Philips X2 / X2HR Super Review

I think I've found my new favorite pair of headphones. The Philips Fidelio X2HRs are super well-built and sound amazing. Just make sure your music also sounds amazing.
See the X2HRs on Amazon (they're hard to find): amzn.to/2EdseCm
The Grado SR80 on Amazon (much cheaper): amzn.to/2sOVvjq
FYI: I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Some of the music tracks I used for the evaluation:
- "Satoshi Nakamoto" by Gramatik
- "Run" by Hozier
- "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk
Music by Birocratic. Check him out on Soundcloud: / birocratic
#PhilipsX2
#Headphones
#HifiHeadphones

[@kry0]

I own the X2's now for 3 years, and they are still my Favorite by far. Sound is awesome for my taste, and they Just fit perfectly on my head. I dont realize the weight, even in the Long run. I Just Love em 😁🙂

[@SuperReview]

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

[@Psilanthropy]

That "because I'm lazy" at the end was perfect. I don't know the first thing about amplifiers and DACs but I want some nice sounding headphones 😆 maybe in a few months I'll figure it out.

[@wallsits9194]

Me too

[@xS0JUx]

Here is my gaming setup atm: X2HR: $115 (sale from amazon) Schiit HEL DAC/AMP: $189 V-Moda Pro Mic: $30 I will never go back to a "Gamer" headset again. I am in absolute love with this setup for bang for my buck. I got to A/B test these against SHP9600 and had to go with the X2HR all day. I returned the SHP9600 back to amazon.

[@SK-mc7uw]

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?

[@xS0JUx]

@@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

[@SK-mc7uw]

@@xS0JUx Thank you!

[@klever891]

@@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

[@priitmolder6475]

The very first full size cans I ever bought...were Philips SHP2000s over 10 years ago. I have bought several pairs, taken them apart etc. Recently, I looked into how the other end of Philips range is made. Browsing for a couple of teardown threads on forums I can safely say: the design principles on the cheap SHP2000 and Fidelio is exactly the same. Both are open back, pre-angled drivers and bleed some sound through a fabric coated slit. Both have a physical cover on the center section of the drivers. All that to make both sound as pedestrian as possible...from a high fidelity point of view. But striving towards a neutral, natural frequency characteristic, Philips created something very few...or in personal opinion none have: minimal listening fatigue. And that is the secret sauce a lot of reviewers give high scores for. A good pair of headphones must be comfortable. In both wearing and audio output. I could go into the minutia of engineering and how is correlates to the perceived sound re-production, but I wont. If you have the chance, get a listen to what Fidelio offers. And keep it as a baseline...

[@FoxSock]

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

[@priitmolder6475]

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

[@Isaac_L..]

Super late I know. I have these as well as the Senheiser 558s (which has been discontinued) and despite being cheaper, older and technically inferior to the X2s, I definitely prefer their sound. They sound really natural. Love em

[@LuLzezRoflcopter]

bought these for $300 over 2 years ago. Use em daily and love em

[@Wadacup]

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!

[@LuLzezRoflcopter]

​@@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)

[@Wadacup]

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

[@LuLzezRoflcopter]

@@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

[@Wadacup]

@@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.

[@troyconnolly9053]

Not saying Philips is the best at everything but does surprise me when people thumb there nose at Philips as a Brand considering they are one of the biggest innovators in audio Inventing the Compact Disc and cassette is or was a pretty big deal . Just my opinion .

[@DroidLocks6971]

On 3.9.2023 I paired my newly acquired BTR7with MY X2HR And The Sound That Came Out Of Them Was Nothing Short Of AweSomeNess PerSoNiFied . The Difference Over My BTR3K Was Unreal . Also My Koss KPH40 With 2.5 Balanced To 4.4 Balanced Adapter All I Can Say Is No Headphone This Small Has Any Right To Sound This Big But The Wizards At KOSS Say Otherwise . I Turned Off My SoundCore Q30 Plug In The.BTR7 Turned On LDAC With PRIORITY ON SOUND QUALITY And The Q30 Has Never Sounding So Amazing As It Did When I Played Music From TIDAL . THE FIIO BTR7 IS A BT BEAST

