The British audio manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is partnering with the James Bond movie franchise to help the films’ music carry on to the next generation of Bond fans, releasing a special-edition Px8 007 Edition headphones model inspired by the iconic character’s first onscreen appearance.
Bowers & Wilkins says its history with the James Bond film franchise is linked to its 40-year relationship with Abbey Road Studios, where its flagship 800 Series loudspeakers have been used to monitor the recording of countless film scores, including Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2015).
More recently, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, Abbey Road Studios engineers used Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers to help create Bond 25, an album featuring all 25 Bond themes with new arrangements recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Abbey Road Studio One.
Few film franchises feature more memorable music than the scores and hit theme songs from James Bond films over the past six decades, notes the Sound United audio brand. To celebrate the new partnership and the 60th anniversary of the release of Dr. No, Bowers & Wilkins has created a custom version of its Px8 wireless headphones, the Px8 007 Edition, featuring a Midnight Blue finish inspired by the dinner jacket worn by Sean Connery’s Bond in his first on-screen appearance (see below).
Bowers & Wilkins says the special-edition headphones deliver high-performance wireless sound, coupled with detailing that offers a subtle nod to the style of 007.
The new Px8 007 Edition will be available from the Bowers & Wilkins website and 007Store.com starting October 19, 2022, priced at $799.
“We are immensely proud of our long-standing relationship with the James Bond franchise. Our new partnership gives us the perfect opportunity to highlight the close connection we’ve had with some of the iconic music of 007 over the years,” says Giles Pocock, vice president of Brand Marketing, Bowers & Wilkins. “Together, we will continue to celebrate the instrumental role that music plays in this global cultural phenomenon.”
