Is it enough with a receiver?

[Loxz]

I have been using the Philips Fidelio X2 with my receiver (Onkyo TX-8050) for some years. The receiver is connected to my PC with an Optical cable (S/PDIF). I have read in different threads that the X2 is often used with an Amp or DAC but never read about connecting it to a receiver.
The X2 has fantastic sound but I feel that the bass is a little bit lacking (I'm a bit of a basshead). I know it is an open back headphone but many people wrote that the bass is great and huge. I tried to increase the bass through my receiver but I didn't feel it was enough. Trying to increase the volume will at a certain point make the headphone crack which damages the headphones.

This made me wonder in some years if I should continue using it with my receiver or change the setup?

(I tried once using the X2 with the FiiO E10K Olympus 2 and I didn't like it, the sound from my receiver was far better in my opinion.)

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for reading.

 

[FumblingFoo]

The receiver's DAC or amp might be rolling off the bass at the lower end of the spectrum. Was the bass louder on the E10k even if it probably wasn't as well controlled? The E10k without the bass boost seems to have a neutral frequency response comparing with my other equipment, but I don't have a graph in front me to be sure. Not much, if anything in the higher end market where the sound quality is better comes with a bass boost feature, and higher end equipment features, well engineered, features a neutral frequency response. The X2's are really nice cans from what I've heard, but you might have better luck purchasing closed cans like the ATH-M50x's, but the bass on these cans can detract from the rest of the sound signature a bit if it hits hard in the music. There are also some bass cannon headphones, but they tend to have sound quality issues.

 

[Loxz]

There are also some bass cannon headphones, but they tend to have sound quality issues.

That has been my problem when looking for headphones. I still want the bass but I don't want to lose the sound quality either. I do really enjoy the X2 but I hope there would be a solution so I can enjoy them even more.

Was the bass louder on the E10k even if it probably wasn't as well controlled?

Regarding the E10K as I remember the bass wasn't that loud or good compared to my receiver. It's a bit hard to tell as I tried the F10K 2 years ago.

 

[FumblingFoo]

That has been my problem when looking for headphones. I still want the bass but I don't want to lose the sound quality either. I do really enjoy the X2 but I hope there would be a solution so I can enjoy them even more.

I recommend giving the ATH-M50x's a demo at a local shop if you can. They're not quite specialty / enthusiast grade products at their price so some local stores might carry 'em. There may be other suitable headphones as well that other members can recommend.

Regarding the E10K as I remember the bass wasn't that loud or good compared to my receiver. It's a bit hard to tell as I tried the F10K 2 years ago.

That was likely the case, but I haven't had experience with that receiver so I can't say for sure whether it attenuates the bass. It's just generally more effective to choose headphones over equipment when trying to change the sound.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I have been using the Philips Fidelio X2 with my receiver (Onkyo TX-8050) for some years. The receiver is connected to my PC with an Optical cable (S/PDIF). I have read in different threads that the X2 is often used with an Amp or DAC but never read about connecting it to a receiver.
The X2 has fantastic sound but I feel that the bass is a little bit lacking (I'm a bit of a basshead). I know it is an open back headphone but many people wrote that the bass is great and huge. I tried to increase the bass through my receiver but I didn't feel it was enough. Trying to increase the volume will at a certain point make the headphone crack which damages the headphones.

This made me wonder in some years if I should continue using it with my receiver or change the setup?

(I tried once using the X2 with the FiiO E10K Olympus 2 and I didn't like it, the sound from my receiver was far better in my opinion.)

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you for reading.

E10K probably has more power with lower THD, and definitely much lower output impedance, than your receiver. You're hearing the X2's real sound closer to what it really sounds like.

Regarding the E10K as I remember the bass wasn't that loud or good compared to my receiver. It's a bit hard to tell as I tried the F10K 2 years ago.

It's probably the high output impedance of the receiver that's boosting the bass more than the E10K. Going for a better amp will at best keep the bass clean at high volume, not boost it. To take advantage of a more powerful amp's headroom you need to use an equalizer app and you just get more flexibility with how much boost you put in. You might as well keep using your receiver and use an EQ app, you'd at least be starting with more bass to begin with.

