Home Headphones Sony Wh Ch520 Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Px8

Sony Wh Ch520 Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Review

Last updated on Apr 13, 2023   8 minute read
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Bowers & Wilkins Px8

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

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Reasons why you might like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8

Overall Score 5.1 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Weight of 320 g
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)
  • Battery Life of 30 hours
  • Can Be Used Wirelessly
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
Sony WH CH520

Sony WH CH520

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the Sony WH CH520

Overall Score 4.9 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Weight of 147 g
  • Battery Life of 40 hours
  • Can Be Used Wirelessly

Sony Wh Ch520 Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Review In Summary

Category Features Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Sony WH CH520
DESIGN weight 320g 147g
has a detachable cable
has a tangle free cable
sweat resistance
cable length 1.2meters
has an over-the-ear foam
has an on-ear foam
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (anc)
has passive noise reduction
lowest frequency 20Hz
highest frequency 20,000Hz
sound pressure level 97dB/mW
driver unit size 40mm 30mm
impedance 35Ohms
has a neodymium magnet
POWER battery life 30hours 40hours
charge time 3hours
has a battery level indicator
battery power 400mAh
has a rechargeable battery
CONNECTIVITY can be used wirelessly
bluetooth version v5.2 v5.2
has usb type-c
has aptx adaptive
has aptx hd
has bluetooth aptx
has aac
maximum bluetooth range 10meters
has a 3.5mm male connector
MICROPHONE number of microphones 2only 1only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
has in/on-ear detection
multipoint count 2only
control panel placed on a device
can be used as a headset
travel bag is included
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Sony Wh Ch520 Vs. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Review In Detail

Design

Weight

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 320g
Sony WH CH520 147g

Sony WH CH520 have a weight of 147g, these weigh below 320g, which we consider as the highest average a headphone should weigh for comfort during long use. We prefer a lower weight better for the reason that lighter devices are more comfortable to move with.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8, at 320g weigh more than the Sony WH CH520 with a difference 173g

Has A Detachable Cable

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Detachable cables are cables that have connectors on both ends. One end goes into your headphone earpieces, while the other end is inserted into an audio source. Some new headphones, and not just the expensive ones, are coming with detachable cables, Bowers & Wilkins Px8 are one of those.

Has A Tangle Free Cable

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Twisted headphone cables can be a great source of annoyance and inconvenience, Sony WH CH520's cable is designed to minimize tangling. Constant twisting of the cables can also lead to bends in the copper wires, affecting sound quality, or rendering your headphones defective.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 too have a cable designed to help prevent tangles.

Sweat Resistance

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

By sweat resistance we mean that the wireless earbuds are protected in the presence of low-pressure water jets at any angle, this is determined by the IP Rating of the earbuds. Based on the ingress protection rating of the Sony WH CH520 they do have sweat resistance

Cable Length

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 1.2meters
Sony WH CH520

A long cable ensures more freedom of movement, but remember that every cable based on the conducting material used has a certain amount of parasitic resistance, inductance, and capacitance. How much depends on the length and construction. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 comes with a 1.2meters cable.

Has An Over-The-Ear Foam

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Over-ear headphones have larger earpads that fit around your entire ear Bowers & Wilkins Px8 have a comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. This design is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors.

Has An On-Ear Foam

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

On-ear headphones have smaller earpads that sit on top of your ears, this Sony WH CH520 comfortably rests on top of your outer ears. As it doesn't block out everything from the outside world, it's preferred in places like office environments and recommended for outdoor activities.

Has Stereo Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Sony WH CH520 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 also have stereo speakers

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern of incoming noise and then generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 outside (noise from your surrounding) and adding -1 inside (counter sound within the device) to make zero resulting in a reduced level of noise.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 allow you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Passive Noise Cancellation uses well-designed ear cups to seal out unwanted noise. This is used for both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones where the headphone itself will keep surrounding noise out. The Sony WH CH520 sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that also the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 isolates you from ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Lowest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520 20Hz

Low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component reproduces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sony WH CH520's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, the lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass.

Highest Frequency

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520 20,000Hz

High frequency response measures if and how well an audio device reproduces high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sony WH CH520's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, the higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble.

Sound Pressure Level

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520 97dB/mW

Sound pressure is the average variation in atmospheric pressure caused by the sound, the sound level .i.e how loud something is can be perceived differently by different people so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.