[@PL-ri3bz]

Amazing headphones! Love em

[@arthurwatts1680]

I far prefer manufacturers who stick to the terms 'open' and 'closed' - when AKG or another manufacturesr started selling 'semi-closed' 'phones I knew they would be useless in an office or other shared environment. My ATH-WS1100is 'Solid Bass' headphones are supposed to be closed but they (very obviously) vent to the outside environment. I recognised the vents befoe I bought them but I can understand that it pissed some people off when they took their new headphones out of the case and started listening to them. Sure, Grados are as open as it gets but ANYTHING that can be heard by someone sitting a few metres away gets old really quickly in an office or even on the bus. Thanks for the video.

[@tj-yb1pc]

I've had these girls about a month now bought them for $129 off Amazon, best money I've spent they sound great with any type of music you can drive them with just about anything, the more you use them the better they sound

[@damonreynolds6775]

Solid review - You had me at 'big speakers'. After a lot of searching looks like I found my DT990Pro replacement. Those always sounded like 'big speakers' too, but they died after only two years of gentle use - common with lower end Beyer DT headphones so no more of the high fail rates for me thanks.

[@Chris-ie2yd]

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.

[@damonreynolds6775]

@@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.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

It is pronounced as "Feedelio". (Named after an opera by Beethoven).

[@SuperReview]

That sounds better :)

[@davidjgomm]

Fid

[@RDYC]

And smeel the headband like Beethoven smeeled it.

[@rohitvenu]

Fidelity... 'fidelio'

[@therealchickentender]

Auditioning a pair of headphones (your friend's) before you buy your own is anything *but* cheating. It's doing like everyone should when possible.

[@birdsoup777]

They are really good headphones. i got the x2 today for 159 on amazon. wow. they sound amazing. now im stuck doing the musical chair with headphones to. i love my beyerdynamic dt880 but they dont sound as good as the x2 but are still awesome. never thought i would get addicted to headphones

[@dwgreen108]

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?

[@SuperReview]

That's such a good price 🤤

[@carlos2004]

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.

[@MrDoublebarreldm]

Yo! Love the vids keep Em coming! I got my X2’s running through my sennheiser gsx 1200 running through my little bear P2 mini 6C11 which provides me with so many different options from gaming in 7.1 to enjoying music in 2.0 without spending 1,000.00 plus on nice audio gear. A perfect headphone for someone who wants the audiophile experience without the audiophile price tag! PEACE!

[@classthis]

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?

[@cusdu6349]

I own 4 pairs of open or semi-open headphones. A Philips SHP 9500S, a Sennheiser HD598, a Superlux Hd668b and Superlux HD681 Evo. Though the Philips and Sennheiser might be sharper and flatter through out the frequency range, I admit that I LOVE the warm sound signature and huge soundstage of the HD668b. The HD681 Evo is a very fun and comfy headphone, perfect for gaming and also nice with music, but definitely needs more juice to be moved than the 668.

[@cusdu6349]

@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.

[@jspetrolina]

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

[@cusdu6349]

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

[@cusdu6349]

@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).

[@jspetrolina]

@@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!

[@johnnavrozidis]

i feel less weird for smelling products when i take them out of the box for first time

[@SuperReview]

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

[@Matasky2010]

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

[@gedion749]

i got these off the start they got balance issues, too much high for my ears, the miracle of these headphones are the lows they disturbed the highs so little, when you EQ the highs a bit from 4k to 16k hz and lower them, you can get some high bass without distortion and you can still push them more and more bass still little distortion of sound.

