and gentle clamp make it “a piece of cake to wear … for extended periods of time” rtings.com. Even folks with glasses have reported the ear pads are soft enough not to pinch too hard (Sony also slightly increased the earcup interior size compared to XM5). Build-quality-wise, the WH-1000XM6 is well-made but leans towards practical rather than luxury. The construction uses high-quality plastics (including some recycled plastic fiber) which keep it light. The hinges and sliders are sturdy, and unlike the XM5, the XM6’s hinges allow it to fold up compactly for travel techradar.com. The carrying case is now slimmer with a handy magnetic clasp instead of a zipper techradar.com. While it doesn’t have metal or leather trim, it feels solid and should handle daily use easily. Available in black, silver, or blue, the XM6 looks sleek and modern, if a bit understated. One notable usability perk: the XM6 is stable for normal use, but like many over-ears, it’s not very secure for intense movement – it can slip off if you’re doing vigorous exercise, due to the loose clamp designed for comfort rtings.com rtings.com. Overall, Sony nails comfort with soft materials and light weight, and the build quality, while not flashy, is proven and durable.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose didn’t name these “QuietComfort” for nothing – they are arguably the most comfortable of the bunch. At about 250g (similar to the Sony), the QC Ultra have plush, pillow-soft ear cushions and a well-padded headband covered in supple faux leather theguardian.com. The clamping force is gentle, and the ear cups articulate and swivel to conform to your head shape. The Guardian’s reviewer went so far as to say, “They are easily the most comfortable set of headphones I’ve had the pleasure to wear, stealing the crown from Sennheiser’s Momentum 4.” theguardian.com. For all-day wear, Bose is hard to beat – there’s minimal pressure on the ears, and the spacious oval earcup design means your ears don’t touch the drivers. Bose also pays attention to little comfort details: for example, the ear cups tilt and rotate enough to accommodate various head sizes and jawlines without creating gaps theguardian.com. Build quality is excellent in a practical sense: the frame uses metal hinges and aluminum yokes for durability (the arms smoothly slide in and out of the headband with a quality feel theguardian.com), and the rest is high-grade plastic to keep weight down. The design is a refined evolution of the classic Bose look – not as flashy as B&W, but polished and sleek, available in Black, White Smoke, and limited-edition colors like Lunar Blue soundguys.com soundguys.com. The headphones fold up for travel, and come with a slim hard case that easily slips into a bag theguardian.com. Notably, Bose’s ear pads and headband aren’t user-replaceable via Bose (though third-party pads likely will appear), and Bose doesn’t offer a replaceable battery, which has implications for long-term lifespan theguardian.com theguardian.com. But in terms of daily use, comfort and build are top-notch: these feel high-quality and disappear on your head during use. Even during extended work sessions or intercontinental flights, the QuietComfort Ultra lives up to its name by keeping you at ease the whole time.

Battery Life and Charging

Nothing kills the joy of wireless headphones faster than a dead battery. Fortunately, all three models offer strong battery performance with quick-charging abilities – though there are some differences:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: The Px7 S3 boasts an impressive 30 hours of battery life with ANC turned on techradar.com techradar.com. That means you can get through several work days or a long-haul flight without needing to recharge. If you turn noise cancelling off, you might squeeze out a bit more time, but 30 hours with ANC is already competitive. When you do need to recharge, the Px7 S3 uses USB-C and supports fast charging – according to B&W, a 15-minute quick charge gives about 7 hours of listening soundguys.com. In practical terms, a short coffee-break charge can top you up for a cross-town flight or a lengthy playlist. A full charge is achieved in roughly 2 hours. One thing to note: unlike the Sony, you cannot listen via USB-C (digital audio) while charging on the Px7 S3 – the USB-C port on B&W is for charging and optional audio input from a computer, but not simultaneously both (and B&W supports wired audio via a 3.5mm analog jack as well). Battery life is ample enough that this likely won’t be a problem for most. Also, the Px7 S3’s auto standby features help conserve battery – they will go into standby after a period of inactivity and have wear sensors to auto-pause music when you take them off, helping stretch time between charges theguardian.com techradar.com. In short, B&W gives you all-day (and then some) power and quick top-ups for extended use.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony pushed battery performance even further. The WH-1000XM6 is rated at 30 hours with ANC on, similar to B&W, but in real tests it even exceeded that – Rtings measured about 31.7 hours of continuous playback with ANC rtings.com. If you turn ANC off, Sony claims up to 40 hours of listening on one charge techradar.com. This means the XM6 can handle ultra-long flights or a week of commuting on a single charge. Charging is via USB-C, and Sony has one of the fastest quick-charge systems: just 3 minutes of charging yields about 3 hours of playback techradar.com. This is extremely convenient if you’re about to dash out the door and realize your battery is low – a few minutes plugged in can carry you through a good chunk of a day. A full charge takes approximately 1.5–2 hours. Uniquely, the WH-1000XM6 also allows listening while charging (a feature Sony added with this model) techradar.com – you can plug into USB power and continue using the headphones, which is great if you’re stuck at your desk and want to keep listening. Like the others, the XM6 has auto-off timers and wear detection to save power (it will auto-pause when removed, and you can configure an auto-off in the app when not in use) rtings.com rtings.com. With its combination of long endurance and super quick-charging, the Sony is a winner for battery life. It’s one of those headphones that you charge infrequently and, even when you do, a short charge goes a long way.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose rates the QuietComfort Ultra at up to 24 hours of playback with ANC (and about 18 hours if you use the Immersive Audio spatial mode) theguardian.com. By spec, that’s a bit lower than Sony and B&W, but still enough for all-day listening. In real-world use, many reviewers found the battery life solid – SoundGuys measured about 27.5 hours of continuous playback in standard ANC mode soundguys.com, which slightly exceeds Bose’s conservative rating. It appears Bose’s 24-hour claim is on the safe side (things like volume level can affect results). Still, compared to the ~30 hours of its rivals, the Bose falls short by a few hours. In practice this “shortfall” means you might need to charge a bit more frequently – e.g., every couple of days with heavy use, rather than every 3–4 days. Charging is via USB-C, and Bose supports quick-charge, though not as aggressively as Sony. A 15-minute charge gives around 2.5 hours of listening time according to Bose soundguys.com. That’s enough to get you through a decent commute or a movie. A full charge takes around 2–3 hours. One missing feature: you cannot play music via the USB-C port (no USB audio) – the port is charging-only soundguys.com soundguys.com. So you can’t use them as a USB headset; however, you can listen wired using the included 2.5mm-to-3.5mm analog cable if the battery dies (in passive mode, albeit without the mics active). The QC Ultra also conserves battery with smart features: it will auto-pause when you take them off and has user-configurable timers (e.g., auto-off after X hours of inactivity) theguardian.com. While Bose’s battery life is the lowest here, it’s still solid 24+ hour performance, and most importantly, you get the benefit of class-leading ANC throughout those hours. Heavy travelers might notice the difference on ultra-long trips, but for the majority of use cases, Bose provides ample battery life with convenient fast-charging to back it up.

