I have dozens of headphones and for some reason these still get the most use. A big part of it has to do with them being affordable enough to not care about wearing them down but they also offer an experience few headphones do regardless of price. My pair is more upper mid lower treble focused with neutral but well extended bass. My favorite thing about them is the way they present music. The soundstage is rather unique and a lot of things are made better because of the way the soundstage is. I have never heard a sub $200 headphone able to reproduce a nearly fully circular soundstage like the X2HR does. It actually replaced my old T90's for gaming as well. All I play are shooters and they pick up footsteps and position exceptionally well. It's one of the few headphones that makes it easy to know if the footsteps are coming from the second floor of the building next to yours or two floors above you. The positioning is impressive especially compared to things like the HD6x0 lineup.
Just got Philips Fidelio X2HR. Very dissapointed after a few hours :( I dunno, I am just a normal gamer, can't tell much difference with X2HR and plain headphones from Philips :( Also, when I listen to music, all "ch" and "sh" sound very irritaiting :( The bass is very poor :( The sound is clearer and deeper but I dunno... quieter and sharper....? I had some strong bass headphones from target, like 10 time chepear and sounded much better :( I dunno, maybe it's not set right:( Dissapointed :( Is there any app for it or somethng?
@@memfis3858 I'm sorry to hear that. It seems like you prefer a less analytical sound and more boomy bass which the they don't have. If you have the SHP9500 and don't like them then that surprises me. Unfortunately a lot of reviewers made claims of these being some lovely bassy headphones with warmth. They're not, They have decent bass but not the big boomy bass of those run of the mill budget consumer stuff. As far as gaming I am surprised you don't like them. Their imaging is very good and the treble emphasis works well with locating other players. I wasn't a fan when not gaming at first either, but after using them for some time I either adjusted and began to appreciate their transparency and soundstage or the burn in helped. I lean more towards the fact I used them until I adjusted to their sound. They are absolutely nothing like Zeos made them out to be though.
Just bought these. Daft Punk's Lose Yourself to Dance has a VERY ANNOYING BOOMY bass drum at around 1:37. Also, Fleetwood Mac's The Chain, when the "RUNNING IN THE SHADOWSSSS" part comes in, boy are those highs piercing. Other than that, I'm loving these! Never heard such wide soundstage! Amazing!
The headband on the top is actually leather, not plastic. And the ring around each earcup (the parts that have text on them) are metal. Anyways, I got these recently. I love them. They're amazing for their price.
My first good set of headphones a couple of years ago, and still love it 4 sets later ;-). Also great for watching movies, those explosions go boom! Thx for your review, I agree totally with your impressions.
Very glad i bought these during primeday, I've been using for a few weeks and I love the soundstage and they have nice low end and non earsplitting high end unlike other "Audiophile" headphones.
Had them a year ago, but returned due to comfort issues. The clamping force is very high and what's worse cannot be improved because of the construction (risk of demaging leather etc). The problem being after prolonged session they squeezed my jaw like crazy causing discomfort for a few days. However because of the unique sound and my ears not being too sensitive for sibilance I'm thinking of buying them again. But these definetly are not all day long light and comfy headphones.
Hey man, great review! Liked how you gave some examples of songs etc. However, some side notes for correction... The earpads are actually memory foam and the headband is made out of genuine leather, not plastic.... I ordered a pair of these for myself, so I'm looking at tons of reviews as well as specs etc... But all in all, GREAT REVIEW! Can't wait to get my hands on mine!
@@EggwonMusk heyy...I haven't tried out any amps just yet... But based on the reviews, you can try out Sound Blaster Gaming Amps on Amazon and buy whichever suits your budget. The Sound BlasterX G6 Hi Res if you got the cash or the Sound Blaster G3 if you're low on cash... Hope that helps man!
Great! Really nice review! Like 501 - subscribed! I bought it today on Amazon and can't wait for my new Fidelio 🤞 I hope they sound good ...for many years I have Sennheiser hd 600. Sennheiser Vs Fidelio X2HR...Which is the best for you?
@@chuckolatte600 You’re right! I received the Fidelio and after a good break-in, (almost 100 hours) I could compare it with Hd 600... The neutrality and transparency of the Hd 600 is clearly superior. Idem for comfort and lightness. Excellent for any kind of music, especially classical music. However Fidelio is built with better materials, has a slightly darker sound, a very deep and round bass but a wider soundstage and a bigger image. Excellent for all musical genres and particularly suitable for watching films.
Had My X2HR 2 days now . They sound even better than my shp9500 Do . The Stock Pads Are Itchy So I Got Some Replacement Protein Leather Pads Put Them ON Today And No More Itcyness .they Sound Like AweSomeNess PerSoNiFied . My Setup is ZFold3 To Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE To X2HR . OR ZFold3 To BTR3K Bluetooth Reciever Plugged Into X2HR A Short 3.5 AUX Cable LDAC CODEC W/PRIORITY ON SOUND QUALITY And Both Of These Options Sound So Very Nice
The Philips Fidelio X2HR follow very roughly the Harman Target 2018 curve except for a roll-off under 60 KHz which is natural for an open, dynamic headphone and the peak they have at 5300 kHz that I reduced by 2~3db with a non-intrusive passive filter made by Solderdude (Frans) from DIY Audio Heaven.With the treble level lowered under 10000 khz with this filter always connected to the headphone cable, these became my favorite headphones to use to listen to music with great pleasure, daily, connected directly to my iphone 11 without the need to use an amplifier or dac.When I’m working in the studio mixing I prefer the Sennheiser HD600.
