The P3 joins Bowers & Wilkins’ range of mobile hi-fi headphones that already includes the P5 on-ear headphones and C5 in-ear headphones.
Built from aluminum and durable rubber, the headphones feature a custom-made, ultra-light acoustic fabric on the ear pad covers. P3 folds up for easy storage, and stows away into its own compact hard-shell carry case. There’s also a choice of black or white finishes.
The headphones are designed, engineered and tuned by the same engineers responsible for the P5 headphones, Zeppelin Air and the high-end 800 Series Diamond speakers found in Abbey Road Studios.
The P3’s speaker diaphragms feature driver terminals that have been positioned to ensure uniform airflow, resulting in more linear movement and less distortion. Coupled with the use of ultra-linear neodymium magnets and precision damping this ensures smoother motion and therefore a more accurate, natural sound, according to B&W.
The ear pad fabric has been designed especially for P3 to improve the sound quality. The use of memory foam cushions on the ear pads also improves the listening experience.
P3 comes with a hard carry case and a choice of cables: one with a remote/microphone attachment that works seamlessly with an iPhone; and another that ensures compatibility with all other mobile phones and MP3 players. Swapping cables is easy, and simply involves popping off the replaceable ear pads.
Bowers & Wilkins P3 headphones in Black or White will be available in June, with a suggested retail price of $199.99.