HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Black Friday deals at Amazon have thrown up something that has been on my 'Hmmm ... interesting' list for a long time, the Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 cans, originally priced around €380 now under €90 (and I get another €15 off for the VAT). This was the Philips flagship model for a while and I'm curious about comparing them against the AQ NightHawks.



So - they have been ordered and should be in tomorrow.

Bargain

Supposed to be very good, bargain price for sure

Hell's titties! These X2HR's are good!

First thing you notice as they come out of the box is how solid they feel - 'built like a tank' comes to mind. Oozing an expensive, minimalistic chic austerity.

Putting them on, the large cups clamp firmly over your ears. I found the AQ NightHawks to be the most comfortable cans I've ever had but these are in the same league on that score.

Initial listen, first on my smartphone and that was a pleasant surprise - these headphones can be convincingly driven by mobile devices. Then onto the headphone rig of Volumio PC, Schiit Wyrd, Teradak Chameleon & Schiit Magni3 and here things start to get serious.

Even cold and not run-in, the Philips Fidelio X2HR really impress with their character: the sumptuous richness of the NightHawks combined with the razor-sharp detail of the better Grado's, add a wide and well-defined stereo soundfield and you realise that these cans are something special

BASS. And some. Huge, deep bass extension. A great Rocker's headphone, that's for sure. Loads of balls and grip with a rather forward sound that remains refined rather than piercing. Tight, fast, detailed and, at the same time, lush and full.

What I expect is that, with a bit of usage and burn-in, the sound will smoothen and fill out a bit; then I will have to give them a good A/B against the NightHawks - there are certainly big differences in presentation.

There are still a couple of days left on the offer at Amazon - those wanting a high-end headphone for a low-end price might be advised to take a look.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-X2HR-R ... ljaz10cnVl

DAMN YOU! I've got four sets of headphones I hardly use, now I want the fifth pair.

slinger wrote: ↑Thu Nov 25, 2021 3:45 pm DAMN YOU! I've got four sets of headphones I hardly use, now I want the fifth pair.

3 more days at this giveaway price ....

Get thee behind me, Satan!

Fretless wrote: ↑Thu Nov 25, 2021 9:56 pm Get thee behind me, Satan!

I think you mean "Get thee behind me Santa".

This was very tempting as bargains like this are few and far between. I did not push the button as I am very happy with my Grado SR325e 's which I have had for nearly six years now. In addition I think that the lively Grados are an excellent match for my Chord Mojo with its slightly recessed top end.