IT General

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 22, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Big stick

• Green: Florida mascots

• Blue: Darts

• Purple: MVP baseball players

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Used to Hit a Ball

• Green: A South Florida Athlete

• Blue: Darts Terms

• Purple: Angels to Win MVP

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #335 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Used to Hit a Ball - BAT, CLUB, PADDLE, RACKET

• A South Florida Athlete - BUCCANEER, DOLPHIN, MARLIN, PANTHER

• Darts Terms - BIG FISH, BULL'S-EYE, NINE-DARTER, OCHE

• Angels to Win MVP - BAYLOR, GUERRERO, OHTANI, TROUT

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Drinking containers

• Green: Slashed

• Blue: Types of reptiles

• Purple: To ring

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Wine vessels

• Green: Ripped

• Blue: Kinds of snakes

• Purple: ___ Call

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #806 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Wine vessels: BOTTLE, CARAFE, DECANTER, GLASS

• Ripped: CLEFT, RENT, SPLIT, TORN

• Kinds of snakes: CORAL, GARTER, KING, RATTLE

• ___ Call: BOOTY, CLOSE, COLD, CURTAIN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

Are you also playing NYT Strands?

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferrined pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Plug your ears

The words are volume-related.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are types of loud noises.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Hubbub.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for August 24

• Blasting

• Loud

• Boisterous

• Hubbub

• Noisy

• Strident

• Booming

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Strands.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for August 4 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 4, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A seed.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

SPORE.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.

You've probably noticed a trend with recent smartphone launches that not everyone loves. The new Google Pixel 10 series looks almost identical to last year's Pixel 9 series, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 series looked very, very similar to last year's Galaxy S24 series. I don't think that's a big deal—let me explain.

While the shine of streaming services seems to be dulling right now, there's no getting around the fact that in the long run plastic discs with movies and shows on them will probably stop being a thing.

Vivaldi is the first truly unique browser I ever came across. It feels like it's built on a cohesive philosophy entirely, and even if other browsers can't copy that philosophy, they can steal the many awesome features this browser has.

If you want an affordable EV, buying used is still the smartest move. With new EVs averaging around $60,000 in the U.S., getting a nice one without spending a fortune can be tricky.

Sometimes you try to take a screenshot, but it turns out blank, or your phone freezes for a second and shows you a toast that it couldn't take the screenshot. It's a feature, not a bug.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for August 22, 2025 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Lost really badly

• Green: Euro locations

• Blue: NFL wideouts

• Purple: College Campuses

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Decisive Victory

• Green: Countries in Six Nations Rugby

• Blue: Names of NFL WRs

• Purple: Big 12 School Locations

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #334 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Decisive Victory - BLOWOUT, LANDSLIDE, ROMP, RUNAWAY

• Countries in Six Nations Rugby - ENGLAND, FRANCE, IRELAND, WALES

• Names of NFL WRs - CEEDEE, LADD, PUKA, ROME

• Big 12 School Locations - AMES, LAWRENCE, MANHATTAN, MORGANTOWN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is not a very uncommon sight on a Windows PC. While most of the time you will be able to get rid of the BSOD with a simple restart, at other times you might require expert guidance. To make it easier for you, Microsoft has introduced Quick Machine Recovery, a new feature that quickly recovers your Windows 11 PC if it fails to boot properly.

Google Maps is mainly used to navigate from one place to another, but what if I told you that you could use it for many other purposes as well? Here are seven ways I use Google Maps besides navigation.

Chipotle is rolling out drone delivery. That means your next burrito could come zipping down out of the sky...for...whatever reason.

The fast casual chain announced this week it was rolling out what it's calling "Zipotle" to a small number of customers. Zipotle is a reference to Zipline, an autonomous drone delivery company, which will do the dropping off for Chipotle.

Right now, Zipotle will be available online in Rowlette, Texas, a Dallas suburb. How it works is pretty simple: Customers order on the Zipline app, a local Chipotle prepares the order, and then the drone flies to the address, hovers at about 300 feet, and drops the order down via a carrier.

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While delivering burritos via drone feels a little silly, Chipotle has sold the program as an environmentally friendly delivery option.

"Zipotle is a quick and convenient source of delivery that lets guests enjoy our real food from places that are traditionally challenging to serve, including backyards and public parks," said Curt Garner, president, chief strategy and technology officer at Chipotle, in a statement. "Zipline's commitment to building an efficient, environmentally friendly delivery experience is synonymous with our mission to Cultivate a Better World."

