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Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wired Over Ear Headphones, Black
Brand | Bowers & Wilkins |
Model Name | P7 |
Color | Black |
Form Factor | Over Ear |
Connectivity Technology | Wired |
About this item
- With P7, we have created a headphone driver that works more like the drive unit in a hi-fi speaker, with a diaphragm focused purely on the job it's supposed to do: generate sound. Which means a drive unit with a more precise, controlled movement. Connectivity Technology: Wired
- P7's ear pads feature a dual cavity cushion design that helps the pads mold to the contours of the wearer's head. This design maintains a consistent volume of air between the drive unit and the surface of the ear at both sides of the head.
- Not only is stereo imaging enhanced, but the sound is optimized for every listener. Frequency range-10Hz to 20kHz
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Will ship to continental USA only
From the manufacturer
Truly Immersive
The new standard for portable sound quality. From Bowers & Wilkins, British makers of award-winning speakers since 1966, found in the world's best studios, including Abbey Road.
Engineering
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Best possible portable soundEvery element of P7 has been designed to raise the bar for portable Hi-Fi sound. The very best components, finest materials and impeccable build quality together offer uncompromising performance and luxurious comfort. The result is truly immersive. |
Hi-Fi drive unitsThe most important element of P7 performance is its new driver – designed less like traditional headphones, more like a hi-fi speaker. The result is performance with wonderful space, balance and clarity across the frequency range, and amazing precision. |
High-quality materialsP7 is crafted from aluminum and supple sheep’s leather, for maximum comfort, durability and noise isolation. Ultra-soft cushioning makes them very easy on the ears and keeps out external noise. You'll forget the headphones, and the world around you, and just feel the music. |
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Over-ear padsP7 leather pads completely enclose the ears to keep a consistent volume of air around drive units, enhancing stereo imaging. They also deliver a more comfortable fit and block outside noise for truly immersive audio. |
Fold up and goP7 is designed to be at home on the move. Solid metal hinges on each side, above the ear cups, create a foldable form factor. Stored safely in its quilted case, P7 is surprisingly portable. |
Detachable ear padsP7 ear pads are held in place with magnets. So you can easily detach them to change the cable, or replace them if they get damaged. Why buy new headphones if all you need is a new set of pads? |
P7 | P5 Series 2 | P3 Series 2 | C5 Series 2 | |
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Customer Reviews |
3.5 out of 5 stars
365
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3.9 out of 5 stars
218
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4.2 out of 5 stars
102
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3.9 out of 5 stars
596
|
Drive Units | 2 x 40mm | 2 x 40mm | 2 x 30mm | 2 x 9.2mm |
Frequency range | 10Hz to 20kHz | 10Hz to 20kHz | 10Hz to 20kHz | 10Hz to 20kHz |
Cable length | 1.2m | 1.2m | 1.2m | 1.2m |
Inputs | 3.5mm stereo mini jack (on cable), 2.5mm mini jack (on Headphone) | 3.5mm stereo mini jack (CTIA 4-pole) | 3.5mm stereo mini jack (on cable), 2.5mm mini jack (on Headphone) | 3.5mm stereo mini jack |
Finish | Real leather and metal | Real leather and metal | Custom fabric and aluminium | Black |
Compare with similar items
This Item Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wired Over Ear Headphones, Black | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart Add to Cart | |
Price | $320.96$320.96 | -28% $287.00$287.00 List: $399.00 | $149.00$149.00 | $320.96$320.96 | $699.00$699.00 | -33% $399.95$399.95 List: $599.95 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 2 - 4 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it Apr 2 - 4 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Apr 2 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Comfort | — | 4.6 | 5.0 | — | 4.2 | 4.4 |
Sound quality | — | 4.4 | 4.1 | — | 4.6 | 4.4 |
Noise cancellation | — | 4.0 | 3.4 | — | 3.9 | 2.7 |
Sold By | eTechtronics (Your Trusted Online Retailer) | VDC Refresh | HIFIMAN | eTechtronics (Your Trusted Online Retailer) | GRAMOPHONE | Amazon.com |
connectivity tech | Wired | USB | Wired | Wired | Wireless, Bluetooth 5.1 Multipoint, Wired, USB-C | Wired |
headphones form factor | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | closed-back | Over Ear | Over Ear |