[@Antontoo]

Thanks for a direct 80e comparo to X2HR! Had SR80e for about 5 years now and love that airy, wide, smooth sound but the double wire is now damaged some and they cut in and out sometimes, not the most comfortable head strap either. X2HR is on sale right now for $100 on Amazon, so I went for it. Question though, if you had a DAC would you go for a different set?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@jairon_2518]

These or Sony WH-1000XM3 in terms of pure sound quality? I'm a bit lost I know there's a difference on price but you say these sound good and the other not as good for their price, so maybe they're similar. If not, which is the best headphone for ~200-300€? Mainly for home use (music, films and a bit of gaming in which I appreciate particularly resolution for details). If it's wireless and doesn't compromise quality then it would be better. I don't mind about the micro at all either even if it does not exist, although it would be a plus. But sound quality is my complete priority Thank you so much. I'm already subscribed ;)

[@SuperReview]

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.

[@claritalozher543]

For a present for a person who likes bass and soundstage. He will use for watch films and edm.. Beyerdynamic dt990 32 ohms or Phillips Fidelio x2hr?

[@shaolin95]

Fidelio for sure!

[@lavidapeligrosa]

Have you tried the Fidelio's L2? They're open back as well, I've been using them for a couple of years and they still beat any other headphones I've tried.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@jorgebarrera9313]

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

[@axchisler]

Nice review, I've had a set of "X2's" for over 2 years and love them. At first they were really bright but now have settled in really nicely. Recently I got an itch to try and find something better at a decent price, So I went with the Sennheiser HD 599 SE. Before burn in the Senns kind of sounded like a closed back, everything bunched together and on the bright side. But after a weekend of burn in they've really loosened up and came alive. Their soundstage doesn't seem as wide as the X2's but they are much lighter and more comfortable, also a bit warmer sounding, typical Sennheiser, not as strong in the bass either, I guess you could say they're flatter more reference sounding while the X2's are more fun. The Senn's are better on bad recordings and live bootlegs however since they don't emphasise the high frequency noise as much. I'm really pleased with both. The other set I still gotta burn in are the Superlux HD 681 EVO. I read a ton of great reviews and videos and at $43, how can I not try them??

[@meyve35]

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

[@axchisler]

@@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.

[@sierranuestra]

Hi, great review. They are hot for summer days? What are the direct competitors? Thank you

[@SuperReview]

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

[@carlos2004]

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

[@Sharkyzane231]

I just bought these for 230NZD, I've only ever used closed back and noise cancelling headphones so I'm excited to see what these are like.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@Sharkyzane231]

@@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.

[@Sharkyzane231]

@@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/?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@antoinep9733]

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

[@1Dub79]

Despite hanging the SHP9500s, I've been tempted to get the Fidelio X2HR. They were $148.99 on Amazon. I'll receive them, tomorrow. Now, I get to see how much of an upgrade Fidelio X2HR is over the SHP9500s.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@1Dub79]

@@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.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@chimmy4183]

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!

[@1Dub79]

@@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.

[@mortenolsen1111]

Hey man, I'm currently on the hunt for a new headphone. I have a Bose QC25 and need something with better bass but also something that are good with Hi-Res files. I listen to a lot of different music genres so I need something that works on a wide scale. But Rock and PsyTrance with a lot of bass is something I enjoy really much. So the headphone must be able to do a great bass reproduction, I've looked at this Philips and a Audio Technica ATH WS1100is that should be really great for bass and Hi-Res files. But it is really hard to choose, but the Fidelio should be really great with the bass for an open back design, would you say they are good for some PsyTrance music?

[@SuperReview]

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?

[@mortenolsen1111]

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!

[@giannipescatore4280]

Hi, great review👏👈👈. I have a question. I read a review where a buyer complained that the left/right channels were unbalanced in volume. Have you experienced this problem? LIKE 1082

[@SuperReview]

No.

[@giannipescatore4280]

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

[@casualaudiophile]

Aww, look at that, Baby Mark thought he wasn't gonna get into amplifiers. Happens to the best of us, I guess XD

[@SuperReview]

I underestimated the allure of knobs.

[@casualaudiophile]

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

[@mozzerianmisanthrope406]

@@casualaudiophilelmao. Too true.

