Hey all! Long time X2 thread-stalker (like page 1). Just here to profess my love for my X2's. I've had them since they first came out couple years ago. Never had problems with bleeding cups, falling cups, balance, etc... They are what I consider my first real hifi-type purchase. They are an extremely "fun" pair of hp. I listen to a lot of classical, heavy rock (Deftones, System of a Down), some pop (Tori Amos, Fiona Apple). I can listen with x2's with about any genre. My only gripe with them is with classical- symphony/orchestra stuff. I'm still learning about audiophile terminology but I would say the Philips gets a little sloppy here. Instruments seem to really sound congested...maybe "bleedy" or sounding a bit recessed (veiled maybe???) with lack of clarity. Because of this, and I listen to classical a lot, I have sinced purchased Beyer T90's (awesome classical cans), and more recently K712's.
I love my T90's, I don't find them too bright as a lot of people do but they are my go to for classical. My 712's are a good all arounder, and they don't really do anything wrong, but they just aren't nearly as fun as my X2's.
I've got two sources: iPod classic and Fiio x5ii
Two amps: Portaphile 627x and Fiio a5
Sound wise, my favorite combo for my x2's are Fiio x5ii and a5 amp. A5 REALLY opened up the x2 in clarity and sound stage. For some reason my Portaphile just doesn't match well with x2's.
I would say the a5 is great for the x2.
One question I do have: I see a lot of peeps here trying to match tube amps with the Philips...to me, the X2 seems slightly "warm" maybe "dark" a bit. Wouldn't you try to match the x2 with maybe a brighter amp? I've never had a tube amp and looked into them bc I had a lot of suggestions for tubes with my T90, but to me it sounds like it would be a bad match...please school me here.
Later!
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