Philips X2 / X2HR Super Review 

I've been using them at work lately, still love 'em.

Me too

wuuut, i've heard the opposite of the DT series. I have a pair of DT 770's myself that are about 6 years old now and still work perfectly and almost feel new after an earpad switch. I wanted to try something else now tho, so i just ordered a pair of X2HR's.

@@Chris-ie2yd Yeah, I'm still stunned to this day that something so ruggedly built ended up a paper weight. Not all but some just have QC issues. I've had Portapros last longer. Anyway, I moved on to wireless stuff. TWS buds and lately a really impressive Soundcore Q35 full size.

Have you found the headset sounds way more flat/worse than a pair of gaming headphones? I transitioned from some Turtle Beach P12s and the X2HRs sound worse even when messing with EqualizerAPO. I love how they sound for music, but for gaming they just dont sound good no matter how I seem to tweak them. I just plug them into my PC, no DAC or AMP. Any advice?

@@SK-mc7uw I really feel the Schitt HEL is why i enjoy these so much. I run them on High Gain. I played with EqualizerAPO (using Harmon curve and Chuklatte settings). I ended up going back to stock. I also added the Dekoni leather pads as well . For my ears I havn't lost anything. Love the soundstage. I guess if I had to pick it apart i could say some highs (footsteps) can be a little lacking (vertical audio). Then again "gaming" headsets tend to tune for that imo. Im a for fun gamer not "competitive" so i enjoy the V shape sound and extra bass of the X2HR

@@xS0JUx Thank you!

@@SK-mc7uw I play competetive and X2HR is the way to go, go with a soundblaster G6 and you have the best gaming headset you will get, cant even compare and I have tryed every expensive gaming headset out there trust me. You will be so grateful for this comment xD

could "sound fatigue" be why i just need to take off my headphones and stop listening to music sometimes? its like my ears just get tired of how they sound

@@FoxSock Its a natural response to long exposure. Signals need to be transferred and processed. Requires resources and energy.

How does the x2 differ from the dt880 (soundwise)? Can you describe it? Also, is the X2 as comfortable as the DT? Not too tight?

That's such a good price 🤤

i was thinking about getting a pair, but since i already have the dt's and the hd6xx, i really wanted to to try planars so i opted to get the he4xx's since i figured i already have the "open back dynamic" covered with the dt's.

I am in the exact position as you were. Considering buying the X2HR since I got so damn tired of all the junk gaming headsets. The Sennheiser AMP is amazing in all aspects, it needs a headset to match it. I am also looking at the AKG K712 Pro. What is your general opinion after owning the headset for so many months?

Same but 5 years ago. I don't even think the pads have flattened at all. I can't believe the insanely low prices they're selling for now. Be on the lookout for the Fidelio X3's coming out soon!

​@@Wadacup Yeah same with my pads the foam is honestly prolly more comfy now that it's been broken in. Will be on the lookout for the X3's. Have u gotten any more headphones since the X2's? I havn't upgraded because I feel like i'd need to spend $600+ to get a audible upgrade. (I don't have a dac/amp)

Ah yeah, so if you get a dac/amp, all you'll ever need in terms of sound quality is something like the schiit stack, or JDS Labs Atom stack. Both are $200, and the measurements mean they're transparent. (Don't buy into the snake oil that you need more expensive gear to improve sound quality). The most important thing is to put your money into headphones. Sorry didn't mean to lecture in a wall of text 😅 But nah I haven't had any new headphones since the X2's. I was planning on picking up a second from Amazon just to get more years out of em. I'm sad the corona has pushed pack the X3 release so much I've read that the Hifiman Sundara's are a bit better than the X2's but then read other reviews that say the difference is too small to be worth the extra money. It's like people say, the HD600's were flagship headphones when they came out, and the X2's compete at or above their level. So it's up to you if it's worth it to keep going higher. Wish I could lol

@@Wadacup Do you use a dac/amp with ur X2's? If so do you think it was worth it? I'm also curious about hooking them up to a tube amp

@@LuLzezRoflcopter yeah I just got a JDS Atom stack, had Schiit stack before. It was definitely worth it because my computer loves to scream noise, so I needed a DAC. I think the amp is worth it, and also just in case, since the low frequencies of headphones are harder to power than the rest. So having an amp makes sure you have enough power to drive the headphones properly, even though the X2's are low impedance. Also ensures the signal your headphones are getting isn't distorted or anything.

