Philips Fidelio X2?!

[gargani]

Got X2HR again this year's prime day as I missed the sound and couldn't resist the offer (100$/90Euros). Unboxed it few days ago and what I immediately noticed the pads are somewhat different. It's not shredding anyomore and the material dosesn't attract lint like I remember my previous pair did.

There's also some difference in sound as I remember my first X2HR had definetly better bass extention and more reccessed mids (not that I complainted about it). With new pair mids are more upfront and the bass kicks a little less, however might be because it's brand new.

I bought an original woox x2, about a month or so later I bought a brand new pair of the x2 not the x2hr.
The new x2 sounded slightly different than the woox x2 .Same as your case, the new x2 had slightly less bass and seemingly a little more present midrange.

My case is not the same as yours since I don't own an x2hr. I think a difference from one iteration to the next might not be uncommon.
However the difference isn't big It's small enough that if I hadn't own the woox, I would still appreciate the x2.
But I like that little extra bass on the woox.

 

[Radio81]

At least if this is something that can be corrected with an EQ i could be fine with it, problem tho, is the shipping fees being 1/2 of the product price to be shipped in france..

I got those shure pads, the size was way too small for me, it became an on-ear instead of over-ear, not comfortable and i would have to remove the headset within the next 2 hours because of headaches (due to the change in sound)

I just received the Shure 1540 pads along with 3D printed pad adapters. I see what you are saying about them becoming on-ear. It's because the Shure pads are meant for an oval shape, and the X2HR pads are round. To fit the Shure pads, I'm basically stretching an oval to fit a circle. The pads technically fit, but you do lose some space top-to-bottom around the ear by stretching them. For reference, I have Shure 1840 velour pads on my SHP9500, but with oval adapters from modhouse audio. In this pic, you can see they retain the oval shape, and allow more room for the ear. 1840 pad on the left, 1540 on the right. Both are attached to the mentioned adapters:

Here's a pic showing the openings of the pads compared to the Dekoni suede pads. There is much more room in the Dekoni pads.

The 1540 pads are also not as deep as the Dekoni pads, so I don't expect the bass to be as emphasized as they are with the Dekoni pads. Here's a pic of the 1540 pads and adapters installed, and a pic showing my gaming setup with a wireless modmic and Fiio BTR3K attached.

That's all for now. I haven't spent much time listening to either set of pads yet. Comfort wise, I think the Shure pads have the edge over the Dekoni, but I won't know for sure until I can spend a few hours with them. They do seem to trap less heat. I haven't had time to listen to either set of pads yet. I run EQ with the BTR3K, so really not an issue for me if the pads alter the sound.

 

[Radio81]

Talk about bad luck. Right around the time I swapped pads from OEM to Dekoni to give them a test run, I started noticing a channel imbalance, and it slowly got worse. Left side is much louder than the right side, and I can only hear vocals on the right side now. At first I thought it must be because of the pads, and being positioned differently on my ears than stock. Nope. There is definitely an issue with the right side driver. It sounds like a blown voice coil.

Anyone know if it's a serviceable part? Or rather, is there an aftermarket set of drivers that would work? I really hate to give up on these.

 

[Pharmaboy]

I bought this headphone on a whim. I was actually looking for the Onkyo A800 but seeing as it has been discontinued, I gathered the X2 was the next best thing. They both use the same drivers and are voiced somewhat similarly. The Onkyo being more reference tuned whereas the Philips takes on a slightly more fun and exciting presentation.
I really dig the bass on this fella. Big, voluptuous and rather nimbly steps out of the way of the midrange..which is sweet. I do hear some extra zing up top but done pretty elegantly and rounding out the slightly v-shaped signature. Compared to a lot of popular headphones though, this sucker is approaching reference class.
It’s a ‘Beatles-headphone’ methinks. It’s just a sound that is so easy to love…and hate if you’re one of those ‘if something is massively popular, it’s gotta be trash’ kind of peeps
But..err..yeah..I got a headphone with a build quality that rivals and in some cases tops flagships I’ve had my hands on that easily cost 10-15 times as much. That is just bananas! Outside of the ridiculous funky new car smell it also came with, this is without a doubt one of the best built headphones I’ve ever owned. I’ve had some Focals that look more luxurious..but I wouldn’t trust the build like I trust the X2’s…because holy karate!
…and what..I paid something like a 160$ for it
This hobby man.

love the tortoise-shell kitty!

(and agree w/your comments about the X2s)

 

[Mr Trev]

Talk about bad luck. Right around the time I swapped pads from OEM to Dekoni to give them a test run, I started noticing a channel imbalance, and it slowly got worse. Left side is much louder than the right side, and I can only hear vocals on the right side now. At first I thought it must be because of the pads, and being positioned differently on my ears than stock. Nope. There is definitely an issue with the right side driver. It sounds like a blown voice coil.

Anyone know if it's a serviceable part? Or rather, is there an aftermarket set of drivers that would work? I really hate to give up on these.

