Headphones / Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
The best-sounding headphone here, with replaceable pads to make it last.
Wins overall by 1.6 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.6-point gap makes the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 the straightforward choice here. The best-sounding headphone here, with replaceable pads to make it last.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT are both closely matched headphones models, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is $390 cheaper than the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 ($89 vs $479). On Noise Cancelling, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads (8.0 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Features, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads (7.5 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. On Call & Mic Quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads (7.5 vs 5.5/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. Overall, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores 7.8/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 6.2/10 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 | Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $479.00 | $89.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2022 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | Not applicable — this model has no active noise cancelling |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | Bowers & Wilkins quotes only the 30-hour figure | 60 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 6.4✓ | 10 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Weight (g) | 300 | 216✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Advanced adaptive ANC using 8 microphones, with a Pass-Through mode | None |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 8 | Not published by Audio-Technica |
| Foldable | No | No |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Anthracite Black, Indigo Blue, Canvas White | Black |
Category Scores
Battery
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 2.0 — a 6.0-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 7.8 against 7.0 — a 0.8-point margin on clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.8 — a 1.7-point margin on driver performance, tuning, and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call & Mic Quality
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.5 — a 2.0-point margin on voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Travel
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 7.0 against 5.0 — a 2.0-point margin on foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.0 — a 1.0-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT leads clearly here, 8.2 against 7.0 — a 1.2-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 4.0 — a 3.5-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores 8.0/10 here (how well ambient noise is blocked).
- • Features matters most to you — the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores 7.5/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
- • Call & Mic Quality matters most to you — the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores 7.5/10 here (voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls).
- • Travel matters most to you — the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores 7.0/10 here (foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores 9.5/10 here (driver performance, tuning, and detail).
Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $390 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is students.
Pros & Cons
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Pros
- +The best pure sound quality of any headphone here
- +aptX Lossless with a dedicated discrete amplifier
- +Earpads and headband padding are user-replaceable, which extends its life considerably
- +Both 3.5mm analog and USB-C digital wired listening
Cons
- −Does not fold, so the case is bulky
- −300g and you notice it
- −ANC is good but clearly behind Bose and Sony
- −The most expensive non-Apple option here
- −No LDAC
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Pros
- +Genuine studio-monitor tuning at $89
- +60 hours of battery
- +Multipoint at a budget price
- +Light at 216g
Cons
- −No active noise cancelling
- −No companion app and no EQ — Audio-Technica's app does not support this model
- −Bluetooth 5.0 is dated
- −Earcups rotate but do not fold for packing
- −No carry case
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores higher on Noise Cancelling (8.0/10 vs 2.0/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Features, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores higher on Features (7.5/10 vs 4.0/10) — app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras.
Which is better for Call & Mic Quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores higher on Call & Mic Quality (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls.
Which is better for Travel, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 or the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 scores higher on Travel (7.0/10 vs 5.0/10) — foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips.
Is the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 worth the price difference over the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the cheaper option at $89 versus $479. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 is the better fit if you mainly care about travel. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the better fit for students.
What's the warranty on the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT?+
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Premium Option
Apple AirPods Max 2 — $549.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.