[@trailokyamukherjee5799]

Beautiful review..it's a shame why Philips cannot make them Bluetooth enabled?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@testtester3363]

no

[@hkhudadad]

you dont need a huge ass amplifier for these however a small portable one like fiio A1 or even better A3 can give these HP wings

[@mitsuevo8mr]

PHILIPS FIDELIO X2 ARE GREAT!!👍👍👍

[@luisroman304]

Are they really comfortable? I am among the sennheiser hd 599 and these headphones. I would like to know which one I can buy, because I wear glasses and I am long hours at the computer

[@SuperReview]

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

[@TheTruthKiwi]

A friend gave me an old (late 90's I'm guessing) Philips DVD surround surround system that would've been pretty high end at the time. The satellites and center speaker have small upper/midrange dynamic drivers and neodymium ribbon tweeters. My god they sound good. I set them up in a quadrophonic configuration with 2 subs in my office connected to a Yamaha amp as unfortunately the original DVD receiver was shot. Philips know how to make good audio

[@SuperReview]

Speakers scare me.

[@enthermusic5999]

It's comparable with in ears as tin t3?

[@axchisler]

Grado's are for AM radio.

[@SuperReview]

You could.

[@trevornmartinmartin2756]

love mine

[@Schmidteren]

awesome build quality and feel. a bit weighty. also too high price compared to sound quality. My own quick review. My fav pair of open backs are Porta Pros for their insane value. Then HE-4XX and AKG K7XX/712 Pro.

[@SuperReview]

Thank you for your review 👍

[@CC-dy2td]

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

[@Schmidteren]

@@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.

[@peepers4763]

Have you had a chance to compare the X2HR to the little brother 9500? Curious if there is enough difference in audio quality for an upgrade.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@Malabus73]

Currently £109.99 (new) at Amazon UK.

[@pkbeast]

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

[@DJCrissCross89]

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.

[@SalmanRavoof]

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.

[@zPonyo]

hey man how much did you buy them for? i recently purchased mine coming Wednesday :D

[@SuperReview]

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.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@SuperReview]

Very good comparison 👍

[@pastoryoda2789]

Vo Ha how did you like them

[@nboejui]

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

[@InZaneHD]

Hey, what is the difference between X2 and X2HR? Im looking to buy this and can get the X2 for $75. Is the sound quality the same?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@Tigerex966]

I think you will love the Phillips fedelio L2 They have slightly less bass and slightly more kids and highs than the X2's And the detail and resolution is extreme They are semi open so the soundstage is narrower and the isolate sound better The bottom of the leather headband needs more padding though

[@radiofloyd2359]

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

[@Tigerex966]

@@radiofloyd2359 lol mids

[@radiofloyd2359]

@@Tigerex966 ik, lol.

[@rsdno]

I agree 5 * I hope it is always a rarity when I can use Open Headphones but at 67 I'm around other humans more than I want to at times Philips Open Headphones have been good to me though I wish I could find Closed that dont cost triple to sound as good

[@grabtrap4676]

So I bought these Philips Fidelio X2HR, It looks and feels very good, but the thing is that, when I plug headphones in PC my computer could not find headphone device, and doesn't even react when I plug in.. Please help me.

[@SuperReview]

Bro can't help you from here.

[@roberthz111]

My favorite set it's de Beyerdinamyc DT1990 Pro, but it's a $600 pair and a 250ohm headphones, so i search for a no Budget Destroyer pair for a more discrete/movile (home) use and this one looks nice, even if it's a open back.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@SOLITARYMAN474]

are these headphones good for jazz & blues?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@Emmy_Redux]

I've been looking between these and some DT 990 Editions (preferably the 600ohms) for my next headphones. Pricing is the same so it's hard to decide between them.

[@mart43]

Wich one did you choose?

[@Emmy_Redux]

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.

[@MrLonemartin1]

I've been thinking whether to get this or the Sennheiser 58X Jubilee. I'm coming from the Hyper X Cloud Alphas which I love but I wonder how big a difference is between them. The 150$ price tag for the X2HR is very tempting that's why I'm considering them now.

[@jergernice1]

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....

[@MrLonemartin1]

@@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.

[@jergernice1]

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

[@MrLonemartin1]

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

[@DeepishMoog]

@@MrLonemartin1 what did you decide on?