IIRC the drivers are glued into the faceplate. You could replace them, but personally, I'd think it'd be more trouble than its worth
For the record, I had pretty much the same thing happen to my HP150s. I eventually just gave up trying to fix em, too much of a PITA

<edit> forgot to mention Philips doesn't seem to want to offer earpads to us, nevermind drivers. I doubt you'd get drivers without going 3rd party (and that opens a new can of worms)

 

[Radio81]

IIRC the drivers are glued into the faceplate. You could replace them, but personally, I'd think it'd be more trouble than its worth
For the record, I had pretty much the same thing happen to my HP150s. I eventually just gave up trying to fix em, too much of a PITA

<edit> forgot to mention Philips doesn't seem to want to offer earpads to us, nevermind drivers. I doubt you'd get drivers without going 3rd party (and that opens a new can of worms)

Yes, the drivers are glued. I've disassembled it and it looks fairly easy to replace the driver. You're right, I could buy new drivers and they might suck. Now need to decide on getting a new pair of X2HR or wait for something else.

 

[GearMe]

Yes, the drivers are glued. I've disassembled it and it looks fairly easy to replace the driver. You're right, I could buy new drivers and they might suck. Now need to decide on getting a new pair of X2HR or wait for something else.

Bummer about your right driver! Would agree with Mr Trev though; seems like it would be a pain.

FWIW, the X2HR's are $127 on Amazon right now.

 

[Mr Trev]

Yup. It'd probably just suck up the cost of getting a new pair if mine crapped out rather than trying to repair. Actually… maybe I'll start keeping my eyes open for sales - backup pair, just in case.
Not sure what the other Amazons are like, but the Canadian one still has x2-27 and x2hr available for the same price - although I'd probably get the hr, just to see if there is any sound difference

 

[Radio81]

I'm on the fence about it. Currently debating on waiting for a sale on the X3. Then again, the X2HR will probably not be around much longer.

The Fidelio X3 uses the same pads, so at least the Dekoni pads I have the for the X2HR could still be used for that. And I could run it balanced from my Fiio BTR3K for more power. But I'm not digging the fabric over the ear cups. Due to that, I'd have no way of attaching my modmic to it without getting creative and thinking of a custom mounting solution.

Monoprice M570 also have my attention. I don't think the BTR3K will be enough power for those, though.

Since my X2HR died, I've been using the BTR3K and wireless modmic with my SHP9500 for gaming. I bought the X2HR in May of 2020 and haven't used the 9500 since then. It's a decent backup for now.

Too many choices.

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

I'm on the fence about it. Currently debating on waiting for a sale on the X3. Then again, the X2HR will probably not be around much longer.

The Fidelio X3 uses the same pads, so at least the Dekoni pads I have the for the X2HR could still be used for that. And I could run it balanced from my Fiio BTR3K for more power. But I'm not digging the fabric over the ear cups. Due to that, I'd have no way of attaching my modmic to it without getting creative and thinking of a custom mounting solution.

Monoprice M570 also have my attention. I don't think the BTR3K will be enough power for those, though.

Since my X2HR died, I've been using the BTR3K and wireless modmic with my SHP9500 for gaming. I bought the X2HR in May of 2020 and haven't used the 9500 since then. It's a decent backup for now.

Too many choices.

I love the 9500 for gaming. It punches WAY above its price point.

 

[Nirvana Woman]

I swear the very moment I hear of the X2 being discontinued I'll instantly be buying three pairs without thinking twice. I could easily see myself going the rest of my life without finding a headphone I like as much. Not to mention I'm also not big on trying stuff out and looking for "the right one". I'd rather just have what I need and that's that. I make a terrible audiophile I guess, lol.

 

[Radio81]

I gave in and ordered a replacement pair. I'll probably also end up getting the X3 when it's on sale, but can't beat the price/performance of the X2 right now. No telling how much longer it will be in stock.

 

[CTR640]

I swear the very moment I hear of the X2 being discontinued I'll instantly be buying three pairs without thinking twice. I could easily see myself going the rest of my life without finding a headphone I like as much. Not to mention I'm also not big on trying stuff out and looking for "the right one". I'd rather just have what I need and that's that. I make a terrible audiophile I guess, lol.

So glad I'm not the only one thinking like that. I did buy like 4 and 5+ on the other stuff I have and indeed, they have been discontinued and can no longer be found anywhere, not even secondhand!

 

[MisterMudd]

I swear the very moment I hear of the X2 being discontinued I'll instantly be buying three pairs without thinking twice. I could easily see myself going the rest of my life without finding a headphone I like as much. Not to mention I'm also not big on trying stuff out and looking for "the right one". I'd rather just have what I need and that's that. I make a terrible audiophile I guess, lol.

Can’t say they have been discontinued yet as I have seen no official statements, but Philips has discontinued them on their website. Amazon has been having more frequent sales on them as well, like now at $126 for new. Some like new for a lower price. I’ll grab my extra pair now.

 

[cirodts]

Hi, I bought the fidelio x2hr and I must say that they sound very good, but is it true that each x2hr sounds different?
how come?