I have been following this thread for quite a while and, three weeks ago, I got my X2s delivered from Amazon. Thanks to all of you for convincing me – through the information and insights you’ve provided – to pull the trigger. I’ve been “burning-in” my X2s (and my brain’s response to them) by just putting the ‘phones on and listening to music. I’m too old – at least my ears are – to be an audiophile and I fully expect changes to occur from listening session to listening session just as a result of my energy level, mood, ability to concentrate, etc. In the case of the X2s, there was especially no sense in me waiting to hear them, since they sounded GREAT from the first few notes onward! For me, they have a tremendously musical, involving and transparent delivery that makes them an ideal “open” companion to my “closed” Shure SRH-1540s.
I’ve been having lots of fun comparing the X2s to the 1540s. The source I use is a NAD 516 BEE CD player. I’ve got it placed in a chairside “mid-fi” setup that lets me easily move between any two (or three) headphones in combination with any of three signal chains – and play around with equalization, too. Here’s what it looks like:
The first signal chain is NAD 516 --> Schiit Moda 2 Uber DAC (via optical interconnect) --> Behringer Mini 9-Band EQ --> HeadRoom Micro Amplifier. In the photo above, that’s where the 1540 is plugged in. [TOP LEFT]
The second signal chain is NAD 516 --> a second Schiit Moda 2 Uber DAC (via coaxial interconnect) --> Behringer Mini 9-Band EQ --> Schiit Magni 2 Uber Amplifier. That’s where the X2 is plugged in. [TOP RIGHT]
The third signal chain is from the NAD 516, via RCA interconnects, straight to a Linear Design’s Fournier HTA-2 tube amplifier (running two 12AU7s) . It’s the compact blue unit snuggled next to the two equalizers. I use it when I get a general hankering for some old-school tube sonics – and to tame the overall brightness of early CD recordings of classical music (especially solo piano performanceas that were miced too closely and too “hot!").
I’m retired, so I’ve had lots of time to try out the X2s with the different signal chains, all sorts of different musical genres, tweaked EQ settings, etc. They have been rewarding time after time after time! My favorite way to use them is to just plug ‘em in, power up the NAD and a signal chain, set the EQ to “null”/”bypass,” drop in a CD, lean back, and listen to them make recorded music come alive. They give me chills more often than even the 1540s do, which is something I never thought would be possible. The 1540s also offer a transcendent musical experience, but they can’t match the completely natural (to me) soundstage that’s created by the X2s. The 1540s have a soundstage that is beautifully balanced and three-dimensional, but their closed backs move the “walls” of the listening space in quite a bit in comparison to the X2s.
In addition to making classical music sublime, the X2s also do wonderful things with EDM, dubstep, techno, and all other manner of “synthesizer” based music – and they shine, too, with good ol’ rock-and-roll – and solo and group vocals – and pop – and country – and . . . well, everything! I have not yet found a recording from which they can’t wring a great listening experience. Of course, I haven’t made my way through all of the CDs that I’ve acquired in the last 25 years. I am soooo glad that so many folks have decided that CDs are an archaic and useless format and have practically given them away (in pristine condition) to shops that sell used LPs and discs. My $$$ can really go a long way now! If you haven’t gotten rid of your CDs, then I strongly encourage you to do so immediately . . . and to send me a PM first, with a list of all that “old junk” that you want to get rid of. ;^)
If you’re on the fence about the X2s and, like me, can’t afford and/or detect the sonic improvements offered by “high end” headphones, then jump off that fence right now and go order a set of these marvelous Fidelios! I don’t think you’ll regret it. If you’re going to be using them with a portable system, they will sound fine out of a phone or tablet that has a decent DAC/amp. I’ve plugged ‘em directly into my iPhone 6+, iPad Air and new generation 128gb iPod Touch – and they sound great. However, they will really knock your socks off if you also run the signal through a portable DAC/Amp. Since I’ve got mostly Apple portable sources, I use an Oppo HA-2, which interfaces seamlessly with the newest IOS versions. In partnership with the X2, it produces an immersive listening experience that credibly rivals what my chairside stuff can produce.
Of course, all of this is just my personal opinion as a non-expert, non-technical fan of headphones. I don’t listen to “equipment,” but I do listen carefully to “music.” And I will claim some degree of credibility on the basis of the fact I’ve been indulging in the “headphone” habit since 1959. That was the year I got one of those newfangled transistorized portable radios that had an earbud for “private listening.” I loved it – and I’ve never gone more than a few months since then without having music plugged almost directly into my brain by way of headphones as often as possible.
Finally, I want to share a very important update. I have it on good authority that the only toxic ingredient in Philips' headphone pad dye is an unobtanium compound they developed. It's called "Trollonium" and it infallibly, selectively causes a slow and excruciatingly painful death ONLY for those who willfully attempt to divert or degrade on-topic discussions of Philips products in audio enthusiasts' forums. My only regret is that we can't get online access to watch Trollonium working its wonderful magic!
Here’s hoping you enjoy your Philips Fidelio X2s – or whatever else can give you chills. Keep listenin’ and keep smilin’! =8^)
