Philips Fidelio X2?!

[Brava210]

Yes but in most headphones exaggerate the bass


There is bass in every track even classical. That does not mean the bass should be prominent like in EDM. If you turned down the bass with an equalizer when listening to classical the sound would have no 'body' at all and sound even more 'thin'. It you turned it up you'd hear a kind of wooshy bass and would ruin the music. The bass in exaggerated in some drivers by engineering the material used in the diaphragm to do just that as well as engineering the vent holes in the driver housing as well.

It does sound like you prefer prominent bass but if you want to check if your drivers are faulty look back at my previous post and look at what the drivers look like damaged and repaired. You can check for signs of this yourself by just taking off the pads. In a darkened room shine a torch at the driver. This way you will be able to see the diaphragm through the dark grey porous material in front of the driver. If there is any unnatural looking crinkles in the diapham you will spot it straight away otherwise it should look nicely rounded and smooth looking - in which case there is prolly nothing wrong with the drivers all. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/philips-fidelio-x2.723025/page-833#post-13685123

Thanks. Surely they should be fine if they are brand new?
But I will check it out.

Gary

 

[ezzony]

Do you guys really hear a diference in expensive cables....? I bought 3 1.5 m cables from aliexpress. 2 meiyi that costed me 1,05 euros each and the other one from baseus that costed 2,50. The 3 cables are made foram the exacto same cloth material as the original Philips cable and they feel as the original as well. Most important of all is that they sound exactly like the original.... Do you guys really want to spend 20/30/40 euros on a cable? I did not even spend 5 euros on 3 cables and i bet i AM happy as you guys are....

No. I have experimented with this in the past and found no difference whatsoever. And think about this - the X2 has a one sided cable design. This means that there is a cable running from one driver to the other through the leather headband that of course you can't see. I can confirm from opening the headphones that this cable is extremely thin, it's about as thin as what you would see in a pair of cheap ear buds. If you bought a supposedly high quality cable then that cable does not reach the driver directly, especially to the driver on the left because the audio signal has to pass through the internal cable running inside the headband. If the internal cable is not of equally high quality then the benefit of the superior cable would be lost anyway. I think it would be worth paying for a cable only if it's the right size for you, doesn't produce microphonics, doesn't tangle, looks nice etc but not for superior audio quality.

 

[ezzony]

Thanks. Surely they should be fine if they are brand new?
But I will check it out.

Gary

Yes but there were reports of ppl not being happy with the sound quality of their Gibson model from the outset, aside from the glue and other minor issues. We don't know for sure if this is actually the case but it might be worth checking out as you are not satisfied with the bass. In the case of my pair that I repaired - there was very poor bass when they were in a damaged state but other frequencies weren't so bad.

 

[ezzony]

Do you guys really hear a diference in expensive cables....? I bought 3 1.5 m cables from aliexpress. 2 meiyi that costed me 1,05 euros each and the other one from baseus that costed 2,50. The 3 cables are made foram the exacto same cloth material as the original Philips cable and they feel as the original as well. Most important of all is that they sound exactly like the original.... Do you guys really want to spend 20/30/40 euros on a cable? I did not even spend 5 euros on 3 cables and i bet i AM happy as you guys are....

Could you link please to the cable you got on alliexpress. I would like a 1.5 meter cable also. I do use my X2's portably outdoors when no one is around in the late evenings - wearing a hoody with hood over my head

 

[Slater]

I have never removed the pads.ive checked they look fine, they are the snap on variety. If I do engage bass boost they sound ok but I shouldn't need to do this surely?
Thanks for all the advice so far

I use bass boost on almost everything I own. That's why they put the switch there. It's not a crime to use it. It only mildly bumps the bass by 2-3 of dbs.

If using the bass boost makes you love the X2, vs hating it and wanting to sell it when not using the switch, then just use the switch and enjoy your gear. You can always turn the switch off when you're not using the X2.

 

[Brava210]

Good point.

 

[George Taylor]

I'm currently listening to my X2s out of my phone. No amp. I have substantial bass with no changes in the sound settings in Google play. The only thing I would need the amp for with these is for a pure volume boost. I have to think if you're not getting enough bass from your set there must be a flaw somewhere.

 

[Slater]

I'm currently listening to my X2s out of my phone. No amp. I have substantial bass with no changes in the sound settings in Google play. The only thing I would need the amp for with these is for a pure volume boost. I have to think if you're not getting enough bass from your set there must be a flaw somewhere.

