[Pharmaboy]

This dryness could be probably mitigated in a rich sounding setup.

I have a rich sounding setup--yet I am not rich.

(go figure)

 

[Slater]

I've been a fool for audio for ~40 years, stumbling around in everything from big audiophile systems to primitive desktop systems (my current desktop system is far from primitive). This quest started including headphones ~4 years ago, and that turned into yet another very enjoyable rabbit hole to go down, all for the sake of music/love of music.

If there's one thing I've learned in that time, it's this: when you find a component that really lights up your ears, that sounds like music to you, that helps you enjoy your music--hold onto it & don't let go. There will always be "more knowledgeable" people who talk down that component, make you start to doubt its quality & your feelings for it. Don't listen to them!

I have the original X2s. It was love at first listen & nothing has changed. Over the years I've seen people take every imaginable shot at these headphones--trashing their comfort, design, lack of replaceable pads, inability to do that "high resolution" things expensive headphones do, boomy bass, peaky treble (what?)...on and on. I just ignore it and keep listening to the X2s. Heard them the other night and felt that X2 love all over again.

Truthfully, these headphones are guilty of some of the things people say. They're not the highest resolution design out there (nor should they be, at the price); the bass can be boomy at times, depending on amp; and the pads clearly are not replaceable, not w/o a lot of sturm und drang. I have other headphones that cost far more than the X2s and sound "better" in various ways.

But I still love my X2s...

I couldn’t have said it better myself!

 

[GearMe]

I've been a fool for audio for ~40 years, stumbling around in everything from big audiophile systems to primitive desktop systems (my current desktop system is far from primitive). This quest started including headphones ~4 years ago, and that turned into yet another very enjoyable rabbit hole to go down, all for the sake of music/love of music.

If there's one thing I've learned in that time, it's this: when you find a component that really lights up your ears, that sounds like music to you, that helps you enjoy your music--hold onto it & don't let go. There will always be "more knowledgeable" people who talk down that component, make you start to doubt its quality & your feelings for it. Don't listen to them!

I have the original X2s. It was love at first listen & nothing has changed. Over the years I've seen people take every imaginable shot at these headphones--trashing their comfort, design, lack of replaceable pads, inability to do that "high resolution" things expensive headphones do, boomy bass, peaky treble (what?)...on and on. I just ignore it and keep listening to the X2s. Heard them the other night and felt that X2 love all over again.

Truthfully, these headphones are guilty of some of the things people say. They're not the highest resolution design out there (nor should they be, at the price); the bass can be boomy at times, depending on amp; and the pads clearly are not replaceable, not w/o a lot of sturm und drang. I have other headphones that cost far more than the X2s and sound "better" in various ways.

But I still love my X2s...

Very similar journey to yours in length and scope.

X2 OG is in my top 5 rotation and consistently gets more than its fair share of time...especially if cost is factored in.

Bottom line -- they're just a fun listen!

 

[nikolakhs]

I ended up ordering the x2hr with Fiio k5 pro with future upgradability in mind. I know the g6 can handle 600ohms but I read a lot of people having connectivity and software issues, plus the k5 is more sturdy. It was 40 euro more expensive but I think it's worth it. And maybe I buy more detailed headphones in the future.

Lastly, not that I care that much, do you think Dolby atmos is actually helpful or just a gimmick? Since I won't have sbx from g6 i'd love to see if I can compensate,Currently I play Halo mcc

Thanks everyone for your advice.

 

[smba]

I got this headphones and the soundstage is excellent, is hard to find something similar for that price

 

[pasi123567]

Lastly, not that I care that much, do you think Dolby atmos is actually helpful or just a gimmick? Since I won't have sbx from g6 i'd love to see if I can compensate,Currently I play Halo mcc

Dolby Atmos is pretty much a gimmik. When it comes to imaging, stereo is still the best but there are certain surround sound filters that give more immersion for gaming, though there is much better stuff out there than dolby atmos and you can basically try it all out for free anyway with EqualizerAPO and some extensions for it.

 

[Twizzleshnizzle]

I ended up ordering the x2hr with Fiio k5 pro with future upgradability in mind. I know the g6 can handle 600ohms but I read a lot of people having connectivity and software issues, plus the k5 is more sturdy. It was 40 euro more expensive but I think it's worth it. And maybe I buy more detailed headphones in the future.

Lastly, not that I care that much, do you think Dolby atmos is actually helpful or just a gimmick? Since I won't have sbx from g6 i'd love to see if I can compensate,Currently I play Halo mcc

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I think you made a great choice. I'd buy the K5 over the G6 any day, i was just recommending within your budget. There something about the K5 that looks incredibly satisfying.