People in Mississippi no longer have access to Bluesky — one of the primary alternatives to Elon Musk's X — because of burdensome age verification laws.

A new law in Mississippi requires age verification to access social media sites. This landmark piece of legislation goes even further than other laws that require age verification for sites featuring explicit content. Bluesky announced on Friday that it would stop operating in the state because of the law, noting concerns over the cost burden and privacy of its users.

It wrote in a blog post:

"Mississippi's approach would fundamentally change how users access Bluesky. The Supreme Court’s recent decision leaves us facing a hard reality: comply with Mississippi’s age assurance law—and make every Mississippi Bluesky user hand over sensitive personal information and undergo age checks to access the site—or risk massive fines. The law would also require us to identify and track which users are children, unlike our approach in other regions. We think this law creates challenges that go beyond its child safety goals, and creates significant barriers that limit free speech and disproportionately harm smaller platforms and emerging technologies.

Unlike tech giants with vast resources, we’re a small team focused on building decentralized social technology that puts users in control. Age verification systems require substantial infrastructure and developer time investments, complex privacy protections, and ongoing compliance monitoring — costs that can easily overwhelm smaller providers. This dynamic entrenches existing big tech platforms while stifling the innovation and competition that benefits users."

Bluesky pointed out that Mississippi's law was particularly burdensome and was worrying in terms of its privacy implications. The company noted, for instance, that it follows the U.K.'s Online Safety Act, which does not require tracking which users are children and only requires age checks for certain material.

Mashable's Anna Iovine covered the effects of age verification on the internet in depth. But what certain lawmakers have claimed is aimed at protecting children has already had widespread consequences. These laws, in general, make the internet a less open place and a space that requires sacrificing privacy for access.

There's always a bunch of new content coming to Netflix. So much, in fact, that it can be hard to keep track of what's worth putting a pin in your calendar for. The good news is that Netflix puts out trailers for its upcoming and newly released shows and movies almost constantly.

With all the choices for headphones out there, it's not the easiest device to shop. Factor in a student's budget, needs, and the fact that most "best of" lists (present company included) have $400+ options as their top pick, and somehow, finding the right pair of headphones can get even more stressful. With school being stressful enough as it is, allow us to add some ease to this one area.

First things first: The best headphones for students aren't necessarily the best headphones on the market. Sure, the active noise cancellation on the Sony WH-1000XM6s or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones would probably be incredible for studying — but so would cheaper options that don't sacrifice quality in areas where it really matters most. In the same way that most students don't need the power of an iPad Pro for taking notes and reading research papers, most won't need the most feature-rich flagship headphones to ensure they have headphones that are great for studying or relaxing.

SEE ALSO: We tested the best laptops for college students going back to school

Take, for instance, the regular Bose QuietComfort headphones, our pick of the best over-ear headphones for students. They're still an investment at $359, but regularly go on sale for under $300, dropping as low as $229 at their best price ever (as I was writing this guide, they dropped down to this price). They offer the major perks of a more premium option in their all-day comfort, good sound quality, and some of the best noise cancellation out there — you'll just miss out on fancy spatial audio features, which, for most students, likely isn't a dealbreaker.

What are the best headphones for students?

On our list below, we provided four options for your back-to-school headphone shopping: two over-ear headphones and two earbuds, each with a budget and premium option, with an overall skew for lower price points. These selections are the result of the extensive headphones testing from multiple Mashable staffers and contributors. As one of Mashable's main reporters on the headphones beat, I've gone back through our pool of favorites to handpick the four best headphones for college students (or even high school students).

This was another busy week in tech, with new Pixel devices from Google, updates to Thunderbird Mail and Excel, price hikes on PS5 consoles and Apple TV+ subscriptions, a new major LibreOffice release, and much more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

While most USB-C hubs follow a similar design trend, Hyper went a different route with its HyperDrive Flex MagCharge USB-C Hub. Featuring a built-in MagSafe charger as well as 4K60 HDMI output and 100W USB-C Power Delivery passthrough, this hub found a permanent home in my on-the-go setup.

The Insta360 Go Ultra is a larger, upgraded version of Insta360's smallest camera. Like previous models, this is still a pricey way to record video, but for those who aren't put off by the excessively busy Insta360 app, this is a worthwhile upgrade.