I own this pair and currently am looking at the 560s as an alternative. Main use is immersive gaming and movies. After 1 hour of A-B testing the 560s at the store and the x2hr I brought along, I found the 560s to have much better imaging and surprisingly wide soundstage with binaural tracks. However, they lack mid bass compared to the x2hr and sound kinda less exciting. Will you make a comparison video between the 560s and the x2hr? I think quite many people are interested in those 2.
Thanks for the review; just bought these after a long search for a decent pair that are a step up from my previous one's. They're arriving tomorrow, and I can't wait to try them. Next will be a pair with a flatter sound signature. I'm also desperate for a pair of sundaras, though.
I'm being torn apart between 4 cans; shp9500, shp9600, xhr2 and the hd58x. Mostly games, music and some movies. xhr2 seems to be the way to go I guess...
11:15 I think this sums it up pretty much perfectly. Bought them for general purpose use about a year ago because they just check so many boxes. Cheap, comfortable, don't need an amp to drive, and support the VModa Boom Pro mic for gaming. Had to EQ pretty heavily at first because playing any FPS made explosions way too realistic to hear anything else, lol. Considering something higher end now with more neutrality and better clarity/imaging to ultimately replace them for most things, and yet, I'm really struggling to find something that's such a well rounded value. Despite ultimately not being a huge fan of the native sound signature, will definitely be keeping them for things like EDM music and movies. Still highly recommend them for under $160 (though I suspect the 58x, SHP9500, and 560s would probably fit better for most people).
I got these for 90$. Slapped on a set of leather ear pads from Amazon for 9$ (have some velour ones coming too). They’re so good, i’m glad I bought these as a beginner. I compared these to 560S, and SHP9600. These won my heart over the 560S, they just sounded so boring and lifeless compared to these. Yes, there is a bit of sibilance and peaks in the treble, but I’d rather have the exciting sound and that rather than a boring headphone. Getting used to it though now, not noticing it as much. If anybody is on the fence, buy these! Preferably used, there’s great deals out there to be had on these.
Good choice. I’ve been comparing the two (thank god for Amazon return policy) and the sound just feels so much “fuller” on the X2s. The 9600s have the better treble but the X2s fuller sound and durability won me over
This biggest weakness to the build quality seems to be where the cups mount to the head band. They seem to fail there, not that it's a issue with every pair, but if they will fail that kinda seems like it will be the spot.
Compared to the Sennheiser HD 558 I immediately noticed, that they have more detail. And lots of bass of course, tight and detailed kind of bass. They are just more clear and full of sound and are less "mids focused" compared to HD 558. I was worried that they wouldn't sound as comfy as the HD 558, but until now they seem to sound comfy enough.
Well I just bought a pair of 9500, gotta wait for my next few paychecks before so that I have some extra money to buy these. They look really badass with the metal grills and big ear pads
Just ordered a set for myself with the boom pro mic, currently using an Audio Technica ATH-ADG1X headset coupled to a SoundblasterX G6. I'm relatively new to the audiophile hobby and I'm really curious to see just how different the soundstage is compared my current cans. I've gotta say though, whatever mic or setup you're using to capture your voice, I could hear exactly where you were in relation to your mic. That's nuts. I've never heard that on another channel before, so whatever you're doing, it's epic. Thanks for the detailed, humorous and engaging review! You know your stuff and you've structured it fantastically! It was a pleasure to learn and to listen! I'll definitely be keeping an eye and an ear out for your future reviews of both DACs and headphones. To be honest, at this point I'm trying to do much more research before buying. I feel like I got burned on these ATs due to the price, and I hope I picked a good DAC, though I haven't seen many opinions on it yet.
@@GopherYourself-qd5dr I paired mine with Dekoni Choice Suede replacement ear pads and it made a huge difference to comfort and even altered the sound signature. I'd recommend picking a set up with your headphones! I was not disappointed.
@@bradhuskers Honestly they are great depends on your ears and how much you want to EQ them to your preferences but they got a fun lively sound with nice thump in the 50-100hz range. They might be too bright and you might not enjoy the extension they have in the 100-200hz range but for under a 100 bucks they are a great v-shaped open can with good sound stage. In the last year or two they are my most used open cans. I used closed as well of course.
@@bradhuskers Honestly get them from amazon and you got a whole month to try them out to see if they are right for you. You will either love them or they won't be your thing. Worth a shot 100%.
Is the X2HR soundstage anywhere near as wide as the Arya V2? Soundstage is currently my pursuit for an upgrade so this would be helpful, Arya V2 was the first time soundstage wowed me so if this were close it’d save a lot for sure while having bass I want.
I will say the following about these headphones: THEY ARE NOT INTENDED FOR AUDIOPHILES. These headphones are mostly for normal use and give out fun sounding, not high, accurate sound quality. A huge plus for the headphones is their comfort, build quality and also incredible soundstage. You can buy up to ~ $150 if they go beyond the threshold of this price range, are not worth their money in any way. Due to the fact that these headphones have 32 ohms and when the volume is increased to the maximum, distortion of all frequencies will be heard and this is a huge minus. I'm a fan of high frequencies, but they don't give me that opportunity. I still love these headphones because of their design and comfort, but I'm going to return them.
@@chuckolatte600 I used the EQ for this to boost the high frequencies, however at 70-75% increase, you could already hear distortion. I have now changed my mind. They are very good. I still needed time and also to try sounding on my mp3 player, since my DAC for some reason reduces the high frequencies and gives out the wrong sound. They deliver amazing high frequencies. I will leave them, because for that kind of money, very good headphones. They now cost $ 116 on Amazon!
