Build
I've had a lot of headphones in the past and prior to this I thought in the sub 300 price category the Beyer DT990/880 were the best, they certainly still are at the top of the chart but this x2 is just as good and has a better styling, in my opinion these are one of the the better looking headphones out there. The headband is two metal rods that seem pretty sturdy, not exactly sure what the cups are made of but they seem well built and have a nice feel to them, overall I think these are built to last everything on this phone feels of premium quality.
Aesthetics
To my eyes these cans are gorgeous, Phillips put some effort into the design of this can. With mostly metal and the use of leather on the headband make it look like a premium product. The cups have a very elegant yet simple design and mechanism used to attach the cups to the headband also look great with the circle ring around the ear-cup, I also think the grills complement the look and really like the pattern of the grill, also the grill being silver compared to the stealthy matt-black color of the phone adds contrast. Overall I think its a very pleasing, understated and elegant design.
Comfort
Comfort has never been an issue for me as I don't even find the LCD series from Audeze uncomfortable and as most of you may have heard that the audeze's have a terrible reputation when it comes to comfort. Using memory foam pads which are pretty thick and the hammock system makes the phillips an easy and comfy wear, they don't create any hotspots on my head nor do they clamp tight, They feel like a pillow on my head they are extremely comfortable, it is when I wear these I notice that the big planars are uncomfortable. I don't think anyone will have an issue with these cans in terms of comfort, I have heard issues with the velour ear pads being itchy for some, unfortunately I don't have this particular problem with mine, could be me or my pair YMMV.
Sound
I just adore the sound of these, They sound more like speakers in a room. The bass is amazing on these, although my He-500 and El-8 have tighter bass, this has more impact and a better slam which makes it much more pleasing for me, it doesn't quite have the refinement of the planars (texture and detail) but its not far off you could say its on par.
The mids are thick, juicy and very organic, they also sound pretty spacious and not as forward as the el-8, I also find the mids on the x2 very coherent and detailed.
The highs are a mixed bag for me, they are a bit laid back, which is what I like but they also have some grain and artificial-ness to them, they aren't articulate or as refined as more expensive headphones but still I find that they are not a big complaint at this price range.
Soundstage and imaging are great on this phone, I find it better than the venerable HD600/650, and I also think they image and do soundstage better than my el-8 and He-500.
Conclusion
I think phillips has made an exceptional phone not only at its price range but a great headphone period. I think everyone should own a pair of these and enjoy it, they aren't as analytical or technically superb can as the HD-800 or other high end cans, but I believe that they are very balanced and extremely enjoyable and don't really do much wrong and play well with most genres. At the 500 under price range I don't think there is can that will offer a better listening experience than this, for mixing and other pro audio purposes I think one needs to look elsewhere, they are balanced and neutral but tuned for audio enjoyment rather than monitoring or mixing.
I've had a lot of headphones in the past and prior to this I thought in the sub 300 price category the Beyer DT990/880 were the best, they certainly still are at the top of the chart but this x2 is just as good and has a better styling, in my opinion these are one of the the better looking headphones out there. The headband is two metal rods that seem pretty sturdy, not exactly sure what the cups are made of but they seem well built and have a nice feel to them, overall I think these are built to last everything on this phone feels of premium quality.
Aesthetics
To my eyes these cans are gorgeous, Phillips put some effort into the design of this can. With mostly metal and the use of leather on the headband make it look like a premium product. The cups have a very elegant yet simple design and mechanism used to attach the cups to the headband also look great with the circle ring around the ear-cup, I also think the grills complement the look and really like the pattern of the grill, also the grill being silver compared to the stealthy matt-black color of the phone adds contrast. Overall I think its a very pleasing, understated and elegant design.
Comfort
Comfort has never been an issue for me as I don't even find the LCD series from Audeze uncomfortable and as most of you may have heard that the audeze's have a terrible reputation when it comes to comfort. Using memory foam pads which are pretty thick and the hammock system makes the phillips an easy and comfy wear, they don't create any hotspots on my head nor do they clamp tight, They feel like a pillow on my head they are extremely comfortable, it is when I wear these I notice that the big planars are uncomfortable. I don't think anyone will have an issue with these cans in terms of comfort, I have heard issues with the velour ear pads being itchy for some, unfortunately I don't have this particular problem with mine, could be me or my pair YMMV.
Sound
I just adore the sound of these, They sound more like speakers in a room. The bass is amazing on these, although my He-500 and El-8 have tighter bass, this has more impact and a better slam which makes it much more pleasing for me, it doesn't quite have the refinement of the planars (texture and detail) but its not far off you could say its on par.
The mids are thick, juicy and very organic, they also sound pretty spacious and not as forward as the el-8, I also find the mids on the x2 very coherent and detailed.
The highs are a mixed bag for me, they are a bit laid back, which is what I like but they also have some grain and artificial-ness to them, they aren't articulate or as refined as more expensive headphones but still I find that they are not a big complaint at this price range.
Soundstage and imaging are great on this phone, I find it better than the venerable HD600/650, and I also think they image and do soundstage better than my el-8 and He-500.
Conclusion
I think phillips has made an exceptional phone not only at its price range but a great headphone period. I think everyone should own a pair of these and enjoy it, they aren't as analytical or technically superb can as the HD-800 or other high end cans, but I believe that they are very balanced and extremely enjoyable and don't really do much wrong and play well with most genres. At the 500 under price range I don't think there is can that will offer a better listening experience than this, for mixing and other pro audio purposes I think one needs to look elsewhere, they are balanced and neutral but tuned for audio enjoyment rather than monitoring or mixing.