At $100, can't think of anything even close to these. On an amp, my favorite set is Sennheiser HD600s.

Lemme know what you think. First time I heard open-back headphones completely changed my experience with personal audio.

@@SuperReview here we go, an update from me lol. I like them, a lot. They're so incredibly comfy (the earpads have softened a little bit over the time I've been wearing them, which is about just under a month, which makes them so nice to wear). The hammock headband is also one of my favourite pieces of this headset as well, it distributes the weight of the headphones so well that they don't feel super heavy. Clamping force is alright but it does feel a little tight, but it's not that bad, I can wear these for a solid 8 hours straight with little to pain on my head. And also, I am so glad I decided to buy open back headphones. Yeah, they're very different to closed back and didn't really like the feeling at first, I kinda warmed up to and when around the house is quiet, I'd gladly choose these over my noise cancelling Sony's. Also I'm not much of an audiophile but they sound amazing, the bass is so much stronger than I expected for a pair of open back headphones (I like bass and for the headphones to not lack in that department, it's fantastic). I would definitely buy these again (and maybe along with the DT990 Pros), solid 9/10 headphones from me! And thank you for making this video, it's one of the main videos that I watched in order to make my decision as to whether or not I should buy them. I have no regrets buying them hahaha.

@@SuperReview Also the fact that they don't need an amp to be powered is so good for my electric piano that I use, it sounds great on that as well! And a final thing, the Razer Kitty ears do fit on the top band of these headphones, here's my photo of it on Reddit: www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/elski5/ive_never_used_open_back_headphones_before_these/?

@@Sharkyzane231 I didn't know you could add kitty ears to a headphone 👀

@@Sharkyzane231 Kitty ears are way undervalued in audiophile circles.

I have sennheiser HD599 and now thinking about to get x2 but still quite unsure about that. I love sennheiser sound signature and want to try something else too. Do you suggest me to get X2 too? Thanks

@@meyve35 Well the X2's are WELL worth the money, especially if you can find them on sale. They sound really good too. There only drawback if they're really big and bulky, very durable though, and real memory foam in the earcups.

@database I've changed the pads for bigger and deeper ones (the originals are too shallow and touch the edge of the ears) but that's true, the clamp is quite strong. My head is rather small so it's not really a problem for me.

Bigger soundstage? SHP 9500, HD 668B ir HD681 EVO?

@@jspetrolina I'd say 668b. The 681 is close second, then the Philips.

@database I use cheap velour pads, found on aliexpress. Not as good as some Dekoni or Brainwavz stuff but they do the job pretty well for a fraction of the price (in my memories, around 7 bucks).

@@cusdu6349 Thanks for helping! I´m choosing SHP500 or 681/668b as my first "real" headphone. Where would you start From? Do you have Discord or other place where when can chat a little more easily? Tks!

Mm, a friend has them, I might have tried them briefly but don't remember anything about them.

How are the Fidelio’s L2 in term of bass compared to, for example, the SHP 9500?

Very comfortable for me, but I don't wear glasses.

From what I can tell, there's no significant difference. My friend has the X2, I have the X2HR -- they seem identical to me. Some people have mentioned that the original X2 went through some manufacturing changes, and people prefer the earlier X2s (something to do with glued-on earpads). And from what I've read, the X2HR is a good way to guarantee you get the better manufacturing process. But sound will be the same.

Super* Review are the x2hr bigger?

Nope, identical size.

I'm bad at genres so I have no idea what psytrance is. The X2s have very solid bass for open-back headphones, but a closed-back headphone can still give you more thump. I think when people say these headphones have strong bass it's just relative to other open-back headphones. IMO, the bass is not heavily accentuated. (P.S. "Good with hi-res files" doesn't mean much from what I can tell. "Hi-res" audio is mostly marketing.) Are your QC25s not doing the job?