@@baboom007 Out of all of these, the X2HR and the HD560s are the only two I've listened to. I think the X2HR is closer to what you're looking for. But they're still v-shaped so not QUITE it either...
As a cellist, what are your top 3 headphones? Maybe under 250, under 500, And under 750? I am new to audiophile headphones and have discovered the wonderful world of cellos
Under 250, the HD600 preowned or the HD6XX w/balanced cable. Under 500, the HD600 brand new, the Hifiman Sundara, or the Focal Elex preowned. Under 750, the HD800 preowned. Thanks for watching!
I like those. Problem nowadays is that most older or even recent music are produced with old monitoriting headphones and for old monitoring headphones in which high treble is not noticeable. I feel like the headphones were simply not neutral. That's why I can't stand (superior neutrality) Sennheiser headphones with most music genres except classic. Probably because classical music is accurately recorded and meant to be heard live.
I have had mine for about two years now and, aside the build quality, specially for their price, I've never felt that they sound particularly great. In this department, my Sennheiser HD 579, that are in the same price range, are noticeably superior to the Fidelios.
Well...they are replaceable, but they require a special 4-prong adapter. Though I'm sure you could just buy some round Brainwavz pads and place them over the cup (although it would look kind of ghetto lol)
Would you say that the X2HR’s are the best open back headphones for hip hop? I was looking for something that has great (wide) soundstage, and retains a decent amount of bass (but doesn’t have to be anything too crazy because I also like hearing the details.). I was looking to spent around $150 - $200
@@ssaleem92 Not really. For what you asked for, the Fidelio X2HR are pretty much it. However, that changes if what you're looking for is a more neutral HP that plays well with a lot of genres.
I was originally considering the SHP9500 for simple post-processing and EQing of voice over recordings, casual music listening, and FPS games. Seeing some of the newer opinions of the not that good of a soundstage and imaging the the SHP9500, I started looking at the X2HR. Which one would you recommend in my situation? As addtl info, I currently have KZ ZS10Pro IEMs and I really like the V-shaped FR too much that I even use Equalizer APO to further expand the shape when listening to music and playing games only. X2HR worth the higher price?
Buy instead Superlux 681 and got deeper bass. Highs can reduce adding felt or paper if can't use eq. Rtings nearly same rating and price is nearly ten times cheaper.
It's funny, I actually had the same feelings. For me the Superlux 681 is the less refined X2HR with slightly deeper bass and more sibilant highs. Obviously the earpads have to be replaced immediately... With proper amping and about 50 hours burn-in the highs got better though. The build quality however is lightyears away on the X2HR. Now that I got the Philips for 53 EUR, they are roughly the same price with the Superlux after the earpad change.
@@robertlucskai After changing earpads bigger and softer, Superluxes are the most comfortable and the most used headphones I have. Another headphones I own now are Beyerdynamic dt 990, Revox 3100, Akg 371, Verum one mk2 and Superlux 681 evo. In my opinion the best sound quality have Verum, Revox and Akg.
For my PC Gaming setup I am running Schiit Hel + X2HR + VModa. I am in love. First high quality audio setup i ever used and I can not ever go back. Chuckolatte what do you think about Oratory1990 and/or AutoEQ for EQ??
@@xS0JUx I haven't tried out his EQ settings yet. Although I try them out for curiosity's sake, I COMPLETELY agree that EQing to the Harman AE strips away what makes a particular HP special. There's a difference between peaks and dips (which should be corrected) and hills and valleys (which in most cases, are just characteristics)
Hi, great video, but i have a question if you don’t mind. You said you wont use them as pro gaming headset, my question is why? I would like to use it without amp, directly to my Mac and use the boom mic for better audio than i currently have with my gaming headphones. What do you think?
I mean, they'll definitely sound better than gaming headsets. I just meant that the boosted treble could get a TAD annoying in some games if not EQ'd. Though that issue wouldn't be as bad as with music.
I got a pair of these but I find the velour pads rather quite itchy and irritating. Any ideas on how to stop that? I don’t want to replace the pads as they’re comfy and well fitted, it’s just after an hour or so they become irritating.
Honestly, no. I find the clamp force on these to be a bit too much at times. To try to avoid it, I put them on in a circular motion and apply pressure wherever they lie so that it the pressure isn't like, halfway there...if that makes any sense lol
Hi, I do not estendo English, but wanted to know one thing, In your opinion, what is best for Fps games: the Shp9500 or Fidelio x2 Hr? I was told that the shp 9500 was better
Weird question, but how does this compare sound-wise to the Sony XM3? Obviously it is an open back so I know it’s not fair. I just am curious if it would be a decent upgrade over my XM3 for home listening. I would also buy a good DAC AMP
These are quite different that the XM3. The XM3 are warmer, but have less impact. Also, they sound more compressed than the Fidelios. I think they're different enough to own both.
if there is one like at the 80 usd range that would be amazing. looked at a few my self, but not quite sure what im even looking at tbh. The arc one seems very expensive
@@beta1157 The cheapest amp with a mic input that I know of is the Schiit Fulla 4. Haven't heard it myself but my non-audiophile friend has been using his for like half a year now and no complaints!
Any suggestions for portable amp to use with x2hr? My phone have not enough power to drive this. Sometimes I want to use this outside on my backyards aside from my Sony xm3 or tws.
@@chrisbianchi8876 Good suggestion, but if you're looking for something REALLY portable @jokermelancholia, I recommend something like a Dragonfly Black v1.5
@@chuckolatte600 just 2 nights break in with pink noise had a very beneficial result on treble on my Fedelio L2's. Then by maintaining enough ceiling like around 60 DBs SPL output the treble annoyance is severely limited.