connector type | 3.5mm Jack | wireless | 6.35mm Jack, 3.5mm Jack | Wired | usb-c,wireless | 3.5mm Jack |
noise control | — | active noise cancellation | — | — | active noise cancellation | sound isolation |
headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | — | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | — |
cable feature | Detachable | Without Cable, Retractable | Detachable | Without Cable | Without Cable | Detachable |
control type | Media Control | Voice Control | — | Media Control | Media Control | Media Control |
material | — | Aluminum | Wood | Aluminum, Stainless Steel | Microfiber | Aluminum |
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Bowers & Wilkins P7 Headphones - Black
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Product information
Product Dimensions | 9.2 x 7.6 x 5.2 inches |
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Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
Department | Headphones |
Manufacturer | Bowers & Wilkins |
ASIN | B00F6PRSMW |
Item model number | P7 |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
Customer Reviews |
3.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #463,570 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #8,755 in Over-Ear Headphones |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | October 4, 2013 |
Item Weight | 2.3 Pounds |
Number Of Items | 1 |
Warranty & Support
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Product Description
With P7, everything is designed to allow you to lose yourself in music. Bass is tight, vocals are precisely defined, and there's a wonderful sense of space, balance and clarity across the whole frequency range. At the same time, the over-ear design and snugly-fitting ear pads ensure you become completely immersed in your listening. Because when you're hearing sound this good, you don't want anything to interrupt your enjoyment.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the sound quality, build quality and clarity of the headphones. They mention that it has an exceptional sound, with powerful and accurate bass response. They find the soundstage seems wider and the sound seems more controlled. Customers also appreciate the clarity, saying that it allows more detail in the highs. They say the headphones are first-class hi-fi headphones. Customers are also happy with appearance. However, some customers differ on comfort, fit, and value.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the sound quality of the headphones. They say it has an exceptional sound, with a powerful and accurate bass response. They also say the headphones have the capability of reproducing different aspects of sound that they didn't hear before. The soundstage seems wider and is more controlled. Customers also say that the headphones are easy to listen to without fatigue and satisfy the ear in ways they never knew were possible.
"...But they are bass enhanced too, or voiced with a lot of bass, it seems to me, but not in a muddy, bad way--unless you are listening to Muddy Waters..." Read more
"...Must be an alien tech as it is not only giving you superior sound quality but also do it in a super efficient way with only 22ohms impedance drivers..." Read more
"Sounded pretty good initially, but developed distortion on both sides eventually with light use and no abuse...." Read more
"...On the one hand you have the extremely high build quality and the exceptional sound, while on the other hand they might be the most uncomfortable..." Read more
Customers like the build quality of the headphones. For example, they mention it has world class construction, feels really solid, and has a really nice hard case. That said, some say the quality has not diminished and the construction is beautiful of polished metal and soft leather. Overall, customers are happy with the headphones' build quality and materials.
"...On the one hand you have the extremely high build quality and the exceptional sound, while on the other hand they might be the most uncomfortable..." Read more
"...Sumptuous amounts of leather, impeccable build and great looks. You absolutely get what you pay for.Anyway, onto how these sound...." Read more
"...You know who you are doctor. Build quality is excellent with leather and metal which adds to the mystique of why this model headphone has this..." Read more
"...These three are very well regarded and popular headphones and you really can't go wrong with any of them...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the clarity of the headphones. They mention that the bass is very strong and the treble is well detailed. They also appreciate the accurate presentation of the music, along with allowing more detail in the highs. Customers also describe the headphone as highly refined and capable, with a pretty true representation of the source.