Super* Review well, my Bose sounds pretty good, but I know that there is something out there that sounds better, alot what you pay for with Bose is the brand, just like Beats. And the bass in the QC25's isn't that great, it gets distorted when I crank up the volume. Well, I know for a fact that the Hi-Res files I bought from HDtracks sounds way better than my CD version of the album. I know alot of people saying it is BS, but you got to have in mind that if you don't have the Audio gear to hear a difference you won't! I can hear a huge difference from my TIDAL Hi-Fi subscription playing MQA files, from my Spotify or Apple Music the last two I've stopped using. So know I'm hunting down some great Hi-Res Audio headphones, and it will be the Fidelio X2HR or the Audio Technicas ATH WS1100is? The Audio Technicas are just hard for me to get because they are not available in my country, sadly. PsyTrance is great music, try listening to an artist called Spirit Architect, he is one of the greatest PsyTrance artists there is right now!

Fidelio for sure!

Nah, I haven't heard the SHPs, sorry.

Primarily I use the EQ in my Walkman, but I've also used Boom 2 for Mac in the past.

Hm, hard for me to say, I live in SF Bay Area, it doesn't really get hot here. But we also don't have air conditioning :P

open back are always cooler than closed back. i can wear my open back headphones for hours, while the closed backs not even for an hour before i can feel my ears start to sweat. as for the competitors, basically all the popular ones from Drop: hd58x, he4xx, and k7xx, dt880

Hm, Tin T3 more midrange + treble focus, X2s sound more open, bit more bass emphasis, and less treble emphasis.

Your S10 will be fine 👍

Speakers scare me.

The X2s vs. the Sony XM3s are very different headphones. In terms of sound quality, I think there's no comparison -- the X2s sound so so much better to my ears. But because they're open-back, they are an opposite to noise canceling headphones -- you'll still be able to hear sounds around you, and if you listen to your music loudly people around you will be able to hear your music.

It is very nice 👌 People around you will hate them.

I use a Sony NW-A45. I don't EQ often, but occasionally EQ with the built-in EQ on the Walkman.

Super* Review does the NWA45 support of 24bit instead of 16bit?

No.

@@SuperReview I bought it today on Amazon and can't wait for my new Fidelio🤞

Bro can't help you from here.

As I understand it, the name change just represents different phases of production -- at some point, all new X2s were X2HRs.

Hm, that's not a difference I'm aware of -- I think they're likely all the same color, just look somewhat different in different lighting.

​@@SuperReview Did a bit more digging and I found that for a brief moment of time, there was a "version" of the X2HR that was made by Gibson when they acquired Philips' consumer electronics division which had glued-on earpads instead of 4-clips style attachment points. And as far as I can tell, there sin't any real way to tell which version I'm getting and now I'm getting all kinds of scared to buy one :/

Yeah, they made things kind of confusing with the different manufacturing runs.

I haven't heard H900N, but -- IMO -- there's no comparison between X2 and WH-1000XM3. The X2s are just wayyy ahead in doing the things I like in audio. The stereo separation and definition in sounds is well done on X2, and IMO quite poor on XM3s. I don't find the X2s especially heavy on my head, though they are big/bulky. And sound leak? If you listen loud, yeah, they leak a ton, and they don't block out any outside sounds.

@@SuperReview thanks 😊 Sound leak will be an issue as i mostly use headphone in office 😣 Can you please suggest a closed back one then? What about new philips ph805? Are they better than sony xm3? How is the sound quality as compared to x2hr?

Ooh I'm curious, let me know how they work out. $150 is such a good deal.

@@SuperReview Sure! Have you listened to both to make a comparison? And, yes! I had to get them for that price. They've been $200 for the longest.

No, I haven't heard the SHPs but I'm curious.

I'm curious too. Currently have shp9500s and looking at the x2's now that the price is so low. Let us know if you think it's worth the upgrade!

@@chimmy4183 Will do! I saw some reviews of the Fidelio X2HR on Amazon. A few are SHP9500 owners. They said, the Fidelio X2HR IS an upgrade over their SHP9500s. Of course, everyone's ears are different. I'll be the judge. On certain games, I'm gonna alternate between the two. I also, have the hd58x Jubilee. Those are better than the SHP9500, without question.

