Philips Fidelio FidelioHeadphones

Previously I've been using Sennheiser HD598s, for over 7 years, but I decided to finally invest in higher end headphones. After researching different models I finally decided on these and I'm beyond happy I did! Sound is crisp & clear and highs, mids & lows all sound tight pristine. My only complaint with them would be the excessively long cable that comes with them. I understand some may use them in a studio and need a long cord, but it sure would be nice if Phillips would package a shorter cable too. Wouldn't cost them much and I'm sure lots of people would appreciate it.

I tried many pairs of headphones at this same price point before choosing the X2. Everything from games to lossless high-definition audio sounds pristine. The headphones feel so rock solid, but the weight and balance make them extraordinarily comfortable and I can wear them for hours without fatigue. Highly recommended to all my friends and family.

With its second iteration of the Fidelio X series Philips have further refined the model and proven that they are serious in their quest to melt the hearts of music lovers. SPECS Frequency response: 5-40,000 Hz Impedance: 30 Ohm Sensitivity: 100 dB @ 1mW Speaker diameter: 50 mm Acoustic system: Open Cable: 3 m, detachable PROS 1. These are among of the best-sounding headphones that I have owned. Being of the open type Philips X2 offer a sweet combination of spacial sound, warmth and surprisingly articulate bass. It is difficult not to fall in love with them. 2. They are extremely comfortable, because they sit around the years (as opposed to pressing on them). Your ears will not heat up in the open cups even in warm weather. 3. They are built like a tank: headband and cups are made of steel and it is difficult to imagine that they could break, when bumped or dropped, or fall apart on their own with the passing of time (See picture 1 below). 4. Detachable oxygen-free high-quality braided cable upgraded from the X1 model. No proprietary connections means that you could buy your own cable, if you wish. 5. With their low impedance of just 30 Ohm and sensitivity of 100 dB @ 1mW Fidelio X2 are easily driven even by a smartphone. 6. Memory foam cushions, wrapped in soft black velour (See picture 2 below). Since the outer material is not faux leather, it will not start flaking off 12 months after the purchase. Moreover, the cushions are removable which means that you can clean or exchange them. CONS 1. At 380 g Fidelio X2 are not exactly light, so using steel has its drawbacks. However, for me personally, solid construction is more important than weight. Sony MDR 1A for example are as light as a feather, but they are still uncomfortable to wear over long periods of time, they sometimes make creaking sounds and your ears will get sweaty. This needs to be considered carefully. 2. Fidelio X2 are enormous (height: 23 cm, width: 20 cm) and do not fold. For the price, Philips should have included a hard case or a soft pouch in the package. Since the headphones are so big, you may find out that they do not fit in your desk drawer. To make matters worse, it is very difficult to find a headphone case (from any manufacturer) that they can fit in. I had to make my own soft pouch in the end! (See picture 4 below). The front and back are made of felt (you can buy some from a store selling fabric) and the brown sides are actually cut from a woman’s purse, so it is not difficult or expensive to put together! 3. Because of the fact that X2 are of the open type (the cups are in essence made of metal mesh, not solid material – see picture 1 below) everyone in the room will know what you are listening to. It is a bit like having small-size speakers attached to your head! Therefore, these are not suitable for the office or even the living room if your family members are easily disturbed. 4. Because of their size, weight, the fact that they do not fold, the 3 m cable, the open cups and the type of materials used Fidelio X2 are clearly not engineered with road warriors in mind. Exposing them to wind, rain and dust will not necessarily break them, but it would ruin them nevertheless. 5. Aesthetic considerations: Although the headband is covered in real leather, the latter looks more like plastic (See picture 3 below). The soft velour used as outer layer of the cushions is a magnet for dust (See picture 2 below). The cups are made of metal, but the edges do not meet perfectly (See picture 1 below). 6. There have been multiple reports of quality issues: dulled sound, glued cushions, the problem with metal edges mentioned above. Apparently, production of X2 has been entrusted to several producers some of which are not up to the task. The pair reviewed here has been made by WOOX Innovations Netherlands B. V. and is not affected by sound reproduction problems or the glued cushions gate, hence the five-star rating. CONCLUSION 1. Fidelio X2 are probably the best sounding and most comfortable headphones in this price range. There are more expensive and arguably, better sounding headphones on the market, but those are usually priced exuberantly and require amplification. 2. I have never held a sturdier pair of headphones in my hands. Real steel in the headband and cups, real leather in the headband, no corner cutting. 3. They cost a considerable amount of money. I had to think long and hard before buying them. That said, they are actually cheaper than premium headphones of comparable quality.

