burritoboy9984
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Posts
- 292
- Likes
- 21
[New] Philips Fidelio X1
- Thread starter manveru
- Start date
Naschy
Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2013
- Posts
- 78
- Likes
- 25
burritoboy9984
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2012
- Posts
- 292
- Likes
- 21
No, I just saw your profile. If you were in the states, we might have been able to make it work, but I've had terrible luck shipping overseas, and it's not worth the cost. Good luck in your search.
Erik
Erik
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2009
- Posts
- 456
- Likes
- 31
My cable for my X1. Mogami w2893 with Amphenol plugs. 2 metres long. The nylon multifilament makes it a bit heavier than I wanted but it's OK.
L,R resistance measures 0.6 Ohms
Gnd resistance measures 0.3 Ohms
Can't say I really notice much, if any, improvement over stock cable. I still prefer to always use my own cables though.
L,R resistance measures 0.6 Ohms
Gnd resistance measures 0.3 Ohms
Can't say I really notice much, if any, improvement over stock cable. I still prefer to always use my own cables though.
CoiL
Member of the Trade: Wood Audio Accessories & Modifications
did You measure stock cable also? Some stock cable have OK low impedance and thus may not show difference in swap.
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2009
- Posts
- 456
- Likes
- 31
Yeah it was 1.8 Ohms
CoiL
Member of the Trade: Wood Audio Accessories & Modifications
Then it was quite ok. Some of us have around 3 Ohm impedance, maybe thus some ppl hear difference more. I had 2.4 Ohm impedance on stock cable. I swap to custom made 0.8 Ohm cable and got noticeable difference.
Happy hunting!
teofilrocks
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2010
- Posts
- 611
- Likes
- 68
My initial thoughts on the X1 after the first few days:
Things I like: well, most everything about the sound. I had specific expectations and it's pretty much lived up to it. I like everything about my HD650 -- the warmth, mids, comfort, and laid back treble presentation, but I do wish there was a bit more sub bass. I like the TH600 for its great bass impact, but the treble is more forward than I like. So I was hoping X1 would combine most of what I like about the HD650 and add the TH600 bass. What it delivers feels pretty close. The bass impacts more and extends further than the HD650, almost on par with the TH600, although it does sound less controlled and there's some bass bleed, but it doesn't really bother me. I have to listen to more vocals for the mids, but no shortcomings stand out yet. The treble presentation is what I was hoping for, laid back and not at all forward. They make the TH600 sound bright and cold, which I'm not thrilled out but that's not the X1s fault. Soundstage is the same as mids, need more time to focus on that. So overall very happy with the sound. I'd sacrifice a touch of warmth for a touch better bass control, but that's a side point.
Things I don't like: well, most everything about the comfort. I don't have a large head, but I still found the elastic headband adjustment to put too much tension on my head. Also, the side clamping on my ears is stronger than I like. The HD650 clamp can be removed by a bit of headband bending at the metal and mostly through rotating the drivers back so they sit flat against the head all around the ear. But the X1 can't really be stretched like that and the drivers only pivot in one direction. Both my HD650 and TH600 pivot in both directions to achieve the best fit. Also, ear pads are too stiff and have scratchy velour. That's not a good combination with high head clamp. At least Beyers and Senns have very comfy velour. I don't like the ear pad smell either, it's this "cheap factory chemical" smell than none of my other headphones have had. The cord and 1/8" adapter are pretty lightweight and cheap feeling. I replaced the cable with a Mediabridge one, but I would eventually make a nicer one.
So, the big question for me is: will I keep the X1? I don't know yet. Sound wise, yes, it's a keeper and my TH600 is feeling less secure. But comfort has equal footing to sound in my book, and the X1 does not deliver in that department. If I can somehow get acclimated to how they feel on my head, they'll stay there. If not, they're out.
Things I like: well, most everything about the sound. I had specific expectations and it's pretty much lived up to it. I like everything about my HD650 -- the warmth, mids, comfort, and laid back treble presentation, but I do wish there was a bit more sub bass. I like the TH600 for its great bass impact, but the treble is more forward than I like. So I was hoping X1 would combine most of what I like about the HD650 and add the TH600 bass. What it delivers feels pretty close. The bass impacts more and extends further than the HD650, almost on par with the TH600, although it does sound less controlled and there's some bass bleed, but it doesn't really bother me. I have to listen to more vocals for the mids, but no shortcomings stand out yet. The treble presentation is what I was hoping for, laid back and not at all forward. They make the TH600 sound bright and cold, which I'm not thrilled out but that's not the X1s fault. Soundstage is the same as mids, need more time to focus on that. So overall very happy with the sound. I'd sacrifice a touch of warmth for a touch better bass control, but that's a side point.