That sounds better :)

Fid

And smeel the headband like Beethoven smeeled it.

Fidelity... 'fidelio'

Noice 👌 I found them on eBay for ~$225. As you can see in the video, the box got a bit damaged 🙃 but they were otherwise new.

Way good price! I'm interested to hear what you think of them compared to the Alessandros.

Very good comparison 👍

Vo Ha how did you like them

I bought these for 153$ CAD total brand new off newegg, is that a good deal?

Presumably, though those are not genres I listen to. They present a nice sound stage and I think will go well with anything acoustic.

Such a dope song.

I just bought this. i am keeping this....i came from trying alpha cloud, logitech 935, m50xbt from audio technica. These sound amazing more alive that the m50. m50s were very nice....but the the x2hr were a bit better and more comfortable....

@@jergernice1 Thank you for the reply! I'm just worried that the difference between the Cloud Alpha, 58X Jubilee and the X2HR might not be all that different that's why I'm hesitating to get any of them.

MrLonemartin1 x2 on a different level than the alpha for me.

@@jergernice1 looks like I might be pulling it then. Thanks a lot!

@@MrLonemartin1 what did you decide on?

Three pretty different headphones. For relaxing at home, IMO these Philips X2s crush the Audio Technicas. The X2s are super comfortable and deliver a sound that only open headphones can do. But for school or the office, I'd get one of the Audio Technicas. Personally, I'm not a big fan of the M50x, they sound a bit dark to me, and narrow like the sound is coming out of a straw. Hard to explain. The SR5BTs sound nicer IMO (and I think they look nicer, too). SR5BT is fairly neutral, forward presentation. Neither is aggressive.

yeah mybad for even asking you to compare to the x2s, i mean its a) not even the same price range b) not the same type of headphone. but yeah the m50x or sr5bt was the question for me, alright man thanks for the input, id probably get these or sennheiser pxc550 if i was looking at that price range tbh.. just a bit too much for me

Have you considered Koss KPH30i? They're super cheap...and I like them better than M50x or SR5BT :p

first time im hearing about them so cant say i have, also they arent available in my country at all, being as im from serbia and all.. the above mentioned models all are available though.. that+general online reviews is whats making me consider those

@@SuperReview man I ended up buying the m50x's cause they were on a crazy sale, but now the headphones seem imbalanced, in the sense that the left one is deff louder than the right, I mean it's not a huge difference in loudness but noticeable... Now the question is if it's typical for the headphones or should I return them idk im confused now

Roku In my world, it is perfectly acceptable. Apologies for those who (metaphorically) don't live here.

Be careful, sniffing today's products will surely give you cancer lol

I have not heard those.

Only that is about a perfect combo for gaming!

X2 with a v moda boompro is cake. The senn 58x are a great pair as well, better imaging, but not as fun, and that double wire and separate modmic uni if you game is for me too many wires right off the bat. I like closed backs, quietly game or listen without disturbing others and immersive feel of it but im sick of gaming sets, so weak, poorly built, all plastic, and way overpriced, compared to hifi cans even on a budget. X2 dont disappoint in build, theyre over engineered. Aluminum, steel, leather, velour....and theres no catch, its solid.

a great video by the way

Wich one did you choose?

Mart ended up getting the 990 Pro 250ohms. They sound amazing but really need an amp like the Fiio E10K or K3 to get the best from.

Depends on how loud you listen. But... yeah.

Thank you for your review 👍

Do you prefer the HE-4XX over these? If so, why?

@@CC-dy2td Just better sound quality. Much more detailed and tight sound. The X2's have kind of muffled sound sometimes. HE-4XX if you run them properly (They need a lot of power to sound good) then they are amazing. If not run properly, they sound bad and tinny. It's very important that they get enough juice.

I've read that some non-HR X2s had build issues, namely glue holding on the ear pads. But not all. Seems an HR copy is a good guarantee you get the preferred build, but there are non-HRs that are just as good 🤷‍♀️

I also have the HE400i and a pair of HD600, might as well get the Fidelio. HD600 are my favorite headphones.

