I have the X2 here and they have memory foam pads as well. I bet if your X1 did have those pads you would hardly notice any difference between all of them. But I do agree that for the current price they are still killer cans!
Hey man, have you tried the hyperx could Orbit? I know it's a gaming brand, but it does look pretty interesting (spec wise), would like your opinion :) (also just got this Logitech G Pro headset , and honestly I think they suck HARD....) Or what is a good option? I know bunch of people ask you but you really know a lot! And just wanted your opinion :( my budget is limited but I can stretch it up to 300 if it's something that's gonne be worth it.im a serious gamer, on the competitive side, but I love a good bass and rich sound ^^
I remember how the X2HR were celebrated in headphone communities for 300 bucks. Now they are 99 dollars! Really can't go wrong here if you need a good open back. Just one thing, the pads collect dust like there's no tomorrow.
Joschi get you a small lint remover roller (sticky type), I use them for all of my velvet type headphones and in most cases you probably WON'T have to remove the pads. To clean them all you have to do is rinse the roller under warm water with a li' soap.👍
When Gibson went bankrupt (around a year ago now?), Philips took the right for the Philips branded headphones back. The headphones are now produced by the same company that also produces television sets for Philips. Since this is more closely supervised by Philips, the quality control should also be much better now than in the Gibson days. Your X1 is produced by Gibson (since the pads where glued on). Philips was not happy with the quality of the Gibson models (worse/inconsistent build quality, glued on pads, much higher failure rate, lots of them sounded different/worse/inconsistent compared to the originals produced by Philips etc.). Gibson now has rebooted as a much smaller company and is back to only making guitars again.
@@shmjl1203 Since the Gibson bankruptcy TPV Technology has been the license manufacturer, it already previously manufactured TVs for Phillips and audio for Bower & Wilkins.
@@HOTSPEEDMike And you now that how? Did you do any research? Do you have any sources? Or is it just an opinion based on anecdotal evicence? I hardly can imagine that you have those figures since they are not in the public domain.
Just a warning for anyone purchasing the X2HR. I LOVE this headphone for movies or casual gaming. There is a massive issue though, and that is build quality. They slipped off my desk onto carpet once and the plastic headband snapped. Also if you have a slimmer head, the clamping may not be sufficient for you. They're very heavy so they slip down. I find them very comfortable though. Anyway just be careful with them and if your dog walks under your desk, do panic
@@Matasky2010 Yeah, I hate it...I have the 990 pro 250 ohms and the cable is so damn long and I know if it gets caught in the chair and the wire gets pulled out that I no longer have headphones (plus the plastic bits on the headrest already cracked, but for $148 in 3 years I'd still recommend them even if they're sharp). Someone in my area was selling AKG K702 and these X2HR's for $50 for both (cheating partners....sad but they usually give me the GOOD deals lmao) so I'm excited to see them in action.
Do you use your X2HR's with an DAC/amp? Its my first "hi-fi" headphone and want to bring the most out of it for music, gaming and movies. For example pair it with a soundblaster X3. But I just don't know if the jump will be that noticable?
I have the 'actual' original Philips made X2's from when they first released. The pads are even different from these X2HR's but it's nice to see Philips is making a proper X2 again. I tried a pair of the Gibson produced X2's and they were awful. Sadly, I believe many people judge the X2's by the Gibson made ones, sorta hurt the X2's rep a bit.
How would you know that you have a Gibson model? I know on the Gibsons the pads are glued but mine are exactly like the X2HR's. Were later model Gibsons like this too?
@@conster63 I have a Gibson pair and a Philips pair, the only way you can tell is on the bottom of the box the small print it says Gibson on the bottom of the box on the Woox pair on the bottom of the box it says Woox. They both sound the same by the way. There was this rumour going around that the Gibson sounded worse than the Woox. Not with my pairs.
I got mine for $115 recently and they are now my favorite headphone. I also actually really appreciate the high rails on the headband, as when I wear them the floating headstrap very nearly touches the top rails. I have an extremely large head lol.
I noticed at around 5:45 you said the headband was plastic but its actually genuine calf leather Zeos it says so in the included booklet, I just got my pair yesterday for 99 and I couldnt be happier
after hours of watching reviews from different reviewers. I was between these, sennheisers and AKGs , also being price point conscious (single dad. ) I decided to pull the trigger on these, and upgraded the cables as well. Thanks for posting these reviews, they helped me out quite a bit over the last few weeks
Hi! Im exactly on the same situation. Akg K702, Senheiser Hd 58x or Fidelio X2HR. After this review I think Im going for the Fidelio. Only 85€ on Amazon.es Are you happy with them??
@@cuchucabrera nope. That turned into a shit show. They use plastic pins to hold the ear cups to the metal frame. The pins snapped and I was in a battle with the company to replace them as they were only 2mo old. Needless to say there was a complaint filed with BBB and a letter to their CEO. I'll never buy philips again.
@@sytmatt Wow, that took a turn. I realise that you definitely don't recommend these but can I ask how much it took to break them? Like just a drop or something? I don't have kids yet so my headphones are treated like my babies haha!
@@TheTruthKiwi didn't drop them. Just from putting them on and taking them off. Wish I had a cool story , like the fell out a 3rd story window or something 🤣
@@sytmatt Haha no, appreciate the fast reply man, that's good to know. Basically, I have the 9500's and can't decide whether to "upgrade" to these or go for a Hifiman set to get that planar sound (the lower end ones because $$'s). Can I ask what you ended up getting to replace the X2hr's?
Picked these up on sale per your recommendation. Just using software EQ and preamp, they sound excellent for the cost. There's a good balance between all the ranges, I was afraid of them being a bit bass-heavy but the bass is super clean. They've been great for gaming as well, just enough detail to remain enjoyable but not distracting. The biggest surprise has been comfort. I have a huge Tito Ortiz head and they fit with no issue. I stretched them out for a bit and the tension is right where I like it. I agree about the cable. If you were 7 feet you could comfortably jump rope with it. This feels like a very utilitarian headset so I appreciate the review. Great value, and honestly surprising quality from Philips.
Edit: update on my pair. After dropping them once, they broke completely (right side completely dead.) There’s a pin that holds the Drivers in place, made of plastic. Going to say, these are *not* the best built headphones out there. Word of warning, these are fragile. Got this a while back, and I looooove them. Edit: About those Pads, they do soften. Just paired them with the Schiit Magni 3, and holy shite these are what I go to every time. As for the cable, I’ve used it for roughly 3 months now, and it’s smoooooth now. Do not. Roll. The wire up. It gets kinked again. Basically like you said, get a new wire.
Asher Ouwenga what I’m saying is shit happens, and don’t expect them to be absolute tanks. I got a replacement set in already, because these are excellent headphones.
**update** It should be noted that the pins that hold the ear cups to the headband are made of plastic and snapped due to the weight of the cups. Philips does not cover this under warranty. beware or you'll be holding onto a fancy looking paperweight. Case pending currently with the BBB and philips audio CEO.
@@phillipnunya6793 it's possible. the problem is that the speaker wire runs right through the center of the pin. so it would consist of taking them apart, drilling a new hole for the speaker wire, re soldering, and then assembling a pin. there is a video that I found online .
From what I read from people who have the X2's and X2HR's, they are the same sound quality-wise, the X2HR's just improve on a few QC issues and maybe have better stock pads. I remember the review Zeos did for the X1 where he said he couldn't remember a difference between it and the X2's, but this sounds more in line with the sound quality difference people heard when directly comparing the X1's to the X2's, or in this case the X2HR's. I may just try to find the new pads for my X2's, since they use the same mounting mechanism. But yeah, from everything I can find, these are basically the same as the X2's but with better pads.
It's going to require a bit of messing around. Gotta rip the old earpads off the plastic mounting ring. I put some AD900x pads on my X2, and they sound pretty good. Less soundstage and more in your face sounding. I'd imagine that Brainwavz round velour pads would work even better, because they have some depth. But it will be a stretch to get them on.
Alright, what the hell... HOW can you time this video any more perfectly!? I've been sitting this past MONTH looking at headphones, and this week I've been considering the X2 more and more. So THANK YOU for making this video today, Im sitting at my computer, literally SECONDS away from ordering a pair. And this video shows up... Now I just gotta watch this video, then we'll see! Thank you Z!
Trying wearing these backwards. They sound waaaaay better. Waaay more detail. The driver is basically angled right into your ear. I enjoy them so much more backwards. Crazy.
There's very little difference between the X2 and X2HR. The only changes are to the headband, slightly different pads and fixing the QC issues. The drivers and all other details are the exactly the same. Will be interesting to see the Fidelio X3 next year.
There is going to be an X3 released early next year. You can find a thread about it on Head Fi. And as for the X2HR vs X2, it really is very much the same. The pads are stiffer and less dreamy feeling, but at least they won't leak ink anymore.
@@VelcroSnake93 Yes, there are even photos of them too from a recent electronics show (just google). Quite a bit different looking design. January 2020 mentioned as the release date but that might be incorrect. Price point going up again also.
