Philips Fidelio X2HR - Headphone Highlight

[@UH1Phil]

So which pads are these of the three Dakonis? Suede, leather or velour? Does it impact sound as radically as it does the X3 you mention in that review? I'm looking to change my X2 pads but I'm not sure which ones to get. Thanks for the great review, and confirming I don't really need to change to the X3 :D

[@MasterMarslander]

Had to dig them out (still moving into the new place), the Dekoni pads I have on the X2 are velour.

[@UH1Phil]

@@MasterMarslander Oh gee, thanks for the ultra fast reply! I'm sure other people have use for this info too :)

[@PhonoDirect]

I have had both X2 and X2 HR. The only difference is the material the earpads are made of. The "hardware" is identical, verified by swapping the earpads from X2 to HR and vice versa. The original X2 sound darker, the sub bass is deeper, the scene is wider. The X2 HR sound brighter, with less sub bas, narrower scene, but slightly better localisation. I prefer X2 over the HR version. But the original earpads are made of unobtanium, unfortunately.

[@MasterMarslander]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing.

[@SofaKingA]

I just bought these based 9nbyiur recommendation. These are my first pair of "audiophile" headphones they sound great. I'll appreciate them more once I spend more time gaming with them. Do you think a dac/Amp would make them sound even better?

[@MasterMarslander]

@SofaKingA glad you enjoy them! A dac/amp can improve the sound. Something like a Schiit Fulla would be an affordable entry-level option.

[@SofaKingA]

@@MasterMarslander Curious, just in case, do you have a closed back recommendation in case the sound bleeds into my mic. I heard instances of people experiencing this issue with open back headsets.

[@MasterMarslander]

@SofaKingA you'd have to either be blasting your sounds or have a hyper sensitive microphone for it to pick up sound from an open back headset. But, as for a closed back option, the Sivga SV021 is a one i like to reccomend. Fun, comfortable, and good looks.

[@Enzo_560]

Soundstage question, which would be wider between the X2HR and the AKG K702? Additionally, if soundstage is the primary goal what’s your best recommendation under $450?

[@MasterMarslander]

I don't have a set of the K702 on hand so I can't comment on them directly, but I do have a set of K701s. Soundstage is pretty comparable between the K701 and the X2HR. Drastically different sound signatures, but on-par staging. AKG might have a slight edge. As for my primary recommendation for a huge sound staging headphone under $450, (big surprise) go Argons. I still think the Argon MK3 has the widest overall soundstage in the Argon family, but you will get better overall performance from the T60 Argon with Xenon pads.

[@garygarlucialuciani9794]

Last night I got around to compairing the used x2 hr I bought with my original x2. It was really hard to hear a difference. As I went back and forth, sometimes I thought the x2 hr had a hair tighter bass and a tad more clarity on vocals and instruments, then that impression changed and I didn't hear any difference. If there is a difference it's extremely subtle. My conclusion is if you own the original you don't need the x2 hr. If you own the x2 hr, rest assured you don't need to hunt down an original. The only noticeable things are the pads but they're pretty much the same. And the outside of the earcup says " high definition" on the original and " high resolution on the hr I don't mind owning both pairs because I like these headphones.

[@MasterMarslander]

Awesome! Thank you for sharing your findings! I've not heard non-HR X2s so I'm very happy to hear from a first account that they are pretty indistinguishable. Appreciate you!

[@garygarlucialuciani9794]

I own 2 pair of FIDELIO x2, I just got a pair of FIDELIO x2hr, I haven't listened to them yet. Your description of the x2hr sounds the way I would describe the sound of my original x2. I've heard conflicting comments about the sound of the x2 versus the x2hr. A couple of people have said they sound the same and a couple of people have said they sound different. I guess I'll find out for myself when I get around to listening to the x2hr I just bought.

