@JamesMay That is very odd. Compared to my Sennheiser PC360( 558 with a mic AFAIK)
the X2s have a lot more bass. Maybe you got a bad pair?
This is what I am beginning to think. I don't honestly know how anyone could consider the x2's to have a strong bass presence based on the pair that I have. I find it to be exactly in line with the rest of the frequencies (aside from the mids, which are recessed). Otherwise, no boom, no impact; just an overall relaxed signature with nice detail and extension, but not much quantity of any certain thing.
Also, the claims that the X2's are the bassiest open headphones is downright wrong. The Fischer Audio FA-011's have significantly more bass quantity, however they don't have quite as good extension or resolution (more mid-bassy and impactful but with less clarity). The fa-011's also have a more forward and intimate sound signature overall. I prefer the FA-011's over my x2's in every way except for soundstage size and overall imaging/clarity.
To put it like this; the FA-011's sound like a front row seat at a 70's nightclub with a nice pair of warm speakers on each side of your head. Vocals are forward and in your face, bass is rumbling and punchy with lots of texture, soundstage is great and wide (150ish degree angle), and highs are also forward. However, there is a noticeable muffle and slight lack of clarity when A/B'ing with the X2's. It goes away after 20 minutes of brain-in and everything is good again (imo).
My X2's on the other hand, sound like a high quality pair of neutral monitor speakers playing in the room next to me. Airy highs, better imaging, overall "clearer", and wider soundstage (near 180 degrees), however the entire sound signature seems boring and distant. Mids are noticeably recessed. Bass is there when you focus on it with good extension but has a laughable amount of quantity in comparison to the FA-011's, and has no real impact whatsoever.
As far as intimacy goes, if I was in a concert hall, fa-011's are second row, X2's are 15th row
Someone did one of these comparison styles somewhere else on the forum, and it describes so many things in so few words, so I think I will try it.
= (they are equal)
> marginally greater
>> significantly greater
>>> Immensely greater
Bass Quantity: FA-011 >> X2
Bass Quality: X2 > FA-011
Midrange Quantity: FA-011 > X2
Midrange Quality: =
Highs Quantity: =
Highs Quality: X2 > FA-011
Soundstage: X2 > FA-011
Imaging: x2 >> FA-011
Intimacy: FA-011 >> X2
I prefer an intimate and forward sound signature with a good soundstage, so I still enjoy the FA-011's more in every way except when I listen to songs that benefit from great soundstage or airy highs, which is usually some trance/electronic music without much bass.
Electronic music with bass, rock, folk, hip hop, and just about everything in between still sound more intimate, fun, and engaging to me with the fa011.
I have been playing with foobar EQ on the X2's and have found a nice set of pre-sets made by a guy online, one of which is called "Punch and sparkle" which ads a nice W shape to the frequencies which I think really helps the X2's become more engaging and intimate. They still lack the punch, quantity, and impact that the FA-011 have, but at least the bass isn't hiding anymore. Vocals are slightly more forward and don't take as much of a backseat anymore, but still aren't as forward as I would like. Highs actually do start to sparkle and sound really nice now. Better than FA-011 highs.
tl; dr x2's bass is lacking, not the greatest quantity in open headphones, i think there is a difference in sound signatures of different x2 models (given the polarizing impressions), mids are too recessed on the x2's for my liking, i want something more like the fa-011's but with clearer instruments and better imaging without sacrificing massive amounts of bass quantity and recessed mids