I agree. But sometimes the KISS principle applies.

If Brava210 has checked all of the logical stuff - pads, cable, crinkled drivers, etc - and the simple flick of the bass boost switch solves all of the problems, then why keep beating your head against a wall?

It could also be something as simple as hair breaking the seal around the pads. With velour pads, you're already killing a few dbs worth of bass. If the pad isn't getting the best deal possible around your ears, you'll lose even more. A simple pad roll to a pleather or hybrid pad would bump the bass just as much as the bass boost switch. If it were me, that's what I would do. Then you'd benefit from the desired sound regardless of the source or whether or not you were using an amp.

So yeah, I too believe something is wrong. But not everyone has the patience of skills to go taking their $300 headphones to pieces to try and check for flaws.

Even though the sound he's describing sounds like crinkled drivers, it is unlikely to be both drivers as this is more common with only 1 driver. My suspicion is the pads - loose, not making a good head seal, or the nature of velour.

 

[juStmEetmeAGaIn]

hello everyone!

just a couple days ago joined to Fidelio X2s club

I've been here on head-fi years ago, but just as reader

and now I have to complain for the really first time, sorry for that =\

my first impressions some time after listening:

(this was my first original review on amazon few days ago, so I'll just copy and paste it here)
"I was so afraid that I'll get defective pair or imbalanced sound issues. or glued pads....whatever.... I wanted them so much! Well, these that i've got have NO ISSUES at all, no scratches,no glued pads, or sound issues.
The first time when I'm took them ON, I didn't like it. This sound....
didn't like the sound at all! I was expecting something superior for 300$+, something much more detailed in terms of sound quality than my Grado SR225. but! After a while I started to like it. This pair is just so different. Thats it. They sound a little less detailed than Grado, but the soundstage is really much wider. For specific kinds of electronica like trip-hop (for expl. Portishead, Archive, Tricky, Kid Koala, Fink, DJ Shadow, etc) or break-bit, or something similar - this thing sounds greatier than sr225, but for any other kinds of music, especially something like Neo-classic or Classical music (as expl. Ólafur Arnalds, Max Richter, etc) any Grados (yes! even low-end sr225) are still the Winner here, more detailed, airness and overall MUCH BETTER HP than Fidelio X2. and NO-these ARE NOT good for any sound production/mixing/sampling or mastering of course. Just for listening.

P.S. Gibsons here.

that was my first thoughts after two days of using.


Updated after few days of intensive listening them (9/6/17): TODAY :

there's a huge sound distortions on the max volume playing most complicated rock and alternative songs (like Led Zeppelin, Limp Bizkit, City and Colour, Muse, etc), Grado sr225 or even 125, or Alessandro Grado MS1\MS2 can handle this much better. this distortion issue really disappointed me. And I don't think there's something wrong with my Fidelio X2s. That's just like they are. This is just like they sound. So don't be foolish about hype on the web. They are Good, but not GREAT.

They still can handle good with music like hip-hop, Lounge, Pop, Funk, etc (like Beastie Boys, Stevie Wonder, Depeche Mode, Damien Rice, yes I just listened them all and more using Fidelio X2 for last few days), in short with low attack and low speed.

And Yes, they not worth 300 euro, that's what I can say now. Still, I like them. And I think I should keep the and I won't ask for a refund.
So again, for 150-170$ it's good. I won't buy them as a first pair, thanks god I have Another few, including Grados "

END of Amazon first review. My thoughts still the same.

THE QUESTION IS: could I have defective unit, or is it just like they are? could someone prove or disprove what I said above about comparing them to Grado? all this drives me crazy!!!!
Are they really so muddy and less detailed than Grado 125/225? or is it just my pair X2 that may be defective? should I ask for a replacement? btw, got them on Amazon UK, just a week ago.

