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AKG N9 Hybrid vs Philips Fidelio X2: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the AKG N9 Hybrid comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: AKG N9 Hybrid - Outstanding overall at around $289.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

AKG N9 Hybrid leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • AKG N9 Hybrid
  • Philips Fidelio X2
HearWiki score
86
74
Sound
9.0
8.2
Noise cancelling
8.4
-
Battery
9.8
-
Calls
9.1
-
Value
9.0
-
Price (USD)
$290
$150

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Half a step newer

AKG N9 Hybrid (2024) against Philips Fidelio X2 (2014). The AKG N9 Hybrid edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against None.

  • N9 Hybrid202410 yr newer
  • Fidelio X22014
What differsN9 HybridFidelio X2

Platform

ANC type
Adaptive
None

Specifications

N9 HybridFidelio X2
Type
Over-Ear
Over-Ear
Price (USD)
$290
$150
HearWiki score
86
74
Released
2024
2014
Availability
Still sold new
Still sold new
Driver
40 mm dynamic
2× 50 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
50 mm
Drivers per side
1
2
Frequency response
10 Hz - 40 kHz
5 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance
32 Ω
30 Ω
Sensitivity
98 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
-
Codecs
SBC, AAC, LDAC
-
Multipoint pairing
Yes
-
Battery life
100 h
-
Battery life (ANC on)
55 h
-
Full charge time
180 min
-
Quick charge
10 min → 6 h
-
Wireless charging
No
-
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
-
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Custom EQ
Yes
-
Wear detection
No
-
Controls
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Google Assistant, Siri
-
Weight
281 g
380 g
Water resistance
none
-
Detachable cable
-
Yes
USB-C
Yes
-
Connector
-
3.5 mm
Model code
-
X2HR/27
Microphones
1
-

What reviewers said

AKG N9 Hybrid

The AKG N9 Hybrid is a versatile over-ear headphone that balances detailed, well-controlled sound with strong adaptive noise cancellation and an exceptionally long battery life. It offers modern connectivity including Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, and LDAC support, plus a comfortable build suited for music, gaming, and movies. Its feature set makes it a practical choice for users who value both performance and endurance.

  • Pro:Very long battery life, even with ANC enabled
  • Pro:Adaptive noise cancelling with customizable options
  • Pro:Support for high-quality LDAC codec
  • Con:No water resistance rating
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Only one microphone for calls

Philips Fidelio X2

The Philips Fidelio X2 are open-back, wired over-ear headphones that deliver a warm, spacious sound with punchy bass and good clarity, all in a comfortable and well-built design. Easy to drive thanks to their 30-ohm impedance, they offer strong value for their price, though they face stiff competition from other high-end open-back models. They are a solid choice for most listeners, though serious audiophiles may want to look at pricier alternatives.

  • Pro:Excellent build quality and comfort
  • Pro:Warm, spacious sound with punchy bass
  • Pro:Easy to drive with most devices
  • Con:Open-back design leaks sound
  • Con:Not for those seeking extreme detail
  • Con:Faces strong competition at this price

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparisonAKG N9 HybridPhilips Fidelio X2