Overpriced mediocrity

I have not bought the P7, but 2x extensively sample belongs. After the Audio Technica ATH-m50x I wanted to afford a more neutral, better and more suitable for long listening sessions headphones. Based on my listening habits (a lot of rock, pop, blues, metal and various forms of electronic music, less classical and jazz) rather closed as open headphones came into question. High hopes I sat here in the very well-rated by many reviewers Bowers & Wilkins P7. After two copious pre-listening in a hi-fi shop of my confidence, I find the P7 rather disappointing. I tested the P7 both the connected playback device of B & W in the hi-fi business, and with my FiiO X3 (exclusively with Lossless files with 16 and 24 bit).

Positive the design of the P7 is to evaluate that looks very classy. The processing seems to be good. The headset is also very comfortable to wear. Worth mentioning are also the sound clear midrange, which act very differentiated at individually aufspielenden instruments such as piano or guitar.

This brings us to the positive side but in my opinion even at the end. Negative points for me are: The bass are plentiful, but could be more differentiated and dry. The centers are very differentiated, but emphasized the upper midrange, which can be really nasty part. For me the headphones are now sounding not really neutral, but the upper middle stand out clearly. The heights are indeed clear, but clearly unrolled. Thus, there is not a hiss, but the overall phonetic impression is still not conducive.

A total of P7 for me sounds a bit unbalanced. It sounds better than the P5 (I've only heard briefly) and is not really bad, but around 400 euros I can expect better sound. And there is also much better! I am not surprised that reviewers here reported, the B & W P7 blade better than the Beats by Dr. Dre. That's my opinion, but not art. ;-) Interested should before buying the P7 any case the Focal Spirit Classic listen to the sample, which sounds more sophisticated and above all much more balanced and more enjoyable than the P7 in my opinion. He is also a bit cheaper.

I find it interesting that the Bowers & Wilkins P7 is available in Apple stores. Both product families seem to have something in common: technically mediocre products, but pimped be brought to the target audience with great design and Comfortable, the then quite high (excessive?) Prices. Love Apple fans, please kill me not the same because of this statement ...