I just got the X2HR + vmoda boom mic. 2019 black Friday. this is very nice for gaming and not bad at all for music on the PC. was a fantastic deal at $99 USD.
The price is probably because the Fidelio X3's are coming very soon apparently, with a completely new design and new specs, like being balanced now, for example.
they're going for around the $350 mark atm. they definitely look great and have a more modern minimal design, i'm curious to see how they stack up against competition at that price point though.
@@alvarsantini2653 less bass better treble which you need for picking out footsteps and more detailed i find, honestly I'd wear the 900x all the time if it had better headband, the headband is rather annoying for long time wearing, the x2's are just lightyears more comfortable for long gaming sessions. Hence whenever im just relaxing playing casual single player games i wear my X2s
@@stefang6586 sure i've been using them for 3 days and i love them, they're worth every cent...and to be Fair...the headphones were actually new..not even a scratch nor a hair. In other words im very Happy with them
I got these used for $76 used, not expecting much buy heavy, metal headphones with big bass but god damn these are INCREDIBLE. 1000% worth $199 and every bit comparable to my He4Xx which are also outstanding value, but require a really good amp. These dont. These are HEAD AND SHOULDERS better than the SHP9500s. No question. These are excellent
They are pretty much exactly the old X2's, same drivers, same build, the normal X2's also used memory foam in the pads. Only a few X2's made during a specific time period had their pads glued on, Gibson fucked up, mine didn't come glued on.
@@Redspark77 hmm, idk about that, when i bought them they were only $100. they are the best pair i have owned, and are quite comfy. But for 150 im sure there are better out there.
I got a pair couple days ago, I'm not massively convinced to be honest, vocals are recessed even for a v, upper trebble is HOT, not sure I'm keeping them and. got in June Amazon sale for under 100
Bought them about 2 Years ago, mostly because you recommended. Love them to death. Thx, bro. Currently I drive them with my SMSL M3. Can you give some advice on improving my sound with a new DAC/AMP? Stay the way you are, your a legend ;) PS: I AM kinda pissed about you NOT having the Doom OST BFG Division.... Im still subscribed though ;D Prost from Germany!
I have the X2HR for a while now, more than a year. Initially I paired it with an Aune X1 Pro and frankly, I didn't like it. The treble was bright, like hurt my ears bright. I thought something wasn't right, I went and pair it with a cheap E10k and whoa... it was amazing. For jokes, I plugged it straight into the motherboard, it sounded better than with the Aune X1 Pro.
You’re not alone. The treble hurt my ears too. Had to return them. Got a pair of Sony MDR-XB950N1 and I am happy with them. Will probably upgrade them to the 1000XM4 when they release.
Do You think that the soundstage was improved by using the E10k vs Motherboard? I used to listen from a MacBook jack, but I am considering get some dac if I can get even better soundstage and details. Thanks
@@MSH3423 i still use them every single day since i got them they are quite amazing dude not gonna lie but they leak sound like crazy so i got rid of the boom mic and got a blue yeti but they’re the best headphones i used and they are built to last
Mr. Pantera I respect the shit out of your hustle. You have a tough job and I have been watching for a long time. Really your channel just makes me wish I was rich so I could hear everything you are hearing. To get to the point of my comment is I’m a speaker guy (no experience with good cans) and I will be getting a fiio q1 mkII for my iPhone and need a good an inexpensive pair of cans. Toss up I’m thinking between shp9500 or thesssse. The x2 sound like more what I’m looking for but I don’t know and really don’t have the money for mistakes. Soon if you don’t know what to do with those origanals with nice pads could send em my way to borrow ;) thanks for all your hard work I love your videos!
I got the SHP9500 because of their price and after watching Z's and everyone's glowing reviews about them. I LOVE the sound on them. Coming from closed back m50xs (i know), going to the SHP's i was worried I would miss the bass. I kind of miss the bass, but the mids and crisp trebles sold me. As well as finally hearing headphones that have a soundstage. The only thing I don't like about them is the loose clamp force. They kind of shift around on my head from the slightest movements and the mesh pads rub against my skin and is sort of aggravating. I have to sit completely still in one position. I didn't even know these existed, and after seeing the rting graph on them I decided to return the SHPs and just fork up the extra $80 for these X2s. I know the rting graph isn't the be all end all, but in comparison to the SHPs they have a really similar sound profile with much more of an extension in the bass and sub-bass. I know they have more comfortable pads and a bit more clamp force than the SHPs, so that's all i need. They're coming in a few days, I CANNOT wait.
@@xmunki1389 man sorry, i don't have notifications turned on here. you're probably moved on from this by now but just to follow up, they're fucking amazing. if you have the money and need a pair of open back headphones, get them. the bass is clean, mids are PERFECT, and the trebles are sparkly without being sibilant. this past year i've used them for music production, mixing, music listening, media, gaming, everything. Nothing compares to these IMO. Especially because they are only 30 ohms, but not THAT easy to power with a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW. They still can be powered well with a phone, laptop, or pretty much any device with a 3.5mm jack. The build quality is also top-notch, metal and leather headband, metal hinges, thick plastic ear cups. These things can take a beating. The headphone port is also really friendly for any cable you need. I've used all sorts of cables with these including ones with boom mics to use for gaming. You also just don't get soundstage, imaging, and resolution like this with any other headphone at this price and impedance. I'd say the sound profile is "neutral" tuned pretty closely to the harmann curve. My EQ profile is a little boost from 50 to 0 Hz, just to add some of that really deep sub bass. Mids and trebles virtually untouched. And comfort wise they are a 10/10. The suspended headband, sufficient clamping force, and thick headbands, make this headphone unnoticeable on my head through an entire day. I have never felt uncomfortable wearing these. Although mileage may vary depending on your head of course These headphones are seriously one of my favorite electronics i've ever owned ever, get them
@@HugeCockAndBalls You're good with both, but I know through experience for a fact, the X2HR has a near perfect soundstage and is a really really good allrounder for music, games and movies. I choose this one for all my sources over the other ones I have
Visually X2HR's are stunning pair of headphones made of premium materials. Unfortunetly they have some serious design flaw in terms of clamp force that cannot be fixed. I was able to weaken clamp in HD650, even without doing anything time after time I felt they were more and more comfortable. X2HR's are not like that, the only thing I managed to do was to bend the headband and trust me I did it too many times already both top headband as well as sides near earcups + each time whenever put them on and off. Yes the clamp was less after that, but... only for limited time as the strap itself is making them back to previous clamp force in a matter of short time. Not to mention after bending as it was more comfortable before going back to hurting my jaw again I felt pads not sitting firmly changing it's position with minor head movement. So you can make them clamp less, but then they don't sit snugly, and the next day because of the strap it goeas back to having strong clamp again as it was the first day I got them. In a matter of days I developed some serious jaw pain that I felt for next day even without wearing any headphones. Also found the velour type is kinda itchy to my skin, aside from being the worst type of velour collecting tons of lint and shreds when cleaning. To me this is unnacaptable and the ultimate reasons to let these go even though I got them for only 103 euros. At this point I just know they wouldn't have much of a headtime with me. Finally to me these do not sound like people were describing them few years back. The newest X2HR batch have less bass and no sibilant treble. However If not for the comfort issues I would've kept them for huge soundstage and unique non-fatiguing sound experience alone.
I use these and V-Moda BoomPro mic for games because the SHP9500 are a tad bit too shrill in comparison, these you can turn up the volume a decent amount more than SHP9500s without losing comfort. They are awesome and worth every penny or pound.
@@magoomagoon I can easily recommend the SHP9600s now also they are the lighter version of these. The mic can pick up the sound from the outside, but they released a new version of the boompro that won't pick up sound from the front. Haven't used the new version but I might get it later on. :)
Same! 😊 They arrive today. I like a warm, bassy signature and apparently these are! Excited to hear them. A person who owns them has told me it's like having a sub woofer in your room 😁
Ii've watched your reviews for speakers and other stuff, but never headphones I guess cuz i'm shopping for them atm, but your cable "kinks" literally have now broken me out laughing and also bringing back the same horrid memories multiple times now. Same thoughts. Love it!
Owned two pairs of X2. Could never fall in love with the sound though. It was good. Just not.. Great for me. The build quality however and feel was premium. Koss POrta Pro has become my endgame.
Yep! Purchased 3 times returned 3 times! 1st time thought wow and then the sibilant highs - oh no! 2nd and 3rd time reduced to £125 so thought yep I’d do it again - but after 10 mins knew I had to return! At £99 U.K. right now - it’s cool 😎 but I’m not getting them again. Rather put the money towards something else :)
@@MESSENGER-OF-JESUS-CHRIST Yeah I still have my X1 though which are vastly superior to these. People still buy the X2 and think they are an upgrade just because its a higher number. Manufacturers have been pulling this shit for years and people still fall for it every time.