"...Just like B & W advertises, these things are "natural" sounding, with good mids and highs but not ear bleeding highs either...." Read more
"...So there you have it - Revelatory, immersive and beautiful. Give them a try, who knows - you may start appreciating your music all over again :)" Read more
"...Similar results. So the stars reflect that this is a sophisticated tool but that at their price, they should have been more accurate. (in my opinion)" Read more
"...from best to worse as follows: P7, M100, M50X. All together, a highly refined and capable headphone that I would highly recommend." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the headphones. They mention that it is a first-class hi-fi headphone, with a big sound field. They also say that it has a well-balanced sound, with clear highs and clean bass.
"...Great cans. As on ears, however, they do start hurting after not too long. They fit tight and are on-ear...." Read more
"...So there you have it - Revelatory, immersive and beautiful. Give them a try, who knows - you may start appreciating your music all over again :)" Read more
"...as follows: P7, M100, M50X. All together, a highly refined and capable headphone that I would highly recommend." Read more
"...All-in-all these are a great set of headphones both in look and sound...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the appearance of the headphones. They mention that it has exquisite looks, a high-class exterior, and an elegant design. Customers also say that the headphones exude pure luxury, are sublime, and seductive. They also appreciate the beautiful mid range and treble, and the lush trebly that they can deliver.
"...They look sophisticated and different than the Bose and Beats that everyone has seen...." Read more
"...So there you have it - Revelatory, immersive and beautiful. Give them a try, who knows - you may start appreciating your music all over again :)" Read more
"...Subjectively, the phones are quite aesthetically pleasing...." Read more
"...But they still love 'em. For me its a deal breaker. They ARE seductive. VERY smooth compared to my Grado SR80's for example...." Read more
Customers have mixed opinions about the comfort of the headphones. Some find them super comfortable, soft on the ears, and fit comfortably over the ears. They enhance the music quality, especially treble. However, others say that they are a little less comfortable than their previous pair and start hurting after not too long. The earcups are able to block out even a crying baby 5 feet away.
"...The materials used are excellent. Extremely soft and supple leather and beautifully finished stainless steel make these headphones a pleasure to..." Read more
"...For me its a deal breaker. They ARE seductive. VERY smooth compared to my Grado SR80's for example. and on some music that works...." Read more
"...Great cans. As on ears, however, they do start hurting after not too long. They fit tight and are on-ear...." Read more
"...Comfort is OK and I would list for comfort in the following order from best to worse: M50X, M100, P7...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the headphones. Some mention that they fit their ears perfectly, while others say that they can be a bit snug. The earcups are generous and comfortable, and seal out the world just enough. However, some customers say that the headphones are not for big ears, and the ear cups are narrow.
"...as advertised, great noise "isolation" without needing batteries, great space, great bass, but also great mids. Great cans...." Read more
"...prior to having tried them on, much to my chagrin they are bit too tight for me...." Read more
"...leather is soft, supple, and tends to age perfectly to mould according to your ears...." Read more
"...Comfortable enough, although they can wear a bit by the end of a full day's use...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the headphones. Some mention that they are worthy of the price, wonderful, and prized, while others say that they're pretty expensive and you can get better headphones in terms of audio.
"...These are a true luxury product. Something you would really want to take care of. The P7 has an impressive sound stage for a set of closed back...." Read more
"...Each month two more albums are added. Not bad for the price." Read more
"The were good for a few years but then developed distortions. They were expensive and I took good care of them. It's a bit disappointing...." Read more
"...I definitely recommend these, especially now that the price has dropped a bit." Read more
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Well, as they say, my new P7s are *even better*. The sound quality is truly amazing in every way. They are over ear so super comfortable. Just perfect. I use my regular iPhone 5 and the old iPod classic, and Spotify streaming; no need for an amp. They are very efficient as others mentioned. These things are just flippin' awesome. If you care about sound quality and have $395, buy them immediately if not sooner. Great bass but also great everything else; it's like you are in the room or on stage with the band (incredible spacing/stereo/biaural or whatever they call it). Like others have said. If you have a good recording, it feels like you can hear the drummer breathing and the guitarist stomping his feet; it's like you are there in the recording studio or on stage with the band and you can tell where each musician was located (or where the producer put it in the "space mix").