If you don't need mic, it's real easy. Use the toslink optical port on your DAC to pass the signal to it from your TV/monitor, assuming it has an optical port. Then just make sure your TV's audio is set to deliver the audio through optical instead of playing it through the built-in speakers
@@fkaiba94 Ah, that gets more complex. AFAIK you would have to use the V moda boom pro and plug it in directly into the controller. Though the controller's 3.5mm port may not really provide the best sound quality for the HPs.
These destroy the 560's in soundstage and are arguably more detailed. The 560s are good so it's not like there is any crazy difference in detail but the biggest gap is in the bass. The bass is more textured and feels quicker and tighter on the X2HR. Soundstage is much less of a fair fight though. The X2HR are miles better in that area. The HD560 is average to narrow but it's mostly linear from left to right whereas the X2HR has a circular soundstage that goes further out and wraps around you. It's a rather unique experience. The only issue is treble really. The HD560 is basically polite at all times like the HD6x0 lineup and the X2HR is a bit forward in the upper mid lower treble region. My pair doesn't have any sibilance at all but some songs that have really aggressive treble can be a bit much at times. I rarely have that issue but we all listen to different music so others may experience it more than I do. If it means anything when I have a headache and use the X2HR it can become overwhelming at times. I can get away with the HD560 when I have a headache but when the headache is gone I swap back. My normal headache headphone is the HD650 though. lol
@@danterikxx If that is something especially bothersome to you the 560s will be better. While the X2HR only occasionally has that issue the 560 never does. With that said if the 560 is something you are interested in have you considered the 58X? It's a very similar sound with better bass at a cheaper price with an arguably better build.
@@mrcrunch8000 cant get them here. DROP doesn't ship to where i live. And tbh the 58x seem to be a bit beiled and muddy For that i already have my 599s
@@danterikxx Can't recall hearing the 58x called muddy before. They certainly aren't more muddy than the 599. After hearing your preference of the 599 maybe the X2 is something you might like. It has roughly the same aggressiveness in treble without the over emphasis on the lower mids of the 599. The 58x doesn't have that either and sounds cleaner as a result. With the X2 you will also get much better bass extension. Sibilance of the X2 is about the same as the 599 as well. I need to hear the 599s again because I remember them sounding boomy.
to me fat and smood no sibilance only concerne plastic movies gaming 5 music 4,5 use only for youtube strangely absolutely same sound as my bookself bipolar 8 inch
I have dozens of headphones and for some reason these still get the most use. A big part of it has to do with them being affordable enough to not care about wearing them down but they also offer an experience few headphones do regardless of price. My pair is more upper mid lower treble focused with neutral but well extended bass. My favorite thing about them is the way they present music. The soundstage is rather unique and a lot of things are made better because of the way the soundstage is. I have never heard a sub $200 headphone able to reproduce a nearly fully circular soundstage like the X2HR does. It actually replaced my old T90's for gaming as well. All I play are shooters and they pick up footsteps and position exceptionally well. It's one of the few headphones that makes it easy to know if the footsteps are coming from the second floor of the building next to yours or two floors above you. The positioning is impressive especially compared to things like the HD6x0 lineup.
they say it can't tell if the enemy was below you or above you
@@abdulahsan3121 "they say", who is they? 😆 I even gave an example of how I can easily hear exactly what you claim "they say" these can't do.
@@mrcrunch8000 Yo lo digo, esos auriculares suenan mal para jugar y escuchar música
Just got Philips Fidelio X2HR. Very dissapointed after a few hours :( I dunno, I am just a normal gamer, can't tell much difference with X2HR and plain headphones from Philips :( Also, when I listen to music, all "ch" and "sh" sound very irritaiting :( The bass is very poor :( The sound is clearer and deeper but I dunno... quieter and sharper....? I had some strong bass headphones from target, like 10 time chepear and sounded much better :( I dunno, maybe it's not set right:( Dissapointed :(
Is there any app for it or somethng?
@@memfis3858 I'm sorry to hear that. It seems like you prefer a less analytical sound and more boomy bass which the they don't have. If you have the SHP9500 and don't like them then that surprises me. Unfortunately a lot of reviewers made claims of these being some lovely bassy headphones with warmth. They're not, They have decent bass but not the big boomy bass of those run of the mill budget consumer stuff. As far as gaming I am surprised you don't like them. Their imaging is very good and the treble
emphasis works well with locating other players. I wasn't a fan when not gaming at first either, but after using them for some time I either adjusted and began to appreciate their transparency and soundstage or the burn in helped. I lean more towards the fact I used them until
I adjusted to their sound. They are absolutely nothing like Zeos made them out to be though.
Just bought these. Daft Punk's Lose Yourself to Dance has a VERY ANNOYING BOOMY bass drum at around 1:37. Also, Fleetwood Mac's The Chain, when the "RUNNING IN THE SHADOWSSSS" part comes in, boy are those highs piercing. Other than that, I'm loving these! Never heard such wide soundstage! Amazing!
The headband on the top is actually leather, not plastic. And the ring around each earcup (the parts that have text on them) are metal.
Anyways, I got these recently. I love them. They're amazing for their price.
My first good set of headphones a couple of years ago, and still love it 4 sets later ;-). Also great for watching movies, those explosions go boom! Thx for your review, I agree totally with your impressions.
do you need an amplifyer for dayly usage?
@@mielasvyrukas no they are very easy to drive and will run off anything
@@Bushviking Thanks. It looks very robust and well build. I just need to find one in stock somewhere :) Have a good day, mate!
have you dropped them at all? how did they hold up if so? im looking for some cans i know will last thx
been binge watching your vids.... I like your reviews, I like your voice... count me in as an subscriber. Keep up the good work bro!! Cheers!!!