Smart Features and App Support

Modern premium headphones are more than just audio devices – they come with companion apps and smart features that enhance the user experience. Each of these models integrates with a smartphone app and offers unique tricks:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: B&W offers the “Bowers & Wilkins Music” app as the companion for the Px7 S3. The app provides control over key features: you can toggle between ANC On/Off and Transparency mode, adjust the wear sensor sensitivity (for auto-pause), check battery level, and customize the function of the physical “Quick Action” button (choose between cycling noise cancelling modes or summoning your device’s voice assistant) techradar.com techradar.com. Notably, B&W includes a five-band EQ in the app, with the ability to save custom presets techradar.com. This EQ lets you fine-tune bass, mids, and treble to your liking, or you can use B&W’s pre-made sound profiles (including their recommended “True Sound” setting) techradar.com. While five bands isn’t the most granular EQ ever, it’s a welcome addition – older B&W models had more limited tone controls, so this addresses that “limited EQ” criticism soundguys.com. The Px7 S3 supports standard voice assistants (Google Assistant or Siri, etc.) via your connected device – you can trigger it with the button or a long press depending on settings techradar.com. As for other smart features, the Px7 S3 focuses on simplicity and core functionality. It does not offer exotic extras like spatial head-tracking out of the box (though B&W has promised a firmware update for spatial audio support in the future – more on that later). It also lacks things like “find my headphones” or location-based sound profiles that some competitors have. However, what it does, it does well: the app is straightforward and easy to use, and importantly, it’s cross-platform (available on iOS and Android). You’ll get firmware updates through the app, ensuring your Px7 S3 can receive new features and improvements over time techradar.com. A final note: unlike Sony or Bose, B&W doesn’t have a speak-to-chat or adaptive ANC feature, so you’ll manually toggle modes as needed. The emphasis is on high-quality sound and ANC with minimal gimmicks – a philosophy some users actually prefer if they want to “set and forget” their headphone settings.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony’s Headphones Connect app is one of the most feature-rich on the market, and it unlocks a plethora of smart features on the WH-1000XM6. Through the app (on iOS or Android), you can customize the 10-band equalizer (Sony provides several presets and you can create your own custom EQ curves, including an extra bass adjust called “Clear Bass”). You can also enable 360 Reality Audio setup for supported music services, run the personal noise-cancellation optimizer (which can tune ANC based on atmospheric pressure and your ear shape), and configure Adaptive Sound Control. Adaptive Sound Control is a standout Sony feature: the XM6 can automatically detect if you’re stationary, walking, running, or traveling, and adjust ANC/ambient settings accordingly. For example, you might set it to full ANC when you’re sitting at your desk, but transparency mode when walking outside – the headphones will switch modes by themselves based on motion or even location triggers. The XM6 also supports Speak-to-Chat, an ingenious smart feature where the headphones recognize when you start talking and automatically pause your music and turn on ambient sound, letting you have a quick conversation without touching any controls. The moment you start speaking to someone, your music stops – and it resumes a few seconds after you finish speaking techradar.com. Additionally, Sony introduced head gesture controls for calls: with the XM6, you can nod your head to accept a call or shake your head to decline, a futuristic touch that some users find handy rtings.com. The app allows you to turn this on/off. Other app features include customizing the function of the NC/Ambient button (you can use it for voice assistant if you prefer), toggling the “Quick Attention” mode (hand over earcup to hear outside sounds), setting the auto-off timer, and more rtings.com rtings.com. Sony’s integration with voice assistants is also seamless: you can use Alexa or Google Assistant with wake-word detection if you grant the proper permissions, effectively turning the XM6 into a hands-free assistant (for example, you can just say “Hey Google” while wearing them to get assistance). Firmware updates are delivered through the app as well. In summary, the XM6 is packed with smart features – some might say nearly feature-overloaded – but you have the freedom to use or ignore them. The Headphones Connect app gives granular control, making the Sony a tech-lover’s delight with its adaptive sound profiles, customizable EQ, spatial audio and other bells and whistles.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose’s companion software is the Bose Music app, and while it’s more minimalistic than Sony’s, it covers the essential smart features for the QC Ultra. In the app, you can adjust the level of noise cancellation (Bose lets you set presets – up to seven ANC modes from full Quiet to full Aware, and you can cycle through your favorites via the button) theguardian.com. The app also controls the Immersive Audio settings – you can toggle spatial audio on/off and choose between “Still” or “Motion” modes for head-tracking (Still mode anchors the sound in space, Motion turns off head-tracking) theguardian.com. There’s a basic 3-band equalizer (bass, mid, treble sliders) but it’s pretty bare-bones; as noted, Bose’s EQ options are limited, and one reviewer quipped that other brands’ EQs “run circles around” Bose’s soundguys.com. So, if you love fine-tuning your sound signature, Bose’s app might disappoint – you get just simple tone adjustments. On the plus side, Bose’s app is clean and easy to use, without the need to babysit too many settings. It also handles firmware updates, which Bose sometimes distributes via an alternative web-based updater (useful if you don’t want the app). Bose has a neat feature where you can long-press the new capacitive volume slider as a shortcut – in the app you can assign that long-press to report battery level, skip a track, change ANC mode, launch Spotify, etc., which adds a bit of customizability to the lone touch control soundguys.com soundguys.com. Voice assistant integration is available too: by default, a long press on the multi-function button will summon Siri or Google Assistant on your device (you select your preference in the app). The QC Ultra also supports Bluetooth multipoint out of the box, so it can be connected to two devices simultaneously, and the Bose Music app will list your paired devices making it easier to switch if needed. One cutting-edge feature: Bose includes CustomTune, an automatic sound calibration that plays a test tone whenever you put the headphones on to optimize the ANC and EQ for your ear shape rtings.com. This all happens in the background (no user action needed) and helps ensure consistent sound and noise cancelling performance each time. Overall, Bose’s approach to smart features is straightforward and focused – perhaps less “sexy tech” than Sony, but highly effective where it counts (noise cancelling modes, simple EQ, and immersive audio for those who want it).

