CluckerByte
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2017
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Just got confirmation from Philips that they have improved the acoustical tuning of the X2HR, so now we all know.
Did they say what they changed?Just got confirmation from Philips that they have improved the acoustical tuning of the X2HR, so now we all know.
Just got confirmation from Philips that they have improved the acoustical tuning of the X2HR, so now we all know.
Did they say what they changed?
Unfortunately no specifics could be given, it was hard enough getting the information from these staff members to begin with. If they're not reading a script everything is all too hard and too much effort.
I don't think the sound has changed much, I think mostly changes in the bass and treble were made, and only slightly. This is what the reviews I posted earlier mention they notice. This could be because of the pads, who knows. Those few who have actually bought the X2 and compared them have usually done so pretty quickly without critical listening, and if the changes are subtle it may require certain material to appreciate better. Unfortunately I don't have a pair of original X2 to compare with.
My X2HR are due for arrival today, so I can go off memory but I don't think that's going to be very accurate. I am just taking into account that the signature of the sound may be slightly more detailed on the upper end and the bass may be more controlled.
I am using them with a dedicated headphone dac/amp unit now too whereas last time it was just running out of my PC dedicated soundcard, so there may be audible differences there too, plus I was using Dolby Headphone a lot and now I'll be using Dolby Atmos for headphone, so there are many factors changing that will influence what and how I hear things.
I call It BS. I am going to give you my take... the philips fidelio x2hr is the same exact fidelio x2 ever but this time philips and the company in charge of the manufacturing putted their **** tohether and the x2 is now free of problems. In fact the latest batches of the original x2 had all the problems already solved. I had 3 different pairs 2 months ago and all of them worked fine and were properly balanced, all made by gibson, just minor cosmetic flaws (basically i traded them because i am super picky).
Problem is.... when you screw up the word gets spread and now that philips had solved the problems no one is interested in buying a headphone that is known for inbalance issues.... so what do you do...? You pick up the same old headphones, stick 2 more letters in their name and lettering, a new box, some marketing bs and tada!!! You are now selling the same old product as a new and improved one and avoiding the bad reputation from the past.
As others stated above there have been users with both and they felt no difference. I even recall reading something, a statement from philips (someone posted on reddit or something) admiting their problems with the ink from the pads and saying they were silently introducing changes in pads and headband. This stament if i am not mistaken as more than 1 year and a half so i would even bet that the newer pads and headband from the x2hr are already present in the latest batches of the original x2.
Another example of silent changes....
I know is a different company but another example.... last year sennheiser revamped the box of the legendary hd25 and it was said this newr version had a new clicking ajustment... i have two hd25s (yes i love them) the older one was bough half a year before this revamp and has the old box and etc.... guess what.... the older hd25 i had already had the new adjustment mechanism....
I'm going to disconnect from this thread, it's clear nobody is interested in entertaining the idea of the X2HR being refined. Perhaps there's a bias with the fact some people own the X2 and don't want to know their headphone may be slightly superseded now, but regardless I'm not feeling a very open minded environment provided I cited many articles, company quotes and general thoughts and everyone just wants to shut it down.
Is this the mentality and attitude that headfi is mocked for externally?
Such a shame.
I'm going to disconnect from this thread, it's clear nobody is interested in entertaining the idea of the X2HR being refined. Perhaps there's a bias with the fact some people own the X2 and don't want to know their headphone may be slightly superseded now, but regardless I'm not feeling a very open minded environment provided I cited many articles, company quotes and general thoughts and everyone just wants to shut it down.
Is this the mentality and attitude that headfi is mocked for externally?
Such a shame.
There was until someone had both at the same time and Stated that there was slight to no diference.
Honest to good, i hope your x2hr is wonderfull and trumps the original x2 but the truth is that the differences are probably very subtle and at the moment you can get the original x2 on amazon for around 130/140 euros, the x2hr costs 320. This difference in pricing completely is completely bezerk....
I got mine for 153 euro, so slightly more than the original X2, but here I've seen the X2 sold for even more, can't complain.
I typed up the deal and how much I got them for on the last page I think.
Definitely not worth paying crazy amounts more as far as sound quality improvements go and comfort, because then you enter higher tiers of headphones that may be worth dropping a bit more cash on, but for 10 euro extra it's a no brainer, including no issue with quality control. (So far)