EDITED: by distortion I mean that these hp make the full mess in the moments where all audio gear in song sounds at the same time, guitars, drums, etc etc. just like almost in every heavy rock song in the end or before ending (AC/DC/Godsmack/Limb Bizkit/Linkin Park/etc they all have many songs like that). at this heavy moments they sound in terms of sound quality reproduction more like a schiity poor Chinese cans for 20$, feel my pain guys =(

 

[Slater]

hello everyone!

just a couple days ago joined to Fidelio X2s club

I've been here on head-fi years ago, but just as reader

and now I have to complain for the really first time, sorry for that =\

my first impressions some time after listening:

(this was my first original review on amazon few days ago, so I'll just copy and paste it here)
"I was so afraid that I'll get defective pair or imbalanced sound issues. or glued pads....whatever.... I wanted them so much! Well, these that i've got have NO ISSUES at all, no scratches,no glued pads, or sound issues.
The first time when I'm took them ON, I didn't like it. This sound....
didn't like the sound at all! I was expecting something superior for 300$+, something much more detailed in terms of sound quality than my Grado SR225. but! After a while I started to like it. This pair is just so different. Thats it. They sound a little less detailed than Grado, but the soundstage is really much wider. For specific kinds of electronica like trip-hop (for expl. Portishead, Archive, Tricky, Kid Koala, Fink, DJ Shadow, etc) or break-bit, or something similar - this thing sounds greatier than sr225, but for any other kinds of music, especially something like Neo-classic or Classical music (as expl. Ólafur Arnalds, Max Richter, etc) any Grados (yes! even low-end sr225) are still the Winner here, more detailed, airness and overall MUCH BETTER HP than Fidelio X2. and NO-these ARE NOT good for any sound production/mixing/sampling or mastering of course. Just for listening.

P.S. Gibsons here.

that was my first thoughts after two days of using.


Updated after few days of intensive listening them (9/6/17): TODAY :

there's a huge sound distortions on the max volume playing most complicated rock and alternative songs (like Led Zeppelin, Limp Bizkit, City and Colour, Muse, etc), Grado sr225 or even 125, or Alessandro Grado MS1\MS2 can handle this much better. this distortion issue really disappointed me. And I don't think there's something wrong with my Fidelio X2s. That's just like they are. This is just like they sound. So don't be foolish about hype on the web. They are Good, but not GREAT.

They still can handle good with music like hip-hop, Lounge, Pop, Funk, etc (like Beastie Boys, Stevie Wonder, Depeche Mode, Damien Rice, yes I just listened them all and more using Fidelio X2 for last few days), in short with low attack and low speed.

And Yes, they not worth 300 euro, that's what I can say now. Still, I like them. And I think I should keep the and I won't ask for a refund.
So again, for 150-170$ it's good. I won't buy them as a first pair, thanks god I have Another few, including Grados "

END of Amazon first review. My thoughts still the same.

THE QUESTION IS: could I have defective unit, or is it just like they are? could someone prove or disprove what I said above about comparing them to Grado? all this drives me crazy!!!!
Are they really so muddy and less detailed than Grado 125/225? or is it just my pair X2 that may be defective? should I ask for a replacement? btw, got them on Amazon UK, just a week ago.

EDITED: by distortion I mean that these hp make the full mess in the moments where all audio gear in song sounds at the same time, guitars, drums, etc etc. just like almost in every heavy rock song in the end or before ending (AC/DC/Godsmack/Limb Bizkit/Linkin Park/etc they all have many songs like that). at this heavy moments they sound in terms of sound quality reproduction more like a schiity poor Chinese cans for 20$, feel my pain guys =(

I don't think yours are defective. I agree that for classical and similar genres there are better options than the X2 (Grados, Sennheisers, etc). They certainly sound better than crappy $20 Chinese cans though!

IMO the X2 is best suited for EDM type music (including hip hop etc). The tuning reminds me of the Philips A5 Pro (a purpose-built EDM headphone), except with a much wider soundstage and airy feeling due to the open vs closed design. I haven't taken the X2 apart yet, but it wouldn't surprise me if they even use the same or similar driver.

Also, from your description of distortion, it sounds like you are describing instrument separation (and speed). Which I haven't listened to enough congested tracks yet to make a good determination. A lot of headphones choke on rock and heavy metal (especially speed metal) because there is so much going so fast. I guess it just overwhelms the driver (likely the construction and material of the diaphragm). You hit the nail on the head when you said slow attack/speed stuff sounded ok.

 

[juStmEetmeAGaIn]

I
IMO the X2 is best suited for EDM type music (including hip hop etc).
Also, from your description of distortion, it sounds like you are describing instrument separation (and speed). Which I haven't listened to enough congested tracks yet to make a good determination. A lot of headphones choke on rock and heavy metal (especially speed metal) because there is so much going so fast. I guess it just overwhelms the driver (likely the construction and material of the diaphragm). You hit the nail on the head when you said slow attack/speed stuff sounded ok.