Eyyy, thanks!
"Oh, Hi Mark"
Very glad i bought these during primeday, I've been using for a few weeks and I love the soundstage and they have nice low end and non earsplitting high end unlike other "Audiophile" headphones.
There we go!
Had them a year ago, but returned due to comfort issues. The clamping force is very high and what's worse cannot be improved because of the construction (risk of demaging leather etc). The problem being after prolonged session they squeezed my jaw like crazy causing discomfort for a few days. However because of the unique sound and my ears not being too sensitive for sibilance I'm thinking of buying them again. But these definetly are not all day long light and comfy headphones.
Your song references are a great help thanks.
Hey man, great review! Liked how you gave some examples of songs etc. However, some side notes for correction... The earpads are actually memory foam and the headband is made out of genuine leather, not plastic.... I ordered a pair of these for myself, so I'm looking at tons of reviews as well as specs etc... But all in all, GREAT REVIEW! Can't wait to get my hands on mine!
So? ...
@@tallsz559 They're great! The headband pressure if a bit tighter...but they're great! Just wished I could get my hands on an amp now!
@@mr.kissoon7250 which type of amp? and are they good for gaming? I don't know much about headsets btw your input can really help
@@EggwonMusk heyy...I haven't tried out any amps just yet... But based on the reviews, you can try out Sound Blaster Gaming Amps on Amazon and buy whichever suits your budget. The Sound BlasterX G6 Hi Res if you got the cash or the Sound Blaster G3 if you're low on cash... Hope that helps man!
@@mr.kissoon7250 Thanks for the reply I decided to buy an ARC Mk2
Great! Really nice review! Like 501 - subscribed!
I bought it today on Amazon and can't wait for my new Fidelio 🤞
I hope they sound good ...for many years I have Sennheiser hd 600.
Sennheiser Vs Fidelio X2HR...Which is the best for you?
Sennheiser HD600 because while I think the x2hr sound fantastic, I can't beat the neutrality and comfort of the 600
@@chuckolatte600 You’re right!
I received the Fidelio and after a good break-in, (almost 100 hours) I could compare it with Hd 600...
The neutrality and transparency of the Hd 600 is clearly superior. Idem for comfort and lightness. Excellent for any kind of music, especially classical music.
However Fidelio is built with better materials, has a slightly darker sound, a very deep and round bass but a wider soundstage and a bigger image. Excellent for all musical genres and particularly suitable for watching films.
It's entry level audiophile and universal (almost any device can drive it and any TRS cable can be used)
Got these a month ago. Great set would recommend
Do they work for ps5, and will I have to change the setting on them to make them better
@@noahpreston5051 they will work on the controller, but if you can't get it to good volumes you can probably buy an adaptor
@@finlaycx3810 thx
Had My X2HR 2 days now . They sound even better than my shp9500 Do . The Stock Pads Are Itchy So I Got Some Replacement Protein Leather Pads Put Them ON Today And No More Itcyness .they Sound Like AweSomeNess PerSoNiFied .
My Setup is
ZFold3 To Hidizs S9 Pro DAC AMP DONGLE To X2HR .
OR
ZFold3 To BTR3K Bluetooth Reciever Plugged Into X2HR A Short 3.5 AUX Cable LDAC CODEC W/PRIORITY ON SOUND QUALITY
And Both Of These Options Sound So Very Nice
The Philips Fidelio X2HR follow very roughly the Harman Target 2018 curve except for a roll-off under 60 KHz which is natural for an open, dynamic headphone and the peak they have at 5300 kHz that I reduced by 2~3db with a non-intrusive passive filter made by Solderdude (Frans) from DIY Audio Heaven.With the treble level lowered under 10000 khz with this filter always connected to the headphone cable, these became my favorite headphones to use to listen to music with great pleasure, daily, connected directly to my iphone 11 without the need to use an amplifier or dac.When I’m working in the studio mixing I prefer the Sennheiser HD600.
Wow 60 kHz, 5300 kHz and 10000 kHz. You hear better than a Bat! 😉
I own this pair and currently am looking at the 560s as an alternative. Main use is immersive gaming and movies. After 1 hour of A-B testing the 560s at the store and the x2hr I brought along, I found the 560s to have much better imaging and surprisingly wide soundstage with binaural tracks. However, they lack mid bass compared to the x2hr and sound kinda less exciting. Will you make a comparison video between the 560s and the x2hr? I think quite many people are interested in those 2.
;) Soon
Thanks for the review; just bought these after a long search for a decent pair that are a step up from my previous one's. They're arriving tomorrow, and I can't wait to try them. Next will be a pair with a flatter sound signature. I'm also desperate for a pair of sundaras, though.
I'm being torn apart between 4 cans; shp9500, shp9600, xhr2 and the hd58x. Mostly games, music and some movies. xhr2 seems to be the way to go I guess...
11:15 I think this sums it up pretty much perfectly.
Bought them for general purpose use about a year ago because they just check so many boxes. Cheap, comfortable, don't need an amp to drive, and support the VModa Boom Pro mic for gaming. Had to EQ pretty heavily at first because playing any FPS made explosions way too realistic to hear anything else, lol. Considering something higher end now with more neutrality and better clarity/imaging to ultimately replace them for most things, and yet, I'm really struggling to find something that's such a well rounded value.
Despite ultimately not being a huge fan of the native sound signature, will definitely be keeping them for things like EDM music and movies. Still highly recommend them for under $160 (though I suspect the 58x, SHP9500, and 560s would probably fit better for most people).
