Bowers Wilkins Px8 Wireless Headphones User Manual

: June 3, 2024
: Bowers Wilkins

Table of Contents

Bowers Wilkins Px8 Wireless Headphones
Px8 Carton Contents
Getting to Know Your Px8
Intelligent Features
Battery Charging and Power Saving
Wearing Your Headphones
Bluetooth Connection
Auxiliary Connection
Bowers & Wilkins Music App
Power Cycle and Reset
Care & Maintenance
Support
Specifications
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

Bowers Wilkins Px8 Wireless Headphones

Welcome to Bowers & Wilkins and Your Px8 Headphones
Thank you for choosing Bowers & Wilkins. When John Bowers first established our company, he did so in the belief that imaginative design, innovative engineering and advanced technology were keys that could unlock the enjoyment of audio in the home. His belief is one that we continue to share and inspires every product we design, tailored for new audio experiences outside of the home. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 are high-performance over-ear headphones designed to deliver the highest quality mobile personal audio experience combined with the convenience of wireless operation and the serenity of noise- cancellation. This manual will tell you everything you need to know to get the most from your Px8 headphones. Your Px8 can play music streamed wirelessly from your mobile phone, tablet, or computer via Bluetooth, or conventionally connected by a jack cable to a suitable analogue headphone output. Px8 can also play audio via a USB connection from a computer and can be used for wireless telephony. Px8 Real World Listening features include our latest innovations in Active Noise Cancellation, Ambient Pass-Through, and enhanced Wear Sensing technologies. Our latest generation noise cancellation feature delivers an uncompromised listening experience. Ambient Pass-Through enables external sounds, such as conversations or safety announcements, to be heard clearly without any need to remove the headphones. The Wear Sensing feature enables Px8 to respond naturally, pausing and resuming the music simply by lifting either earpiece on or off your ear. These features can be enabled and further customized via the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, available for free on iOS and Android devices. Px8 incorporates a rechargeable battery. When fully charged, depending on the degree of Bluetooth, Active Noise Cancellation, and Ambient Pass-Through use, the battery pack can provide up to 30 hours of continuous wireless media streaming with noise cancellation enabled at average playback volume levels.

Px8 Carton Contents

Px8 over-ear wireless headphones
Storage case
USB-C to USB-C charging cable
USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable
Document pack

Getting to Know Your Px8

We recommend installing the Bowers & Wilkins Music app on your iOS or Android device. This allows you to configure your headphones in detail and provides helpful hints and tips to make the most of your new headphones.

bowerswilkins.com/downloadapp

Switching Headphones On and Off
Diagram 1 illustrates the power switch functionality.
Switching On
The power switch is located on the right earpiece. Slide the power switch up to the middle position. An audible cue will be played and the LED indicator will light up.
Switching Off
Slide the power switch to the bottom position. An audible cue will be played and the headphones will power down when the LED indicator is no longer lit.
Bluetooth Pairing
Slide the power switch to the upper position and hold for 5 seconds to enter Bluetooth pairing mode. Refer to section 6 for further information on pairing your headphones to a Bluetooth source.
Headphone Controls
Diagram 2 illustrates the headphone controls. The buttons on the right earpiece are used for media playback and telephony.
Media Playback

Function	Action
Play or pause	Press the Multi-function button once.

Play next track

| Press the Multi-function button twice in quick succession. Note: functionality dependent on source device.

Play previous track

| Press the Multi-function button three times in quick succession. Note: functionality dependent on source device.
Increase Volume| Press the Volume + button.
Lower Volume| Press the Volume – button.

Telephony

Function	Action
Answer an incoming call

Press the Multi-function button once.

End a call| Press the Multi-function button once.
Decline an incoming call| Hold the Multi-function button for 2 seconds.
Switch between two calls| With two calls active, press the Multi- function button twice.

Merge two calls

| With two calls active, hold the Multi-function button for 1 second.

Toggle mute

| While on a call, press the Multi-function button three times.

