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Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£790
Avg. price in US: ~$900
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

3.8

Poor

3.8

Poor

?

2.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
0.5
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
1.0
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
2.7
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
2.5
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

N/A~ £790

Best rankings

Verdict

The Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is a flagship over-ear wired headphone featuring 40mm angled piston diaphragm drivers designed to simulate a natural stereo soundstage. Technically, it boasts an expansive frequency response of 2Hz–30kHz, a low 22-ohm impedance for easy mobile driving, and 111dB/V sensitivity with less than 0.2% distortion. Its premium build utilizes forged aluminium and Italian Saffiano leather with memory foam ear cushions for a luxurious aesthetic and durable finish. Main pros include its exceptional midrange clarity, weighty and agile bass, and high-fidelity detail retrieval that performs well even without dedicated amplification. However, notable cons include its relatively high weight of 415g, low passive sound isolation for a closed-back model, and a lack of modern features like active noise cancellation or wireless connectivity.

Technical Specifications of Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature

Overall score

3.8

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

3.5

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

5.0

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

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Connectivity

2.9

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

2.7

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

7.8

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

?

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

5.3

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Bowers & Wilkins

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature vs the average headphone

Why is Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature better than the average headphone?

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Spatial audio support
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
What it is: Supports immersive surround sound playback
When it matters: When movies, games, and immersive mixes are part of your listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
16 Hz lower bass extension
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (2 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (2 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.2 Hz vs 18 Hz
In-line controls
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
What it is: Controls available on in-line remote of wired cable
When it matters: When your wired setup depends on cable-mounted buttons or call controls.
Importance: LOW
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.
10,000 Hz higher treble extension
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.30000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
Foldable design
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.
Importance: LOW
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
3.8 m more useful cable length
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
What it is: Length of the supplied audio cable
When it matters: When your desk, TV, or audio setup needs more or less movement range.
Importance: LOW
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.5 m vs 1.2 m
Foldable design
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
3.8 m more useful cable length
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (5 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
Spatial audio support
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
16 Hz lower bass extension
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (2 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
10,000 Hz higher treble extension
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (30,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
In-line controls
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature includes in-line controls, the average headphone does not. 36.4% of headphones support in-line controls.

Calls & Controls

Why is Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature worse than the average headphone?

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89.4% higher weight
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is heavier than the average headphone (413 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
No passive noise reduction
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
7.6 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (94.4 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
No voice assistant support
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
No passive noise reduction
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones reduce outside noise through physical sealing, fit, and materials rather than active electronics.
When it matters: When you want better isolation from fit and seal alone, even with ANC turned off or not available.
Importance: MEDIUM
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
89.4% higher weight
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is heavier than the average headphone (413 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is heavier than the average headphone (413 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.413 g vs 218 g
No voice assistant support
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
7.6 dB/mW lower sensitivity
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (94.4 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has a lower sensitivity than the average headphone (94.4 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.94.4 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
8.78x more expensive
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is more expensive than the average headphone (£790 vs £90).
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is more expensive than the average headphone (£790 vs £90).£790 vs £90
48.1% worse value for money
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has worse value for money than the average headphone (4.55 vs 6.736).
What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature has worse value for money than the average headphone (4.55 vs 6.736).4.55 vs 6.74
4.65x less popular
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature is less popular than the average headphone (1.00 vs 4.646).1 vs 4.65

Graphic comparison of Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature?

Premium and luxurious build quality utilizing forged aluminium and Italian Saffiano leather.
Powerful, deep, and rich bass response that provides a punchy and fun listening experience.
Clear, detailed midrange that handles vocals excellently.
Immersive and expansive soundstage with accurate instrument imaging.
Easy to drive directly from smartphones and portable devices without requiring heavy amplification.
Comes with a generous accessory package, including three detachable cables and a premium carrying case.
Foldable design that allows the large frame to collapse for easier storage.

What customers dislike about Bowers & Wilkins P9 Signature?

Extremely expensive original retail price, creating a poor value proposition for some buyers.
Comfort issues for certain users due to a rigid headband design, strong clamping force, and a firm internal earpad structure.
Sound profile leans heavily toward a dark, warm, and embellished bass signature, which may frustrate audiophiles seeking neutrality.
Large, bulky, and heavy physical footprint makes them less practical for daily commuting.
Subpar noise isolation and significant sound leakage for a closed-back design, due to the semi-open acoustic architecture.
Utilizes a proprietary cable locking mechanism inside the earcup, making third-party replacements difficult.

Video reviews

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