Let me start off by saying that I had the previous version of this headphone - the X1, and I got rid of it because of the excessive bass output that spoiled what would have otherwise been a very good headphone. I was hoping that the X2 would correct the faults of the X1 but all I perceive are very minor improvements in bass definition and slightly improved sound-staging.
The bass continues to dominate in the X2 at the cost of mid-band and treble quality. In bass heavy music, it is the bass that shouts the loudest and makes sure you 'get the point'. It's fun at the beginning, but soon becomes tiresome and for me at least is a right switch off. Vocals often lack smoothness and naturalness, and the glassy tone in the upper midband/treble heard in the X1 is still there in the X2, but now there's added graininess. As a consequence, the sound sometimes lacks resolution and refinement. Imaging also suffers as voices, for example, become 'splashier' and are not as defined and distinct as they should be. The whole sound is a curious mixture of big bass and lower mid-band warmth, and upper mid-band and treble brightness or coarseness; there is simply no integrity to the X2s sound.
Although it lacks refinement in reproducing a lot of music, ironically in Classical music - where bass tends to be much less prevalent - the X2 can actually sound very nice. Sound-staging is quite deep and wide and instruments are placed fairly precisely. However when the music gets busy and bass notes start to prevail, then the presentation starts to becomes 'in your face' again; the X2 can't resist unleashing the testosterone filled bull that is its nature.
So if you like your music 'big' sounding and don't care much for refinement, precision and musical insight, then go for it. Otherwise steer well clear.
I've recently sold the X2 and bought the Sennheiser HD600 again - for the third time - and again I'm reminded what a truly great headphone it is. The qualities I was missing in the X2 are finally here in the HD600; refinement, naturalness, high class resolution, smoothness and a finely judged tonal balance.
The pretender - the Philips X2 - has been imperiously brushed aside.
The bass continues to dominate in the X2 at the cost of mid-band and treble quality. In bass heavy music, it is the bass that shouts the loudest and makes sure you 'get the point'. It's fun at the beginning, but soon becomes tiresome and for me at least is a right switch off. Vocals often lack smoothness and naturalness, and the glassy tone in the upper midband/treble heard in the X1 is still there in the X2, but now there's added graininess. As a consequence, the sound sometimes lacks resolution and refinement. Imaging also suffers as voices, for example, become 'splashier' and are not as defined and distinct as they should be. The whole sound is a curious mixture of big bass and lower mid-band warmth, and upper mid-band and treble brightness or coarseness; there is simply no integrity to the X2s sound.
Although it lacks refinement in reproducing a lot of music, ironically in Classical music - where bass tends to be much less prevalent - the X2 can actually sound very nice. Sound-staging is quite deep and wide and instruments are placed fairly precisely. However when the music gets busy and bass notes start to prevail, then the presentation starts to becomes 'in your face' again; the X2 can't resist unleashing the testosterone filled bull that is its nature.
So if you like your music 'big' sounding and don't care much for refinement, precision and musical insight, then go for it. Otherwise steer well clear.
I've recently sold the X2 and bought the Sennheiser HD600 again - for the third time - and again I'm reminded what a truly great headphone it is. The qualities I was missing in the X2 are finally here in the HD600; refinement, naturalness, high class resolution, smoothness and a finely judged tonal balance.
The pretender - the Philips X2 - has been imperiously brushed aside.