 

[Loxz]

To take advantage of a more powerful amp's headroom you need to use an equalizer app and you just get more flexibility with how much boost you put in. You might as well keep using your receiver and use an EQ app, you'd at least be starting with more bass to begin with.

I haven't thought of using an EQ which might be a good idea. Do you perhaps know any EQ app for PC? If not then I'll try find something.

 

[Loxz]

I recommend giving the ATH-M50x's a demo at a local shop if you can.

Definitely! I will try and see if I can find one in a local store someday.

It's just generally more effective to choose headphones over equipment when trying to change the sound.

Yeah, sometimes it may be easier to change the headphones instead of the equipment but I will test if an EQ could help.

 

[FumblingFoo]

I've never been able to get EQ to work that good for me, as I just ended up making things sound worse, but EQ'ing is definitely worth a look if done well. It is an effective method of changing the sound; I'm just not that good at the settings or I'm using the wrong software. I used Equalizer APO on the computer and it seems nice, just takes some getting used to. Are you using a computer as the audio source or something like a stream box / CD's? Depending on which you might be stuck with the built-in equalizer on the equipment.

 

[Monsterzero]

Typically one doesnt get very good results using a receiver to amp low ohm headphones like the X2.Receivers are better suited to driving planars or high ohm headphones.

If you have a phone or DAP I'd try using that to test your headphone's bass.I have the X1(essentially the same as X2) and its def not bass shy.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

I haven't thought of using an EQ which might be a good idea. Do you perhaps know any EQ app for PC? If not then I'll try find something.

Equalizer APO. Global EQ app so it works on the whole system, not just the EQ on a player app. Also has a full manual mode so you can look up response graphs and zero in on where the spikes or dips are.

Yeah, sometimes it may be easier to change the headphones instead of the equipment but I will test if an EQ could help.

Except if you just want a little adjustment, getting a new headphone might make for other things you don't like even if you do address the initial problems, so might as well try EQ first.

 

[Loxz]

If you have a phone or DAP I'd try using that to test your headphone's bass.I have the X1(essentially the same as X2) and its def not bass shy.

I've tried it and there is less bass and the other sounds were more forward.

Now I also tried with the EQ on PC but the bass got muffled and suppressed the other sounds.

 

[FumblingFoo]

Now I also tried with the EQ on PC but the bass got muffled and suppressed the other sounds.

That's exactly what I get when I do EQ.

 

[Loxz]

I now tried to use the X2 with my Cayin C5 for a little while. It actually sounds a bit more clear and the bass is a bit more punchy. Since the C5 is a portable amp I do not know if I could use it as a desktop amp. Would there be a way to combine an audio gear with my receiver or just separately, or would it be better to ignore that road and find another pair of headphones that'll suit my taste more?

One more thing, I tried experimenting with my headphones how high in volume I could go and if the bass would improve before they started making cracking noises. I tried with my receiver, Cayin C5 and then with the receiver + Cayin C5 (I do not know if this is a smart combo but it was only for testing). The bass kinda improved but the cracking noise made me stop. I still have this feeling if I used the right audio equipment I could run them higher/better or is this the maximum of the X2?

Thank you all for the help, information, and suggestions you have provided me so far.

 

[buke9]

Well while a proper amp will help things out if you're cranking up volume to get bass response you want I would look for different headphones myself. I've only heard the X2's once and that was a couple of years ago so I would be of no help there but you might want to ask on the X2 thread to maybe get a better answer.

 

[Monsterzero]

Your receiver is a poor match for the X2 as I mentioned prior.You can try getting yourself a small,affordable desktop amp to drive them,or you can toss in the towel and get a new set of headphones. Im not sure if the Cayin can work as its charging,and if you do use it that way theres a good chance of ruining its battery.

If you do get a new headphone there are very few HPs out there that have the bass+sound stage of the X2 at that price point .If a wide sound stage isnt important to you,Id recommend looking into V-Moda M100.Theres also the Taction Kannon,which is just hitting the market and is getting rave reviews,though neither will be great with the receiver.If you want to keep the receiver as an amp,try looking into the Beyer DT770 250ohm.

For the amp a Schiit Magni would work fine as the X2 is easy to drive.