Controls and Usability

How you interact with your headphones is important for daily convenience. Each of these models has a different control scheme – from touch gestures to physical buttons – and unique usability perks:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: The Px7 S3 opts for a traditional button-based control scheme, which many users appreciate for its reliability. On one earcup, you’ll find physical buttons for volume up, volume down, and a multi-function button (which handles play/pause with a single press, track skips with double/triple presses, and answering/ending calls) theguardian.com. There is also a dedicated button to toggle ANC modes (you can cycle between ANC On/Transparency/Off by default, or repurpose that button as a voice assistant trigger via the app) techradar.com. The power button is a sliding switch – slide it on, and slide further to initiate Bluetooth pairing mode. The advantage of this setup is that you get tactile feedback and you’re unlikely to accidentally trigger something, which can happen with touch sensors. The downside is that the Px7 S3 lacks a couple of functions on the hardware: for example, there’s no separate track forward/back button (though you can skip tracks by double-pressing the multi-function, which some find a bit fiddly) techradar.com. TechRadar did note that a physical skip control was missing and would have been nice techradar.com. The Px7 S3 does have wear detection: take the headphones off and your music pauses automatically, put them back on and it resumes – a very handy usability feature that becomes second nature theguardian.com. The auto-pause can be toggled or its sensitivity adjusted in the app, which is good because not everyone likes it ultra-sensitive. Overall, using the Px7 S3 is straightforward: click real buttons for volume and playback, flip a switch for power, and that’s it. No swipes or taps to memorize. This simplicity, combined with excellent build, makes the user experience largely frustration-free (as SoundGuys put it, the PX7 S3 is “fairly frustration-free from a build standpoint,” designed to reduce friction in your daily use soundguys.com). The only learning curve is finding the right button by feel, but the buttons are well-spaced and distinct to help with that.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: The WH-1000XM6 primarily uses capacitive touch controls on the right earcup for most interactions. The touch panel lets you tap or swipe: tap once to play/pause, double-tap to answer calls, swipe up/down for volume control, and swipe forward/back for track skipping. This touch system is intuitive and has been refined over multiple Sony generations – it generally responds accurately to intended gestures. Additionally, Sony includes a very useful gesture: covering the right earcup with your hand will instantly lower volume and pipe in ambient sound (“Quick Attention” mode), allowing you to hear someone speaking to you or an announcement, then resuming ANC and volume when you remove your hand techradar.com. On the left earcup, Sony provides two physical buttons: a power/Bluetooth button and a NC/AMB button (which by default toggles noise cancelling/ambient modes, but as mentioned you can set it to trigger voice assistant if desired) techradar.com. The combination of touch and buttons works brilliantly – you use touch for everyday playback adjustments and volume, and the tactile buttons for power and switching ANC modes without fiddling with your phone. Usability highlights for Sony include the previously mentioned Speak-to-Chat (start talking and the headphones auto-pause music and enter ambient mode – no need to even cover the earcup) and the new head gestures feature to manage calls (nod to accept, shake to decline calls) rtings.com. Sony also supports multipoint connectivity, and switching between two paired devices is seamless for things like taking a call on your phone then resuming music on your laptop. One thing to be mindful of: touch controls can sometimes be triggered by rain or if you accidentally brush the earcup when adjusting fit – but Sony’s firmware has improved resistance to accidental touches and you can always disable touch input via the app if needed. The XM6’s controls are highly usable and feature-rich, striking a good balance between modern touch convenience and essential physical buttons. The learning curve is minor (a quick tutorial in the app can guide you), and many users find the gestures become muscle memory quickly.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose has taken a hybrid approach to controls on the QC Ultra. There are two physical buttons and one touch-sensitive volume strip. On the right earcup, you have a multi-function button and a Power/Bluetooth button. The multi-function button handles play/pause (single press), track forward (double press), track back (triple press), and summons your voice assistant if you press-and-hold theguardian.com. It also is used for call management (answer/end calls). The Power/Bluetooth button, when tapped while on, will cycle through your paired devices and even announce their names as it switches, which reviewers found very handy for multi-device juggling theguardian.com. A long press of that power button turns the unit on/off or triggers pairing mode. For volume, Bose introduced a capacitive touch slider on the front edge of the right earcup – you slide your finger up or down along this strip to adjust volume smoothly theguardian.com. The volume strip is quite intuitive and even works with gloves (touchscreen-friendly gloves at least) theguardian.com. A long press on the volume strip acts as a user-programmable shortcut (set in the app) – for example, by default it might change the Immersive Audio mode or you can set it to report battery level or skip tracks soundguys.com. To change noise cancelling modes, Bose expects you to use the multi-function button press-and-hold – by holding it, you cycle between Quiet (ANC) and Aware (transparency) by default, or through whatever custom modes you set in the app theguardian.com. In practice, users have found the Bose control scheme easy and reliable. There’s no giant touchpad to accidentally swipe, and the buttons are low-profile but discernible by touch. Bose’s wear detection also contributes to usability: take the headphones off and they’ll auto-pause; they also intelligently go into standby after 10 minutes off your head, and fully power down after 24 hours of not being used (to save battery) theguardian.com. These settings can be tweaked. One caveat: because Bose uses a 2.5mm jack for wired listening and doesn’t allow USB audio, if you plug them in to charge and want to listen simultaneously, you’d have to use the analog cable (they can play while charging in wired mode, but not via Bluetooth). On the whole, Bose’s controls marry the familiarity of buttons with a modern volume slider, and the audible voice prompts (like device name announcements and battery level on startup) make the user experience very user-friendly. As one reviewer summarized, the controls are responsive and well thought out – even the volume strip works with cold fingers or gloves, which many touch controls do not theguardian.com.

Design and Aesthetics

Style is subjective, but there are noticeable design differences among these three headphones – from the look and color options to portability considerations:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: The Px7 S3 embodies the classic British hi-fi aesthetic that B&W is known for. These headphones have a premium, sophisticated look, with textured fabric covers on the earcups, metal accents, and tasteful branding. They come in a range of elegant colors (at launch B&W offered colors like black, blue, and gray; some sources mention white as well techradar.com). The design is a bit slimmer than previous Px7 models – B&W reduced the earcup depth so they don’t stick out as much, avoiding the “Cyberman” wide-head look that older versions had techradar.com. While not as slim as ultra-sleek designs like the Apple AirPods Max, the Px7 S3 looks modern and understatedly luxurious. Build quality details stand out: the memory-foam earpads are wrapped in soft leatherette, the headband has matching fabric and padding, and the arms connecting the cups are sturdy metal. Small touches like the hidden cable compartment in the case (with a magnetic trap door) show B&W’s attention to user experience soundguys.com. The Px7 S3 doesn’t fold up, but the earcups rotate flat, and the included case is a bit larger as a result. This could be a minor drawback if saving space is key, but the case is well-made and keeps them protected. On-head, the Px7 S3 has a distinctive design that is less anonymous than the Sony or Bose – some might call it a statement piece among ANC headphones. It manages to be flashy in a classy way: the Bowers & Wilkins logo is subtly engraved, and the overall impression is of an audio enthusiast’s headphone built for both form and function. If you value premium materials and that “heirloom” feel in a headphone, the Px7 S3’s design will likely appeal to you techradar.com techradar.com.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony took an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach with the XM6’s design. At a glance, it looks quite similar to the WH-1000XM5, with clean lines and a minimalistic silhouette. Sony’s design language here is modern minimalist: smooth plastic surfaces, virtually no visible screws or metal, and available in muted colors (Black, Platinum Silver, and a new Midnight Blue) techradar.com. The major design improvement over the XM5 is the return of the folding hinge – the XM6 can collapse inward at the earcups, making it more compact for travel in its case techradar.com. This addresses a common complaint about the previous model, which couldn’t fold. The carrying case itself is a bit slimmer now and uses a magnetic flap, making it easier to access techradar.com. Aesthetically, the XM6 is subtle – it doesn’t draw much attention, which can be good if you plan to wear it in the office or on public transit without shouting “I’m wearing expensive headphones!” The earcups have a smooth matte finish that resists fingerprints. Sony also paid attention to comfort in design: the headband is thinner and more contoured at the crown, and the earcups are shaped to provide a wide contact area around the ears for stability. One might say the XM6 looks a bit plain compared to the flashier B&W or the iconic Bose design, but many appreciate its low-profile, functional style. It’s the kind of design that ages well – not trendy, just refined. The build uses high-quality plastics which keep weight down and avoid creaking (Sony’s build quality has proven reliable over multiple generations of this line). In summary, the Sony WH-1000XM6’s design is practical and sleek, prioritizing comfort and portability. It may not turn heads like a chrome-trimmed hi-fi headphone, but it’s extremely well-suited to everyday use and travel, blending into your style rather than defining it.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: The QuietComfort Ultra headphones carry forward Bose’s timeless QuietComfort design DNA, but with a premium twist. They look like an evolution of the earlier QC45 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 – clean and ergonomic. Bose has refined the look with a more premium finish: for instance, the headband and earcup cushions are covered in super-soft protein leather, and the earcup exteriors have a smooth matte surface. There are subtle metallic highlights: the extenders that connect to the earcups are metal with a nice anodized finish, adding a touch of class and durability theguardian.com. The overall shape is slightly more rounded and less utilitarian than the older QC35/QC45, which gives the QC Ultra a modern, polished appearance theguardian.com. They come in classic colors like Triple Black and White Smoke, and Bose often introduces limited colors (e.g., a pale Sandstone or a dark blue) to keep things interesting notebookcheck.net notebookcheck.net. On the head, the QC Ultra is not bulky – Bose kept the profile moderate, and the cups aren’t overly thick. They do fold up, continuing Bose’s tradition of very travel-friendly designs, and the included case is one of the slimmest among competitors while still a hard shell for protection theguardian.com. One design aspect Bose excels at is the lack of pressure points: everything that touches you is softly padded, and even the underside of the headband is designed to avoid forming a hotspot on top of your head. Aesthetic appeal is subjective, but many would agree that the QC Ultra looks refined and professional – equally at home in a business class cabin or on a subway. It doesn’t have the flashy metal of B&W or the ultra-modern vibe of Apple’s AirPods Max; instead, it’s an understated luxury. Think of it as a well-tailored suit in headphone form – meant to be comfortable and stylish without being ostentatious. Bose also considered practical design elements: for example, the earcup design helps block noise even when ANC is off (due to their shape and seal) theguardian.com, and the controls are placed flush so they maintain the clean lines. All told, the Bose QC Ultra’s design balances the iconic QuietComfort familiarity with upscale touches, resulting in headphones that look as premium as their price tag.