Oh my god. For this price I don't know how so much quality sound is just oosing outa these cans, they sound fantastic & are built like a brick out house. There is a bit of discomfort @ first due to clamping force & the angle they sit at( little extra pressure on your upper jaw. However, once you become acclimated to the fit ( about 10 to 15 minutes) they become invisible & poor pleasure into your ears. FANTASTIC CANS. Well done Philips!!!...

These headphones preform magnificently, the soundstaging is unmatched by anything even close to the price, the highs feel refined, and the base is powerful and provides a good impact without becoming too boomy. Vocals are very accurately reproduced, and the open back design makes you feel like you are sitting in the studio with your favorite bands. Unlike similarly preforming headphones, these require no external amping, but do benefit from it, especially with a warm tube amp. These headphones are very comfortable and well built without being too heavy, and a good majority of the construction is metal. The headband is very comfortable and can stretch to fit very large heads like mine. The plush pads are unconventional, but are very comfortable and make you feel like a king with a cushy crown. The included cable is nice and thick, but it produces some micro-phonics, so I would suggest investing in a sheathed cable. The headband does create and audible creak when you are re-adjusting it, but if you leave it alone you will not notice it. Because these are open backed headphones, you will want to refrain from wearing them outside where sounds can get in, or in a situation where people could become annoyed by the sounds leaking from the back of the headphones. Also, unlike the first model, the X1, the pads are replaceable which is very convenient.

Fantastic headphones when correctly amplified. Hard to describe how warm, detailed and comfortable the Fidelio X2 is. I've been using these cans on vinyl listening mainly. These headphones have an analogue feeling. I just think that most portable audio players and mobile phones are not capable to extract all the X2 potential. An extra amplification may be needed.

The headphones perform admirably. After trying a number of open-back headphones, I would wholeheartedly recommend the drivers in the fidelio X2. Especially when paired with an attachable mic in the 3.5 mm jack, they make excellent gaming cans. However, I would caution anyone that Philips provides very poor post-warranty support. I purchased a pair of headphones in December 2015 which were apparently a part of a defective batch that had glued head pads. In both the manual and online the headphones were advertised as having removable pads which is INCREDIBLY important for keeping headphones long term. When I finally tried to remove my pads in February 2016 I discovered this issue. Because I was 2 months out of warranty, not only was I told that I could not receive any service on the headphones REGARDLESS of whether I paid. It's this kind of poor long-term support that makes me caution audiphiles to seek alternatives that have service centers and provide replacement parts (often free).

Amazing sound. Clear, accurate, deep, warm, and a little bassy. Highs are there, but the warmness and soundstage is it's strength. The quality control of these headphones is very poor. The earpads on some batches are glued to the pad attachment pins. This is a mistake, as the pads are designed to hold to the earpiece via friction, so the glue is unnecessary, and is destructive to the plastic and earpad. This makes 3rd party replacement pads a less viable alternative, as the headphone is compromised (not to mention that this Philips should already offer a replacement pad for these headphones anyway -- it's a money maker for them, and investment protection for the end user). Additionally, there is a thin metal ring that is glued onto the earcup, resting next to the earpad. This metal piece can come unglued on some batches of this headphone. Also, the pads may or may not leech dye onto delicate surfaces, such as paper, desks, and even human skin. Not cool. If you buy this phone, keep in mind the shortcoming of the manufacture. The sound is there, the quality control isn't.