[@ericov.o.2399]

4:28 the music is Satoshi Nakamoto

[@SuperReview]

Such a dope song.

[@smievil]

leather? i thought it was plastic, it does seem to wrap around in a leather like way though

[@andrewdaley3081]

You deserve more subscribers. Just subscribed. Andy England 🇬🇧👍

[@reptilesgamers00]

Get the normal x2 instead of the HR. The ear pads are so puffy that it kills the audio as the drive is an extra inch away. Don't believe me? Press the HR on to your head, you will hear the difference. Everything is so much louder; fuller.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@m.g.i2480]

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^^)

[@MH-iv7tk]

Whats the difference between rhe x2 and the x2HR

[@SuperReview]

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

[@HenryFanboy]

WHY!!!! ARE YOU ON EVERY VIDEO

[@faizizz4062]

A bit late to the party but I noticed that some of the X2HR's that I've seen either have black grilles or silver grilles on the back of the cups. Is there any difference between those two?

[@SuperReview]

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.

[@faizizz4062]

​@@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 :/

[@SuperReview]

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

[@vputa5374]

I've been looking for these headphones and I saw that there is the x2 and x2hr/00 and x2hr is there a difference? Can someone help pls

[@SuperReview]

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.

[@vputa5374]

Super* Review are the x2hr bigger?

[@SuperReview]

Nope, identical size.

[@ChrisNieves]

man that box is rough. my hifiman anandas were like triple packaged, lol. my grados came in a package an elementary kid put together.

[@SuperReview]

Grado boxes are the best 🙈

[@st4vert]

If you think a pair of fidelio X2 is to expensive, look for a used Philips MatchLine SHP1000, or a Philips Cineos SHP9000. They all pretty mutch sound the same because the components used are identical.

[@aethertech]

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

[@jazbronoh5873]

I know it's an old video but have you done a review oh Philips shp9600?

[@SuperReview]

I have not heard those.

[@philipsills5298]

For a long time I used AKG K702's. I was always frustrated by the lack of aggression of the music and bass in general but the width (soundstage) and clarity was phenominal. I tried a few other sets including the Senn 6xx's (which I own) but was not impressed. I still love the 702's and 7xx's but these fidelios are fantastic. The bass is really full and the music is energetic. Ive combined them with a ifi zen DAC and I am sold on them as my daily driver. I literally look forward to coming home from work, cranking on my PC and getting the tunes on. I play alot of PC games as well and they are great for that. Like you I EQ'd them to my taste adding the high treble back in and enhanced the bass even more but they handlle it so well. great headphones and a steal for what i got them for (£125).

[@philipsills5298]

a great video by the way

[@mrsheepstermc3931]

What equalizer do you sue and what type of sony walkman? I'm pretty new to this side of things but I really want affordable great headphones.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@mrsheepstermc3931]

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

[@g1zmo85]

What EQ software are you using to tune the EQ on you X2's?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@muttyhc]

How do these compare to say tin t3's? I know it is IEM vs over-ear, but I am debating the two currently.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@user-vz6rd7rd7n]

How is this as compared sony wh1000xm3 or H900N? The philips site says 423gm...is it really that heavy?😪 And is the sound leak problem really prominent? Currently i am using sony mdr xb950ap... please suggest

[@SuperReview]

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.

[@user-vz6rd7rd7n]

@@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?

[@sasasasaasable]

just have a quick question of what you think of the audio technica sr5bt compared to this, also if youve used ath m50x headphones. am honestly thinking wether to go with m50x and sr5bt... any input? much appreciated

[@SuperReview]

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.

[@sasasasaasable]

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

[@SuperReview]

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

[@sasasasaasable]

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

[@sasasasaasable]

@@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

[@andrewdaley3081]

Nice background elevator music. Andy England 🇬🇧😉

[@mattialemboluscari8774]

Hi man, can these be driven by a phone?

[@SuperReview]

Yep, definitely.

[@TheElvenKeys]

getting these for VR

[@SuperReview]

Bit big, but they'll work.