I actually bought these after watching this.... my beloved cooler master MH751s sadly just don't have the build quality to warrant another purchase.... (a screw holding the right head band in place is continually loosening) and tbh, as much as I love the way they sound, they can distort and bloat out a bit at certain high volumes due to the driver size. I need a decent open back headphone for gaming and home listening. I've never really experienced middle to high-end headphones... just cheaper ones mainly (cooler master, BLON BL-03, TIN T2s, etc etc). My thoughts after a few days listening;\ LOVEREED> They just sound really solid. Lots of detail (seemingly a touch more than others I've listened to), good balanced sound, nice low end, excellent width, amazing imaging etc etc.... they are satisfying to listen to (even though my gorgeous trusty BLONs have kind of ruined every other headphone i try with whatever the brilliant funky thing they do with music is). Also, build quality on the fidelios is reassuringly decent on close inspection. Mostly well machined metal parts and they just feel robust in the hand. Less LOVEE> ttksooflfs!!! these are even bigger than i imagined. I have a slightly smaller head and they just don't sit on it satisfyingly, with a some what 'off' centre of gravity feeling. They are not terribly wobbly as such, but it just feels a bit strange and unsteady. They are no where near as immediately comfortable as my cooler masters (of course). Am hoping they feel better after some breaking in perhaps. To me, the highs (and particularly metallic or cracking noises) on this headset can be pretty..... OooooF. I can't quite decide if I'll keep them yet. They def sound great and are built to last, they have better positioning in gaming than the CMs... but I definitely know they are on my head all the time, where I didn't with the CMs. Not to mention they cost a fair amount more once you add in the cost of a mod-mic thing. Anyone else who owns these with a normal or slightly smaller head size? did you find them a bit awkward feeling at first and did they get more comfortable over time?
After a few more days, I've decided they are keepers... Sure, I have to shuffle them on my head now and then for them to sit well, but the sound quality is just great. I can't see myself finding a pair as well built at these that sound as good for the 100 quid I paid on black Friday.. Pls correct me if I'm wrong about that though!
@@RaiohMK Thanks for the updates! I ordered some right before running across this video. I'm stoked. I've never spent more than $40 on headphones before.
@@urretard5934 I've grown to really love the X2HRs. They're just alot of fun, but i would add; these cans are just not suitable for taking outdoors really. They're huge (which gives them that superb sound stage) and tend to move on your head with moderate head movements, so I just wear a pretty cheap yet decent set of buds when walking outdoors (blon BL-03's). The X2HRs benefit a fair amount from a little headphone amp. I use a Liam and Daan one from Amazon that was cheap but pretty decent. Also, I swapped on the Dekoni dedicated soft pads (leather finish not suede) which has really improved the comfort, for quite a hefty price though!
I needed this video. I was hesitant on buying these, but now I’m definitely going for it. I listen to music quite often and also game pretty competitively. I feel as if these are the ones I need. Thanks!
Hey bro I have the G933 from Logitech and im searching for their replacement. Do u think this would be a good option? I want good sound and comfort, and do I need an Amplifier? I dont want to spend more money other than the headphones price. I would appreciate your response 😁
From the description you gave, these are the EXACT version I received and tested my new Schitt Magnius with today!! The ending ranking of my 2020 audio refresh: HD660S, HD600 and the XHR2s in a tie, knocking the KPH30i to 3rd, and 9500s down to 4th (shh m40x, she knows her place and does what she was built . wtf lol all it took was a week of making my way through a week in some weird fucked up dimension where time just doesn't work anymore. You recommended the 9500s when I bought them almost 4 years ago, and here I am, with a JDS Element II powering KHP30i's ... But for real you've been the weirdest type of gauge for me on my audio journey. It's almost like you filmed a lot of what I watch a year before I actually watch it. (Oct 2020, The year of Microchips and DAC dominion. They made the 789 to flex their power of large scale amplification of anything and everything. Then showed their hand. Only to find out a lot of us were already stuck in the matrix where there is an agent smith that already had put done it successfully. A rise and fall of everything, even audio equipment. Keep that in mind people of the future, ONE YEAR, and everything is different.)
These are the most comfortable and well built headphones I have used by a long shot. I wish I could just get a closed back version with a different sound profile. Also, no lie on the sound stage it is amazing, and swallows you up. I have Sennheisser GSX 1000 and these basically have the 7.1 effect in normal 2.0 mode.
As someone who has both I prefer the Jubilee's a tad more because they do better with vocals and I prefer the bass on the 58x but the X2's are without a doubt the more fun headphones, they do well with any genre you throw at them
I decided to re-purchase these at the black friday deal. Had my original x2s (non glued) since 2016. Last month issues were creeping up on my old pair. Sleeping with them for years and wearing them 8 hours a day at work, and then again at home. They broke, I could possibly repair them, but then I need to resolder and redo the wiring in the earcups and find replacement screws etc, too much work. I am looking forward to getting these X2HRs, you are the reason I got my X2s in the first place, and I loved them throughout their lifespan. Now it's time for them to go though. Got the X2HR on Amazon DE for 120eur, 125 shipped to Sweden :) great deal imo. Edit, just got them unboxed and hooked up, sounds less muddled than my originals, sounds clearer and more balanced. I never had a problem with audio quality on my originals though so that's just an added bonus :) and also the clamping force is a lot stronger :D but that is just from 3 years of daily use.
I remember paying around $290 for my X2s back in 2016 after I saw your review and I love them, still my daily drivers as of today, but $119 is a fucking steal, I'm considering buying them again just because of that, but just ordered the Senns HD 6XX. Get the X2HR is you guys can, it's an awesome product.
@@SneakyBinHidden hey Joel, yours is the most recent comment I've found on here who has experience with these so you're it my friend! I have the 9500's and am considering getting these or planars (the lower end Hifimans because $$'s) Any thoughts or recommendations on this greatly appreciated.
Painfully I didn't buy at $100. I have the X2 (not HR) and the build quality issues is why I was thinking to buy them. And I paid $320usd in 2015 for them.
Just an fyi to anyone who purchases the x2/27 (discontinued) model from Amazon for $160. Get a refund for the $40 difference. They don’t send the discontinued model. You will get the newer model x2hr. Edit: Definitely grab a pair. I’m in love with mine. I’ve had them for about 2-3 weeks now. I’ve been listening to these nonstop. My hd660s are my daily drivers. If they could feel, they would be jealous.
Pro tip if you pick these up: if you want to get rid of the cable kinks use the little plastic shit that come with it. Fit the cable into the smaller side and let it be there for a minute or so and voila, straight cable.
Man, I'd love a random audio file in the description every video from the ones you used in the vid. I mean if I buy headphones by your advice gimme the samples
Wasn't the Fidelios the ones you made the joke about "$300, or these"? Just remember that the video was one back in the days of reviews in the living room on a fold out table. Pretty sure that was the X2s (Edit) It was the X2
I remember when I got these for $180 back in the day, and thought that was a steal. These headphones kick ass. Tonality wise, they blow away the Q701 and HD6XX in my opinion.
@@lumbeeman01 I'm more prefer a pulled back bass response personally. I like headphones I can play nearly anything on, and to me bassy headphones have way too much bass in more modern songs. My personal mains are the ESP 95X and the Ether CX. I also have the One More Triple drivers but again, it's a bit bass heavy for just playing anything I feel like. Bass heavy is really only a go to for me when it comes to say watching movies. For my TV I use the Sony HW700 which are 5GHz banded wireless but they have huge sound stage, virtual 9.1 surround, and nice deep bass. Great for cinematic experiences. Too bad to get any more than 5.1 surround you have to use HDMI and it came out long before HDR existed. :(
I was so hyped and gonna save for those, but I've seen practically nothing good about them in the last few months. Recent reviews and unboxings are really underwhelming! Which makes me sad
@@Feenicks30 i have them, sound wise they are good, but not amazing, for 250 early bird price that was acceptable, for 400 full price no they are not good enough sounding or built well enough to be worth that.
@@alvarg Yeah I'm sure they are fine but like that's outrageous money? I was gonna take some time and decide between those and the argon mk3's since they compete for the same type of headphone but now it's a no brainer!
I am still waiting for my set. I AM... Me. The man who single-handedly funded their campaign. So until I have them I don't want to compare. I did hear a set at RMAF and the magic was still there. BUT $400 magic vs these at $99 . No brainer.
Having watched this review I was super hyped expecting to be blown away by the sound, but the only thing that amazed me was the built quality. Last year I got koss 75 they were good for the money, however aside from size difference X2 doesn't seem like a big upgrade to me. Soundstage is similar maybe tad better, mids are worse, vocals a bit less shouty, treble is similarly extended but drier and the bass is only slightly better, detail is about the same. Not bad for 100 bucks, but I was promised a lot more.
Bought these yesterday for 99 GBP. I can't wait man, my first pair of open backs ever. Listen to lots of UK Dubstep and hip hop, hope I made the right choice. Coming from M50x which people seem to hate.
I've had mine for years, absolutely love them. Don't know why I never thought to take off that little cable routing bit on the cable lol. Btw the cable it comes with does eventually stop being kinky.
I have some X2s from the Gibson days, the headband broke awhile ago and I have been on the fence about replacing them. They're now 99$ on Amazon. Yeeeah I'm gonna grab these, even if I don't really NEED them. The X2s were my first headphone when I got into this hobby and I want to have a pair just to have a pair. I love them.
