If you’re looking to dip your toes into audiophile headphones without breaking the bank, the Philips Fidelio X2HR is an excellent choice. It’s affordable, versatile, and performs outstandingly well, with a balanced sound and high volume ceiling. I’ve spent the last two years using these headphones every day, and here’s what I have found.
Key Takeaways:
- Spacious soundstage makes them very immersive.
- Not the lightest headphones on the market.
- Durable construction with metal design.
- A taste of audiophile sound at an affordable price.
- Versatile sound that works with all genres.
X2HR
The Bottom Line
Balanced sound on a budget is a rarity, but the Philips Fidelio X2HR goes above and beyond in delivering value. Their durable, sturdy build quality, along with comfortable fit and balanced, spacious sound make them a top choice for anyone looking to enjoy high-quality sound without breaking the bank.
Design, Build, & Durability
Summary: While slightly on the bulky and heavy side, these headphones have a very durable build, with a lot of metal accents. The headband automatically adjusts to the size of one’s head, providing enhanced comfort. Their size limits their portability, but for home use this isn’t a problem. The earcups have a sturdy, but comfortable clamping force.
Sturdy Build With Endless Comfort
Those coming from traditional budget headphones may find the X2HR quite heavy at 440g. This takes a little getting used to, but within a few weeks, you don’t notice the extra weight. Despite this, they’re very comfortable and I frequently use them for more than 8 hours straight without feeling burdened by their design.
I’ve found the build quality to be reliable and have dropped them more than a dozen times without any damage. I know that some people encounter issues with the pegs that connect the earcups to the headband when they fall, but from what I’ve found it will need to be an unlucky landing position or onto a hard surface to cause that damage.
In other headphones, I’ve often found that the headband is too stiff and doesn’t adjust well to different head sizes, that’s not the case with the Fidelio X2HR, as it has a headband that automatically adjusts its size to the shape of your head, and the pressure it applies is minimal.
The earcups are quite large, which makes them look bulky – and I wouldn’t recommend them to those looking for something to wear out of the house. However, these earcups are comfortable, despite their relatively stiff nature – and the clamping force is firm but not painful in any way. One drawback of the earcups is that the material is prone to collecting dust and debris over time, and should be routinely cleaned to retain their aesthetic.
Extended Cable Length
A feature I love about these headphones is the extended cable length. At 3 meters long, it’s twice the length of most headphone cables, which is great when you have a PC case that’s under your desk or perhaps far off to the side. While the length can feel excessive at times, there’s a cable tie-down provided that can be used to attach to the side of many mousepads or be used to loop the cable through to shorten it. However you choose to use it, you’ll have flexibility over how long your cable is.
A big selling point for these cans is the open-back design which assists them in creating a broad immersive soundstage.
Sound Quality
Summary: With a mostly flat sound signature, the Fidelio X2HR are perfect for audio enthusiasts looking to take their next step into audiophile world. While there is a little uneveness in the upper treble, the bass and midrange frequencies are balanced and accurate. The open-back design results in a wide and immersive soundstage that is great for music and games.
A Mostly Balanced Sound For Accurate Reference
What makes the Philips Fidelio X2HR so popular as an entry into audiophile sound is its mostly balanced sound signature. If you’re unfamiliar with what a balanced sound is, it means there isn’t excessive emphasis in the bass, midrange, or highs. What you hear is how the song was intended to sound when it was produced.
In this case, the bass and midrange are flat, but there are some uneven peaks in the treble which won’t be noticeable to many, but for those prone to treble sensitivity (experiencing elevated highs as piercing), it is something to consider.
When venturing into open-back headphones, it’s always important to consider impedance, which determines what devices have enough juice to power them. In the case of the X2HR, they have a 32 Ohm impedance, meaning they are supported by most devices, including phones.
Getting The Most Volume and Detail Out Of The X2HR
A useful metric to look at when gauging volume potential is sensitivity. Sensitivity tells us how much volume it can produce with 1W of power. With 1 watt, the Fidelio X2HR reaches an impressive 100 dB, which when combined with an external DAC, can drive these headphones to reach incredible, ear-damaging volume levels.
A DAC isn’t necessary in most cases, but if you find that they aren’t loud enough when directly plugged in, a DAC will sort your problem out immediately. I use the affordable Fiio E10K, for under $100 – but I recommend going with their new K3 for around the same price. A good DAC can increase the volume potential and make the X2HR sound clearer and more detailed.
Immersive Sound
Soundstage and dynamics are two areas that define how immersive our headphones sound. Soundstage refers to how certain instruments can sound as though they’re coming from different directions, while dynamics refers to the subtle nuance in the headphones’ sounds.
These headphones have excellent soundstage and dynamics, which will appeal to those of you, who like me – enjoy being carried away on ethereal strings and pads. Even if you prefer your music aggressive and straight to the face, the soundstage and dynamics make electric guitars sound extremely detailed and wide.
Is The X2HR Good For Gaming?
While these headphones are usually associated with music, they can effectively do a lot more. As a competitive FPS gamer, I found myself frequently looking for a pair of headphones that could accurately capture enemy positions and provide an immersive gaming experience. Since owning the X2HR, I’ve used nothing else for gaming, as the Fidelios do exactly what I need. Their precise imaging and wide soundstage work well in all game formats.
Since they don’t have a built-in microphone, you will need to pair it with an external microphone, which doesn’t come without its considerations. Given the open-back design, opting for a microphone with sensitivity adjustment can prove useful. You don’t need to spend a lot of money though and even something like the FIFINE can give you an effective solution.
How Does It Compare To The Sennheiser HD599?
Before buying the Fidelio’s, I was torn on them or the HD599 from Sennheiser, and I know a lot of other people grapple with this same question. I’ve recently had the opportunity to listen to the HD599, and here’s what I found.
The HD599 is similar in some ways, and very different in others. They’re a lot lighter than the Fidelio, but this comes at the cost of durability. The X2HR feels very strong in the hand, with a lot of metal accents, while the HD599 has a more plasticky feel.
The HD599 also has a noticeably stronger bass, which may be appealing to those who aren’t looking for reference-style sound and want a more ‘fun’ sounding pair of headphones. However, if your budget allows it, I would recommend buying the Fiio E10K alongside the X2HR. This will let you toggle the bass boost through the DAC and then give more versatility to your listening. You can use them for flat, reference-style listening or at the flick of a switch increase the bass for a more lively sound.
Conclusion
Considering the Fidelio X2HR retails for around $150, it’s hard to find better value for money, especially for those looking to experience a more natural-sounding headphone. Their heavy weight is a consequence of their metal-centric design, which makes them feel high-end and durable.
For the ultimate introduction to high-quality sound, pair the headphones with a good DAC, which will let you get more volume and detail out of them. While less suitable for use away from home, these headphones have proven themselves well over the last couple of years of use and I can wholeheartedly recommend them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Philips Fidelio X2HR have a microphone?
No, the X2HR doesn’t have a built-in mic.
Why does my Fidelio X2HR have weak bass?
The reason for the lack of bass is that most consumer headphones boost bass frequencies to unnatural levels. These headphones aim to reproduce an accurate bass level. Pairing them with a DAC that offers a bass boost is an easy way to boost the lows.
Is the Fidelio X2HR heavy?
At 440g, they are quite heavy, but their automatically adjusting headband helps them retain comfort despite their weight.
What music genres do they sound best with?
You can listen to every genre of music with them. Because they’re so balanced, they are a good choice for those who enjoy moving between different genres.
