Philips Fidelio X2hr

The reviewer finds the Philips Fidelio X2HR to be a surprisingly capable open-back headphone that still delivers excellent soundstage width and bass, with improved detail and less V-shaped tuning compared to older models. Despite being an older design, it remains comfortable and well-built, and at its current discounted price it is an excellent value, even worth its original full price.

The reviewer bought the Philips Fidelio X2HR himself and describes it as a fun, V-shaped sounding headphone with strong bass and decent treble, but with a recessed midrange that makes vocals sound distant and hollow. He notes the build quality is solid with comfortable memory foam pads, though the microfiber material wears quickly and clamp pressure may cause heat. He concludes it's a good choice for bass lovers, but not a direct upgrade from the SHP9500, and recommends the HD 58X for those prioritizing vocals and technical precision.

The reviewer finds the Philips Fidelio X2HR to be an outstanding value at around $180, praising its warm, smooth sound signature, robust build quality, and versatility for both music and gaming. They consider it a safe, easy recommendation that outperforms many pricier alternatives, though they note it's not for analytical listening or competitive FPS gaming.

The reviewer compares the Philips Fidelio X2HR and HiFiMAN Sundara, finding the Fidelio has superior build quality and a wider soundstage with more aggressive bass and treble, while the Sundara offers better comfort, a more neutral and correct timbre, and is less fatiguing on certain tracks. The Fidelio is noted as more intense and forward-sounding, which can be enjoyable for some genres but harsh on electronic music, while the Sundara is more balanced and refined overall.

The reviewer compares the Philips Fidelio X2HR and Sennheiser HD560S, finding both excellent but suited to different audiences. The Fidelio X2HR offers premium build, better comfort, and a more fun, V-shaped sound with strong bass and engaging imaging, while the HD560S provides a more neutral, professional reference sound with better treble control. The reviewer ultimately recommends the Fidelio X2HR for enjoyment and the HD560S for mixing or critical listening.

The reviewer considers the Philips Fidelio X2HR an underrated, mainstream-friendly open-back headphone that serves as an excellent gateway into the audiophile hobby. They praise its comfort, build quality, and fun V-shaped sound signature, noting it outperforms more expensive alternatives like the Sennheiser 6XX for newcomers. Despite being discontinued, they recommend it as a versatile, all-around headphone for music, gaming, and movies, especially when found on sale.