Everybody says this, but I truly listen to everything, including a lot of jazz and classical, but also rock from Dick Dale to Hendrix to Nirvana to Black Keys to Jack White to Dinosaur Jr--some loud stuff. Jazz guitar like Grant Green, Wes Montgomery, Tal Farlow, Kenny Burrell, and Joe Pass. I play guitar, too, and I'm in to mids, not just bass like the hip hop folks, but these p7s kick some serious bass too. Just like B & W advertises, these things are "natural" sounding, with good mids and highs but not ear bleeding highs either. But they are bass enhanced too, or voiced with a lot of bass, it seems to me, but not in a muddy, bad way--unless you are listening to Muddy Waters, and then it's a Muddy all time great way.
I would not be caught dead with Beats, but I can't imagine anyone needing more bass than this; you feel it vibrating your ears. Style is a matter of choice, but these definitely separate you from the Beats and Bose people who have never heard of any other headphone manufacturer. I get questions about these (and the P5s, by the way) every time I bring them to work. They look sophisticated and different than the Bose and Beats that everyone has seen.
But back to sound: I do have hip hop in my collection too, from when I was younger, and when that stuff comes on shuffle, it's super clear with tons of bass. I listen to a lot of live recordings from the 1890s (Charlie Patton) through the 1960s and 1970s, which are not recorded in the best quality, but these headphones give you the best you can get as far as what the source is giving them. In fact, like a good guitar amp, these cans accurately give you what you give them. With studio recordings or other modern pop stuff that has fake computer bass, Britney Spears, etc, if you wanted to waste precious time listening to that, indeed these have tons of bass; not trying to be Beats because they are ten trillion times better, but they probably even hang with beats even if you are a hip hop guy while also having better clarity in the mids, as others have said.
One thing I'll say is I'm keeping my P5s too. I still love them. But P7 takes it to a whole 'nother level, as it should at this price point.
Only negative compared to P5; the remote control for adjusting volume and skipping/pausing songs or answering the phone -- on P5 it was with the middle button indented, and it was a "sticky" rubber, easy to find without looking, but with P7 they made the middle button sticking out and it's actually harder to find it without looking and more slippery with the shiny metal thing on the back. This is noticeable to me because I use them while walking the dog, and making adjustments, pausing or skipping songs, etc, is a little bit harder than with the P5s.
(by the way both P5 and P7 work great as mic for talking on iphone, answering phone, using siri, as advertised)
Also a different kind of discomfort can happen after too much listening--the P7s are heavy, as you can see in the specs. The P5 hurts the ears because of being on-ear and fitting tight, but the P7 starts to hurt the top of my head after a while from the sheer weight; what I do is adjust where it is sitting slightly or take a break from listening. The P5s are much lighter, as you can see in the specs. Overall I still love both and overall P7 is more comfortable.
I'm a huge Bowers & Wilkins fan now. I feel sorry for folks who have not yet discovered that there is a world of better sound outside of Bose and Beats.
Oh, one more thing: I do have an "amp" of sorts. My new Dell computer has a cool EQ/sound enhancer program that is actually good, unlike the useless apple ipod EQ. And I have used the P7s on my computer, too, and using the EQ to boost bass or mids or whatever you want, indeed these P7 headphones are flippin' AMAZING. Even bad audio quality youtube videos (live music recordings) can sound great with P7 headphones and a computer with a good EQ program.
--- Update on 25 April 2014 ----
I don't believe I could hit jackpot twice. The second pair presents more fizzle noise (or rattle bass)than the first pair after 3 days of "burn in".
I did limitedly set the volume on 70% max on my iPod classic during burn in progress.
Well, surprisingly, the first defective pair now presents less noise than before. I have no idea why the noise is presenting at different level at the different stage of usage at different time.
The ridiculous thing is both pairs defective only at right side driver. In my previous test suggests that its not source problem (inferior audio formats or songs recoding problem as I swap the left right channel by editing with audacity).