Dolby Atmos is only really of use with a proper speaker setup. Surround for gaming is pretty much a gimmick. High quality stereo is always better for headphones. I have the ability to run surround... I use stereo every time even from my G6. Once the Schiit Modius is back in stock in the UK I'll be selling my G6 (I need the Modius for extra inputs for two consoles and a PC).

 

[nraymond]

Lastly, not that I care that much, do you think Dolby atmos is actually helpful or just a gimmick? Since I won't have sbx from g6 i'd love to see if I can compensate,Currently I play Halo mcc

Well Windows Sonic (which is free and part of Windows 10 and XBox) is a good headphone spatializer on it's own. Modern games and the modern Windows/XBox API can take game sounds from the 3D space and generate good spatialization that includes height information when listening on headphones. Some games (like Overwatch) have integrated Dolby Atmos into them so when you switch to headphone mode it becomes an option from within the game. If you're interested in the Windows side of gaming audio, check out the posts from the last few months of this thread, there are some that talk about and compare Windows Sonic to Dolby Atmos in Windows 10:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...ith-binaural-headphone-surround-sound.593050/

 

[Kugellager]

It'll require a balanced amp now

I have been using the Fiio Q1MK II with them as well as my HD598 CS and a set of diy open back headphones I built, all of which I use balanced. All of them use the Senn balanced wiring at the jack.

They all sound better with a little amplification.

John
];’)

 

[iFi audio]

If there's one thing I've learned in that time, it's this: when you find a component that really lights up your ears, that sounds like music to you, that helps you enjoy your music--hold onto it & don't let go. There will always be "more knowledgeable" people who talk down that component, make you start to doubt its quality & your feelings for it. Don't listen to them!

Word. It would be only fair to trust your own ears. If they're pleased, nothing else matters

 

[CocaCola15]

I've been a fool for audio for ~40 years, stumbling around in everything from big audiophile systems to primitive desktop systems (my current desktop system is far from primitive). This quest started including headphones ~4 years ago, and that turned into yet another very enjoyable rabbit hole to go down, all for the sake of music/love of music.

If there's one thing I've learned in that time, it's this: when you find a component that really lights up your ears, that sounds like music to you, that helps you enjoy your music--hold onto it & don't let go. There will always be "more knowledgeable" people who talk down that component, make you start to doubt its quality & your feelings for it. Don't listen to them!

I have the original X2s. It was love at first listen & nothing has changed. Over the years I've seen people take every imaginable shot at these headphones--trashing their comfort, design, lack of replaceable pads, inability to do that "high resolution" things expensive headphones do, boomy bass, peaky treble (what?)...on and on. I just ignore it and keep listening to the X2s. Heard them the other night and felt that X2 love all over again.

Truthfully, these headphones are guilty of some of the things people say. They're not the highest resolution design out there (nor should they be, at the price); the bass can be boomy at times, depending on amp; and the pads clearly are not replaceable, not w/o a lot of sturm und drang. I have other headphones that cost far more than the X2s and sound "better" in various ways.

But I still love my X2s...

What he said. I owned 2 pair of X2s dating back to 2014. Recently decided there was a hole in my listening life. So I found a used pair on Ebay for about $90, the X2HR actually, hooked them up to the LG V30 with an ES100 and USB-C cable. Ahhhh!

 

[iFi audio]

I have been using the Fiio Q1MK II with them as well as my HD598 CS and a set of diy open back headphones I built, all of which I use balanced. All of them use the Senn balanced wiring at the jack.

They all sound better with a little amplification.

John
];’)

Please show us these DIY cans of yours

 

[Kugellager]

Please show us these DIY cans of yours

I posted a thread on them awhile ago. Click on the gallery link in first post to see pics. They are pretty cheesy-looking but sound similar to the X2HR but with a little less low-end and not quite as clear.

It was a fun project though.

Kugellager’s DIY cans.

John
];’)

 

[iFi audio]

I posted a thread on them awhile ago. Click on the gallery link in first post to see picks. They are pretty cheesy-looking but sound similar to the X2HR but with a little less low-end and not quite as clear.

It was a fun project though.

Kugellager’s DIY cans.

John
];’)

Thanks. Just took a look. Let me tell you that's one crazy very steampunk-alike design right there

 

[funnyjoke]

Guys, I got my Philips X2HR yesterday and they feel really muddy and veiled to me. Is it because I don't have a DAC or amp? Did I get a defective pair (highly unlikely)? I see that others have posted on Reddit with this opinion too so I'm wondering why everyone else doesn't have the same opinion?

I'm still willing to give them a chance and hoping they would feel better after some time but I would like to know your opinions on this. I was expecting MUCH better sound quality for $160.