@@lytheus69 the x3's will be great but I don't know how much better than the already great for x2hr's, if Prime Day has them for 99 again def get them.
I just couldn't resist picking up another pair of X2's for $99. My other pair is the X2HD's(spent a lot more on those) and the new ones are the X2HR's. I'm sitting here doing a direct swap back and forth. The HR's sound better. The bass isn't as wooly and the clarity is more present without being harsh. The mids seem better defined to me and a bit more "right" than the HD's. So far i am really happy i got them. I just installed "BOOM 3D for MAC" last night and have been messing around with that. It automatically recognizes your system and EQ's it for best performance. It works. Can't believe how much better things sound for just $20. The 3D option sounds a bit crap to me. Went right to the "Fidelity" knob and have that turned to about the 1:30 position. Sounds amazing. Just make sure things are turned down before starting off because the BOOM starts off really loud and some people have complained about blowing there speakers. I could see how that could happen so use caution. So using that to go back and forth with these via a Mackie interface. The increase in resolution is definitely there with the HR's. I read several posts that these are going to sound identical and are just branded differently. Not the case to my ears at all!
To add to that..... after going back and forth for several hours now with all sorts of formats. The bass "bloat" is gone that the HD's have. The bass is still there in spades with the HR's when called upon but it is not infringing on unwanted frequencies all the time... like i felt the HD's were doing. Bass is tighter and the overall sound signature is crisper. Upgrade(!!!) imho. Downgrade in price....YES! :) Always wanted the HD's to be more cause i really liked them. I was living with that accentuated bass and lack of clarity. SHP9500 has that and Zeos review is spot on. These headphones almost get you the SHP9500 clarity(much closer) but with exceptional tight bass response and mids. The HD's didn't have those qualities imho but the HR's do. At least the pair i received do. Praise the thing! :)
One last thing......i love these cups and comfort more. Feel nicer on my head. They feel actually a few grams lighter or something feels a little different. Could never where the HD's very long and i can forget i have these on longer it seems. Don't know what that's all about but it feels a lot more comfortable to me.
Im on my 3d pair of X2's. Same issue with all 3 pairs: The screws holding "metall-headband-rods" into the cups got loose. And there is no way to tighten em. Sadly bad design. Any tips about the next upgrade with the same sound character and open backs up to 300$?
I had the X2HR. My 50 USD Takstar Pro82 are better than the X2HR. X2HR were bassy, but veiled, bloated and muddy. Pro82 are better in almost every aspect sound wise (the only exception being soundstage size) not to mention infinitely more comfortable. I'd say X2HR at 99 USD are 49 USD overpriced.
I ordered the X2HR to experience something different than the takstar 2050 that i'm used for years, i hope to have a better experience than you did with them.
I ordered these for 114€ on amazon. They sound great for music but while listening to a podcast I noticed that voices are louder from the left channel. I tested 4 different sources and a bunch of different videos and songs. After ordering a replacement from amazon it felt like the new pair had the same issue, if not worse. Now in comparison the imbalance on my first pair feels a little less significant but to be perfect I have to turn the left channel on either of the headphones down by 10-12%. I am really confused, did I just get identically shitty pairs? Am I going insane? Should I send the second pair back? Should I send both back? Do I just live with it and fix it with Windows settings? It is really disappointing because they sound great otherwise, its barely noticeable in music but also my 90€ cloud II's have much better matched drivers :/
>> ruclips.net/user/ZeosReviewscommunity?disable_polymer=1
I have the X2 here and they have memory foam pads as well. I bet if your X1 did have those pads you would hardly notice any difference between all of them. But I do agree that for the current price they are still killer cans!
If you scroll down a bit, more they are only $100.
unrelated, but do you have any recommendations for a decibel meter? I trust you with the life of my hears.
Hey man, have you tried the hyperx could Orbit? I know it's a gaming brand, but it does look pretty interesting (spec wise), would like your opinion :) (also just got this Logitech G Pro headset , and honestly I think they suck HARD....) Or what is a good option? I know bunch of people ask you but you really know a lot! And just wanted your opinion :( my budget is limited but I can stretch it up to 300 if it's something that's gonne be worth it.im a serious gamer, on the competitive side, but I love a good bass and rich sound ^^
@@Waitjayithought I prefer the Analog ones. See if you can find a Radio Shack one on Ebay.
I remember how the X2HR were celebrated in headphone communities for 300 bucks. Now they are 99 dollars! Really can't go wrong here if you need a good open back. Just one thing, the pads collect dust like there's no tomorrow.
Joschi get you a small lint remover roller (sticky type), I use them for all of my velvet type headphones and in most cases you probably WON'T have to remove the pads. To clean them all you have to do is rinse the roller under warm water with a li' soap.👍
@@ecstasy5317 thanks for the tip!
I'm looking to upgrade from my Philips SHP9500's, do you think this would be a good upgrade?
When Gibson went bankrupt (around a year ago now?), Philips took the right for the Philips branded headphones back. The headphones are now produced by the same company that also produces television sets for Philips. Since this is more closely supervised by Philips, the quality control should also be much better now than in the Gibson days. Your X1 is produced by Gibson (since the pads where glued on). Philips was not happy with the quality of the Gibson models (worse/inconsistent build quality, glued on pads, much higher failure rate, lots of them sounded different/worse/inconsistent compared to the originals produced by Philips etc.).
Gibson now has rebooted as a much smaller company and is back to only making guitars again.
Is it true that Philips took the right back?
@@shmjl1203 Since the Gibson bankruptcy TPV Technology has been the license manufacturer, it already previously manufactured TVs for Phillips and audio for Bower & Wilkins.
How about the Woox X2's?
That's only partially true. Quality is stil very inconsistent as the return number is still very high much higher than any other headphone
@@HOTSPEEDMike And you now that how? Did you do any research? Do you have any sources? Or is it just an opinion based on anecdotal evicence? I hardly can imagine that you have those figures since they are not in the public domain.
The moment when you see this video after already ordering one
every time
Just ordered for 120€ in Germany. Looking forward to trying them
@@t_Gecko same here
@@iphonex1476 nice I will use them with a gsx 1000, but I dont know if the quality of this sound card is enough.
168€ for me, but still pretty decent price for a headphones of that quality
Just a warning for anyone purchasing the X2HR. I LOVE this headphone for movies or casual gaming. There is a massive issue though, and that is build quality. They slipped off my desk onto carpet once and the plastic headband snapped. Also if you have a slimmer head, the clamping may not be sufficient for you. They're very heavy so they slip down. I find them very comfortable though. Anyway just be careful with them and if your dog walks under your desk, do panic
I just got into audio recently, I was struggling to choose between the shp9500 and the X2HR. Thanks to this video, I got a X2HR, fucking love it
@Renan Rischiotto for this price range I’d recommend the DT 770 pros.
@@footdrizle3214 Problem with the Beyerdynamics is the stupid non-removable cables, so stupid.
@@Matasky2010 Yeah, I hate it...I have the 990 pro 250 ohms and the cable is so damn long and I know if it gets caught in the chair and the wire gets pulled out that I no longer have headphones (plus the plastic bits on the headrest already cracked, but for $148 in 3 years I'd still recommend them even if they're sharp).
Someone in my area was selling AKG K702 and these X2HR's for $50 for both (cheating partners....sad but they usually give me the GOOD deals lmao) so I'm excited to see them in action.
hd58x?
Do you use your X2HR's with an DAC/amp? Its my first "hi-fi" headphone and want to bring the most out of it for music, gaming and movies. For example pair it with a soundblaster X3. But I just don't know if the jump will be that noticable?
I have the 'actual' original Philips made X2's from when they first released. The pads are even different from these X2HR's but it's nice to see Philips is making a proper X2 again. I tried a pair of the Gibson produced X2's and they were awful. Sadly, I believe many people judge the X2's by the Gibson made ones, sorta hurt the X2's rep a bit.
mick cleghoo Agree with you man. The Gibson version is bad.
How would you know that you have a Gibson model? I know on the Gibsons the pads are glued but mine are exactly like the X2HR's. Were later model Gibsons like this too?
@@conster63 I have a Gibson pair and a Philips pair, the only way you can tell is on the bottom of the box the small print it says Gibson on the bottom of the box on the Woox pair on the bottom of the box it says Woox.
They both sound the same by the way. There was this rumour going around that the Gibson sounded worse than the Woox. Not with my pairs.
I got mine for $115 recently and they are now my favorite headphone. I also actually really appreciate the high rails on the headband, as when I wear them the floating headstrap very nearly touches the top rails. I have an extremely large head lol.
The first zeos video I ever saw was his X1 review, and here I am years later watching this on my X2HRs.
I just received these. They are quite good. MONSTER bass ans Soundstage! Color me impressed. Gonna be my new gaming set. Thanks for the rec, Z!
Monster bass? Like subbass levels good shit?