Yeah, I think you hit the nail on that one. They're an excellent value in general, but will work best for a certain demographic.
I got these for 90$. Slapped on a set of leather ear pads from Amazon for 9$ (have some velour ones coming too). They’re so good, i’m glad I bought these as a beginner.
I compared these to 560S, and SHP9600. These won my heart over the 560S, they just sounded so boring and lifeless compared to these. Yes, there is a bit of sibilance and peaks in the treble, but I’d rather have the exciting sound and that rather than a boring headphone.
Getting used to it though now, not noticing it as much. If anybody is on the fence, buy these! Preferably used, there’s great deals out there to be had on these.
Thanks for all of your videos. Decided to go with these for 100$ instead of the 70$ SHP9600. Cheers ♥️
Good choice. I’ve been comparing the two (thank god for Amazon return policy) and the sound just feels so much “fuller” on the X2s. The 9600s have the better treble but the X2s fuller sound and durability won me over
Thanks for the incredible review. I must have these cans. 🤓
....I swapped the velour pads and now mine are perfection....
These headphones do bass like the fat kid in class when he lets one rip” 😂😂😂😂
you remind me of dankpods and i realy like it
Nice review, i have them and i agree with you. Great headphones! ciao ;) 🇮🇹
Ok Ciao!
This biggest weakness to the build quality seems to be where the cups mount to the head band. They seem to fail there, not that it's a issue with every pair, but if they will fail that kinda seems like it will be the spot.
Compared to the Sennheiser HD 558 I immediately noticed, that they have more detail. And lots of bass of course, tight and detailed kind of bass. They are just more clear and full of sound and are less "mids focused" compared to HD 558. I was worried that they wouldn't sound as comfy as the HD 558, but until now they seem to sound comfy enough.
Nice review! I like the song references.
I am gonna go for these or M1060 as base cans and for casual games.
Nice!
Oh Hi Mark killed me
Well I just bought a pair of 9500, gotta wait for my next few paychecks before so that I have some extra money to buy these.
They look really badass with the metal grills and big ear pads
Just ordered a set for myself with the boom pro mic, currently using an Audio Technica ATH-ADG1X headset coupled to a SoundblasterX G6. I'm relatively new to the audiophile hobby and I'm really curious to see just how different the soundstage is compared my current cans. I've gotta say though, whatever mic or setup you're using to capture your voice, I could hear exactly where you were in relation to your mic. That's nuts. I've never heard that on another channel before, so whatever you're doing, it's epic. Thanks for the detailed, humorous and engaging review! You know your stuff and you've structured it fantastically! It was a pleasure to learn and to listen! I'll definitely be keeping an eye and an ear out for your future reviews of both DACs and headphones. To be honest, at this point I'm trying to do much more research before buying. I feel like I got burned on these ATs due to the price, and I hope I picked a good DAC, though I haven't seen many opinions on it yet.
how are your x2hr?
@@GopherYourself-qd5dr Great! Best pair of headphones I've ever owned!
@@ShortThrowShifting I can't wait for my pair to get here gonna be camping at the front door 😂
@@GopherYourself-qd5dr I paired mine with Dekoni Choice Suede replacement ear pads and it made a huge difference to comfort and even altered the sound signature. I'd recommend picking a set up with your headphones! I was not disappointed.
These cans got issues but for the price they deliver a lot of value for sure. Nice review man!
What kind of issues?
@@bradhuskers Honestly they are great depends on your ears and how much you want to EQ them to your preferences but they got a fun lively sound with nice thump in the 50-100hz range. They might be too bright and you might not enjoy the extension they have in the 100-200hz range but for under a 100 bucks they are a great v-shaped open can with good sound stage.
In the last year or two they are my most used open cans. I used closed as well of course.
@@bradhuskers Honestly get them from amazon and you got a whole month to try them out to see if they are right for you. You will either love them or they won't be your thing. Worth a shot 100%.
Great insights. great content.
Is the X2HR soundstage anywhere near as wide as the Arya V2? Soundstage is currently my pursuit for an upgrade so this would be helpful, Arya V2 was the first time soundstage wowed me so if this were close it’d save a lot for sure while having bass I want.
that cup isnt plastic dude. i had this, it should be aluminum or other light metal
I will say the following about these headphones: THEY ARE NOT INTENDED FOR AUDIOPHILES. These headphones are mostly for normal use and give out fun sounding, not high, accurate sound quality. A huge plus for the headphones is their comfort, build quality and also incredible soundstage. You can buy up to ~ $150 if they go beyond the threshold of this price range, are not worth their money in any way. Due to the fact that these headphones have 32 ohms and when the volume is increased to the maximum, distortion of all frequencies will be heard and this is a huge minus. I'm a fan of high frequencies, but they don't give me that opportunity. I still love these headphones because of their design and comfort, but I'm going to return them.
Sorry to hear that. How high do you turn up your volume? Haha
@@chuckolatte600 I used the EQ for this to boost the high frequencies, however at 70-75% increase, you could already hear distortion. I have now changed my mind. They are very good. I still needed time and also to try sounding on my mp3 player, since my DAC for some reason reduces the high frequencies and gives out the wrong sound. They deliver amazing high frequencies. I will leave them, because for that kind of money, very good headphones. They now cost $ 116 on Amazon!
@@baboom007 Out of all of these, the X2HR and the HD560s are the only two I've listened to. I think the X2HR is closer to what you're looking for. But they're still v-shaped so not QUITE it either...