Bluetooth Connectivity and Codec Support

Under the hood, each headphone supports the latest Bluetooth standards and audio codecs, which affect wireless audio quality and compatibility. Here’s how they compare on connectivity features:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: The Px7 S3 uses Bluetooth 5.3 and supports advanced audio codecs geared towards high-quality music. Specifically, B&W has included the entire aptX Adaptive family of codecs, including aptX HD and aptX Lossless soundguys.com. If you have a compatible Android device (particularly those with Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound), the Px7 S3 can deliver up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio wirelessly via aptX Adaptive/aptX HD, and even theoretically lossless CD-quality audio if both source and headphone negotiate the aptX Lossless mode soundguys.com. This is a big deal for audiophiles who want the best wireless sound – it minimizes compression and latency dynamically. For devices that don’t support aptX (like iPhones), the Px7 S3 falls back to AAC, which is the best codec available on Apple gear (and it supports standard SBC as a lowest common denominator). The multipoint connectivity on the Px7 S3 allows it to be connected to two devices at once (say, your phone and laptop) – you can, for example, listen to music on a laptop and seamlessly take a call that comes in on your phone. Range-wise, with Bluetooth 5.3, you can expect a solid connection ~10 meters (33 feet) or more with line of sight. In our research, no significant connectivity issues were noted; the Px7 S3 provides a stable connection and quick pairing. It doesn’t have things like NFC pairing (which older Sony models had) but does support the standard pairing processes. B&W also plans to add Bluetooth LE Audio support (LC3 codec and Auracast broadcasting) via a firmware update techradar.com. That means the Px7 S3 is somewhat future-proofed – once updated, it could take advantage of the new LE Audio features like lower latency and broadcasting audio to multiple devices, if your phone or transmitter supports it. This makes the Px7 S3 quite advanced on the codec front, particularly for Android users who can leverage aptX Adaptive’s superior sound quality. In summary, connectivity on the B&W is cutting-edge, with high-res codec support and upcoming LE Audio, ensuring you get the most out of wireless audio quality.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony also uses Bluetooth 5.3 in the WH-1000XM6 and brings its own array of codec support. Sony’s hallmark is LDAC, a codec capable of up to 990 kbps bitrate, which can carry high-resolution audio (24-bit/96kHz) with minimal compression. LDAC is supported on most modern Android devices and provides excellent audio quality – many consider it on par with or better than aptX Adaptive, albeit with a potential stability trade-off at long range or in congested RF environments. In addition to LDAC, the XM6 supports AAC (for iOS devices) and SBC. Sony pointedly does not support aptX or aptX HD on their 1000X series (they haven’t since the XM3), so if you have an older device that for some reason only does aptX, it will likely default to SBC. However, most devices have either AAC or LDAC these days, so it’s a minor issue. New to the XM6 is support for Bluetooth LE Audio’s LC3 codec rtings.com. Sony built in LE Audio capability, which can improve efficiency and potentially allow features like better audio for voice calls or eventually Auracast broadcast reception. As of mid-2025, LE Audio is still rolling out in sources (Android began adding support), so it’s nice that the XM6 is ready for it. Rtings notes that while LC3 is supported, compatibility will depend on your source device’s implementation rtings.com. On that note, Sony has also improved Bluetooth call quality by leveraging the QN3 chip and multiple mics – the XM6 uses something called a “Precise Voice Pickup” with AI noise reduction, making it quite good for phone calls even in noisy places techradar.com. Connectivity in daily use is strong: multipoint is supported (two devices simultaneously), and Sony has Fast Pair on Android for quick one-tap pairing, as well as Swift Pair for Windows PCs. The range and stability are very good; Sony’s tuning of the antenna and Bluetooth radio has been excellent in past models and continues here – you can walk around a large room or next room over without dropouts. One limitation of LDAC to be aware of: when multipoint is active, Sony switches to SBC or AAC (because LDAC can’t be used to two devices at once). This is common for high-bitrate codecs. But if ultimate quality is desired, you can disconnect one device and stream LDAC from a single source. All considered, Sony offers top-tier wireless quality via LDAC and keeps pace with the latest standards by adding LC3. It’s a future-proof setup that ensures great audio on Android and solid compatibility on everything else.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose made a significant leap in codec support with the QuietComfort Ultra headphones. They use Bluetooth 5.3 and, for the first time in Bose’s lineup, they support Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec theguardian.com theguardian.com. This means the QC Ultra can deliver higher quality audio on devices that support aptX Adaptive, and it will even negotiate up to aptX Lossless when used with Snapdragon Sound certified phones soundguys.com soundguys.com. In fact, SoundGuys noted that “the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are one of two products that currently support aptX Lossless” (as of late 2023) soundguys.com. AptX Lossless is an extension of aptX Adaptive that can theoretically transmit audio bit-for-bit (at CD-quality 16-bit/44.1kHz) when conditions are ideal. To use aptX Lossless, you need an Android phone with at least a Snapdragon 888 or higher and the Snapdragon Sound stack soundguys.com. If those conditions aren’t met, it’ll use regular aptX Adaptive, which is still very good and dynamically adjusts between ~276 kbps to 420 kbps (and up to 960 kbps in certain modes) depending on RF conditions. For non-aptX devices, Bose supports AAC and SBC as fallback theguardian.com theguardian.com. So iPhone users get AAC (which is fine for quality though slightly higher latency), and standard devices get SBC. Beyond codec support, Bose also included Google Fast Pair for quick pairing on Android and multipoint connectivity (two devices). An interesting addition: Bose hardware is ready for Bluetooth LE Audio and the upcoming LC3 codec. The Guardian reported that the QC Ultra “will support the new LC3 audio format with an update” to improve latency and quality theguardian.com. Bose’s firmware updates in early 2024 have presumably started laying groundwork for this. Another connectivity feature: Bose has “instant pairing with Android” – essentially the Fast Pair we mentioned – which makes the initial setup with a phone super simple theguardian.com. Once connected, users often comment on Bose’s rock-solid connection; it’s likely on par with Sony and B&W in terms of range (standard Class 2 Bluetooth range ~10m, with 5.3 potentially doing a bit better in clear conditions). With aptX Adaptive, latency is also improved (it can drop latency when it detects video content, for instance). Bose also supports multipoint voice prompts: using the power button, you can cycle connections and it will say “Phone connected” / “Laptop connected” etc., which takes the guesswork out of managing two devices theguardian.com. This is a usability win in connectivity. In conclusion, Bose has fully caught up with (and even surpassed) some competitors in codec support by adding aptX Adaptive/Lossless. This was a notable shift, as previous Bose models only had AAC/SBC. Now, the QC Ultra is a true high-end wireless audio device suitable for hi-fi listening on the go, and Bose is prepared for the future with LE Audio as well theguardian.com.