I noticed at around 5:45 you said the headband was plastic but its actually genuine calf leather Zeos it says so in the included booklet, I just got my pair yesterday for 99 and I couldnt be happier
after hours of watching reviews from different reviewers. I was between these, sennheisers and AKGs , also being price point conscious (single dad. ) I decided to pull the trigger on these, and upgraded the cables as well. Thanks for posting these reviews, they helped me out quite a bit over the last few weeks
Hi! Im exactly on the same situation. Akg K702, Senheiser Hd 58x or Fidelio X2HR. After this review I think Im going for the Fidelio. Only 85€ on Amazon.es
Are you happy with them??
@@cuchucabrera nope. That turned into a shit show. They use plastic pins to hold the ear cups to the metal frame. The pins snapped and I was in a battle with the company to replace them as they were only 2mo old. Needless to say there was a complaint filed with BBB and a letter to their CEO. I'll never buy philips again.
@@sytmatt Wow, that took a turn. I realise that you definitely don't recommend these but can I ask how much it took to break them? Like just a drop or something? I don't have kids yet so my headphones are treated like my babies haha!
@@TheTruthKiwi didn't drop them. Just from putting them on and taking them off. Wish I had a cool story , like the fell out a 3rd story window or something 🤣
@@sytmatt Haha no, appreciate the fast reply man, that's good to know. Basically, I have the 9500's and can't decide whether to "upgrade" to these or go for a Hifiman set to get that planar sound (the lower end ones because $$'s). Can I ask what you ended up getting to replace the X2hr's?
Picked these up on sale per your recommendation. Just using software EQ and preamp, they sound excellent for the cost. There's a good balance between all the ranges, I was afraid of them being a bit bass-heavy but the bass is super clean. They've been great for gaming as well, just enough detail to remain enjoyable but not distracting.
The biggest surprise has been comfort. I have a huge Tito Ortiz head and they fit with no issue. I stretched them out for a bit and the tension is right where I like it. I agree about the cable. If you were 7 feet you could comfortably jump rope with it.
This feels like a very utilitarian headset so I appreciate the review. Great value, and honestly surprising quality from Philips.
Bought these because of this video. Absolutely LOVE THEM.
Edit: update on my pair.
After dropping them once, they broke completely (right side completely dead.) There’s a pin that holds the Drivers in place, made of plastic.
Going to say, these are *not* the best built headphones out there. Word of warning, these are fragile.
Got this a while back, and I looooove them.
Edit: About those Pads, they do soften. Just paired them with the Schiit Magni 3, and holy shite these are what I go to every time.
As for the cable, I’ve used it for roughly 3 months now, and it’s smoooooth now. Do not. Roll. The wire up. It gets kinked again. Basically like you said, get a new wire.
Anthony F. Maybe don’t drop them
Asher Ouwenga what I’m saying is shit happens, and don’t expect them to be absolute tanks. I got a replacement set in already, because these are excellent headphones.
wow, i dropped my ws1100is 2 or 3x and they are not broken but i dont rec them or the m50x, m40x because of the plastic hinge.
Headphones arent engineered to be dropped. Thats like saying i got my Playstation wet and it broke. No shit
I got these at $99, and I also had a Discover 20% off so they were around $85 after taxes. Not a bad pair of cans for the price. 😁👍
@Renan Rischiotto not that I can tell. These have great imaging to back up their soundstage
**update** It should be noted that the pins that hold the ear cups to the headband are made of plastic and snapped due to the weight of the cups. Philips does not cover this under warranty. beware or you'll be holding onto a fancy looking paperweight. Case pending currently with the BBB and philips audio CEO.
I wonder how difficult it would be to replace them with metal pins.
@@phillipnunya6793 it's possible. the problem is that the speaker wire runs right through the center of the pin. so it would consist of taking them apart, drilling a new hole for the speaker wire, re soldering, and then assembling a pin. there is a video that I found online .
@@sytmatt That's unfortunate. Good luck.
Well, at the time im typing this comment, they're 99.99$
I snagged a pair at this price. Can't wait to try them.
£99.99 here, bargain from what I've read 😊
Randy Chavez how are they?
@@dannysx they're fine. Not as comfortable as the SHP9500 but better sound.
Randy Chavez are they worth buying over the shp9500s?
From what I read from people who have the X2's and X2HR's, they are the same sound quality-wise, the X2HR's just improve on a few QC issues and maybe have better stock pads. I remember the review Zeos did for the X1 where he said he couldn't remember a difference between it and the X2's, but this sounds more in line with the sound quality difference people heard when directly comparing the X1's to the X2's, or in this case the X2HR's.
I may just try to find the new pads for my X2's, since they use the same mounting mechanism. But yeah, from everything I can find, these are basically the same as the X2's but with better pads.
It's going to require a bit of messing around. Gotta rip the old earpads off the plastic mounting ring.
I put some AD900x pads on my X2, and they sound pretty good. Less soundstage and more in your face sounding. I'd imagine that Brainwavz round velour pads would work even better, because they have some depth. But it will be a stretch to get them on.
Alright, what the hell... HOW can you time this video any more perfectly!? I've been sitting this past MONTH looking at headphones, and this week I've been considering the X2 more and more. So THANK YOU for making this video today, Im sitting at my computer, literally SECONDS away from ordering a pair. And this video shows up... Now I just gotta watch this video, then we'll see! Thank you Z!
Bought one yet?
@@krishtrinity Im ordering right now!
Trying wearing these backwards. They sound waaaaay better. Waaay more detail. The driver is basically angled right into your ear. I enjoy them so much more backwards. Crazy.
There's very little difference between the X2 and X2HR.
The only changes are to the headband, slightly different pads and fixing the QC issues. The drivers and all other details are the exactly the same.
Will be interesting to see the Fidelio X3 next year.
Is there going to be an X3?
There is going to be an X3 released early next year. You can find a thread about it on Head Fi.
And as for the X2HR vs X2, it really is very much the same. The pads are stiffer and less dreamy feeling, but at least they won't leak ink anymore.
@@VelcroSnake93 Yes, there are even photos of them too from a recent electronics show (just google).
Quite a bit different looking design. January 2020 mentioned as the release date but that might be incorrect. Price point going up again also.
@@VelcroSnake93 An X3, AND a SHP 9600!
@@CaveyMoth Mine never leaked ink and I've spent many hours in mine over the years.
Thanks Z just ordered happy holidays my man
Bought them a while back, they are freaking amazing :D
@Renan Rischiotto Not entirely sure what you mean with that, i listen to all sorts of music on it and havent noticed anything off at all.
I just got the X2HR + vmoda boom mic. 2019 black Friday. this is very nice for gaming and not bad at all for music on the PC. was a fantastic deal at $99 USD.
James Simons do u play console
@@xampleman I dont.
The price is probably because the Fidelio X3's are coming very soon apparently, with a completely new design and new specs, like being balanced now, for example.
Ive seen and can't wait.
@@ZReviews It will be closer to June or July here in the U.S....reply and I can tell you more about it.
Jeff Cullup I’m interested to hear actually
@@ZReviews I can get a sample for you....soon!
they're going for around the $350 mark atm. they definitely look great and have a more modern minimal design, i'm curious to see how they stack up against competition at that price point though.
You come for the reviews but you stay for the entertainment.
9:57 - so uh, what's going on behind the monitor, Zeos?
these are perfect gaming cans, for single player games i use these X2HRs, for competative shooters i use the Audio Technica AD900x's
That's funny, because my X2 has AD900x pads on it because the original pads finally wore out.
same here.
How are these compared to the K7XX AKG cans?
Audio Technica AD900x's beat them in competitive gaming, why so?
@@alvarsantini2653 less bass better treble which you need for picking out footsteps and more detailed i find, honestly I'd wear the 900x all the time if it had better headband, the headband is rather annoying for long time wearing, the x2's are just lightyears more comfortable for long gaming sessions. Hence whenever im just relaxing playing casual single player games i wear my X2s
I just bought this today on Black Friday on Amazon $99
i fucking bought them used on the amazon wharehouse for 164€ now... you just cant find them anymore but i wanted em so bad :(
@@simonepresti6355 did you keep them?
@@stefang6586 sure i've been using them for 3 days and i love them, they're worth every cent...and to be Fair...the headphones were actually new..not even a scratch nor a hair. In other words im very Happy with them
Simone Presti got em new for 120 Euros
@@iphonex1476 you really had to Say It 😒
Anyone watching this now, they just went back on deal for £105 on amazon. Go grab em !
Ahah, 99 € in italy 😆😃 I guess it is a record!
I'm gonna check 'em out tomorrow...
Did you buy 'em in UK today??
Love from here and to UK all
@@marte6839 Yep, They're arriving tomorrow ! Right back at you my dude.
95€ in France. Instant buy
@@auresims 87€ in spain insta buy
179€ atm in amazon.es 😭
I got these used for $76 used, not expecting much buy heavy, metal headphones with big bass but god damn these are INCREDIBLE. 1000% worth $199 and every bit comparable to my He4Xx which are also outstanding value, but require a really good amp. These dont. These are HEAD AND SHOULDERS better than the SHP9500s. No question. These are excellent
do I need anything to run the fidelio x2hr? an amp or anything?
or do they sound good out of the box?
@@viaregia1161 Good out of the box.