@@chuckolatte600 Thanks for your answer. I found also shp9500 very cheap. I wonder if they can fit my needs
As a cellist, what are your top 3 headphones?
Maybe under 250,
under 500,
And under 750?
I am new to audiophile headphones and have discovered the wonderful world of cellos
Under 250, the HD600 preowned or the HD6XX w/balanced cable.
Under 500, the HD600 brand new, the Hifiman Sundara, or the Focal Elex preowned.
Under 750, the HD800 preowned.
Thanks for watching!
I like those. Problem nowadays is that most older or even recent music are produced with old monitoriting headphones and for old monitoring headphones in which high treble is not noticeable. I feel like the headphones were simply not neutral. That's why I can't stand (superior neutrality) Sennheiser headphones with most music genres except classic. Probably because classical music is accurately recorded and meant to be heard live.
Your nails are lovely.
Gracias
I have had mine for about two years now and, aside the build quality, specially for their price, I've never felt that they sound particularly great. In this department, my Sennheiser HD 579, that are in the same price range, are noticeably superior to the Fidelios.
I freakin love those cans!
However, are the pads replaceable? They tend to gather all the dust and cats' hair, I'd like to swap them.
Well...they are replaceable, but they require a special 4-prong adapter. Though I'm sure you could just buy some round Brainwavz pads and place them over the cup (although it would look kind of ghetto lol)
Dekoni makes some great pads for these!
I know Zeos was putting in different pads if my memory serves me correctly but I don't remember the exact pads or mechanism he used.
Would you say that the X2HR’s are the best open back headphones for hip hop? I was looking for something that has great (wide) soundstage, and retains a decent amount of bass (but doesn’t have to be anything too crazy because I also like hearing the details.). I was looking to spent around $150 - $200
Yeah, I'd say these are be pretty great for hip-hop.
@@chuckolatte600 thanks. Any other open back recommendations for hip hop (as a comparison?). I was hoping to spend a max of $300.
@@ssaleem92 Not really. For what you asked for, the Fidelio X2HR are pretty much it. However, that changes if what you're looking for is a more neutral HP that plays well with a lot of genres.
I was originally considering the SHP9500 for simple post-processing and EQing of voice over recordings, casual music listening, and FPS games. Seeing some of the newer opinions of the not that good of a soundstage and imaging the the SHP9500, I started looking at the X2HR. Which one would you recommend in my situation? As addtl info, I currently have KZ ZS10Pro IEMs and I really like the V-shaped FR too much that I even use Equalizer APO to further expand the shape when listening to music and playing games only. X2HR worth the higher price?
Yeah I'd say they're a good step up from the sound quality of the SHP9500
Since you said that you wouldn’t recommend these headphones for competitive shooters, which ones would you recommend?
Is it good for rock and metal music? Especially hard rock and prog metal?
I currently have some momentum 2 over ear that I use for gaming and music, would these be and upgrade, always wanted to try some open backs
Buy instead Superlux 681 and got deeper bass. Highs can reduce adding felt or paper if can't use eq. Rtings nearly same rating and price is nearly ten times cheaper.
It's funny, I actually had the same feelings. For me the Superlux 681 is the less refined X2HR with slightly deeper bass and more sibilant highs. Obviously the earpads have to be replaced immediately... With proper amping and about 50 hours burn-in the highs got better though. The build quality however is lightyears away on the X2HR. Now that I got the Philips for 53 EUR, they are roughly the same price with the Superlux after the earpad change.
@@robertlucskai After changing earpads bigger and softer, Superluxes are the most comfortable and the most used headphones I have. Another headphones I own now are Beyerdynamic dt 990, Revox 3100, Akg 371, Verum one mk2 and Superlux 681 evo. In my opinion the best sound quality have Verum, Revox and Akg.
I have Superlux HD669 and there are insane! They can beat any products for this budget.
@@robertlucskai Damn where did you get the x2hr for 53 eur? That's an amazing price.
@@stalinshishkebab I got them on Amazon.es, warehouse deal on Black Friday.
For my PC Gaming setup I am running Schiit Hel + X2HR + VModa. I am in love. First high quality audio setup i ever used and I can not ever go back. Chuckolatte what do you think about Oratory1990 and/or AutoEQ for EQ??
Nice, congrats! What about Oratory 1990? His EQ settings for the X2HR?
@@chuckolatte600 Yes vs what you recommend? Ever try them? or does eqing every headset to as close to Harmon AE defeat the uniqueness of the headsets?
@@xS0JUx I haven't tried out his EQ settings yet. Although I try them out for curiosity's sake, I COMPLETELY agree that EQing to the Harman AE strips away what makes a particular HP special. There's a difference between peaks and dips (which should be corrected) and hills and valleys (which in most cases, are just characteristics)
Hi, great video, but i have a question if you don’t mind. You said you wont use them as pro gaming headset, my question is why? I would like to use it without amp, directly to my Mac and use the boom mic for better audio than i currently have with my gaming headphones. What do you think?
I mean, they'll definitely sound better than gaming headsets. I just meant that the boosted treble could get a TAD annoying in some games if not EQ'd. Though that issue wouldn't be as bad as with music.
Did you have opportunity to check fidelio x3 and compare them to x2hr?
They are memory foam.....
I got a pair of these but I find the velour pads rather quite itchy and irritating. Any ideas on how to stop that? I don’t want to replace the pads as they’re comfy and well fitted, it’s just after an hour or so they become irritating.