@@Alexander5R what do you think of the Fidelio compare to hd600?

@@litahuns4615 I like the HD600 more, the Fidelio X2 is better built and maybe more comfortable, but the sound is more natural and neutral on the HD600, the X2 does not sound bad but it is warmer with more bass. The X2 were cheaper, but I think that the HD600 is worth it.

@@Alexander5R ahhh, there it what i was looking for. warmer than the 600's, you say? then that's a hard pass for me. i can't stand the signature of the 650's so i don't need another set that sounds like them.

Grado boxes are the best 🙈

You could use something like an ES100 to make it Bluetooth.

no

Woof, that's frustrating.

Are you using it directly on a computer? Its common for noise from inside the computer to interact with the sound in headphones.

Bit big, but they'll work.

Do you want an IEM or an open-back headphone?

@@SuperReview I want feel good sound, only. For music (edm, classical, pop and movies)

I got mine on eBay I think. Looks like they're back on Amazon! amzn.to/2EdseCm

Haven't heard the Sennheiser, but X2 = V + soundstage.

X2HR for sure !!! HD599 have a linear sound.

Almost zero.

Yep, definitely.

Can't measure them for you, but Sennheiser a bit bigger than XM3s, and AKG & Fidelio a bit bigger than that.

@@SuperReview which one is bigger Philips Fidelio X2HR or Philips SHP9500

@@mohamedsaied1932 I haven't used the SHPs.

Thanks

They sound very different. Haven't found an IEM that sounds open like an open-back headphone.

Get the Tin T2 IEMs and don't look back. The bass isnt the best, but the mids and highs, and soundstage are incredible. I was blown away

@@SuperReview people say that ikko oh10 sound open as that

I underestimated the allure of knobs.

@@SuperReview What can I say, it's hard to say no to a good knob.

@@casualaudiophilelmao. Too true.

I haven't heard the Status, but they're pretty different headphones -- one closed back, one open.

@@SuperReview thanks

You could.

I don't think I've tried the Beyer. I think my favorite option in this price range is Sennheiser HD58X with a small mod.

@@SuperReview Thank you very much for the answer. I will look for more information about the HD58X

You mean the Sony 1000XM3?

Very different headphones. Sony is a noise cancelling beast but closed. This has no cancellation and it is open back so you don't want them for office, flying etc.

Sennheiser HD600

@@SuperReview ok thanks, in that model bass is good?

@@enthermusic5999 I like the bass, but it's less bass than X2.

They have kids? That's cute... Ok I'll stop.

@@radiofloyd2359 lol mids

@@Tigerex966 ik, lol.

TBH I'm not much of a believer in burn-in.

@@SuperReview so, why I can't feel open?

@@travellerdesign4459 no ideas but you are in a huge minority. Or maybe you got some fake ones or made by Gibson

@@shaolin95 its muy opinion

Something like this: www.aliexpress.com/item/4000703738591.html

Thanks for the reply, can I ask why a silver cable?

@@paolo2795 Color doesn’t matter, but it’s the right length for me, and soft and pliable.

@@SuperReview I mean how the sound is influenced by the cable’s material?

@@paolo2795 In my experience, cable doesn't affect sound unless it's broken.

How well do those work without an amp?

Super* Review Like you, I use them both without an amp a lot because I just don't want to bother with it. I get good volume from both with just my phone. I do have a Cayin C5 dac/amp that I occasionally use and it does improve the sound somewhat, but the music is still very enjoyable without it.

Would you say volume is pretty similar with either set, or is one louder than the other without an amp?

Super* Review I find that volume is pretty close between the two. The AKGs are a little louder at a given volume setting, but the difference is not very great.

Thanks for the intel!

I've heard good things about them, but haven't tried them for myself.

@@SuperReview they're amazing for the price! Buy them 💯💯🔥🔥

I don't know about the X27. But X2 and X2HR I believe are exactly the same, just they eventually paid for HiRes certification on later models. So X2HR models are newer than X2.

Super* Review thanks for the info 👍

There seems to be no significant difference in terms of design, but there's been differences in quality control over the years.