You need both,the shps are still very good for gaming for the price.
They are pretty much exactly the old X2's, same drivers, same build, the normal X2's also used memory foam in the pads.
Only a few X2's made during a specific time period had their pads glued on, Gibson fucked up, mine didn't come glued on.
I ended with 2 of them with glued on pads
These headphones are amazing, Such a great buy for the price.
Do you think they are worth it for 148$?
@@Redspark77 hmm, idk about that, when i bought them they were only $100. they are the best pair i have owned, and are quite comfy. But for 150 im sure there are better out there.
@@xGrimzi if you don’t mind me asking what other headphones have you tried??
@@Redspark77 Dude, buy it, it costs now $116
I got a pair couple days ago, I'm not massively convinced to be honest, vocals are recessed even for a v, upper trebble is HOT, not sure I'm keeping them and. got in June Amazon sale for under 100
Bought them about 2 Years ago, mostly because you recommended. Love them to death. Thx, bro.
Currently I drive them with my SMSL M3. Can you give some advice on improving my sound with a new DAC/AMP?
Stay the way you are, your a legend ;)
PS: I AM kinda pissed about you NOT having the Doom OST BFG Division.... Im still subscribed though ;D
Prost from Germany!
I have the X2HR for a while now, more than a year. Initially I paired it with an Aune X1 Pro and frankly, I didn't like it. The treble was bright, like hurt my ears bright. I thought something wasn't right, I went and pair it with a cheap E10k and whoa... it was amazing. For jokes, I plugged it straight into the motherboard, it sounded better than with the Aune X1 Pro.
You’re not alone. The treble hurt my ears too. Had to return them. Got a pair of Sony MDR-XB950N1 and I am happy with them. Will probably upgrade them to the 1000XM4 when they release.
Do You think that the soundstage was improved by using the E10k vs Motherboard? I used to listen from a MacBook jack, but I am considering get some dac if I can get even better soundstage and details. Thanks
32ohm headphones with an amp dont work
I swear i stopped at 9:00 went and ordered them on amazon and now am here just continuing the video for relief 🤣
How are they?
@@MSH3423 i still use them every single day since i got them they are quite amazing dude not gonna lie but they leak sound like crazy so i got rid of the boom mic and got a blue yeti but they’re the best headphones i used and they are built to last
are you going to do a review of the Philips fidelio x3's?
Mr. Pantera
I respect the shit out of your hustle. You have a tough job and I have been watching for a long time. Really your channel just makes me wish I was rich so I could hear everything you are hearing. To get to the point of my comment is I’m a speaker guy (no experience with good cans) and I will be getting a fiio q1 mkII for my iPhone and need a good an inexpensive pair of cans. Toss up I’m thinking between shp9500 or thesssse. The x2 sound like more what I’m looking for but I don’t know and really don’t have the money for mistakes. Soon if you don’t know what to do with those origanals with nice pads could send em my way to borrow ;) thanks for all your hard work I love your videos!
I got the SHP9500 because of their price and after watching Z's and everyone's glowing reviews about them. I LOVE the sound on them. Coming from closed back m50xs (i know), going to the SHP's i was worried I would miss the bass. I kind of miss the bass, but the mids and crisp trebles sold me. As well as finally hearing headphones that have a soundstage. The only thing I don't like about them is the loose clamp force. They kind of shift around on my head from the slightest movements and the mesh pads rub against my skin and is sort of aggravating. I have to sit completely still in one position.
I didn't even know these existed, and after seeing the rting graph on them I decided to return the SHPs and just fork up the extra $80 for these X2s. I know the rting graph isn't the be all end all, but in comparison to the SHPs they have a really similar sound profile with much more of an extension in the bass and sub-bass. I know they have more comfortable pads and a bit more clamp force than the SHPs, so that's all i need. They're coming in a few days, I CANNOT wait.
Hey. Did you get them? What's your impression?
Still waiting…
@@xmunki1389 man sorry, i don't have notifications turned on here. you're probably moved on from this by now but just to follow up, they're fucking amazing. if you have the money and need a pair of open back headphones, get them.
the bass is clean, mids are PERFECT, and the trebles are sparkly without being sibilant. this past year i've used them for music production, mixing, music listening, media, gaming, everything.
Nothing compares to these IMO. Especially because they are only 30 ohms, but not THAT easy to power with a sensitivity of 100 dB/mW. They still can be powered well with a phone, laptop, or pretty much any device with a 3.5mm jack.
The build quality is also top-notch, metal and leather headband, metal hinges, thick plastic ear cups. These things can take a beating.
The headphone port is also really friendly for any cable you need. I've used all sorts of cables with these including ones with boom mics to use for gaming.
You also just don't get soundstage, imaging, and resolution like this with any other headphone at this price and impedance.
I'd say the sound profile is "neutral" tuned pretty closely to the harmann curve. My EQ profile is a little boost from 50 to 0 Hz, just to add some of that really deep sub bass. Mids and trebles virtually untouched.
And comfort wise they are a 10/10. The suspended headband, sufficient clamping force, and thick headbands, make this headphone unnoticeable on my head through an entire day. I have never felt uncomfortable wearing these. Although mileage may vary depending on your head of course
These headphones are seriously one of my favorite electronics i've ever owned ever, get them
We need new 2019 Headphone Wall Review again bro. fo sho
So these over the SHP9500, Sennheiser HD 599 and AKG K712?
Also isn't the thingy at 17:26 for an extra cable when using a mic?
Did you buy it? Which would you go for and why?
@@Narfs Thank you, that's exactly what I wanted to hear haha
712 or these?
@@HugeCockAndBalls You're good with both, but I know through experience for a fact, the X2HR has a near perfect soundstage and is a really really good allrounder for music, games and movies. I choose this one for all my sources over the other ones I have
Visually X2HR's are stunning pair of headphones made of premium materials. Unfortunetly they have some serious design flaw in terms of clamp force that cannot be fixed. I was able to weaken clamp in HD650, even without doing anything time after time I felt they were more and more comfortable. X2HR's are not like that, the only thing I managed to do was to bend the headband and trust me I did it too many times already both top headband as well as sides near earcups + each time whenever put them on and off. Yes the clamp was less after that, but... only for limited time as the strap itself is making them back to previous clamp force in a matter of short time. Not to mention after bending as it was more comfortable before going back to hurting my jaw again I felt pads not sitting firmly changing it's position with minor head movement. So you can make them clamp less, but then they don't sit snugly, and the next day because of the strap it goeas back to having strong clamp again as it was the first day I got them. In a matter of days I developed some serious jaw pain that I felt for next day even without wearing any headphones. Also found the velour type is kinda itchy to my skin, aside from being the worst type of velour collecting tons of lint and shreds when cleaning. To me this is unnacaptable and the ultimate reasons to let these go even though I got them for only 103 euros. At this point I just know they wouldn't have much of a headtime with me.
Finally to me these do not sound like people were describing them few years back. The newest X2HR batch have less bass and no sibilant treble. However If not for the comfort issues I would've kept them for huge soundstage and unique non-fatiguing sound experience alone.
I use these and V-Moda BoomPro mic for games because the SHP9500 are a tad bit too shrill in comparison, these you can turn up the volume a decent amount more than SHP9500s without losing comfort. They are awesome and worth every penny or pound.
Does the vmoda pick up any noise from the headphones?
Thinking of going the same route!
@@magoomagoon I can easily recommend the SHP9600s now also they are the lighter version of these. The mic can pick up the sound from the outside, but they released a new version of the boompro that won't pick up sound from the front. Haven't used the new version but I might get it later on. :)
@@magoomagoon no not at all!
Got mine for $60. Best headphones ever
Will buying these secondhand make much difference? I just picked some up for £40 around $48 in the UK, where these are still some £120 new
I have those on the way from amazon, very excited! These are going to be my first open back headphones.
SAME
Same! 😊
They arrive today. I like a warm, bassy signature and apparently these are! Excited to hear them. A person who owns them has told me it's like having a sub woofer in your room 😁
@@JamboGee92 What are y'all's thoughts?
Yes, what are y’all’s thoughts???
Had those for 2 years now. Best headphones I’ve ever had.
Ii've watched your reviews for speakers and other stuff, but never headphones I guess cuz i'm shopping for them atm, but your cable "kinks" literally have now broken me out laughing and also bringing back the same horrid memories multiple times now. Same thoughts. Love it!
Owned two pairs of X2. Could never fall in love with the sound though. It was good. Just not.. Great for me. The build quality however and feel was premium. Koss POrta Pro has become my endgame.
I agree. I didnt like the X2HR or the X2. They both sounded the same. Bloated bass. No mids and god awful sibilant treble lol
@@johnellison3173 I agree. Too v-shaped for me. Sound quality on Porta Pros is imo much superior.
@@Schmidteren A lot of other headphones are far superior to these. They are probably the most over hyped headphones of all time.