Honestly, no. I find the clamp force on these to be a bit too much at times. To try to avoid it, I put them on in a circular motion and apply pressure wherever they lie so that it the pressure isn't like, halfway there...if that makes any sense lol
Hi, I do not estendo English, but wanted to know one thing, In your opinion, what is best for Fps games: the Shp9500 or Fidelio x2 Hr? I was told that the shp 9500 was better
O SHP9500 é melhor para jogos competitivos amigo.
Weird question, but how does this compare sound-wise to the Sony XM3? Obviously it is an open back so I know it’s not fair. I just am curious if it would be a decent upgrade over my XM3 for home listening. I would also buy a good DAC AMP
These are quite different that the XM3. The XM3 are warmer, but have less impact. Also, they sound more compressed than the Fidelios. I think they're different enough to own both.
@@chuckolatte600 So different bu not necessarily better
....I love My H2HR
Almost as good as my shp9600.......😎 hehe xD
if you use this with a boompro, you said you needed a specific amp? im very new to using an amp. help would be greatly appreciated!!:D
if there is one like at the 80 usd range that would be amazing. looked at a few my self, but not quite sure what im even looking at tbh. The arc one seems very expensive
@@beta1157 The cheapest amp with a mic input that I know of is the Schiit Fulla 4. Haven't heard it myself but my non-audiophile friend has been using his for like half a year now and no complaints!
Any suggestions for portable amp to use with x2hr? My phone have not enough power to drive this. Sometimes I want to use this outside on my backyards aside from my Sony xm3 or tws.
Check out the fiio btr5. It powers my X2hr extremely well even in low gain. I also use it with my hd6xx with a balanced cable. Great unit
@@chrisbianchi8876 Good suggestion, but if you're looking for something REALLY portable @jokermelancholia, I recommend something like a Dragonfly Black v1.5
Qudulix 5k. Or buy a used LG smartphone with the quad dac (a good high quality dac that can drive 600 ohms)
Question how would you compare the fidelios to some of the sivgas?
They're just better in every regard all-round (but of course, they are more expensive). This statement does not apply to the SIVGA Phoenix though...
@@chuckolatte600 Thanks for the answer!
Actually, the headband isn't plastic, but it's leather.
X2HR vs Hifiman He4xx or He400i 2020??????
Hmm...tough to say since I've yet to try out the He400i 2020
Skip them all get sundara 👍
@@theodorezurla496 already got he400i 2020, i think x2hr more hi res sound. no budget for sundara.
@@aby9x u have x2 and 400i?
@@theodorezurla496 yeah, x2hr and he400i 2020. later will make video of it.
For the ridiculously low price, these are the best headphones on planet earth.
Mmm mostly, though some people could be thrown off by the slight peakiness in the treble
@@chuckolatte600 just 2 nights break in with pink noise had a very beneficial result on treble on my Fedelio L2's. Then by maintaining enough ceiling like around 60 DBs SPL output the treble annoyance is severely limited.
is X3 better please?
haven't tried them myself but from what I've heard, no they're not better
Anyone know how to hook these up to an amp on xbox series x?
If you don't need mic, it's real easy. Use the toslink optical port on your DAC to pass the signal to it from your TV/monitor, assuming it has an optical port. Then just make sure your TV's audio is set to deliver the audio through optical instead of playing it through the built-in speakers
@@chuckolatte600 but I need a mic
@@fkaiba94 Ah, that gets more complex. AFAIK you would have to use the V moda boom pro and plug it in directly into the controller. Though the controller's 3.5mm port may not really provide the best sound quality for the HPs.
I like them I just hate there fit... its like they're being pulled up my head
Lol I can see that
soundstage and detail: these or the HD 560s?
These destroy the 560's in soundstage and are arguably more detailed. The 560s are good so it's not like there is any crazy difference in detail but the biggest gap is in the bass. The bass is more textured and feels quicker and tighter on the X2HR. Soundstage is much less of a fair fight though. The X2HR are miles better in that area. The HD560 is average to narrow but it's mostly linear from left to right whereas the X2HR has a circular soundstage that goes further out and wraps around you. It's a rather unique experience. The only issue is treble really. The HD560 is basically polite at all times like the HD6x0 lineup and the X2HR is a bit forward in the upper mid lower treble region. My pair doesn't have any sibilance at all but some songs that have really aggressive treble can be a bit much at times. I rarely have that issue but we all listen to different music so others may experience it more than I do. If it means anything when I have a headache and use the X2HR it can become overwhelming at times. I can get away with the HD560 when I have a headache but when the headache is gone I swap back. My normal headache headphone is the HD650 though. lol
@@mrcrunch8000 my biggest problem is with forward mids, especially vocals
I hate when vocals are shouty,
@@danterikxx If that is something especially bothersome to you the 560s will be better. While the X2HR only occasionally has that issue the 560 never does. With that said if the 560 is something you are interested in have you considered the 58X? It's a very similar sound with better bass at a cheaper price with an arguably better build.
@@mrcrunch8000 cant get them here. DROP doesn't ship to where i live.
And tbh the 58x seem to be a bit beiled and muddy
For that i already have my 599s
@@danterikxx Can't recall hearing the 58x called muddy before. They certainly aren't more muddy than the 599. After hearing your preference of the 599 maybe the X2 is something you might like. It has roughly the same aggressiveness in treble without the over emphasis on the lower mids of the 599. The 58x doesn't have that either and sounds cleaner as a result. With the X2 you will also get much better bass extension. Sibilance of the X2 is about the same as the 599 as well. I need to hear the 599s again because I remember them sounding boomy.
delicious wrongfulness that does it masterfully!
to me fat and smood no sibilance only concerne plastic movies gaming 5 music 4,5 use only for youtube strangely absolutely same sound as my bookself bipolar 8 inch