Well. although the first pair is presenting less noise now, I decided to return both pairs and get refund.
I still believe P7 is the best close design headphone currently but just unlucky for me. Please, if you r new buyers, please check if yours presents same noise defect as mine, I am willing to follow up this and see if it is a large quality issues.
Note: First pair serial number is 26xxx. Second pair is 30xxx.
----Update on 18 April 2014----
After a week of usage or burn in, I notice that the right side driver produces Fizzle Noise when playing some songs,
Volume 80% , direct output from iPhone 5s. For examples,
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 - track 21 - Procession (Apple lossless)
[...] (playing youtube version produce same fizzle noise , so regardless the quality of formats)
I used audacity to edit the track and swap left and right channels , same fizzle noise only audible from right driver! I cannot believe this.
I contact amazon immediately, and thanks god for their golden exchange service is applicable for oversea purchasers.
I received a second pair today , open the box, plug in and run the tests. I confirm that the first pair has defective driver because 2nd pair has no audible fizzle noise at all.
Now box up and sending the first pair back to amazon....
---- First impression ----
These cans generate ridiculously airily and transparent sound throughout whole spectrum!
Must be an alien tech as it is not only giving you superior sound quality but also do it in a super efficient way with only 22ohms impedance drivers inside.
My main taste of music is soundtrack. The transformation of sound space by these cans is unpredictable and magical. What i meant unpredictable is some songs you never thought about where the author/composer want to feel and heard, and by play through these songs randomly from these cans and it leads you to believe you r actually being in another spaces right now.
One simple summary, B&W p7 give your musics spirit, soul, and truly immersive soundstage. it is an experience that once you heard you never forget.....
I want to thanks amazon for shipping this cans internationally to my residential place in Malaysia, which save me around USD150 (yes, my country retails price overcharge it at USD 550).
Top reviews from other countries
J'ai essayé ce casque sur un Iphone avec des musiques compressées en 320 kb/s et j'ai redécouvert certains morceaux.
En effet, l'équilibre de ce casque permet d'entendre des sons masqués par des basses comme avec les Beats by Dr Dre.
Je suis passé par plusieurs casques: Sennheizer, Beats by Dr Dre et pour finir les Plantronics Backbeat Pro 1 et 2 et je trouve que la qualité de ce casque n'a rien à voir avec les précédents.
Ces dernières années, j'ai plutôt privilégié les casques sans fil, mais le problème est qu'avec les Iphones, le son de départ est déjà trop fort.
En passant en filaire, en plus de la qualité sonore améliorée, le son le plus bas est à un niveau correcte.
Le casque est très couvrant et peut être inconfortable: il a tendance à appuyer un peu fort sur les tempes et aussi sur le dessus du crâne.
Ceci est dû à la rigidité du cuir qui est utilisé.
J'espère que cette critique vous aidera dans votre choix.
Parlando della qualità audio, veramente favolose! suono bilanciato, morbido, elegante e delicato. Sono molto stile Inglese. Non affaticano per niente all'ascolto, hanno una leggibilità delle voci/ strumenti veramente eccezionali, ogni strumento sta a loro posto e sono ricche di sfumature su tutto lo spettro audio. I bassi sono più che poderosi, direi vigorosi precisi e mai invadenti. Gli alti, salgono molto in frequenza e sono morbidi, delicati e cristallini... e danno quel giusto per dare maggiori dettagli a strumenti/voci.
Si adattano ad ogni genere musicale, ma combattono seconda me alla grande con generi jazz, blues e classica.
La tecnologia utilizzata da B&W , ovvero di creare i trasduttori "ALTOPARLANTI" come quelli che si trovano nei diffusori HI - FI, fanno veramente la differenza... dando un suono più naturale, più preciso e permettono di scendere molto in bassa e alta frequenza.
Le P7, sono facilemente pilotabili e si adattano ad apparecchi come smartphone, tablet, prodotti apple ecc... ma offrono maggiori emozioni e piacere all'ascolto se si collegano ad un amplificatore HI - FI domestico di qualità a pari livello.