British audio icon, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), has always had its rabid fans, especially in the world of loudspeakers, where its combo of sound quality and design has earned it a lot of admiration. However, I’ve never felt that the company’s wireless noise-canceling headphones quite live up to this sterling reputation — until now.

Bowers & Wilkins headphones have traditionally been more expensive than their rivals, even as the sound and features lagged behind. I was expecting the same from the brand's latest effort, the Px7 S3 over-ear headphones.

But moments after popping them on my head, I was ready to change my tune. And not only do they sound great, but they're a serious upgrade over the all-plastic design of the Sony XM6 headphones.

So, let's dive into my full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 headphones review.

The new B&W Px7 S3 Headphones: Just the specs

Let's start with the basics:

• Microphones: 8

• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (aptX Adaptive/Lossless support)

• Battery: 30 hours with ANC

• Charge time: ~3.5 hours

• Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation

• Spatial audio: Planned (future software update required)

• Colors: Anthracite Black, Canvas White, and Indigo Blue

• Inputs: USB-C

• Quick charge: 7 hours in 15 minutes

• Materials: Fabric, aluminum, and synthetic leather

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review: What’s new? Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

The Px7 S3 has a variety of updates from the S2 and S2e, including a sleeker, lower-profile shape, a redesigned headband, repositioned controls, support for aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs, more microphones, improved ANC and transparency, and revised driver design.

B&W has also made a few changes in its Bowers & Wilkins Music companion app, like the availability of a five-band equalizer.

The company plans to issue a future software update to enable spatial audio. This has become a standard feature in other flagship headphones, so it's disappointing not to find it here, especially since they have the same price as the new Sony XM6 noise-cancelling headphones.

What’s not new?

Battery life remains unchanged at 30 hours (plus a 7-hour quick charge after 15 minutes), it still comes with a zippered (though slightly slimmer) hard case and a USB-C and 3.5mm analog cable. Lossless, hi-res audio at up to 24-bit/96kHz is supported via the USB-C cable.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review: I love the design Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

Looks are (obviously) subjective, but I think the Px7 S3 are in a class by themselves.

The combination of materials (fabric, aluminum, and synthetic leather) and B&W’s sleek, understated styling makes these cans a joy to behold and a pleasure to wear. Compared to the all-plastic construction of Sony’s 1000X series or the giant aluminum shells of Apple’s AirPods Max or Dyson OnTrac, the Px7 S3 are the rare headphones that look as good on your head as sitting on your desk.

Don’t like the Anthracite Black color pictured here? They’re also available in Indigo Blue and Canvas White.

For the Px7 S3, B&W has increased the width of the headband from the Px7 S2, and the earcushions are more generously padded. This takes an already comfortable design and makes it even better for long-term use.

The single-sided yokes are now more rounded, yet they still let you position the earcups up or down when worn around the neck.

My only nitpick: the included USB-C cable is just too thick and inflexible to be used comfortably when listening to USB Audio (more on that feature in a moment).

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review: Controls Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 (left) and Px7 S3 (right). Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

Keen-eyed observers will note that the control buttons now sit on the beveled outer edge of the earcups, instead of on the flat rear edge. At first, I was concerned that this would make them harder to use, but in some ways, they’re now easier to reach — I don’t mind it at all.

Strangely, B&W has made the volume buttons larger and the multifunction button smaller than on the Px7 S2. Maybe it’s just me — I tend to play/pause and skip tracks more than I change volume — but I’d prefer they have the opposite proportions.

The ANC button, located on the left earcup, provides nearly instant mode changes, but for the life of me, I still don’t know why B&W insists on forcing us to cycle through all three (ANC > Transparency > Off), instead of letting us skip the Off mode entirely.

Another head-scratcher: You can control ANC with this button, or summon your voice assistant, but you can’t have both.

One of my favorite features of the S2 is the wear sensors, and thankfully, they’re just as good on the S3. Removing either earcup — even just a little ways — instantly pauses your tunes, while replacing them resumes playback just as quickly.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3: Noise canceling and transparency

The Px7 S3 have a larger array of mics than their predecessors — eight vs. six — which should, in theory, help to improve active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode. ANC is indeed better, though only moderately so. 

It can reduce the most annoying background sounds, but you’ll still get better ANC results from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the Sony WH-1000XM6, particularly when flying or while trying to shut out droning machinery sounds. Transparency mode on the Px7 S3, however, is a significant step up from the S2 model. You notice it immediately, thanks to the clarity of your voice.