[@plenus7392]

Younger people do not know and tend to not associate Philips with audio, but Philips invented the cassette and the CD, back in 2016 i believe they had available to the public their Golden Ears Challenge, basically their internal training program for training listeners, so yeah, Philips is not a newbie at all.

[@MasterMarslander]

Fascinating! Never heard of the Golden Ear challenge.

[@plenus7392]

@@MasterMarslander it seems it went offline in 2019? Just tried looking it up but no result, sadly

[@plenus7392]

Oh, by the way, the difference between the X2 and the X2HR boils down to the HR having memory foam pads and that fancy HI-RES AUDIO sticker on the box.

[@MasterMarslander]

Well, the sticker clearly makes it sound better.

[@plenus7392]

@@MasterMarslander audiophile juice is 95% tasty tasty placebo ahaha

[@MasterMarslander]

@@plenus7392 Mmhmm, delicious!

[@ismaelgonzalez5475]

Could I use these for mixing music? Not a professional but would like a nice set of headphones for mixing projects.

[@MasterMarslander]

I imagine if you're mixing you need a neutral headphone. The X2HR is not a neutral headphone. I suggest you take a look at the Rode NTH-100. That might be more for your needs. I have a video up on them too if you like.

[@salgymbro7624]

Quick question, can I listen to music on this headphones without an amp?

[@MasterMarslander]

They're not difficult to drive. Your PC or phone should offer plenty of power.

[@FreddieFreethinking]

No is the answer. Just bought these headphones and they sound great but the volume is low on tablets and phones.

[@Odder-Being]

I have the original X1 (for 9 years now) still in good condition and haven't come across some other headphone that is playful engaging as the X1. I am sure there are headphones out there with better specs but for some unknown reason i always circle back to the X1. They are magic i tell you for real :)

[@MasterMarslander]

Nice. Yeah man, X2s still live on my shelf too. The Fidelios just do something special.

[@mg-vv7gx]

Which would be better between X2HR and ATH AD900X for classics , electronics and rock, no games at all? I already have K701 and now I'm in search for something different and better in this price range, may be..

[@MasterMarslander]

@mg-vv7gx the biggest difference between the two is how they approach lower and higher frequencies. Go X2HR if you want more punch and slam in the low end, or go AD900X for brighter highs and more top end refinement.

[@mg-vv7gx]

@@MasterMarslander Thanks! I have M40X which I find to be very loud compared to K701. Build wise are X2HR better than AD900X? Generally I'm leaning towards AD900X, but almost everybody complains about quality and durability of materials of 900X's.

[@MasterMarslander]

@mg-vv7gx X2HR does have better build quality. Better materials. AD900X has those wind things that are kind of flimsy and plastic that people have reported breaking fairly easily. Mine are totally fine, no issues, but I'm very careful with my gear.

[@mg-vv7gx]

@@MasterMarslander Thanks a lot!

[@mg-vv7gx]

@@MasterMarslander Finally I ended up with AD900X and ....man,they are created for strings and female vocals only! Brilliant is the smallest word for this headphones. Thank you again!

[@EZpZeero]

why did you pick the most ominous music for this review💀

[@MasterMarslander]

@@EZpZeero ha! That's Mass Effect for ya'.

[@mingkee27]

I have X2HR It's pretty smartphone friendly Mid is a bit recessed compared with HD58X More bass than HD58X but sub bass is better on HD58X High is kind of more on HD58X Soundstage is great on X2HR. Reminder: get Boom Pro and add voice function

[@MasterMarslander]

I approve of this message.

[@DroidLocks6971]

The x2hr be AweSomeNess PerSoNiFied with my fiio BTR7 and Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE

[@DroidLocks6971]

I Love My SHP9500

[@Odder-Being]

If you want to know what these headphones are all about listen to this Andreas Vollenweider Caverne magica. And there you have it it's magic for real :)

[@8r07k4573n]

Why do I feel like playing the game Mass Effect while watching this video?

[@MasterMarslander]

You feel that way because you have great taste. 👍