[@defiantgg1831]

im thinking of buying this + a v moda boompro im coming from a razer nari wirerless and this would be my first experience in headsets. i love bass, and depth and detail and i think the razer headset is not quite doing it for me. any things i should know about this headset/combo

[@shaolin95]

Only that is about a perfect combo for gaming!

[@DeepishMoog]

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.

[@Gadgetibles]

Do require a dac or dap to get hi res sound from this headphones or I can just pair this with my Samsung galaxy S10 and still get hi res sound ?”

[@SuperReview]

Your S10 will be fine 👍

[@xk964264]

2 pairs have a popping noice. On left or right side, when bass is low.. wondering if i got 2 defective pairs. 3rd time might be the charm

[@SuperReview]

Woof, that's frustrating.

[@Psilanthropy]

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

[@fftavares]

Where you bought it, cause I guess they are out of production, isn't it?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@SakuraMorandi]

just bought them on amazon for 80€ now the price is back at 130€

[@mrwcp63]

I also have the grado 80s love them but have the same problem I also have Phillips SHP 9500 my favorite have JBL closed back headphones but prefer open for cheap headphones I have Motorola and p o l l i n i headphones that I take with me cuz I don't care what happens to them both are closed back on ear and both are very reliable and cheap

[@conraddevera]

one headphone I ALWAYS hear about, but never had the chance to test. I have hd650 he400i, and I want this one. checking if the hr is better even in build quality

[@SuperReview]

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 🤷‍♀️

[@Alexander5R]

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

[@litahuns4615]

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

[@Alexander5R]

@@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.

[@carlos2004]

@@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.

[@travellerdesign4459]

Need burn? My first impression is very disappointing. I don't feel big soundstage, in fact I think (for me) the soundstage of Tin t3 is wider and open.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@travellerdesign4459]

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

[@shaolin95]

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

[@travellerdesign4459]

@@shaolin95 its muy opinion

[@reesekellett8651]

how much noise reduction do these give

[@SuperReview]

Almost zero.

[@SirDiamondNips]

Are they really that loud outside of the headphones?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@blacksun2906]

I smell just unpacked items too

[@mohamedsaied1932]

Kindly I need to know inner pads dimensions for below headphones cuz I have a little big ear size ( I have Sony WH-1000MX3 its tight and not comfortable for me) Unfortunately I can't test any of them, I will import a headphone from USA to my country Philips Fidelio X2HR Philips SHP9500 Sennheiser HD58x jubilee HiFiman HE4xx Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro AKG K7xx

[@SuperReview]

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

[@mohamedsaied1932]

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

[@SuperReview]

@@mohamedsaied1932 I haven't used the SHPs.

[@mohamedsaied1932]

Thanks

[@johngotti8544]

How come my ear pads don’t come off easy like everybody makes it seem mine are glued on and in my box it says it’s manufactured by Philips 🤷‍♂️🙋🏻‍♂️

[@SuperReview]

Supposedly some are glued >_

[@johngotti8544]

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

[@garyluciani370]

@@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.

[@tekprogaming1989]

sennheiser hd599 vs fidelio x2hr? my preferences are a V sound and good soundstage

[@SuperReview]

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

[@ericouicestmoimeme]

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

[@tekprogaming1989]

Fidelio x2hr or ikko oh10? (general use) Thanks!!!

[@SuperReview]

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

[@tekprogaming1989]

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

[@joshuacanny4858]

Do you think I should get these or the Sony m3.

[@SuperReview]

You mean the Sony 1000XM3?

[@shaolin95]

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.

[@enthermusic5999]

Could you recomend me other model a bit better?

[@SuperReview]

Sennheiser HD600

[@enthermusic5999]

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

[@SuperReview]

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

[@tigerleon10]

Good review... but, headset... Yeah.. That is right. A gaming headset. It is called headphones. So many are obsessed with the word headset since that is what everyone knows as it is because we always think gaming headsets are the best or have been a norm.

