Seeing as The Netherlands has gone into another bloody lockdown (
) it looks like I have time to play with Hifi again.
So, just had a mini shoot-out with a few pairs of headphones; the Philips X2HR, AQ NightHawk/Owl Carbon and Grado SR80. Playing from a desktop PC running Foobar2000 through an AQ Dragonfly Red.
Starting with the X2HR and switching to the NightHawk: where I have loved the AQ for its laid-back immersive character - it now sounds dense and muddy in direct comparison. The Philips has a wider, airier and more spacious soundfield that lets the music breathe more, there is far more sparkle and detail. On the other hand the more solid 'inside-the-head' presentation of the AQ settles you deeper into the music.
Weight and comfort-wise: the NightHawk is slightly lighter, clamping is softer and is easier to wear.
Putting the Grado SR80 on - the sound was anaemic, rough and too edgy. The Philips has a way more refined top end and can equal the Grado for sharpness and focus. The SR80 was quickly removed.
Then I thought I would try the AudioQuest NightOwl Carbon - the closed-back brother of the NightHawk. These have a tighter, faster sound than their semi-open sibling and impress with a powerful punch and weighty delivery, losing out a little on top-end openness and the extra-wide soundstage of the Philips. However the NightOwl is 'meatier' and intenser.
Out of this brief test, for me the X2HR and the NightOwl come out on top with a comparable quality of reproduction and the difference in presentation that you find with open and closed designs.