Status Indicator
The status LED indicator is located on the right earpiece, the table below explains the illumination states: Bowers-Wilkins-Px8-Wireless-Headphones-
fig-2

Intelligent Features

Environmental Controls
Active Noise Cancellation
Noise cancellation is a series of advanced technologies that aid in removing undesired noise from the surrounding environment. The Px8 headphones use built-in microphones to pick up and cancel out ambient sound for a more comfortable listening experience.

Note: Noise cancellation requires a good seal between the headphones and your head for optimal performance.

Ambient Pass-Through
Px8 also features an ambient “Pass-Through” mode, which allows in some external sound from the surrounding environment, allowing safety announcements or conversations to be heard without taking the headphones off. By default, the Quick Action button on the left earpiece will cycle through the following modes, but the button can be customized from the Bowers & Wilkins Music app. See Diagram 2 for button location.

Noise Cancelling On
Pass-Through On
Noise Cancelling and Pass-Through Off

Voice Assistance
Your connected device’s voice assistant can be assigned to the Quick Action button on the left earpiece from the Bowers & Wilkins Music app. See Diagram 2 for button locations and section
on using the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.
Wear Sensors
Power Saving

Px8 incorporates our latest enhanced wear detection sensors in both earpieces (see Diagram 3), enabling intelligent battery conservation by pausing media playback and entering low-power standby mode when removed from the head.
When worn again, Px8 automatically wakes and connects to the last connected Bluetooth device.
Playback Control
During media playback, Px8 will automatically pause when either earpiece is lifted from the ear.
If playback has been paused, placing the earpiece back on the ear will resume playback.
The standby timer and wear sensor features can be adjusted from the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.

Note: Take care when wearing your headphones; hair or accessories trapped between your ears and the earpieces, or wearing glasses that distort the profile of your ears, may interfere with the performance of the wear sensors.

Battery Charging and Power Saving

Your Px8 comes with the battery partially charged and may be used immediately. For best practice, we recommend you fully charge the headphones before first use. Please allow up to 2 hours to fully charge. The headphones can be used while charging.
To charge:

Use the supplied USB-C cable and connect one end to a wall charger or powered computer port.
Connect the other end of the cable to the USB-C socket on the headphone’s right earpiece.

Note: During charging, the headphone indicator will flash green. When fully charged, the indicator will remain illuminated. See section 2.3 for status indicator details.

Diagram 3 Wear sensor location

Wearing Your Headphones

Wearing your headphones correctly will help ensure the best possible experience. See Diagram 5.

Identify the left and right earpieces by finding the identification legends located on the interior of each earpiece.
Wear the headphones accordingly with the headband adjusted so that they rest comfortably on your head.

Note: Wearing glasses that distort the profile
of your ears may interfere with headphone performance. Similarly, hair trapped between your ears and the headphone earpieces may interfere with the wear sensor performance.

Diagram 4 USB-C cable connection

Diagram 5 Wearing your headphones

Bluetooth Connection

Pairing
Your Px8 headphones are designed to stream media wirelessly from Bluetooth audio devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or personal computers. To do so, the headphones and source audio device must first be paired.
Pairing the iOS System with
Bowers & Wilkins Music App Installed
We recommend adding your headphones to the Bowers & Wilkins Music app. This allows you to configure your headphones in detail and provides helpful hints and tips to make the most of your new headphones. Please refer to section 8 for details on installing and using your headphones with the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.
During the process of connecting your headphones to the app for the first time, you will also be prompted to pair the headphones as an audio accessory. Tap on the confirmation popup to complete the pairing process.
Pairing Android Devices Supporting Google Fast Pair Service (GFPS)

Note: Compatible with Android devices running Marshmallow 6.0+.

To add your headphones:

Switch on your headphones and place them no further than 10 cm (4 inches) away from your Android device (with Bluetooth enabled).
The first time you switch on your headphones, Bluetooth pairing mode will be enabled, the indicator will flash blue. If pairing mode is not enabled, please slide and hold the power switch to the upper (Bluetooth icon) position for 5 seconds, let go when the indicator blinks blue and an audible cue is heard.
A GFPS (Google Fast Pair Service) notification will pop up showing that your device has been detected and request to start the pairing process.
Press the Connect button to enable pairing; a successful connection will be shown in a popup.
Once paired, the popup will direct you to the Google Play store to install the Bowers & Wilkins Music App.

