Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 vs iFi xDSD Gryphon
Quick Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 is a complete wireless over-ear headphone with adaptive noise cancellation, 30 hour battery, and aptX Lossless. It is best for listeners who want an all in one solution with long battery and call features. The iFi xDSD Gryphon is a portable balanced DAC and headphone amplifier, not a headphone. It offers high resolution codecs, MQA, DSD, and balanced outputs for those who already own headphones. Its battery life is unpublished. Choose the Px7 S3 if you need headphones. Choose the Gryphon if you want to upgrade your existing audio chain.
| Spec | Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 | iFi xDSD Gryphon |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Wireless over-ear headphones | Portable balanced DAC and headphone amplifier |
| Driver | 40mm bio-cellulose drivers with dedicated discrete amplification | Not applicable (no headphone driver) |
| Noise cancelling | Adaptive active noise cancellation with 8 microphone array for calls | Not applicable (no active noise cancelling) |
| Bluetooth and codecs | Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive | Bluetooth 5.1 with Qualcomm QCC5100; supports aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and HWA/LHDC |
| Battery life | Up to 30 hours per charge; 15 minute quick charge provides 7 hours | Not published in listing |
| Wired option | Not published in listing | USB-C, S/PDIF optical and coaxial, 3.5 mm single ended, 4.4 mm balanced |
| Controls and app | Bowers & Wilkins Music App with 5 band customizable EQ; additional controls not published | XBass and xSpace settings, iEmatch, auto gain; no app mentioned in listing |
| Water resistance | Not published in listing | Not published in listing |
| Weight | Not published in listing | Not published in listing |
| Included accessories | Not published in listing | Listing notes no TOSLINK Mini-Plug to TOSLINK Adapter; other accessories not published |
Sound Quality
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 uses 40mm bio-cellulose drivers with dedicated discrete amplification according to the listing. This design earned a sound quality score of 26 out of 30. The iFi xDSD Gryphon is not a headphone and has no driver of its own. Its sound quality score of 25 out of 30 assumes you connect high quality external headphones or IEMs.
The Px7 S3 supports aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive over Bluetooth 5.3. The Gryphon supports a wider range of Bluetooth codecs including aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and HWA/LHDC. It also decodes MQA and native DSD up to DSD512. Those high resolution formats are beyond what the Px7 S3 listing states.
The Gryphon offers sound shaping tools such as XBass and xSpace, plus iEmatch for sensitive IEMs and a PureWave balanced circuit with 1000 mW amplifier power. The Px7 S3 provides a 5 band EQ in its companion app. Both allow customization, but the Gryphon is a dedicated source component while the Px7 S3 is a complete headphone.
Comfort and Fit
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 is described as having a lightweight design with memory foam earcups. Its comfort and fit score is 16 out of 20. The listing does not publish the actual weight, so physical comfort cannot be independently verified beyond those materials.
The iFi xDSD Gryphon is a portable DAC and amplifier, not a wearable device. Its comfort and fit score of 12 out of 20 reflects the category mismatch. Comfort for the Gryphon means ergonomics and portability, but the listing does not provide weight or dimensions.
For headphone users, the Px7 S3 is the only product that sits on your head. Memory foam earcups suggest a plush fit, but without a measured weight the exact wear experience is unknown. The Gryphon is meant to be carried or placed on a desk, so it has no headphone comfort at all.
Noise Control and Features
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 includes adaptive active noise cancellation and a transparency mode. It also has an 8 microphone array for calls. These features give it strong noise control and everyday versatility. The listing scores it 12 out of 15 for features and noise control.
The iFi xDSD Gryphon has no active noise cancellation and no transparency mode because it is not a headphone. It also has no microphone. Its feature set focuses on audio processing rather than ambient sound management. It scores 12 out of 15 in the same category due to its many sound related tools.
The Gryphon offers XBass, xSpace, iEmatch, auto gain, and a SilentLine OLED display. It supports full MQA decoding and native DSD playback. The Px7 S3 offers a 5 band EQ in its app. For noise isolation and call support, the Px7 S3 wins clearly. For tweaking audio and high resolution format support, the Gryphon has more advanced capabilities.
Battery, Bluetooth and Connectivity
The Px7 S3 lists a battery life of up to 30 hours per charge. A 15 minute quick charge provides 7 hours of playback. It uses Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive. No wired option is published in the listing. Its battery and connectivity score is 12 out of 15.
The iFi xDSD Gryphon does not publish battery life in the listing. That is a significant unknown for a portable device. It uses Bluetooth 5.1 with a Qualcomm QCC5100 chip and supports aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, and HWA/LHDC. Its battery and connectivity score is only 5 out of 15, largely due to the missing battery spec.
In terms of wired connectivity, the Gryphon is far more flexible. It offers USB-C, S/PDIF optical and coaxial, 3.5mm single ended, and 4.4mm balanced connections. The Px7 S3 listing does not state any wired input beyond Bluetooth. For wireless endurance, the Px7 S3 has a clear published advantage. For connection variety and codec support, the Gryphon is stronger, but you must verify its battery life before purchase.
Build, Design and Portability
The Px7 S3 is listed as having a lightweight design, but no specific weight is given. Memory foam earcups are mentioned as a premium material. The build and portability score is 9 out of 10. No water resistance rating is published.
