shawn71 said:

That'll be awesome......but it needs little mod at the left earcups.

Click to expand...

Yep, I'd have to crack them open and replace the 3.5mm TRS with something either TRRS or 4-pin mini-XLR and then I could make different cables for them. But before I endeavour on such warranty-voiding adventures, I was curious if anyone else had done it. Some headphones really shine when they go balanced (HD650 and Noble K10 comes to mind), while others don't change a bit. I made a balanced cable for the HD595 once, just for kicks, and it really didn't make a lick of difference. 

sorensiim said:

Yep, I'd have to crack them open and replace the 3.5mm TRS with something either TRRS or 4-pin mini-XLR and then I could make different cables for them. But before I endeavour on such warranty-voiding adventures, I was curious if anyone else had done it. Some headphones really shine when they go balanced (HD650 and Noble K10 comes to mind), while others don't change a bit. I made a balanced cable for the HD595 once, just for kicks, and it really didn't make a lick of difference. 

Click to expand...

Do you still have that cable you made for your 595s? Might come in handy to give it a try on the updated 598s.

sorensiim said:

  Yep, I'd have to crack them open and replace the 3.5mm TRS with something either TRRS or 4-pin mini-XLR and then I could make different cables for them. But before I endeavour on such warranty-voiding adventures, I was curious if anyone else had done it. Some headphones really shine when they go balanced (HD650 and Noble K10 comes to mind), while others don't change a bit. I made a balanced cable for the HD595 once, just for kicks, and it really didn't make a lick of difference. 

Click to expand...

 
 
You don't see them modded for balanced cables because logistically there's no where to put a plug on the other driver ear cup. I don't really think it's worth considering the amount of redesign you'd have to achieve. If going thru the head band, that really presents a high degree of difficulty too. Cost aside, finding a donor left ear cup would be ideal but then again that will cost you. Fidelio's are not very mod friendly oddly.

thesmokingman said:

You don't see them modded for balanced cables because logistically there's no where to put a plug on the other driver ear cup. I don't really think it's worth considering the amount of redesign you'd have to achieve. If going thru the head band, that really presents a high degree of difficulty too. Cost aside, finding a donor left ear cup would be ideal but then again that will cost you. Fidelio's are not very mod friendly oddly.

Click to expand...

No need for donor cups, I'd utilize the existing internal wiring from left to right.

...if I end up modding them, that is. Kinda leaning towards just keeping them stock. Kinda.

Here's my critical review of the X2's - I have some real problems with the sound signature:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/philips-fidelio-x2/reviews/15336
 
What do you think?

sikki-six said:

Here's my critical review of the X2's - I have some real problems with the sound signature:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/philips-fidelio-x2/reviews/15336

What do you think?

Click to expand...

Quite a strange review in that you talk about other headphones as much as you do the x2. What types of music were you listening to? What setup were you using?

Still very well written but you seem a little too focused on comparison. All opinions have merit though.

I do agree the earpads Are magnets for fluff!!

sikki-six said:

  Here's my critical review of the X2's - I have some real problems with the sound signature:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/philips-fidelio-x2/reviews/15336
 
What do you think?

Click to expand...

Good review, short enough and focusing on relevant things only. Also well written.

However you forgot to mention 2 very important things. Your setup, and the music you listened to.

HD600s are obviously better for acoustic music and orchestra. X2s are obviously better for EDM.

And like every opened full sized can both of them benefit from an amp, regardless of impedance.

I listen more to EDM than classical or acoustic, so I prefer X2s over HD600s even though mids are more recessed compared to HD600s. But bass and overall sound is much more fun with electronic music and also HD600 often sounds thin compared to X2s with this music.

So, as I said before everything comes down to personal preference. (Music genres, equipment, sound signature.)
That is why I think it is important to mention in a review the equipment one used and the music he prefers.
That helps more for someone to decide whether it is worth to try a certain pair of headphones.
I enjoyed reading otherwise.

