Yeah, totally fair, and believe me - I totally get the frustration.  I don't have an issue right now, but in other worlds (cough Apple cough) I have.   I have some experience with manufacturing though, and that small print on the box is some graphic in some repository somewhere that they use...

I'm not suggesting it's only cosmetic - only that I don't think we can't attribute this categorically to Gibson vs Woox on the basis of what's stamped on the box.  Only recently with gluegate have people been a/b testing - who's to say how long variations happen with this product or any other?

There is a huge amount of weight being given to this Woox vs Gibson argument when there is very little evidence I've seen that this is even a different production line.  Just because a line of business is sold or moved to another company doesn't mean actually production has physically moved or...

  Just took them off for a moment to snap a quick photo  .   I think it's perfectly fair to wait/return/complain, completely your choice - but we should be careful about making generalisations on something (in the grand scheme of things) we have a very narrow view of.

I just received my delivery from Amazon UK (dispatched at 3am, delivered at 9:30am - how's that for service?).  I have to say, the phones look and sound great (balance, bass, mid-range clarity) from the last 30 min or so I've spent listening.  I don't have any ability to A/B test with another...

Interestingly the item has now gone under review by amazon UK after the price plummeted.  Mine has not yet dispatched... I'm wondering whether it will now.   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-X2-00-Fidelio-Headphone-Black/dp/B00MRUPSHQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

The price has just dropped £100 on Amazon UK - still more expensive than other places but I'm tempted to try a pair, given Amazon is so easy to return to.   Edit: Was £50, then £75 now £100 cheaper

I wouldn't hold your breath, there hasn't been any official admission of a QC issue or indication that they are restocking.  I have noticed that Amazon .com and .de both have the item marked as under review.  Assuming they will review the issues and speak to Philips directly.   I was going to...

Even the word "definition" is all wonky. I can only imagine they have someone manually engraving the letters on!

Can't believe the level of difference between these. It really doesn't say much for Philips QC - the ear pads look like totally different dimensions and the outer headband looks like a different material.

Thanks. Sounds like a bit of a cop out, but I think I'll go ahead and order and see how it works out.

I was just about to go down this route - speaking to UK Customer Services since that Reddit post was vague and unhelpful. Did they comment on the fact the pads are advertised as removable?

I am in the UK - where is best to purchase these at the moment?  Does the Philips site ever get any stock?   Amazon is up at £300 which seems high.   Cheers