Ecosystem Compatibility (iOS, Android, Multi-Device Pairing)

When investing in expensive headphones, you want them to play nicely with your preferred devices and ecosystem. Here’s how each model fares in compatibility with iOS, Android, and other devices, including multi-device use:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: B&W has ensured the Px7 S3 is platform-agnostic to a large degree. It works with both iOS and Android – the B&W Music app is available on both App Store and Google Play, and core features are identical. On iOS, the Px7 S3 will use the AAC codec (since Apple devices don’t support aptX), and in our testing that yields very good audio quality (AAC at its max ~256 kbps is transparent for most listeners). On modern Android phones, you’ll likely get aptX Adaptive by default, which can offer even higher fidelity soundguys.com. The user experience on Android is enhanced if your phone supports Google Fast Pair, which simplifies initial pairing (B&W did implement Fast Pair, as indicated by Android users reporting the pop-up pairing prompt). There’s no special integration with things like Siri beyond the standard – you can trigger Siri via the headphone’s button, but it won’t, for example, auto-pause music on other devices when you take a call on an iPhone (that kind of deep integration is an Apple-exclusive with AirPods). However, thanks to multipoint, the Px7 S3 can connect to, say, a MacBook and an iPhone at the same time – if a call comes in on the iPhone while you were watching a video on the laptop, the B&W will smartly switch to the phone audio. After the call, you may have to manually press play again on the laptop, but the transition is smooth. It remembers multiple paired devices and reconnection is generally quick when you power it on (it’ll try the last connected or two). In terms of PC/console compatibility: you can use the Px7 S3 via standard Bluetooth with PCs or smart TVs; it’s just a Bluetooth audio device so compatibility is broad. If you need ultra-low latency for gaming or such, you might consider using the included 3.5mm analog cable (or waiting for LE Audio support which might help with latency). The Px7 S3’s upcoming Auracast support (broadcast audio) could be interesting for connecting to public broadcasts (like TVs in airports that eventually support Auracast) techradar.com, but that’s more of a future ecosystem perk. On the whole, B&W’s headphone will fit nicely whether you’re in the Apple ecosystem or the Android/Windows world. It doesn’t have any exclusive ties to one side (unlike AirPods’ special tricks with Apple devices), but it also means you get a consistent experience across all platforms.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony designs its headphones to work well with all devices, but Android users get a couple of extra perks while Apple users still get a solid experience. On Android, the XM6 shines: it supports Google Fast Pair, so your phone will detect it instantly and even link the headphone to your Google account for easy pairing with other Android devices logged in to that account. Additionally, Sony supports Microsoft Swift Pair for quick pairing with Windows 10/11 PCs, which is great for laptop connectivity. Android users also benefit from LDAC for high-quality music and can use the Sony Headphones Connect app fully. On iOS, you can also use the Sony app and it works fine, but the codec will be AAC (which the XM6 supports). AAC is a reliable codec on Apple hardware, so audio quality remains high. One thing to note: some iPhone users in the past had reported slightly higher latency over AAC vs aptX/LDAC, but in everyday use (music, videos) it’s usually not an issue as iOS has good AAC optimization. The XM6’s many features (EQ, adaptive sound, etc.) are available on both iOS and Android apps. Siri and Google Assistant are both supported – you can choose your preferred assistant in the app. For instance, if you’re on iPhone, you might set Siri as the default and trigger it by long-pressing the NC button or by voice (“Hey Siri” works if the assistant is active on your phone; the XM6’s mics will pick it up). Multipoint pairing is another ecosystem-convenience: the XM6 can connect to two devices simultaneously, regardless of platform. So you could have it paired to an iPad and an Android phone at once, or a PC and an iPhone, etc. It’s quite flexible. The only limitation is when using LDAC – multipoint will disable LDAC, falling back to AAC/SBC on both connections. If multipoint is off, you can get LDAC from a single device for best quality. But many will keep multipoint on for convenience. In an ecosystem context, Sony doesn’t have proprietary tie-ins like Apple’s H1/W1 chip features or Samsung’s seamless codec switching; instead, it focuses on broad compatibility. This means whether you’re using an Apple Music lossless track on an iPhone (AAC) or a hi-res FLAC on an Android (LDAC) or just Zoom on a Windows PC, the XM6 can handle it. For gamers or specialized uses: the XM6 can be used wired (3.5mm analog) to any source, which bypasses Bluetooth if needed (though note that wired analog use with the XM6 will sound different if it’s powered off – best to use it powered on for consistent sound, as passive mode has a different frequency response rtings.com). Overall, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 is highly compatible across ecosystems, giving a seamless if slightly richer experience on Android, but still very full-featured on iOS/Mac.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose has historically been very platform-neutral and focused on broad compatibility, and the QuietComfort Ultra continues that tradition, now with some added Android goodies. For Android users, Bose supports Fast Pair, making for instant setup and pairing – a tap and you’re connected. Bose also integrated with the Google Assistant and Alexa on Android; in the Bose Music app you can actually choose to have Alexa built-in (meaning the headphones themselves can trigger Alexa via voice without touching your phone). Or you can use the default assistant (Google on Android, Siri on iOS) with a button press. On iOS, Bose works great as well – AAC codec is used, and Bose’s app on iPhone has the same functions. Bose doesn’t get any of Apple’s proprietary enhancements (like head tracking with Apple’s spatial audio or auto-switching between Apple devices – those remain unique to AirPods Max/Pro), but you still get a reliable connection. If you’re in a mixed ecosystem – say an iPhone and a Windows PC – Bose’s multipoint will manage both. It can even announce the device names as you switch, which is a small but very helpful feature for juggling devices theguardian.com. For example, if you’re connected to “John’s iPhone” and “Dell Laptop”, the Bose will verbally say those names when you toggle through with the power button, so you always know which two devices are actively connected. In terms of simultaneous use, it works like others: audio will play from one source at a time, and if a call comes in on your phone while you’re streaming music from your laptop, the headphones will intelligently prioritize the phone call. Users who move between different OSes will find Bose’s approach painless. The QuietComfort Ultra also has broad support for connection methods; you can pair it via the Bose Music app or via standard Bluetooth settings. Additionally, Bose has a PC/Mac application (“Bose Updater”) if one prefers not to use the mobile app for firmware updates, which might appeal to those who are less mobile-centric. One slight distinction: Bose now supporting aptX Adaptive means if you have an Android with that codec, you’ll benefit from higher quality there, whereas on iPhone you’re on AAC – but that’s true of the others as well (each offers their best codec on Android). In summary, the QC Ultra is equally at home with iPhones, Androids, tablets, and laptops. It’s designed for the multi-device world: for instance, you could be on a video call via a MacBook and then quickly switch to listening to music on your Android phone, all without re-pairing. Bose’s focus on simplicity and reliable connections across devices makes it a top choice if you regularly swap between work (PC) and personal (phone) contexts.