Pairing All Other Devices

The first time you switch on your headphones, Bluetooth pairing mode will be enabled, the indicator will flash blue. If pairing mode is not enabled, please slide and hold the power switch to the upper (Bluetooth icon) position for 5 seconds, let go when the indicator blinks blue and an audible cue is heard.
Ensure the Bluetooth feature is enabled on the audio device, Px8 will appear in the discovery list; select it to pair.
The indicator will flash blue while pairing is in progress, this will change to solid blue and an audible cue will play when pairing is successful.

Your headphones will remember up to eight paired Bluetooth devices. Repeat the above steps to pair more devices.

Note: Your headphones will automatically exit Bluetooth pairing mode if no device is paired within 5 minutes. If pairing fails, the indicator will rapidly flash blue; please try pairing again. Bowers-Wilkins-Px8-Wireless-
Headphones-fig-7

Auxiliary Connection

In addition to Bluetooth, your Px8 can also connect to audio sources using the supplied 3.5 mm audio or USB cables.
Connecting with the 3.5 mm Audio Cable
The 3.5 mm audio cable enables your Px8 to be used with a device supporting an analog output, such as a conventional headphone socket on airplanes, smartphones, or a traditional hi-fi system.

Insert the supplied USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable into the headphone’s USB-C socket on the right earpiece.
Insert the other end into the appropriate socket on your device.
Your Px8 will automatically disconnect from any Bluetooth devices.

Note: Your headphones must have sufficient charge and be switched on to play audio from an analog source device. The volume and play/pause buttons will not function when you are using the 3.5 mm interface.

Connecting with the USB Cable
The USB connection enables your Px8 to function as a USB sound output device when connected to a capable computer.

Insert one end of the supplied USB-C to USB-C cable into the Px8 USB-C socket on the right earpiece.
Insert the other end into the appropriate socket on your computer.
Px8 will automatically disconnect from any Bluetooth devices.
Find and select your headphones from the computer’s audio output control panel.

Note: The headphone battery will also charge when connected to a capable USB port.

Bowers & Wilkins Music App

The Bowers & Wilkins Music app is available for free on iOS and Android devices and provides extended setup and adjustments to features such as Active Noise Cancellation, Ambient Pass-Through, and EQ settings. The app also provides further functions such as device naming, connection management, and headphone software updates.

bowerswilkins.com/downloadapp
Connecting Your Headphones to the App
To set up your headphones in the app:

From your Android or iOS device, download and install the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.
Ensure your headphones are switched on.
Launch the app, then read and follow the instructions pertaining to app notification and permissions.
The app should detect your headphones automatically and invite you to set up your headphones; follow the in-app instructions to complete the setup process.
If your headphones are not detected automatically, navigate to the Settings page ( icon), tap App product and follow the in-app instructions.

Controlling Your Headphones
Commonly used features of your headphones are accessible directly on the app homepage:

Battery status
Environmental controls (Noise Cancellation, Pass-Through)
Device connections (refer to the Connections section below for further details)

Headphone Settings Page
Other settings can be adjusted from the Settings page. Tap the icon at the bottom of the screen to enter the Settings page, then select your headphones from the list.
Environmental Controls
Set the desired environmental control from the following options:

Noise Cancelling On
Pass-Through On
Noise Cancelling and Pass-Through Off

EQ
Use the Treble and Bass sliders to customize the tone of your headphones.
Connections
The two most recently connected Bluetooth devices are shown in the Connections shortcut buttons. The buttons will appear grey if not currently connected. Tap the buttons to attempt reconnection. If only one device is shown, tap ADD DEVICE to place the headphones into Bluetooth pairing mode to pair them with a new device.
Tap the CONNECTIONS heading to view more detailed connection settings, including previously connected devices (Px8 will remember up to eight devices).
Once on the Connections page, swipe a device left to delete a device from the list. Swipe a device right to make it the preferred device to connect to when the headphones are switched on.
Toggle Auto-connect to the last device to prompt the headphones to connect to the previously connected device when they are switched on.
Tap PAIR A NEW DEVICE to place the headphones into Bluetooth pairing mode and pair them with a new device.
Quick Action Button
The left earpiece of your headphones features a button that provides quick access to commonly used functions. Customize the function of this button from the app.