The sound pressure level, SPL, is the pressure level of a sound, measured in decibels, dB, Sony WH CH520's measurement is 97dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Driver Unit Size

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 40mm
Sony WH CH520 30mm

The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the headphone. Sony WH CH520 driver unit is 30mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 driver unit is 40mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of Sony WH CH520 by 10mm , many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers usually have difficulty reproducing high frequencies so it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better sound.

Impedance

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520 35Ohms

Defined as the device's resistance to the electromagnetic current, as electricity flows through a conductor, it faces electrical resistance that counters the flow of current. The resistance of a conductor is measured in ohms. Sony WH CH520's impedance is 35Ohms, the lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power.

Has A Neodymium Magnet

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Neodymium magnets if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output while using less power. They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux. The Sony WH CH520 have this type of magnet.

Power

Battery Life

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 30hours
Sony WH CH520 40hours

If your headphones play wirelessly, cancel ambient noise, or enhance your listening experience with active features, their battery life will reduce over time. The device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Sony WH CH520's battery life is 40 hours

Bowers & Wilkins Px8's battery life is 30 hours. Each time you recharge your headphones, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first. But over a few years, you may find that your device, no longer plays for long like it used to.

Charge Time

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520 3hours

It takes 3 hours to fully charge the Sony WH CH520's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the headphones for the first time or when they have been unused for extended periods.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Sony WH CH520 have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your headphones.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to determine the charging state of your headphones, whether fully charged, or the battery is running low.

Battery Power

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520 400mAh

Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. Sony WH CH520's battery power is 400mAh, more battery power can be an indication of longer battery life.

Has A Rechargeable Battery

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

A rechargeable battery is a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use. Sony WH CH520's battery can be recharged and used over again.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 too have a rechargeable battery.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
See price on Amazon

Connectivity

Can Be Used Wirelessly

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Sony WH CH520 can be used wirelessly, wireless devices allow you more freedom of movement not restricted by a cable.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 also can be used wirelessly

Bluetooth Version

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 v5.2
Sony WH CH520 v5.2

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Sony WH CH520 has a v5.2

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 has a Bluetooth version of v5.2. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.

Has Usb Type-C

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Sony WH CH520 support USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power on a single cable. The USB-C plug is now part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets, it features reversible plug orientation and cable direction.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 too have USB TYPE-C

Has Aptx Adaptive

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps), which means it can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as listening to HD audio or reducing interference from other devices.

Has Aptx Hd

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 support APTX HD, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It supports high-quality 24-bit audio (at a bit rate of 576kbps).

Has Bluetooth Aptx

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 support APTX, a codec used for transmitting audio wirelessly with Bluetooth. It is developed by Qualcomm and supports 16-bit audio at a bit rate of 384kbps.

Has Aac

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Sony WH CH520 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520 10meters

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances. The Sony WH CH520 can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth or infrared to another device.

Has A 3.5Mm Male Connector

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Being an industry standard audio plug, a standard 3.5mm male connector is suitable for use with all MP3 players and computer sound cards. This means that it is commonly used in stereo headphones to your phone or connecting your phone to an external amplifier, sound bars, your car radio, etc. Bowers & Wilkins Px8 has this connector giving it a wider range of connectivity with most of the sound devices out there. All plugs have at least a tip and sleeve with the number of rings that stand as a differentiating factor.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 2only
Sony WH CH520 1only

Sony WH CH520 have only 1 microphones, more microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 microphones are only 2.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
See price on Amazon

Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard. It’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.

Has In/On-Ear Detection

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 support in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused, saving battery life and improving your listening experience while at it.

Multipoint Count

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520 2only

Sony WH CH520 support multipoint, which allows you to link to more Bluetooth devices and switch between them. For example, you can easily switch calls from one device to another without having to manually disconnect and reconnect.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

There is a control panel on the Sony WH CH520 body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 too have a control panel on them.

Can Be Used As A Headset

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Sony WH CH520 can be used as a headset. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc.

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 can be used as a headset. since they have a built-in microphone

Travel Bag Is Included

Bowers & Wilkins Px8
Sony WH CH520

Carrying headphones without a case, or putting them in bags without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 come with their own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation.

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