Yes!! that's exactly what I'm tried to say! Thanks for your feedback and a little explanation.

So...how do you like your X2 with this kinds of music (Rock\Rock'N'Roll)? is there the same feelings as I described above?
should I just.... live with it or?....

you said "A lot of headphones choke on rock and heavy metal", maybe you're right, but not with my Grados.
They are so clean and detailed, much more than X2 for me, yet they're brighter.
They're also so good in these kinds of Music, for expo. NeoClassical Musician Olafur Arnalds and another one Max Richter, these two should listen everyone. Just a pleasure. Sounds so great and yummy with Grado cans, so inspiring, but unfortunately for me- it's all about Grado ones, not about my new X2.

Any thoughts guys? I should decide before 30 day returning policy will end, what should I do with it.
Please give your feedback and thoughts about that. I just wanna know, from any other person who has Any Grado SR model(125?225?325? whatever) comparing to X2-am I wrong? is it just my imagination or is it something with my ears? is it something with my X2? or it's ok and it really sounds just like I described above (in terms of comparison with Grado sr225) and I shouldn't worry about that anymore.
I just thought that HP that costs100$ more expensive than my current Grado should be better, or not much worse, at least......


UPD: oh, another question, will some good amp (SS or hybrid below 200$ as expl) improve it or fix my issue? Should I buy some if it helps? Thanks and sorry I'm just so worried, I just wanted them so badly and now I have them and.....disappointed.

Excuse me, but I am a pedantic and meticulous person when it comes to the music.

 

[Slater]

Yes!! that's exactly what I'm tried to say! Thanks for your feedback and a little explanation.

So...how do you like your X2 with this kinds of music (Rock\Rock'N'Roll)? is there the same feelings as I described above?
should I just.... live with it or?....

you said "A lot of headphones choke on rock and heavy metal", maybe you're right, but not with my Grados.
They are so clean and detailed, much more than X2 for me, yet they're brighter.
They're also so good in these kinds of Music, for expo. NeoClassical Musician Olafur Arnalds and another one Max Richter, these two should listen everyone. Just a pleasure. Sounds so great and yummy with Grado cans, so inspiring, but unfortunately for me- it's all about Grado ones, not about my new X2.

Any thoughts guys? I should decide before 30 day returning policy will end, what should I do with it.
Please give your feedback and thoughts about that. I just wanna know, from any other person who has Any Grado SR model(125?225?325? whatever) comparing to X2-am I wrong? is it just my imagination or is it something with my ears? is it something with my X2? or it's ok and it really sounds just like I described above (in terms of comparison with Grado sr225) and I shouldn't worry about that anymore.
I just thought that HP that costs100$ more expensive than my current Grado should be better, or not much worse, at least......


UPD: oh, another question, will some good amp (SS or hybrid below 200$ as expl) improve it or fix my issue? Should I buy some if it helps? Thanks and sorry I'm just so worried, I just wanted them so badly and now I have them and.....disappointed.

Excuse me, but I am a pedantic and meticulous person when it comes to the music.

As far as Rock, I preferred the Sennheiser HD598 over these X2. The only Grado I've ever heard was the SR60, so I can't comment on the other models. But I really liked them with rock and heavy metal as well. Like you said, the Grados are whole lot brighter, with plenty of detail and airyness which is excellent for certain music genres.

With regard to your X2, what it boils down to is what YOU like. Everyone has different ears - if it doesn't sound enjoyable to you, then that's all that matters my friend. If you aren't that fond of the X2 for your favorite music, by all means return them.

I think the right headphones should bring out joy and emotion in your favorite music. If you don't feel that, move onto something else. There are plenty of headphones and IEMs that are excellent for one thing or another, but I don't get that excitement and enjoyment when listening to music that I get with others. So those are always the ones that sit unused and collect dust (or in my case I try and EQ them and/or mod them to see if I can improve them).

A perfect example is the Meizu HD50 - they are built like a battle tank, are comfortable, and they DO sound good. But something about the sound was off and it just wasn't very exciting for me. So I modified them and now I absolutely love them. I even lent them to another member and he has confiscated them because they are that good haha

 

[juStmEetmeAGaIn]

As far as Rock, I preferred the Sennheiser HD598 over these X2. The only Grado I've ever heard was the SR60, so I can't comment on the other models. But I really liked them with rock and heavy metal as well. Like you said, the Grados are whole lot brighter, with plenty of detail and airyness which is excellent for certain music genres.