The iFi xDSD Gryphon has a military grade aluminum build and a SilentLine OLED display according to the listing. Its weight and dimensions are not published, which makes true portability hard to judge. The build and portability score is 8 out of 10.
Both devices are intended to be portable, but they serve different roles. The Px7 S3 is a wearable headphone that folds or rests around your neck. The Gryphon is a pocketable or stackable component for your own headphones. The aluminum shell suggests durability for the Gryphon, while the Px7 S3 relies on lightweight materials and memory foam for comfort. Neither has a water resistance rating.
Call Quality and Daily Use
The Px7 S3 has an 8 microphone array for calls and adaptive noise cancellation, so it should handle voice calls and online meetings well. The 30 hour battery supports all day use without frequent charging. The companion app provides a 5 band EQ for daily sound adjustments.
The iFi xDSD Gryphon has no microphone and no call handling features. It is purely a source device for music playback through connected headphones or IEMs. Daily use means selecting your own headphones, connecting via cable or Bluetooth, and adjusting sound with XBass or xSpace.
For users who need to take calls or use voice assistants, the Px7 S3 is the only choice. The Gryphon is better suited for dedicated listening sessions where phone calls are not a concern. The missing battery life spec on the Gryphon also makes daily portability less predictable.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 if you want a complete wireless over-ear headphone with adaptive noise cancellation, long battery life, and a customizable EQ. It is suitable for commuters, travelers, and anyone who wants premium sound without separate components.
Buy the iFi xDSD Gryphon if you already own high quality headphones or IEMs and want a portable high resolution DAC and amplifier. It supports balanced outputs, premium Bluetooth codecs, and formats like MQA and DSD. You value sound shaping tools and do not need a built in microphone or noise cancellation.
The Gryphon is not for someone who needs a standalone headphone. The Px7 S3 is not for someone who wants to drive multiple high end headphones with balanced amplification. Your existing audio gear will determine which product fits your setup.
The Deciding Question
The core question is whether you need a headphone or a source component. If you need something to put on your head and listen wirelessly with noise cancellation, choose the Px7 S3. If you already have headphones and want to improve their performance with a high quality portable amplifier, choose the Gryphon.
The missing battery life on the Gryphon is a critical unknown that you should resolve before buying. The Px7 S3 publishes 30 hours of battery, which is a safe and known quantity. If battery endurance matters more than balanced outputs, the Px7 S3 is the safer choice.
Also consider call needs. The Px7 S3 has microphones for calls, while the Gryphon has none. If you plan to use your gear for work calls or video meetings, the Px7 S3 is the only practical option. For purely musical listening with your own headphones, the Gryphon offers more high resolution flexibility.
Who Should Buy Which
Choose the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 for an all in one wireless headphone with adaptive noise cancellation, 30 hour battery, and a 5 band EQ. It works out of the box for music, calls, and travel. No extra gear is needed.
Choose the iFi xDSD Gryphon for a high resolution portable DAC and amplifier with balanced outputs, LDAC, MQA, and DSD support. It is ideal for headphone enthusiasts who already own quality headphones or IEMs and want to extract more detail and power.
If you are starting from scratch and need a complete listening solution, the Px7 S3 is the simpler purchase. If you have a collection of wired headphones and want one device to drive them all, the Gryphon is more versatile. Just remember that its battery life is not published, so verify that spec before committing.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Pros
- 40mm bio-cellulose drivers with dedicated amplification
- aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive over Bluetooth 5.3
- Up to 30 hour battery life with 15 minute quick charge
- Adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode
- Lightweight design with memory foam earcups
- 5 band EQ in companion app
Cons
- Wired option not published
- Weight and water resistance not published
- Included accessories not listed
- Control layout beyond app EQ not detailed
iFi xDSD Gryphon
Pros
- Supports high resolution Bluetooth codecs including LDAC and aptX Adaptive
- Balanced 4.4 mm and single ended 3.5 mm inputs and outputs
- iEmatch reduces hiss with sensitive IEMs
- XBass and xSpace sound shaping
- 1000 mW amplifier power and PureWave balanced circuit
- MQA full decoding and native DSD up to DSD512
Cons
- Battery life is not published in the listing
- Weight and dimensions are not published
- No water resistance rating
- No microphone or call handling features
- TOSLINK adapter not included
Who Should Buy Each
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
- Commuters who want 30 hour battery life and fast charging
- Fans of aptX Lossless and customizable 5 band EQ
- Listeners who prioritize adaptive noise cancellation
- Those who appreciate premium materials and memory foam comfort
iFi xDSD Gryphon
- Listeners with high impedance headphones or sensitive IEMs who need iEmatch and auto gain
- Users who want full MQA decoding and DSD512 playback on the go
- Those who need multiple wired and wireless inputs in one portable device
- Buyers who value a powerful 1000 mW balanced amplifier
Quick Decision Guide
| If you need wireless over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation | Choose Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 |
| If you already own headphones or IEMs and want a portable high resolution DAC and amplifier | Choose iFi xDSD Gryphon |
| If a published long battery life is essential | Choose Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 |
| If you need to make phone calls or use voice assistants | Choose Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 |
| If you want balanced output and support for MQA and DSD | Choose iFi xDSD Gryphon |
FAQ
About This Comparison
Mandrillis Team
The Mandrillis editorial team researches and compares audio and music gear using manufacturer documentation, verified specs and real buyer feedback, so you can make a confident purchase without wading through marketing claims.
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