Pricing and Availability (August 2025)

As of August 2025, here’s how each headphone is priced and where you can find them:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: The Px7 S3 launched in mid-2025 at a price of £399 in the UK. In the US, the official price is around $449 (though B&W’s North American launch was a bit delayed, it has since become available) techradar.com techradar.com. In Europe, it’s approximately €450-€499, varying by country (often around €499). By August 2025, the Px7 S3 is widely available through premium audio retailers, B&W’s official website, and major online stores like Amazon (which lists it at $449 typically) techradar.com. Being a relatively new model, significant discounts are not common yet, but occasional sales might knock $20–50 off. Availability is strong in the UK/EU (since it launched there first around April 2025 techradar.com) and is now stocked in the US, Canada, and other regions. If you’re in a city with a hi-fi shop, you might find it for demo or purchase there, as B&W often partners with specialty audio retailers. In Poland or other markets, check authorized distributors or global Amazon sites – price might be roughly PLN 1800-2000 in Poland, for example, after currency conversion and taxes. Keep in mind, B&W positions this as a premium alternative to the Sony/Bose, and the price reflects that high-end positioning (it’s a bit above some competitors’ launch prices, but it packs in those luxury build and codec features). Given it’s only a few months old, availability is excellent and stock is fresh; you likely won’t see a new model replacing it until at least 2-3 years out.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: The WH-1000XM6 became available in May 2025, priced at $449 / £400 / €450 at launch whathifi.com whathifi.com. This was a slight increase over the XM5’s debut price. By August 2025, the XM6 is broadly available from electronics retailers, Sony’s own site, and online marketplaces. You can find it at big stores like Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart (often around the $428-$449 mark, some retailers list a small discount) whathifi.com. Given Sony’s wide distribution, you might catch periodic deals – for instance, by mid-2025 there have been sales around major shopping events (Prime Day, etc.) knocking roughly $20-50 off, and by holiday season it could dip further, but typically not a huge drop so soon after release. In the UK, £399 is standard, though some retailers offered it for £379 on sale in July. In Europe, around €449 is standard; in Australia, about AU$699. Availability is global – the XM6 is a mass-market flagship, so it’s in stock in most regions including Asia and Latin America through Sony channels. If you’re comparing, note that Sony’s previous model XM5 might now be found at a lower price ($349 or less new), but the XM6 is the current top dog with the latest features. Also, by August 2025, some colors (like the Blue) might be a bit harder to find simply due to popularity, but Sony tends to restock regularly. All in all, expect to pay around full price for the XM6 unless you time a sale, as it’s still quite new and in high demand.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: The QuietComfort Ultra headphones launched in late 2023 at a premium price of $429 in the US, £449.95 in the UK, and €499 in Europe theguardian.com theguardian.com. This made them Bose’s most expensive regular headphone to date (aside from niche products), placing them slightly above Sony’s typical pricing. As of August 2025, the QC Ultra has been on the market for nearly two years, so its street price has seen some reductions. The official list price is still around $429, but frequent sales and discounts have been observed. For instance, it’s not uncommon to find the QC Ultra on sale for around $329-$349 at major retailers now. In fact, during flash sales or Prime Day-type events, they’ve dropped as low as $299 for certain colors soundguys.com soundguys.com, which is a huge $130 savings. (One noted deal had the Lunar Blue edition at $299 in mid-2025 soundguys.com.) In the UK, you might see it on sale for £349-£379 during promotions. So, while the QC Ultra started pricey, by mid-2025 it’s more attainable with deals – something to consider if you’re shopping. Availability: Bose has since released a newer “QuietComfort Headphones (2024)” – a slightly lower model – but the QuietComfort Ultra remains the flagship and is fully available via Bose’s site, Amazon, and electronics stores. There were initial supply constraints in early 2024 (due to high demand and maybe production), but those have eased. Now you can find all color options readily in stock. Also worth mentioning: since it’s a bit older than the others, you might find refurbished units from Bose or authorized resellers at an even lower price, potentially around $250-$300, which could be a great value. As of August 2025, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra still commands a premium aura, but thanks to sales, you likely won’t have to pay the full launch price if you shop smart. Bose’s brand holds its value, but they do compete aggressively during sale seasons to undercut Sony. So keep an eye out for those discounts – seeing it at $300-350 on sale is not rare phonearena.com soundguys.com. In summary, official pricing puts the Bose QC Ultra around $429, but real-world pricing often trends lower, making it quite enticing given its strengths.