It’s still not as mesmerizingly perfect as Apple’s AirPods Max, but honestly, it’s more than good enough for phone calls and casual conversations.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review: Impressive sound quality Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

On B&W’s spec sheet for the Px7 S3, it lists “40mm bio-cellulose drivers” — the same description used for the Px7 S2. But this is an oversimplification. In reality, the S3’s drivers use a redesigned and improved chassis, voice coil, suspension, and magnet, and they make a huge difference to the sound.

Clarity, definition, soundstage, and precision are all enhanced. These are the first Bowers & Wilkins Px7 series headphones that finally sound as good as they look.

I could spend a lot of time encouraging you to take advantage of the S3’s aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless codecs on a compatible phone. And, you should absolutely use their hi-res, USB audio connection when a wire won’t get in your way (a feature you won’t find on Bose or Sony’s flagships).

But frankly, you can hear and appreciate the S3’s improved audio quality even over a standard SBC or AAC Bluetooth connection (good news for iPhone owners). Setting aside all of the S3’s other improvements, I would happily pay the extra $50 over the price of the S2 just for the sound.

Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

B&W’s excellent factory tuning, with its careful balance of frequencies, is now known as True Sound; this is the EQ setting you get by default in the Bowers & Wilkins Music app. What’s new is the ability to fine-tune this balance using a five-band equalizer, instead of the simplified bass and treble sliders the app shows to S2 owners.

After trying a few adjustments, however, I returned to the True Sound setting and never looked back. To my ear, it’s just about perfect.

Bass has plenty of authority without ever getting boomy or overbearing, and the mids are clear and distinct. Curiously, in the upper-mids and highs, the S3 are something of a return to form. I noted in my Px7 S2 review that the PX7’s high-energy sound signature had been taken down a notch or two. For the S3, B&W seems to have split the difference, and it’s a balance that I think a lot of folks will like. It’s very close to Sony’s tuning on the WH-1000XM6.

Call quality

Those extra mics help the S3 achieve better call quality than its predecessor. The biggest difference is the number of times your callers will hear background sounds -- they’re almost entirely eradicated. When they’re particularly loud, the algorithm still struggles to keep your voice from being distorted, but most of the time, they’ll have no idea you’re not at your desk.

Transparency mode is perfect for reducing the fatigue associated with having your voice muffled by the earcups.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review: Battery life Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

It’s B&W’s belief that most folks will always keep ANC on while using the Px7 S3. As such, it only quotes one number for battery life: 30 hours. That should be more than enough to get you through even the longest flight, but keep in mind that if you listen louder than 50% volume, or if you’re in an especially noisy environment, that number will be lower -- perhaps as much as 15-20% lower.

It’s also worth noting that when the company releases its spatial audio upgrade, it’s a good bet that this will also impact battery life. On Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, for instance, the Immersive Audio feature can reduce playtime by up to 25%.

If you’re worried about stamina, you can always disable ANC, and if that’s still not enough, the Px7 S3 have a very impressive quick-charge time of an extra 7 hours for just 15 minutes of charging.

One more (missing) feature

It’s clear that B&W has tried to future-proof the Px7 S3 by including both hi-res audio (via aptX Adaptive and USB Audio) and the potential for spatial audio down the road. Which is why I’m a bit baffled by the lack of support for Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast. 

Auracast, which lets compatible wireless headphones tune in to publicly available Bluetooth broadcasts, has just started making its way into our lives. But it will soon be ubiquitous in places like airports, museums, movie theaters, gyms, sports arenas, and even at home via our TVs.

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 (left) and Px7 S3 (right). Credit: Simon Cohen / Mashable

Sennheiser, Sony, JBL, and others have already jumped on the Auracast bandwagon with their latest flagship headphones, making this a missed opportunity for B&W to keep the Px7 S3 as a leading option in the coming years. 

Are the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 worth it?

B&W headphones are usually more expensive than the competition, but that's no longer the case. As Mashable's tech editor noted in his Sony XM6 review, $449 is the new standard price of admission for premium headphones.

So, are they worth $449? I say yes, especially if you care about design. The Sony XM6 headphones may have advantages like superior ANC and spatial audio, but they also have an all-plastic construction, whereas the slick-looking Px7 S3 are made from fabric, aluminum, and synthetic leather. With killer sound and a cool aesthetic, they're a solid contender in a very competitive market.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Over-Ear Headphones $449 at Amazon
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