Yeah, I forgot to mention amping - basically these don't need it. They are quite ok through an iPod, but very slightly better with my Lyr 2.

sikki-six said:

Here's my critical review of the X2's - I have some real problems with the sound signature:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/philips-fidelio-x2/reviews/15336

What do you think?

Click to expand...

Great review. Yes, I always feel sth. Wrong with the sound of X2, but not sure what. Now I see. It's pretty colorful!

I updated my review. Here's my musical preferences and amping!
"I listen to lots of rock, metal, punk, hip-hop and pop. I tested these through my iPod and Apogee Duet (DAC) -> Schiit Lyr 2"
 
http://www.head-fi.org/products/philips-fidelio-x2/reviews/15336

Recently became interested in buying x2s, does anyone know of a web store that ships within Europe (not keen on paying VAT and $50 shipping etc) where you can get new ones from? The Philips representatives/re-sellers as well as Philips themselves are only selling the X1s in my country, as well as Amazon not delivering new pairs to my country. I could buy used but I'd rather not and I figured where else better to ask than here!
 
Edit: oh, after some more reading they apparently ruined the headphones when Gibson bought out Woox, my bad, I'm guessing that's why the good ones are hard to come by.

sikki-six said:

  Here's my critical review of the X2's - I have some real problems with the sound signature:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/philips-fidelio-x2/reviews/15336
 
What do you think?

Click to expand...

I like your review quite a bit.  Nice specific impressions
 
I don't really agree with the premise.  I find the mids on the X2's about as good as anything I've heard.  I think the bass and the mids are the real strength of this headphone.  To be honest I don't find them V-shaped.  Bass emphasized sure but I find the bass emphasis to be much less then I hear it described as all the time.  ANd outside the AD 700 ad HD 800 I don't think there's much out there that beats them in soundstage.  
 
But everyone's ears are different.  I found the HE-560 bright where as some people consider them some of the best headphones in the world.  Different strokes and all that.  
 
Oh also build quality.  We agree here but the X2's build quality is excellent.  There's so many janky 300 dollar + headphones out there.  I'm glad Phillips takes this aspect seriously.  I mean X2's build quality crushes HD700s.  Should not be that way.

jthom320 said:

 
Oh also build quality.  We agree here but the X2's build quality is excellent.  There's so many janky 300 dollar + headphones out there.  I'm glad Phillips takes this aspect seriously.  I mean X2's build quality crushes HD700s.  Should not be that way.

Click to expand...

I bet they could get that X2 build quality for 200 bucks, if the competition was hard enough. 

sikki-six said:

  I bet they could get that X2 build quality for 200 bucks, if the competition was hard enough. 

Click to expand...

You're not wrong.  I think the introduction of the high quality orthodynamic models in the last couple years will push companies like AKG and Senn to up their build quality.  I mean Hifiman isn't perfect but when you hold anything from a 400i to an LCD2 you know your holding a well put together kit.  To me it seems like dynamic headphones don't often have that level of quality.
 
As we go into the future though you would think the increased competition in that space would get them to focus on this aspect more.  

The hex nuts/screws attaching the head band to the left ear cup have come loose.  The left speaker unit wobbles on the head band.  VERY disappointing to say the least.  I barely have a couple weeks left of warranty, so Philips said they would send me a check for the price of the phones and I will have to ship these back to them. 
They are out of stock of these phones, that's why they are just refunding me.  I loved these head phones, but to be honest, I don't think I want another pair because I cannot trust those screws.  I think that is a terrible way to secure the speakers and I am confident they will come loose again on a new pair.  I tried removing the plastic screw looking things on the speakers to access the small head band screws, but those plastic screws do not come out.  They stripped and were easily damaged from a screw driver, so Philips makes sure you cannot disassemble these things for some really odd reason. 
Oh well.  They said my check will take 3 or 4 weeks to get to me!  Any ideas for a good replacement for these headphones?  I'm afraid I no longer trust their build quality to not fall apart.  Very much a shame.