[@sierranuestra]

They are comparable in sound to any in-ear headphone?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@MrAhuraMazda]

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

[@enthermusic5999]

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

[@WiktorFPV-]

Do they work for gaming

[@Renaldo015]

No

[@honkingclown]

Yes, when driven by a proper amp/dac.

[@ikaruga24]

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).

[@YukyDoodle]

Absolutely not

[@odijin]

Grados are pronouced GRAY-DO like PLAY-DOH. Not GRAH-DOs like BLAH BLAH BLAH hoes! How I know? Years ago, I called Grado Labs for a repair and got Joseph Grado himself on the line and I asked him before we ended our very pleasant conversation how to properly pronounce his name.

[@SuperReview]

Ha ha, that's a rad experience. You should've argued with him, "Nah man, I think it's GRAH-doh."

[@odijin]

@@SuperReview LOL!!! He probably would have laughed. He was really easy-going and nice on the phone. Then again, probably get someone to whack me afterwards.

[@paolo2795]

Which cable do you suggest instead of the stock one?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@paolo2795]

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

[@SuperReview]

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

[@paolo2795]

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

[@SuperReview]

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

[@cristhiantoro851]

A couple of weeks ago I bought the Beyerdynamic Dt990s and now I am dealing with their shrill trebles. I would have seen your video before ..T-T

[@SuperReview]

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.

[@cristhiantoro851]

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

[@coffeelove2011]

2021 still good headphone ? can buy it or any recommend? thanks

[@SuperReview]

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

[@coffeelove2011]

@@SuperReview ok thanks

[@coffeelove2011]

@@SuperReview Sennheiser 58X can use normal pc ?

[@coffeelove2011]

@@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.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@giuliopoldoallai8258]

the status cb 1 or the x2hr?help me i am very undecided

[@SuperReview]

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

[@giuliopoldoallai8258]

@@SuperReview thanks

[@simtherapy9533]

These are on sale for $123 on amazon

[@SuperReview]

Pretty good deal.

[@Dr.WhetFarts]

the only problem is the horrible pads - i replaced mine with leather and got better sound too (more and tighter bass), low and mids are pretty much the same.

[@SuperReview]

I'd be afraid to change the pads because it can have a big affect on audio, but sounds like you're happy with the effect 👍 My only problem with the pads is they collect so much lint, hard to keep looking fresh.

[@thealterego4684]

Have never heard the X2s. I really like the AKG 712 and Sennheiser HD650.

[@SuperReview]

How well do those work without an amp?

[@thealterego4684]

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.

[@SuperReview]

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

[@thealterego4684]

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.

[@SuperReview]

Thanks for the intel!

[@reubenmccann7135]

whats the diffrence between the x2/27 and x2hr

[@SuperReview]

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.

[@reubenmccann7135]

Super* Review thanks for the info 👍

[@jcreswick]

Ive had these, very heavy, hot ears, velvet pads irritate, huge on the head,lint magnet, slips or sags down over the ears after a time as band not tense enough to hold the wieght, cord way to long, but sound very very good bit on the bassy side

[@oftheabyss3219]

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.

[@jcreswick]

@@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...

[@dougdavis8986]

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

[@krawczynskiamazon4924]

Please someone tell me whether my X2hr's are defected or not... 😥 I bought them super hyped for the sound, just arrived... and it was such a huge dissapointment when i tried them on. Clarity and high frequencies are great BUT Very little bass, about 1/3-1/2 of what i would like. Way too quiet, about half of what im used to. I pair them with LG v30 Dac + Quobuz CD quality. Do they just need more power ? I've read, that they're very easy to drive. I have ordered a Fiio k3 amp to see if that will make any difference... Previously i have owned shp8900 and shp9000/00 and they sounded amaaazinngg compared to this X2hr.. All help much appreciated!🆘

[@giorgosapo4508]

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

[@giuliopoldoallai8258]

what's the differents of the x2 2014 and the x2hr 2018?

[@SuperReview]

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

[@giuliopoldoallai8258]

@@SuperReview the quality sound?

[@SuperReview]

Build quality.

[@giuliopoldoallai8258]

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

[@RandOm-hr5jn]

@@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.