Things I don't like: well, most everything about the comfort. I don't have a large head, but I still found the elastic headband adjustment to put too much tension on my head. Also, the side clamping on my ears is stronger than I like. The HD650 clamp can be removed by a bit of headband bending at the metal and mostly through rotating the drivers back so they sit flat against the head all around the ear. But the X1 can't really be stretched like that and the drivers only pivot in one direction. Both my HD650 and TH600 pivot in both directions to achieve the best fit. Also, ear pads are too stiff and have scratchy velour. That's not a good combination with high head clamp. At least Beyers and Senns have very comfy velour. I don't like the ear pad smell either, it's this "cheap factory chemical" smell than none of my other headphones have had. The cord and 1/8" adapter are pretty lightweight and cheap feeling. I replaced the cable with a Mediabridge one, but I would eventually make a nicer one.
So, the big question for me is: will I keep the X1? I don't know yet. Sound wise, yes, it's a keeper and my TH600 is feeling less secure. But comfort has equal footing to sound in my book, and the X1 does not deliver in that department. If I can somehow get acclimated to how they feel on my head, they'll stay there. If not, they're out.
CoiL
Member of the Trade: Wood Audio Accessories & Modifications
This can be improved with better cable (if it`s too high impedance) and proper dac/amp matching (tubes do wonders with this HP imo).
First of all, wear it for some time, it will take it`s shape and soften. If that doesn`t help, someone already did this mod in here - just let that soft headband "hammock" loose from inside and put it back together (it will stay ok and doesn`t come loose) - tension problem solved
X1 headband is very strong and it can be easily bended to the direction needed. It doesn`t change pivot angle very much but enough to even the pressure to pads and make it to fit with head shape. Also pressure can be set by bending headband.
Just wear them in. It`s memory foam and it will take head shape and soften. About scratchy velour, it will go away. You can fasten this process by wiping with rinsed cloth with hot water (not dripping wet) or You can remove pads and wash them once.
I had all those "problems" also at the beginning (except soft hammock tension to top of head, for me it was/is ok). Pads stiffness and scratchy velour just went away with some wearing time.
Clamp pressure I increased littlebit by bending headband into "spiral" in both directions (I have smaller than average head). Bass part got "fixed" by better cable and tube matching.
Also I have removed and washed my X1 pads and velour is now very soft and absolutely no scratchy feeling anymore.
My post is not meant as "defending" X1 honour. I`m just speaking purely from experience
I hope You`ll have same end result with those problems as I did and enjoy X1 even more
teofilrocks
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2010
- Posts
- 611
- Likes
- 68
How did you remove the pads? I thought they weren't replaceable? Also, I tried bending the headband, but in the pet covered by brown, it's actually plastic around the metal frame, and I'm afraid to start cracking the plastic. But if I can fix the comfort issues, I'll be keeping this for sure.
CoiL
Member of the Trade: Wood Audio Accessories & Modifications
It`s with same system as X2, only with X1 there is hot-glue added between housing and pads. Removal must be done with care and patience, otherwise plastic locking pins may break.
Search for pictures in this thread or X1 review thread - You`ll get the point what I`m talking about
I haven`t seen someone try it yet but I think X1 and X2 pads are 1:1 changeable.Plastic around the metal frame? Don`t understand what You are talking about. Between and inside the brown leather and those "pipes" is sheet of metal.
I did some hardcore bending to that brown headband part and nothing broke. I literally just bended it to spiral with strong force - nothing happened. You can see some videos posted in YT how it takes strong bending without problems. Just make sure your are holding from headband itself while doing it, not from the cups or rings that hold cups.
Edit:
Here ya go, removed pads pics from this thread: http://www.head-fi.org/t/623013/new-philips-fidelio-x1/2610#post_9787730
Funambulistic
100+ Head-Fier
Also, good bending demonstration here: http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/big-bottom-and-lively-top-philips-fidelio-x1
teofilrocks
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2010
- Posts
- 611
- Likes
- 68
I'm working form home today and the X1s are at the office, so I can't show. But there seems to be plastic underneath the brown leather that goes around the steel rods. When I tried bending the headband the other day, I started hearing this cracking sound, so I stopped immediately. Didn't want to damage the headphones in case I got rid of them. Watched Tyll's video, yeah, don't feel comfortable doing that at all with the cracking sound I heard.
Users who are viewing this thread