Yep! Purchased 3 times returned 3 times! 1st time thought wow and then the sibilant highs - oh no! 2nd and 3rd time reduced to £125 so thought yep I’d do it again - but after 10 mins knew I had to return! At £99 U.K. right now - it’s cool 😎 but I’m not getting them again. Rather put the money towards something else :)
@@MESSENGER-OF-JESUS-CHRIST Yeah I still have my X1 though which are vastly superior to these. People still buy the X2 and think they are an upgrade just because its a higher number. Manufacturers have been pulling this shit for years and people still fall for it every time.
Got those a moment ago for 99.99 USD + 35 USD for the 2-week shipment to Russia - damn, that's a steal!
I actually bought these after watching this.... my beloved cooler master MH751s sadly just don't have the build quality to warrant another purchase.... (a screw holding the right head band in place is continually loosening) and tbh, as much as I love the way they sound, they can distort and bloat out a bit at certain high volumes due to the driver size. I need a decent open back headphone for gaming and home listening. I've never really experienced middle to high-end headphones... just cheaper ones mainly (cooler master, BLON BL-03, TIN T2s, etc etc).
My thoughts after a few days listening;\
LOVEREED> They just sound really solid. Lots of detail (seemingly a touch more than others I've listened to), good balanced sound, nice low end, excellent width, amazing imaging etc etc.... they are satisfying to listen to (even though my gorgeous trusty BLONs have kind of ruined every other headphone i try with whatever the brilliant funky thing they do with music is). Also, build quality on the fidelios is reassuringly decent on close inspection. Mostly well machined metal parts and they just feel robust in the hand.
Less LOVEE> ttksooflfs!!! these are even bigger than i imagined. I have a slightly smaller head and they just don't sit on it satisfyingly, with a some what 'off' centre of gravity feeling. They are not terribly wobbly as such, but it just feels a bit strange and unsteady. They are no where near as immediately comfortable as my cooler masters (of course). Am hoping they feel better after some breaking in perhaps. To me, the highs (and particularly metallic or cracking noises) on this headset can be pretty..... OooooF.
I can't quite decide if I'll keep them yet. They def sound great and are built to last, they have better positioning in gaming than the CMs... but I definitely know they are on my head all the time, where I didn't with the CMs. Not to mention they cost a fair amount more once you add in the cost of a mod-mic thing.
Anyone else who owns these with a normal or slightly smaller head size? did you find them a bit awkward feeling at first and did they get more comfortable over time?
After a few more days, I've decided they are keepers... Sure, I have to shuffle them on my head now and then for them to sit well, but the sound quality is just great. I can't see myself finding a pair as well built at these that sound as good for the 100 quid I paid on black Friday.. Pls correct me if I'm wrong about that though!
@@RaiohMK Thanks for the updates! I ordered some right before running across this video. I'm stoked. I've never spent more than $40 on headphones before.
Have your thoughts changed? I just ordered a pair but am really anxious after reading some comments.
@@urretard5934 I've grown to really love the X2HRs. They're just alot of fun, but i would add; these cans are just not suitable for taking outdoors really. They're huge (which gives them that superb sound stage) and tend to move on your head with moderate head movements, so I just wear a pretty cheap yet decent set of buds when walking outdoors (blon BL-03's). The X2HRs benefit a fair amount from a little headphone amp. I use a Liam and Daan one from Amazon that was cheap but pretty decent. Also, I swapped on the Dekoni dedicated soft pads (leather finish not suede) which has really improved the comfort, for quite a hefty price though!
These are still my favorites for just sitting down and enjoying music
I needed this video. I was hesitant on buying these, but now I’m definitely going for it. I listen to music quite often and also game pretty competitively. I feel as if these are the ones I need. Thanks!
Just ordered mine. How do they sound?
Hey bro
I have the G933 from Logitech and im searching for their replacement.
Do u think this would be a good option?
I want good sound and comfort, and do I need an Amplifier? I dont want to spend more money other than the headphones price.
I would appreciate your response 😁
From the description you gave, these are the EXACT version I received and tested my new Schitt Magnius with today!! The ending ranking of my 2020 audio refresh: HD660S, HD600 and the XHR2s in a tie, knocking the KPH30i to 3rd, and 9500s down to 4th (shh m40x, she knows her place and does what she was built . wtf lol all it took was a week of making my way through a week in some weird fucked up dimension where time just doesn't work anymore. You recommended the 9500s when I bought them almost 4 years ago, and here I am, with a JDS Element II powering KHP30i's ... But for real you've been the weirdest type of gauge for me on my audio journey. It's almost like you filmed a lot of what I watch a year before I actually watch it. (Oct 2020, The year of Microchips and DAC dominion. They made the 789 to flex their power of large scale amplification of anything and everything. Then showed their hand. Only to find out a lot of us were already stuck in the matrix where there is an agent smith that already had put done it successfully. A rise and fall of everything, even audio equipment. Keep that in mind people of the future, ONE YEAR, and everything is different.)
"there's nothing I would change!" - I just came from another video where you toss those stock pads in the garbage hahaha
These are the most comfortable and well built headphones I have used by a long shot. I wish I could just get a closed back version with a different sound profile. Also, no lie on the sound stage it is amazing, and swallows you up. I have Sennheisser GSX 1000 and these basically have the 7.1 effect in normal 2.0 mode.
Forgot 58x
Better than 58x to u?
@@BOBA_F3TT 58x are th best open back dynamic I've ever tried
I’m wondering how well this headphone compares to the market in 2022.
Trying to convince myself that I don't need it, watching this wearing my Jubilee's
They're different enough that I think its worth owning both.
As someone who has both I prefer the Jubilee's a tad more because they do better with vocals and I prefer the bass on the 58x but the X2's are without a doubt the more fun headphones, they do well with any genre you throw at them
@@andrewskiiii which is better for hearing footsteps?
@@mattspyro x
X2's are better for gaming and hearing footsteps, wider soundstage
@@andrewskiiii thanks!
I decided to re-purchase these at the black friday deal. Had my original x2s (non glued) since 2016. Last month issues were creeping up on my old pair. Sleeping with them for years and wearing them 8 hours a day at work, and then again at home. They broke, I could possibly repair them, but then I need to resolder and redo the wiring in the earcups and find replacement screws etc, too much work.
I am looking forward to getting these X2HRs, you are the reason I got my X2s in the first place, and I loved them throughout their lifespan. Now it's time for them to go though. Got the X2HR on Amazon DE for 120eur, 125 shipped to Sweden :) great deal imo.
Edit, just got them unboxed and hooked up, sounds less muddled than my originals, sounds clearer and more balanced. I never had a problem with audio quality on my originals though so that's just an added bonus :) and also the clamping force is a lot stronger :D but that is just from 3 years of daily use.
Just in case you haven't ordered a pair yet, the price has now dropped to $99
I remember paying around $290 for my X2s back in 2016 after I saw your review and I love them, still my daily drivers as of today, but $119 is a fucking steal, I'm considering buying them again just because of that, but just ordered the Senns HD 6XX. Get the X2HR is you guys can, it's an awesome product.
How are the 6xx ? I'm hesitating between x2, 58x and 6xx
@@bamboo9983 I like my HD 6xx better, the clarity in the vocals is just so much better than I can trade that for the bass and separation of the X2's
@@smegmaz9388 guess you use an amp ? I don't have one yet so i was going for the x2
@@bamboo9983 yes, I bought the Schiit Magni 3 just to use them but so far so good.
16:59 best moment
I have the wire trained in a loop. The janks do come out. It's a very nice cable, just give it time.
Do you think that the X2HR are better for gaming than the SHP9500?, planning on getting one of those two.
Did u get the X2HR? If u did, would u recommend them for as a first set of open-backs?
@@minguine Yep... they are great, especially if you can get them for a low price.
Both are great gaming cans, but the x2hr are awsome and better, but the shp9500 is no slouch.
@@SneakyBinHidden hey Joel, yours is the most recent comment I've found on here who has experience with these so you're it my friend! I have the 9500's and am considering getting these or planars (the lower end Hifimans because $$'s) Any thoughts or recommendations on this greatly appreciated.
So now thanks to this channel I have 2 sets of kph30i 2 sets of the shp9500 and a set of the X2HR. AND I BLOODY LOVE IT
Salaams bro which one out of all are best for gaming ??
Bought these 5 days ago for $119. They're $99 today, insanely cheap for these.
Painfully I didn't buy at $100. I have the X2 (not HR) and the build quality issues is why I was thinking to buy them. And I paid $320usd in 2015 for them.
Just an fyi to anyone who purchases the x2/27 (discontinued) model from Amazon for $160. Get a refund for the $40 difference. They don’t send the discontinued model. You will get the newer model x2hr.
Edit: Definitely grab a pair. I’m in love with mine. I’ve had them for about 2-3 weeks now. I’ve been listening to these nonstop. My hd660s are my daily drivers. If they could feel, they would be jealous.
So, X2HR or Jubilees?
X2HR for a dark sound and wide soundstage, 58X for a neutral sound and a lot of detail and imaging
@@sparkplug._ Have you tried hd58x with ps5 3d audio ?
@@t.f.t.6 I haven't since I don't have a PS5. Any particular reason you're asking?
Pro tip if you pick these up: if you want to get rid of the cable kinks use the little plastic shit that come with it. Fit the cable into the smaller side and let it be there for a minute or so and voila, straight cable.