@@SuperReview the quality sound?

Build quality.

@@SuperReview and the sound quality is different on the x2hr?

@@giuliopoldoallai8258 If you are going by X2 reviews they are generally *not* about X2HR which has much more mixed or outright bad reviews from people who owned the previous X2. I made that mistake myself.

Still solid. For the price these go for, I would personally get a Sennheiser 58X for myself.

@@SuperReview ok thanks

@@SuperReview Sennheiser 58X can use normal pc ?

@@SuperReview how about beyer 900 pro x ? The sound I like is mainly to be clear and have bass, but the bass should not be too heavy, because too heavy bass will cause the sound to be distorted, and it is not good if there is no bass.

The new Beyers look interesting, but I haven't heard for myself.

No

Yes, when driven by a proper amp/dac.

Yes they are perfect for gaming. If you can amp them with a small amp too they are awesome. I use a Fiio X5 for my X2 (non HR).

Absolutely not

Supposedly some are glued >_

@@SuperReview is that a good thang or a bad one should I be worried

@@johngotti8544 Not really something to worry about. It doesn't affect the sound. There are audiophiles who like to change pads on their headphones. If they're glued it makes it harder to do that.

Welcome to delusion land, population.... st4vert.

Exactly why I'm watching this review. Saw the offer and fell in love with the look, now here finding out how they sound.

The sound from this newer HR version is terrible. So much treble your ears will hurt. Had to return the pair I got from amazon a month ago.

That's like $142USD at current exchange rates. Today, it's available for $120 on Amazon US: amzn.to/34sMeMu. These headphones have so few reviews from big channels.

Maybe I have big ears. If I do that, my ears touch the driver shields.

I like the old pads much more too, but besides the volume they dont change the sound except for about 0.5dB around 300Hz. So not necessary to disgard on for another, allthough the Woox ones are sometimes cheaper then the newer Gibson ones. I had 3 pairs now. The Woox 1st release in idk 2014/15 somewhere. Then the Gibson in 2016 and then another Woox X2 of their latest badge from Italy for 130€ (Thats the whole reason i bought it and for spare parts^^)

Whats the difference between rhe x2 and the x2HR

I've read people describe differences, but having used both X2 and X2HR I could not tell a single difference.

WHY!!!! ARE YOU ON EVERY VIDEO

would you recommend these for pc gaming or over a headset thats just for gaming like by brands such as Corsair and Steelseries i want to change to a starter audiophile kinda can instead.

@@oftheabyss3219 yes with a boom pro, but prob even better off with the shp9500 and a boom pro if ising more for gaming 👍 x2s nicer for longer music listening though...

You're the only one that says these aren't super comfortable. Maybe you have a deformed head? Wuss.

Pretty good deal.

I like to leave my phone at work and listen to it at home with this very long cable.

Super* Review 😂😂😂🤣...could you kindly recommend a hard shell case that this headphones fits into well to carry it around or travel ???...it would be helpful

If I had a good recommendation, I'd give one -- but I haven't used a hard shell for these.

Super* Review okay ...but are these comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions ..like does it have any clamping force that causes the jaws to hurt or ears to heat up and sweat or any listening fatigue ? All am saying is ...Would be comfortable for people with large sized heads ? 😀

Super* Review okay ...but are these comfortable enough to wear for long listening sessions ..like does it have any clamping force that causes the jaws to hurt or ears to heat up and sweat or any listening fatigue ? All am saying is ...Would be comfortable for people with large sized heads ? 😀

That's very strange, the bass in these is very rich and wide, get a replacement

✌️

For what purpose?

@@SuperReview listening music or in general, they told me that the wire is poor in quality, so i have to buy or use a different, high quality cable..

I guess I mean, what do you expect that changing the wire will do? It will not change the music.

@@SuperReview so it doesn't matter the wire but the headphone itself..?

For sound quality, that is correct. Unless there is a defect in a cable, I've never heard a sound difference by switching to another cable. Now there might be other reasons to switch a cable. For example, I think the cable that comes with the X2 is way too long -- I've swapped it with a shorter cable to be more manageable.