Expert Reviews and Quotes from Tech Journalists

Tech experts and audio reviewers have extensively tested these headphones, offering praise and critique. Here are some notable expert opinions and quotes that shed light on each model:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Critics have applauded the Px7 S3’s sound quality and premium execution. TechRadar gave it a coveted Editor’s Choice award, with reviewer Simon Lucas stating “in every respect, the Px7 S3 impress”, calling its sound “detailed and dynamic… open and spacious… punchy and rhythmically adept – and best of all, engaging and entertaining” techradar.com. He went so far as to say the S3 is one of B&W’s finest, “one of Bowers & Wilkins’ very best products when judged on a pound-for-pound basis – and I do not say that lightly.” techradar.com. This is high praise considering B&W’s pedigree. What Hi-Fi? also noted the Px7 S3’s sonic prowess, implying that in outright sound quality, it even has an edge over some competitors – they mentioned that while the Sony XM5 (previous gen) is a strong all-rounder, it “has to concede to the Bowers & Wilkins where outright sound quality is concerned” techradar.com. On the flip side, reviewers like SoundGuys pointed out the Px7 S3’s unconventional tuning. In their review titled “An unexpected ANC heavyweight,” SoundGuys’ Christian Thomas noted “the sound is a little unconventional” and described it as a “love-it-or-hate-it affair” due to the bass-heavy balance soundguys.com soundguys.com. He also mentioned limitations like the lack of a fully parametric EQ and some fit quirks, but overall rated the PX7 S3 highly (8.2/10) and highlighted its comfort, build, and surprisingly good ANC soundguys.com soundguys.com. The consensus from experts: the Px7 S3 challenges the usual ANC kings with audiophile-grade sound and solid noise cancelling, wrapped in luxury. It’s frequently recommended for those who prioritize sound quality and design, even if its ANC is just shy of Bose’s best soundguys.com.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: The XM6 has been received with widespread acclaim, often described as an across-the-board improvement. What Hi-Fi? gave it a 5-star review, proclaiming “Simply sensational” in their verdict whathifi.com. They lauded its detail, dynamism, and how it “can match anything at this level” in sound quality, also commending its “superb ANC and call quality” whathifi.com. They did list a few minor cons – notably that Sony still doesn’t support aptX and that the case, while improved, is a tad large whathifi.com. But clearly, those were small nitpicks in an otherwise glowing review. SoundGuys similarly praised the XM6 as a worthy successor: their review noted “it’s hard to argue against the Sony WH-1000XM6” if you want top-tier ANC and sound soundguys.com. Many reviewers highlight that Sony listened to feedback – for example, TechRadar pointed out Sony “corrected a pretty vocal piece of feedback” by restoring the foldable design that was missing on the XM5 techradar.com. Android Central said the XM6 “raise the bar again” with improved noise cancelling and audio, and specifically called out that Sony’s QN3 chip and additional mics deliver the best-in-class ANC that people expect techradar.com techradar.com. Another aspect frequently mentioned is battery: Rtings and others were impressed by the 31+ hour battery life with ANC rtings.com, which outlasts many competitors. The XM6 isn’t without competitors nipping at its heels, of course, and some reviews like TechRadar’s full review teased that while the XM6 are “very, very good,” they are “outshone in a few areas by competitors… but as all-rounders, they’re incredibly strong” techradar.com. This likely alludes to Bose maybe doing ANC slightly better or B&W doing sound slightly better, but nothing that dethrones the XM6’s position as the jack of all trades, master of most. In summary, experts consider the WH-1000XM6 one of the most well-rounded noise-cancelling headphones ever, with no major weaknesses and class-leading strengths in multiple categories.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose’s QC Ultra was met with enthusiasm, especially since it represented Bose’s return to form in audio quality while extending their ANC lead. The Guardian’s five-star review by Samuel Gibbs is often quoted; he described the QC Ultra as “supremely comfortable” with “best-in-class noise cancelling and good sound”, concluding that “Bose has outdone itself with supreme comfort above all else” theguardian.com. He noted the sound is Bose’s best yet – “punchy and detailed audio… with a slight emphasis on bass… they sound really good at any volume” theguardian.com. His verdict: they won’t beat the very best in pure sound (naming Sennheiser and Sony), but “the Bose are excellent” in total package theguardian.com. SoundGuys gave the QuietComfort Ultra an Editor’s Choice as well, highlighting that these were for a time their “top pick” among ANC headphones, and that “the debate is pretty fierce now that the Sony WH-1000XM6 are out” soundguys.com. That shows just how close Bose and Sony have become in the battle for ANC supremacy. SoundGuys praised the QC Ultra’s noise cancellation (blocking ~87% of noise in their tests) and improved sound quality, saying “these can block out 87% of all external noise… The sound quality is also really good, and they still compete only against the best headphones around.” soundguys.com. They also loved the design and comfort, in line with most reviewers. One area of critique from some experts was the price at launch – The Guardian called the price “eye-watering” at £450 theguardian.com, and indeed Bose was more expensive than the competition at release. There was also some early firmware hiccups (some users and reviews mentioned minor bugs with the Bose Music app or features like the Immersive Audio initially, which Bose has been addressing in updates). But no one disputed that Bose achieved phenomenal ANC – many call it the new benchmark for noise cancelling. For instance, Rtings.com gave the QC Ultra an outstanding noise isolation score, noting it’s among the best they’ve tested (able to “easily block out the low rumble of plane engines” and office chatter alike) rtings.com rtings.com. In quotes, we have “market-leading noise cancelling” theguardian.com and “the most comfortable… headphones I’ve had the pleasure to wear” theguardian.com from reputable sources, which pretty much sums up why the QC Ultra earned rave reviews. Experts see it as Bose’s triumphant refinement of what they do best (comfort and ANC) combined with much improved sound and modern features like spatial audio.

In essence, the experts’ consensus is that you won’t go wrong with any of these three – each is at the top of its game. B&W Px7 S3 gets nods for audiophile sound and build, Sony XM6 for all-around prowess and smart features, and Bose QC Ultra for comfort and noise cancellation. As SoundGuys hinted, it’s a “fierce debate” between them now soundguys.com, which speaks to how excellent each model is in its own right.

Firmware and Software Updates

Each of these headphones has seen (or is slated for) firmware updates that add features or improve performance. Keeping firmware up-to-date is important to get the best out of your purchase. Here’s what has transpired or is expected on the update front:

• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: As a brand-new model (released in 2025), the Px7 S3 hasn’t had many firmware changes yet, but B&W has announced some exciting upcoming updates. According to TechRadar, B&W intends to make the Px7 S3 compatible with Bluetooth LE Audio (including the LC3 codec) and Auracast broadcast mode via a free firmware update, and also to add support for spatial audio in a future update techradar.com. This means the hardware is in place for those features; owners just need to update when B&W pushes the firmware. LE Audio/LC3 could bring improved efficiency, lower latency, and the ability to connect to Auracast transmitters (like multiple headphones to one TV, in the future). Spatial audio support likely refers to some form of head-tracked immersive sound or at least decoding of Dolby Atmos Music or similar. B&W hasn’t detailed whether it will be its own implementation or supporting an existing standard, but it’s on the roadmap. Aside from that, early firmware might address any minor bugs – for example, if there are any quirks with the app or ANC modes, B&W would tweak those. Users should use the B&W Music app to check for firmware updates periodically. It’s great to see B&W committing to feature updates that extend functionality, ensuring the Px7 S3 won’t lag behind in the fast-moving Bluetooth tech space.
• Sony WH-1000XM6: Sony has a track record of supporting their 1000X series with firmware fixes and sometimes new features over time. For the XM6, since it launched in mid-2025, there have been a couple of minor firmware updates by August 2025. These updates mostly improved stability (fixing any rare Bluetooth connection drops or odd behaviors) and fine-tuned things like call quality and Adaptive Sound Control behavior. No major new features have been added post-launch yet – but note, the XM6 already launched with LE Audio/LC3 support and the new head gestures, etc., so it was feature-packed out of the box. One thing Sony did with the previous XM5 was enable multipoint connectivity after launch (the XM5 didn’t ship with it, but got it in firmware). In the case of XM6, multipoint was included from day one, so no need for that kind of addition. Sony could potentially refine the performance of the QN3 ANC chip via firmware if they discover improvements, but none have been specifically reported in changelogs so far. It’s advisable to keep the Sony Headphones Connect app updated, as Sony sometimes updates the app which in tandem updates the headphone’s firmware. By late 2025 or 2026, if new codecs like LC3plus or future Bluetooth features become relevant, Sony might update the XM6 to support them, but that’s speculative. In short, firmware updates for the XM6 so far have been maintenance-oriented, ensuring the headphone works flawlessly with various devices (for instance, one update improved compatibility with certain Bluetooth transmitters and fixed an issue where the Speak-to-Chat might occasionally trigger erroneously). Always update through the Headphones Connect app when prompted, as those incremental improvements keep your XM6 at peak performance.
• Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Bose has actively updated the QC Ultra since release. Early on, some users encountered small bugs – for example, there was a known issue with the wear detection (some reported that the headphones would pause randomly due to the on-head sensor acting up reddit.com). Bose addressed this in subsequent firmware updates, and they also tweaked the Immersive Audio processing via updates to improve its stability and sound. As per Bose’s support site, by March 2024 the firmware was at version 1.6.7, which included “improved the power on experience” and adjustments to the product’s sleep timing, among other fixes support.bose.com. Crucially, Bose has promised LC3 codec support via firmware update, which likely either arrived in a 2024 update or is on the way (the hardware is LE Audio-ready) theguardian.com. Additionally, a big part of Bose’s ecosystem is their app – Bose has, for instance, introduced a new Bose Music App 5.0 around late 2024 to unify earbuds and headphones, so ensuring your app and firmware are current is key for best performance. One thing Bose typically does is optimize ANC or transparency based on feedback – they might fine-tune the balance of the modes (for example, some early users felt Immersive Audio affected the EQ too much; Bose could refine that in updates). There was a case where Bose updated the QC Earbuds II to allow a better EQ and additional modes, so similarly they could surprise QC Ultra owners with tweaks or features. As of now, the known expectation is LE Audio (LC3) coming or activated via firmware, which would “future-proof” the headphones for new Bluetooth broadcasts and lower latency theguardian.com. It’s also worth noting Bose released new color variants in 2024 (Diamond, etc.) notebookcheck.net notebookcheck.net – while that’s not a firmware thing, it shows Bose is treating the QC Ultra as a continuing flagship into 2025, not something they’ll replace immediately. So they have an incentive to keep refining it through software. The Bose Music app will notify of firmware updates, or you can use the Bose updater on a computer – either way, staying updated means bug fixes (like resolving any multi-device quirks) and potential new features will be in your hands.