Finally, an use for that little plastic piece of shit.
HD 58X is definitely worth considering. Also the HD 599 SE can be had for like $100 on special Amazon prime sales. 4XX are only $130
I'm soo gonna pair these with ifi zen dac v2! :D
Thanks for another amazing review!
They're $99 right now on Amazon.
£99 in uk... sent back the sen 599s and prefer these! I also had the original x2 it may be me but these sound clearer to me great review as always
Man, I'd love a random audio file in the description every video from the ones you used in the vid. I mean if I buy headphones by your advice gimme the samples
I'm so happy I bought these together with a Vmoda Boom-Pro back in July. Worth it even without the Black Friday deal...
duvels86 do u play console
@@xampleman No I don't
but paired with a vmoda the headphones bleed sound like crazy into the mic dont they?
Wasn't the Fidelios the ones you made the joke about "$300, or these"? Just remember that the video was one back in the days of reviews in the living room on a fold out table. Pretty sure that was the X2s
(Edit) It was the X2
I remember when I got these for $180 back in the day, and thought that was a steal. These headphones kick ass. Tonality wise, they blow away the Q701 and HD6XX in my opinion.
His original review is the reason I bought them and they are my everyday pair. No matter what others I try , I always come back to these.
@@lumbeeman01 I'm more prefer a pulled back bass response personally. I like headphones I can play nearly anything on, and to me bassy headphones have way too much bass in more modern songs. My personal mains are the ESP 95X and the Ether CX. I also have the One More Triple drivers but again, it's a bit bass heavy for just playing anything I feel like.
Bass heavy is really only a go to for me when it comes to say watching movies. For my TV I use the Sony HW700 which are 5GHz banded wireless but they have huge sound stage, virtual 9.1 surround, and nice deep bass. Great for cinematic experiences. Too bad to get any more than 5.1 surround you have to use HDMI and it came out long before HDR existed. :(
Wow What a deal, good lord sweet Jesus........ I paid nearly $300 and I love them!!!
You mentioned the Erupts, but what about sound comparison between them?
I was so hyped and gonna save for those, but I've seen practically nothing good about them in the last few months. Recent reviews and unboxings are really underwhelming! Which makes me sad
@@Feenicks30 i have them, sound wise they are good, but not amazing, for 250 early bird price that was acceptable, for 400 full price no they are not good enough sounding or built well enough to be worth that.
@@alvarg Yeah I'm sure they are fine but like that's outrageous money? I was gonna take some time and decide between those and the argon mk3's since they compete for the same type of headphone but now it's a no brainer!
I am still waiting for my set. I AM... Me. The man who single-handedly funded their campaign. So until I have them I don't want to compare. I did hear a set at RMAF and the magic was still there. BUT $400 magic vs these at $99 . No brainer.
For me Philips flew totally under the radar when it comes to neutral sounding headphones. Bought one on ebay for just 79. I'm excited as f... 😊
Having watched this review I was super hyped expecting to be blown away by the sound, but the only thing that amazed me was the built quality. Last year I got koss 75 they were good for the money, however aside from size difference X2 doesn't seem like a big upgrade to me. Soundstage is similar maybe tad better, mids are worse, vocals a bit less shouty, treble is similarly extended but drier and the bass is only slightly better, detail is about the same. Not bad for 100 bucks, but I was promised a lot more.
I got a pair of X2HR for only 99€ and they are amazing. Fun and love.
How would you compare the X2 to the SHP9500s? I mod’ed the 9500s to have the Brainwavez pads that have more distance and more bass. Really curious
Still curious?
Still curious?
Still curious?
Bought these yesterday for 99 GBP. I can't wait man, my first pair of open backs ever. Listen to lots of UK Dubstep and hip hop, hope I made the right choice. Coming from M50x which people seem to hate.
AjnaFX You will love the X2s i have had them and the M50x and the X2 s are in a different league.
The Bishop Thanks man, really excited to try them. I have to wait until christmas so kind of torture knowing they're here but can't use them haha
Chris Downer Awesome, that's good to hear. Glad I made a good choice :D
HE4XX/400i or X2HR?
I've had mine for years, absolutely love them. Don't know why I never thought to take off that little cable routing bit on the cable lol. Btw the cable it comes with does eventually stop being kinky.
Fidelio X3 are coming early 2020
talk of jan 2020
Not for $120 tho
More like late 2020 now... lol.
@Adrian DeRose Nope. They’re out now. X3.
I have some X2s from the Gibson days, the headband broke awhile ago and I have been on the fence about replacing them. They're now 99$ on Amazon. Yeeeah I'm gonna grab these, even if I don't really NEED them. The X2s were my first headphone when I got into this hobby and I want to have a pair just to have a pair. I love them.
The pads are replaceable but literally good luck finding any, They don't exist anywhere
i have shitty old headphones and am waiting to see if the x3's are worth it
@@lytheus69 the x3's will be great but I don't know how much better than the already great for x2hr's, if Prime Day has them for 99 again def get them.
@@DKTD23 lol I got impatient and ended up picking up x2hr's, they're fucking awesome!
I just couldn't resist picking up another pair of X2's for $99. My other pair is the X2HD's(spent a lot more on those) and the new ones are the X2HR's. I'm sitting here doing a direct swap back and forth. The HR's sound better. The bass isn't as wooly and the clarity is more present without being harsh. The mids seem better defined to me and a bit more "right" than the HD's. So far i am really happy i got them. I just installed "BOOM 3D for MAC" last night and have been messing around with that. It automatically recognizes your system and EQ's it for best performance. It works. Can't believe how much better things sound for just $20. The 3D option sounds a bit crap to me. Went right to the "Fidelity" knob and have that turned to about the 1:30 position. Sounds amazing. Just make sure things are turned down before starting off because the BOOM starts off really loud and some people have complained about blowing there speakers. I could see how that could happen so use caution. So using that to go back and forth with these via a Mackie interface. The increase in resolution is definitely there with the HR's. I read several posts that these are going to sound identical and are just branded differently. Not the case to my ears at all!
To add to that..... after going back and forth for several hours now with all sorts of formats. The bass "bloat" is gone that the HD's have. The bass is still there in spades with the HR's when called upon but it is not infringing on unwanted frequencies all the time... like i felt the HD's were doing. Bass is tighter and the overall sound signature is crisper. Upgrade(!!!) imho. Downgrade in price....YES! :) Always wanted the HD's to be more cause i really liked them. I was living with that accentuated bass and lack of clarity. SHP9500 has that and Zeos review is spot on. These headphones almost get you the SHP9500 clarity(much closer) but with exceptional tight bass response and mids. The HD's didn't have those qualities imho but the HR's do. At least the pair i received do. Praise the thing! :)
One last thing......i love these cups and comfort more. Feel nicer on my head. They feel actually a few grams lighter or something feels a little different. Could never where the HD's very long and i can forget i have these on longer it seems. Don't know what that's all about but it feels a lot more comfortable to me.
I'm so jealous since they're 167 dollars 😔
But! i bought the 1More Spearhead
they're $120 brand new on ebay.
I have the same Yang as my lockscreen!
Also great review as always
Im on my 3d pair of X2's. Same issue with all 3 pairs: The screws holding "metall-headband-rods" into the cups got loose. And there is no way to tighten em. Sadly bad design.
Any tips about the next upgrade with the same sound character and open backs up to 300$?
Sennheiser HD600 or HD650
same screw problem with my 1 year old pair. Excellent sound otherwise...
Meze99 Classics are heaven.
After 3 years my cable to my X2 are now straight! :-)
I had the X2HR. My 50 USD Takstar Pro82 are better than the X2HR. X2HR were bassy, but veiled, bloated and muddy. Pro82 are better in almost every aspect sound wise (the only exception being soundstage size) not to mention infinitely more comfortable. I'd say X2HR at 99 USD are 49 USD overpriced.
I ordered the X2HR to experience something different than the takstar 2050 that i'm used for years, i hope to have a better experience than you did with them.
I don't understand the love for the X2(HR) either.
Thanks for the recommendation--I bought a pair!
I ordered these for 114€ on amazon. They sound great for music but while listening to a podcast I noticed that voices are louder from the left channel. I tested 4 different sources and a bunch of different videos and songs. After ordering a replacement from amazon it felt like the new pair had the same issue, if not worse. Now in comparison the imbalance on my first pair feels a little less significant but to be perfect I have to turn the left channel on either of the headphones down by 10-12%. I am really confused, did I just get identically shitty pairs? Am I going insane? Should I send the second pair back? Should I send both back? Do I just live with it and fix it with Windows settings?
It is really disappointing because they sound great otherwise, its barely noticeable in music but also my 90€ cloud II's have much better matched drivers :/
Maybe its your ears
I can confirm that the kinks do eventually come out of the wire, but it takes several months.
I just realize you have beyonce-like wig behind your screen.
Did you use it to practice "single ladies" dance?
I take it that the Marantz mic you have set up was a keeper.
These or the 58x jubilee’s???
I recommend 58x jubilee