With regard to your X2, what it boils down to is what YOU like. Everyone has different ears - if it doesn't sound enjoyable to you, then that's all that matters my friend. If you aren't that fond of the X2 for your favorite music, by all means return them.

I think the right headphones should bring out joy and emotion in your favorite music. If you don't feel that, move onto something else. There are plenty of headphones and IEMs that are excellent for one thing or another, but I don't get that excitement and enjoyment when listening to music that I get with others. So those are always the ones that sit unused and collect dust (or in my case I try and EQ them and/or mod them to see if I can improve them).

A perfect example is the Meizu HD50 - they are built like a battle tank, are comfortable, and they DO sound good. But something about the sound was off and it just wasn't very exciting for me. So I modified them and now I absolutely love them. I even lent them to another member and he has confiscated them because they are that good haha

thank you for your kind words about music and what really matters in this hobby, it calmed me down for now

That make me think that my X2 pair not so horrible as I thought when I'm took them on the first time.

I even lent them to another member and he has confiscated them because they are that good haha

lol gotcha



Anyway I still have some time (3 weeks) before I decide, so I will try to listen them more, I like them, really, just wish they were a little bit cleaner and crispier for rock and Classical music on the high vol.levels.

Anyone else?? I'll be happy to read any other thoughts or things.

the ultimate thing that will calm me down its the comparison between X2 and Grado SR, just to know that this isn't my imagination or whatever. if it was already described(Reviewed?Compared?), please give me some link. For those who have both HP: try to find these songs and listen them A\B;
(1. Neneh Cherry & The Thing-Too Tough to Die 2. Godsmack-I Stand Alone 3. Daniel Pemberton[King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Original Motion Picture Soundtrack]-Run Londinium 4. Muse-Execution Commentary ). My issue will become apparent for you with these songs in comparisons. Thanks.

 

[Sofacykel]

So I bought another pair of X2's, this time around the X2HR. I've previously owned 3 X2's (1 new, 2 used) all passed on in one way or another. Returned the new one due to noticeable imbalance, sold one with slight imbalance an untrained ear probably couldn't hear and sent in the last one for RMA because all 4 bolts on the outer ring went loose but the store didn't fix it and just straight up refunded me because of no stock.

X2HR went down into X2 price territory for a short while so I took another chance at it - Stock at the store already dried up a day after.

Funny how much difference there is between all of them. I've had 2014 WOOX, 2015+16 Gibson and now 2017 Gibson HR I suppose. Woox had a bit of siblant treble but incredible bass (+slight imbalance), first Gibson I had felt more muffled and boomy (returned due to disappointment), second was really good but had the loose bolts. Now the HR which has a noticeably more balanced sound - They're open and still have present bass but not like the previous ones I've tried. Maybe burn-in? It feels more refined I suppose. Headband is still creaky as all hell, unusable on short walks due to weight making the headphone bounce up and down. Only difference I can tell is maybe slightly thicker and softer padding on the headband, otherwise the exact same product as original X2. Duller black earpads. No perceivable imbalance, this one I might actually keep! FINALLY! So happy

Also whoever's saying they don't work for rock must be high, they're amazing. Only good for low attack and low speed? While I am no audiophile analyst they manage 135+bpm double bass metal just fine at high volumes bringing rumble to my face. No perceivable distortion except for the thick as hell guitars

Have a nice day head-fiers!

 

[juStmEetmeAGaIn]

first Gibson I had felt more muffled and boomy (returned due to disappointment),

Just like in my case.

Also whoever's saying they don't work for rock must be high, they're amazing. Only good for low attack and low speed? While I am no audiophile analyst they manage 135+bpm double bass metal just fine at high volumes bringing rumble to my face. No perceivable distortion except for the thick as hell guitars

So you're lucky one. OR, you just can't objectively compare them to someone else. Maybe you just don't know how could your favorite rock/metal music sounds much more detailed and enjoyable. Sure you can't, and no-one can if theres nothing to compare. But I Have. And what you said above I wish I could agree with that and just be happy, like you. Go try Some Grado SR325 or PS500 and tell me then that I am wrong, tell me about "bringing rumble to your face" it is just so good. I'm sure you'll bring back your words. There is nothing in my X2 from what you just described in terms of sound quality. But it's in my 225 and PS500, except bass and wider soundstage(but less detailed)