In summary, all three headphones are receiving ongoing support. B&W is adding major features like spatial audio and LE Audio via firmware, Sony is polishing an already robust feature set, and Bose has been squashing bugs and enabling promised features like LC3. It’s wise for owners to install their respective apps and keep firmware current to benefit from these improvements. Given how competitive this segment is, manufacturers want to ensure their model stays top of the game through software enhancements, and that’s good news for us as users.

Upcoming Models and Future Outlook

Looking ahead, what’s on the horizon from Bowers & Wilkins, Sony, and Bose? While these specific models are current as of August 2025, the tech world never stands still. Here’s the scoop on possible upcoming models and the general upgrade cycle we might expect:

• Bowers & Wilkins: The Px7 S3 just hit the market in 2025, so we likely won’t see a direct successor (Px7 S4) for a couple of years. B&W tends to update the “S” series on a roughly 2-3 year cadence. However, B&W also has higher-end models – notably the Px8 (a luxury $699 headphone released in late 2022). There’s speculation that B&W could be preparing a flagship successor, perhaps a “Px9”, in the near future. What Hi-Fi? mused that B&W might launch a new luxury model approaching the £1000 mark, given the Px8 would be three years old in 2025 whathifi.com. Such a model, if it comes, could incorporate even more premium materials and tech (maybe planar magnetic drivers or further improved lossless wireless). For the Px7 line, since the S3 has introduced LE Audio readiness and aptX Lossless, B&W will probably focus on enabling those via updates rather than new hardware immediately. They also introduced the Px7 S2e in 2023 (a slight refresh of S2), which suggests minor iterations (“e” for evolved) could happen in between major versions. But as of August 2025, no concrete leaks of a Px7 S4 exist – the S3 is the new model. We might hear something in 2026 or 2027 for that. On the earbuds front (related ecosystem), B&W has the Pi7 S2 etc., but in over-ears, one eye might be on whether B&W attempts an even higher tier above Px8. For now, B&W fans have the S3 as the state-of-the-art, and any “upcoming model” chatter is purely speculative or long-term. Rest assured the Px7 S3 will remain B&W’s prime offering for noise-cancelling cans for the foreseeable future.
• Sony: Sony’s WH-1000X series has seen releases in 2-year intervals recently (WH-1000XM4 in 2020, XM5 in 2022, XM6 in 2025 – a slightly longer gap this time). If Sony reverts to a 2-year cycle, we might anticipate a WH-1000XM7 possibly in late 2026 or 2027. There haven’t been credible leaks about an XM7 yet, given how new the XM6 is. Sony will likely gauge the competition (like any new Bose moves) before the next big launch. One could imagine an XM7 with further improved battery, perhaps new driver tech, or even more advanced spatial audio integration – but again, this is guesswork. On Sony’s earbuds side, an upcoming WF-1000XM6 (earbuds) is expected in late 2025 whathifi.com, but that’s separate from the over-ear WH line. Sony also sometimes surprises with special editions or spin-offs (for example, a mid-range model WH-CH720N was released for budget segment). For the 1000X flagship over-ear, since the XM6 was a significant refinement (with new chip, folding design return, etc.), the XM7 might not come quickly unless a new Bluetooth version or a new must-have feature (like say a revolutionary new ANC approach or maybe integration with Sony’s PlayStation audio) appears. In short, don’t expect a WH-1000XM7 in 2025 – the XM6 will be Sony’s king through 2025. Perhaps in 2026 we’ll start hearing rumors. Sony also has the ultra-premium MDR-Z series (like the MDR-1000Z) in Japan, but those are more audiophile wired models. For wireless ANC, the XM6 is the peak now. So future from Sony: likely quiet for a bit on the over-ear ANC front, as they continue to support XM6 and maybe focus on other categories like gaming headsets or earbuds for the immediate future.
• Bose: Bose launched the QuietComfort Ultra in September/October 2023. Bose typically follows a roughly 2-year cycle for major updates – for instance, QuietComfort 35 II came in 2017, Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 in 2019, QuietComfort 45 in 2021, and then QuietComfort Ultra in 2023. If they stick to that, late 2025 or 2026 could bring a new flagship Bose. However, Bose did something unusual in 2023: alongside the QC Ultra, they launched a simpler model just called the “QuietComfort Headphones (QC45 successor)” without the Ultra features (no spatial audio, slightly less premium, priced lower). Bose might do a similar dual strategy in the future. As of now, we haven’t heard concrete rumors of a “QuietComfort Ultra II” for 2025, but it’s not out of the question that Bose could refresh it in late 2025 if they feel competition heat. A Reddit discussion by users familiar with Bose products leaned towards expecting that a new version is more likely in 2024 or 2025 rather than an annual refresh – since Ultra is a new line, maybe a two-year lifecycle is plausible reddit.com. In What Hi-Fi?, an expert speculated that in the earbud space, a QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds II might arrive by end of 2025 given Bose’s 2-year cadence whathifi.com. By extension, a QuietComfort Ultra Headphones II in late 2025 could happen. If it does, what might it include? Perhaps further battery improvements (one critique was battery life), maybe new biometrics or sensors, or integration of features like lossless Bluetooth audio (if not already utilized). As of mid-2025, there was a leak suggesting Bose was preparing new color refreshes for the QC Ultra (which indeed happened in 2024 with new colors like Diamond and Lunar Blue) notebookcheck.net notebookcheck.net, but not new hardware yet. Also, Bose just in mid-2025 introduced the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds II (with a new case design and such), signaling they are updating parts of the line. If Bose were to release a next-gen headphone in 2025/26, we can expect it to carry the QuietComfort Ultra branding forward (since that’s now their flagship moniker) – possibly “QuietComfort Ultra II”. It might incorporate user feedback (maybe even longer battery, maybe making the battery replaceable to address that sustainability con theguardian.com, though that might be wishful thinking). One could also imagine Bose working on lighter materials or improved call mic performance (one minor con was mic performance in noise rtings.com). For now, no official word – Bose is likely focusing on incremental improvements via firmware and enjoying the success of the current Ultra.

In summary, the current models discussed are the latest and greatest for each brand as of August 2025. B&W’s Px7 S3 is brand new and will reign for a while; Sony’s XM6 is in mid-life with nothing immediately set to replace it; Bose’s QC Ultra is about 2 years old and might see a successor on the horizon by late 2025 or 2026, but Bose has not announced anything yet. If you’re considering buying now, it’s a good time – none of these are outdated, and no confirmed next-gen over-ear ANC flagship has been officially announced by B&W, Sony, or Bose at this point. Of course, tech moves fast: keep an eye on events like CES or IFA in 2026 for any surprise reveals. Until then, these three – Px7 S3, WH-1000XM6, and QuietComfort Ultra – will continue to be the heavyweight champions of wireless ANC headphones, and any future models will have to try to dethrone them.