Environmental Controls – each press of the Quick Action Button cycles through:
Noise Cancelling On
Pass-Through On
Noise Cancelling and Pass-Through Off
Voice Assistant – press the Quick Action Button to activate your device’s voice assistant.

Device Management
Toggle Auto standby on to place the headphones into a power-saving state after 15 minutes of inactivity.
Toggle the Wear sensor on to enable intelligent playback control; lift an earpiece or remove your headphones to pause playback. Place them back on your ears to resume playback.
Rename product
Tap Rename product to choose a new Bluetooth name for your headphones. Note that devices already paired with the headphones may still reference the previous name.
Headphone Software Updates
Bowers & Wilkins will occasionally make available software updates that refine and optimize the performance of your headphones or add new features. The Bowers & Wilkins Music app will notify you when a software update is available. Tap on the notification and then follow the in-app instructions.

Power Cycle and Reset

The reboot/reset process may generate noise in the headphones – do not wear them during this process.
Power Cycle
To reboot your Px8, remove the headphones
from your head and remove any cables from the headphones. Simultaneously hold the Volume + and Volume – buttons for 10 seconds until the indicator LED extinguishes. Release the buttons when the indicator lights up again. Rebooting your headphones will not reset their internal settings or clear the paired device history.
Factory Reset
You can clear the paired device history and restore all settings to their factory defaults. Remove the headphones from your head and remove any cables from the headphones. With Px8 powered on, simultaneously hold the Volume +, Volume – and left earpiece Quick Action buttons for 10 seconds until the indicator LED extinguishes. Release the buttons when the indicator lights up again; the headphones will be ready to pair to a device. Alternatively, you can perform a factory reset from the headphone’s settings page of the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.

Care & Maintenance

Storing Your Headphones

Taking care of your Px8 will ensure they continue to deliver the best performance and experience.
When you are not using your headphones,
stow them in the included storage pouch. It is recommended the headphones are first powered off.

Cleaning Your Headphones
It is advised that you clean your headphones regularly. Your Px8 can be cleaned by a soft, damp microfiber cloth, gently wipe or dab clean.
The fabric on Px8 has been specially coated with moisture and stain repellent. If dirt, stain or fibre residue accumulate on the fabric surface, please clean as instructed above.

Do NOT aggressively rub or use an abrasive tool to clean, especially the fabric or leather.
Do NOT use paper towels, napkins or tissue as they will leave residue.
Do NOT use cleaning detergents, soapy water, polish or chemical cleaners.
Ensure that no moisture get inside the earpieces, buttons and interface ports.

Support

Should you require further help or advice regarding your Px8, please visit the Bowers & Wilkins support site: www.bowerswilkins.com/support.
Environmental Information
This product complies with international directives, including but not limited to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and the disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Consult your local waste disposal authority for guidance on how properly to recycle or dispose of this product.

Specifications

Wearing Style Bluetooth Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Technical Features Active Noise Cancellation
Ambient Pass-Through Wear-Detection Sensor
Bluetooth® audio – Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX™ Adaptive USB-C charging & audio interface
Bluetooth Codecs aptX™ Adaptive aptX™ HD aptX™
AAC SBC
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP AVRCP HFP HSP
BLE GATT (Generic Attribute Profile)
Drive Units 2 x ø 40 mm dynamic full-range custom carbon driver
Microphones 4 x mics for ANC
2 x mics for telephony
Input Impedance 33 Ω
Distortion (THD) <0.1% (1 kHz/10 mW)
Battery Type Rechargeable Lithium Ion
Battery Life & Charging 30 hrs Bluetooth with ANC, 7 hrs with 15 min charge, 2 hrs for full charge Inputs: Bluetooth, USB-C audio
In Box Accessories 1.2 m USB-C to 3.5 mm stereo jack audio cable
1.2 m USB-C to USB-C cable Carrying case
Weight 320 grams without case