Ovviamente sono cuffie di fascia HIGH END, quindi vogliono brani musicali di elevata qualità. Le consiglio pienamente a quelle persone che vogliono godere realmente di suoni straordinari,.. invece le sconsiglio a chi vuole ascoltare musica su youtube, o che usano quei brani di qualità scadenti che si trovano in giro per il web diciamo " gratuitamente".
COMPLIMENTI A BOWERS & WILKINS, CHE HANNO FATTO CENTRO ANCORA UNA VOLTA!.
Nun sollte es zusätzlich ein mobiler, geschlossener und hochwertiger Over-ear oder On-ear werden. Mein AKG 701 ist zwar schon etwas in die Jahre gekommen, aber immer noch hervorragend, nur ist er leider nicht zum mobilen Einsatz und wegen seiner hohen Impedanz schon gar nicht zum Einsatz an IPhone und iPod geeignet. Die B&W P3 sind ganz nett, aber nicht das, was ich unter einem wirklich hochwertigen Kopfhörer verstehen und außerdem nutzt sie im Urlaub meist meine Frau.
Ich habe mir deshalb zu Testzwecken folgende Kopfhörer bestellt und jeweils mehrere Tage Probe gehört: B&W P5 Serie 2, B&W P7, Philips M1 MKII (spektakulärer Bass, aber sonst nichts), Beyerdynamics T51i (hell und hochauflösend), Sennheiser Momentum (neutral bis zur Langeweile).
Hier will ich aber bewusst nur über die P7 ausführlich schreiben, die ich am Ende (übrigens neben den völlig anders tönenden, aber auch hervorragenden Beyerdynamics T51i) behalten habe.
Manche Rezensenten haben sich ja über den starken Ledergeruch P7 direkt nach dem Auspacken beschwert. Ich muss sagen, ich fand den Geruch keineswegs unangenehm. Aber das ist sicher Geschmackssache. Ich mag eben Tiere und natürlichen Ledergeruch. Wenn man das nicht mag, darf man sich aber auch keine Kopfhörer aus echtem Leder zu legen.Kunstleder und Kunststoffe riechen nicht.
Keine Geschmackssache ist das insgesamt überaus luxuriöse und toll ausgestattete Gesamtpaket, das man mit dem P7 erwirbt. Das fängt bei der grandiosen und stylischen Verpackung und Verarbeitung an und hört bei der wirklich schicken Aufbewahrungstasche aus Leder auf. Haptisch und optisch sind diese Kopfhörer eine absolute Offenbarung. Und schon deswegen wollte ich sie ähnlich wie die B&W 802D in meinem Wohnzimmer nie mehr hergeben, nachdem ich sie erst einmal im Besitz hatte. Diese Kopfhörer sind nicht nur Schallwandler. Sie sind echte Schönheiten und ich bewundere sie bei jeder Benutzung!
Klanglich? Aus meiner Sicht ist es so, dass in einer Kette die Schallwandler den größten Einfluss auf den Klang haben. Das gilt für Lautsprecher genauso wie für Kopfhörer. Dachte ich mit anderen Kopfhörern zunächst, dass der Fiio X3 meinen iPod Classic qualitativ um Längen schlägt, musste ich dieses (Vor-)Urteil mit dem P7 wieder ein Stück weit relativieren. Mit dem P7 klingen auch iPhone und IPod plötzlich wieder richtig gut und vor allem reicht die gelieferte Ausgangsspannung zum Betrieb an mobilen Endgeräten völlig aus! Ich habe nicht mehr das Bedürfnis nach einem im Alltag eben doch ziemlich lästigen zusätzlichen Kopfhörerverstärker. Das hätte ich so bei einem so schweren Kopfhörer mit großen Membranen wie den P7 nicht erwartet.
