These premium Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 headphones are a bargain thanks to a John Lewis clearance sale

Are you an audiophile looking for some premium noise-cancelling headphones but at a much more affordable price? Well, right now, the excellent Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 are on sale at John Lewis for £169.99 (was £299).

Bowers & Wilkins is known for straddling the line between catering to average consumers who want solid noise-cancelling headphones and audiophiles who appreciate even the smallest enhancements to get premium sound quality. The PX7 S2 are the older version of Bowers & Wilkins’ new PX8 S2, which may be why they’re finally showing up in the clearance section.

Old doesn’t necessarily mean bad, though. The PX7 S2 share many of the same strengths as the successor, which we rated five out of five stars, but you can pick up these cans for a considerably lower price.

In our PX7 S2 review, we praise the “confident and detailed [sound] through the midrange” with “oodles of sonic insight given the right material”. The matte finish on the metal and minimalist aesthetic also add some class. If you’re willing to download the B&W app, you can even customise settings like EQ and voice control, and swap between noise cancellation modes.

These wireless headphones do not come with a cable, but that’s part of the on-the-go lifestyle that they’re meant for. The PX7 S2 last about 30 hours with a full charge and can gain back seven hours of playtime with a 15-minute quick-charging session. The noise-cancelling capabilities don’t reach the same heights as Sony and Bose, but they perform decently given the much lower price. The adjustable mics enhance voice clarity during calls, too.

For more, see our best headphones for all budgets. We also have dedicated lists for more specific needs like best headphones and earbuds for students and best workout headphones.