Bowers & Wilkins’s $899.99 P9 Signature was conceived to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary and was engineered by the same team responsible for the 800 D3 loudspeaker.

The P9 Signature is Bowers & Wilkins’ largest over-ear headphone. According to the folks at B&W, the headphone’s fantastic experience is created through the innovative placement of the transducer, which is positioned to provide a more natural listening experience. The wearer hears sound as if they are listening to a pair of stereo speakers rather than headphones, with a sense of imaging, depth and clarity that is “truly breath taking,” the company says.

The headband adds strength, but is decoupled from each ear cup, stopping unwanted vibration from distorting the sound while also offering the very best in comfort. This is similar in both thinking and in material choice to the approach used in the latest generation of 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers.

The headphones are crafted from Italian Saffiano leather, using a “stamping” technique that gives the material a distinctive cross-hatch finish. Memory foam cushions in the ear pads help isolate noise from the outside world and mould to the shape of the user’s head over time, providing both an acoustic seal and a comfortable listening experience.

P9 Signature’s aluminum arms make them ideal for music on the move thanks to their foldable design and material choice, which adds greater durability. The luxurious case is the perfect partner for the flagship headphone; crafted from Alcantara with its elegant suede-like feel, and Saffiano leather detail, it will protect the headphones while also reflecting their beauty.

The P9 Signature will come with a variety of high performance cables suitable for use at home and on the go.  An additional Lightning cable is in development and will be out from early 2017 free of charge to those that have registered their P9. The headphone is available online (http://tinyurl.com/zl4vtos) and will be in retail locations by Oct. 15.