Vergleicht man B&W Kopfhörer (und auch Lautsprecher) mit anderen Produkten, so klingen diese im ersten Anlauf fast immer unspektakulär und zurückhaltend. Andere Schallwandler ziehen da viel mehr Aufmerksamkeit auf sich, weil sie einen sehr starken ersten Eindruck hinterlassen. Aber nach mehrtägigem intensivem Hören unterschiedlicher Musik merkt man meist, dass man alle B&W Schallwandler und eben auch den hier besprochenen P7 stundenlang total entspannt und mit stets wachsendem Genuss hören kann, während einem der auf den ersten Eindruck so spektakuläre Klang anderer Schallwandler ziemlich schnell lästig fällt. Und so ist es auch mit den P7. Die ersten beiden Tage war ich leicht enttäuscht und habe sogar über die Rücksendung nachgedacht. Aber dann haben die Kopfhörer mir jeden Tag besser gefallen. Letztlich ist es die zurückhaltende Einbindung der Höhen und Mitten in den ausgerollten Klangteppich, die zwar im direkten Vergleich zunächst einmal sehr unspektakulär ist, aber auf Dauer eben den größten Hörgenuss beschert. Die Musik wird hochauflösend dargestellt und trotzdem sind alle Instrumente und Klangquellen irgendwie harmonisch eingebunden.
Was ich auch sehr positiv hervorheben möchte: man kann die P7 auch sehr leise hören und hat trotzdem nicht den Eindruck, dass irgendetwas vom Detailreichtum oder vom Charakter der Musik verloren geht. Bei vielen anderen Kopfhörern ertappe ich mich immer wieder, dass ich lauter stelle, um mehr Details genauer hören zu können. Bei den P7 stelle ich immer wieder noch leiser, weil ich gespannt bin, ob die Auflösung dann immer noch erhalten bleibt. Das tut sie aber erstaunlicherweise. Es geht einfach nichts verloren. Das finde ich auch eine ganz tolle Eigenschaft, die meine Ohren gewaltig schont.
Ich vermute aber, dass Angehörige der Beats-Generation von den P7 enttäuscht sein werden. Fette wummernde Bässe darf man hier nicht erwarten. Aber den P7 fehlt in dieser Hinsicht auch nichts. Nur sind die Bässe eben genauso wie die Höhen und Mitten harmonisch in einen Klangteppich eingebunden.
Was den Sitz der Kopfhörer angeht, so muss ich sagen, dass ich noch keinen Bügel-Kopfhörer getragen habe, den ich auf Dauer nicht in irgendeiner Form unbequem finde. Das gilt selbst für superleichte Headsets, die ich am Computer einsetze. Das ist der Grund, warum ich eben doch einige und auch sehr teure In-ears besitze, weil ich mit vielen (nicht mit allen In-ears) vom Tragekomfort auf Dauer besser klarkomme als mit allen Bügelkopfhörern dieser Welt. Aber die P7 sitzen für Bügel-Kopfhörer wirklich ziemlich gut und leicht und werden vergleichsweise wenig lästig. Sie sind für meine Ohren auch groß genug und ich mag auch echtes Leder an meinen Ohren deutlich lieber als Kunststoff. Aber das ist eindeutig Geschmackssache.
Vielleicht noch ein Satz dazu, warum ich die übrigens auch sehr schönen und leichten P5 von B&W nicht behalten habe. Ich fand den Unterschied zu den P3 (die ich auch besitze) nicht groß genug. Und die zusätzlichen rund 100 € für die P7 lohnen sich aus meiner Sicht unbedingt. Zum Teil schon deswegen, weil ohrschließende Kopfhörer eine bessere Schallisolierung bieten. Die P7 sind auch gegenüber den wirklich guten P5 noch ein echter Schritt nach vorne. Und für mich sind sie auch jeden Cent wert, den ich dafür ausgegeben habe. Von den anderen erwähnten Kopfhörern habe ich übrigens auch noch die Beyerdynamics T51i behalten, weil ihre sehr viel hellere Abstimmung einen interessanten Gegenpol zu den P7 darstellt. Im direkten Vergleich greife ich aber meist zu den P7.