Over-Ear
Alienware Pro Wireless
86Outstanding
$120
Full review dataAlienware Pro Wireless vs Philips Fidelio X3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Alienware Pro Wireless comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Alienware Pro Wireless - Outstanding overall at around $125.
Over-Ear
Philips Fidelio X3
76Great
$140
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Alienware Pro Wireless leads on 7 of 7 measures.
- Alienware Pro Wireless
- Philips Fidelio X3
HearWiki score
86
76
Sound
8.7
8.1
Noise cancelling
8.1
-
Battery
9.1
-
Calls
8.7
-
Value
8.6
8.0
Price (USD)
$120
$140
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?
Same generation
The Alienware Pro Wireless is 5 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Alienware Pro Wireless adds USB-C and Transparency mode. For 5 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Pro Wireless20245 yr newer
- Fidelio X32019
What differsPro WirelessFidelio X3
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- No
Everyday features
Specifications
Pro WirelessFidelio X3
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $120
- $140
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 76
- Released
- 2024
- 2019
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 50 mm driver
- 50 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- -
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 50 mm
- 50 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- 5 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 32 Ω
- 30 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 98 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- -
- Codecs
- SBC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- No
- Battery life
- 70 h
- -
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 35 h
- -
- Quick charge
- 15 min → 6 h
- -
- Wireless charging
- -
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- -
- none
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- No
- Companion app
- -
- No
- Custom EQ
- -
- No
- Wear detection
- -
- No
- Controls
- -
- none
- Voice assistant
- -
- No
- Weight
- 310 g
- 340 g
- Water resistance
- -
- none
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- -
- Yes
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Pad material
- leatherette
- foam
- Clamp force
- 365 g
- -
- Connector
- -
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- Model code
- -
- X3/00
- Microphones
- 2
- -
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- -
- Call NR technology
- AI ENC
- -
What reviewers said
Alienware Pro Wireless
Its leatherette pads and moderate 310g weight aim for comfort during long sessions, while the 2.4GHz wireless option and USB-C charging add versatility for desk and on-the-go use. Sound quality is generally strong, but the microphone performance and a single SBC codec limit keep it from being a flawless all-rounder.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, especially with ANC off
- Pro:Comfortable leatherette ear pads for long wear
- Pro:Active noise cancellation and transparency mode included
- Con:Microphone quality is underwhelming for the price
- Con:Only SBC codec support limits high-res wireless audio
- Con:No multipoint connection for seamless device switching
Philips Fidelio X3
The Philips Fidelio X3 are open-back wired headphones that deliver a neutral, well-balanced sound with standout midrange clarity and an expansive soundstage, making them ideal for critical home listening. Their sturdy, comfortable build and 50mm dynamic drivers support detailed audio across a wide frequency range, though they are best suited for quiet environments due to significant sound leakage and minimal passive isolation. With a 30-ohm impedance and 98 dB sensitivity, they pair easily with most amplifiers, while the lack of wireless features and onboard controls keeps the focus purely on wired performance.
- Pro:Accurate and natural midrange for vocals and instruments
- Pro:Spacious, open soundstage enhances immersion
- Pro:Solid, comfortable build for long sessions
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers poor isolation
- Con:Treble can be uneven, with occasional sibilance
- Con:Bass lacks deep sub-bass impact
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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