This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fidelio X2HR open-back headphone. I bought mine on sale for US $116 but current price is US $145 including Prime shipping on Amazon.
The X2HR reminds of Grado headphones if they grew double in size and substance:
Let me warn you that if you have any insecurities about losing your hair, it going gray or both, this is NOT the headphone for you as the pads gather any such falling hairs!
Otherwise, this is a very comfortable headphone with large cups. The elastic band on top eliminates the need for adjustability and reduces moving parts.
A long, stiff and microphonic cable comes standard with it:
Fortunately the cable uses standard 3.5 mm connectors so you can use your favorite replacement.
Overall my impression of design, feel and usability is positive especially for the price.
Note: The measurements you are about to see are preformed using standardized GRAS 45CA headphone measurement fixture. Headphone measurements require more interpretation than speaker tests and have more of a requirement for subjective testing as a result.
Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR Measurements
Let's start with the X2HR frequency response measurements:
We have fair bit of good news here. Response more or less hugs our target preference curve from 40 Hz to 4 kHz or so. Bass response also extends lower than it typically does. Concern is around a set of jagged peaks in higher frequencies witht he first one being the worst at 5.3 kHz. The peaks seem to be distanced regularly at 900 Hz or double that. Seems like the driver resonates at these regular intervals. This means if you happen to have high pitched notes that are at these frequencies, they will be amplified and cause brightness. But if you don't, then they won't and tonality will be more correct.
Subtracting our response from the target preference curve we see the deviations more clearly:
I was surprised by the high level of distortion:
Not only do we have the classic distortion below 100 Hz or so, we also have some peaking around 270 Hz. If you look at the frequency response graph, you see a bump in that area. This is "good news" because we can take that bump down with equalization and with it, also reduce distortion. Group delay shows the same issue:
Back to distortion, here is the absolute level:
Impedance varies with frequency:
And at 40 ohm or so, it is pretty low. So when you look at my headphone amplifier tests, pay attention to 33 ohm load tests for ability to drive this headphone.
Good news is that the X2HR is rather efficient:
Subjective Headphone Listening Tests
The immediate response is typical of peaking high frequency speakers and headphones: "oh this sounds good." A few seconds later that changes to, "but wait... it is quite bright!" Per objective testing earlier, the brightness comes and goes. Female vocals were annoying to listen as the sharpness would pierce your ear and then go away. Mind you, they were also "attractive" in that they were not too distorted and brought a great sense of spaciousness. On that front, spatial qualities of the X2HR is quite good.
Equalization was tougher than normal due to plurality of resonances:
Usually equalization has completely positive results across the board. Not quite here. Shaving off those resonances also collapses the soundstage by some 20 to 30%. That is such a nice effect that you hate to give up. But give up I did as the headphones just sound way too bright to me.
Note that even with my EQ, it still sounded a bit bright to me. I could get rid of that with increasing the strength of the shelving filter but then it would cost even more in soundstage.
On bass eq, you notice that I dialed in very little of it. The reason was distortion. Turn up the level and each note clips. Turned up even more and you get a sequence of "brrrrrrr" with which each "r" representing a tick. "Fortunately" the clipping is gradual and proportional to volume and doesn't make you think the thing is going to blow up on you. It is funny as in the first instance of hearing them it almost sounded like it was part of the music given its regular cadence. So I reluctantly lowered the EQ to what you see there. Without EQ, the problem is almost not there unless you listen very loud. It seems that Philips has done most of the boosting they could already.
Conclusions
The Philips X2HR has a lot of good qualities at attractive price. High comfort factor, good spatial effects, and nice tonality in low to lower treble. If you are sensitive like I am though, the highs will get to you and get to you fast. And again, if you are like me and want to listen loud to a track or two, the low frequency distortion can be annoying.
Equalization salvages the headphone at the cost of some soundstage. I personally would not buy it, hoping we can find another headphone in this price range that doesn't give us compromises as the EQ did here.
I cannot recommend the Philips without EQ. With EQ, it is close to getting my recommendation. At the end, I decided to pass. You may disagree and I would be fine with it.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Appreciate any donations using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
The X2HR reminds of Grado headphones if they grew double in size and substance:
Let me warn you that if you have any insecurities about losing your hair, it going gray or both, this is NOT the headphone for you as the pads gather any such falling hairs!
Otherwise, this is a very comfortable headphone with large cups. The elastic band on top eliminates the need for adjustability and reduces moving parts.A long, stiff and microphonic cable comes standard with it:
Fortunately the cable uses standard 3.5 mm connectors so you can use your favorite replacement.
Overall my impression of design, feel and usability is positive especially for the price.
Note: The measurements you are about to see are preformed using standardized GRAS 45CA headphone measurement fixture. Headphone measurements require more interpretation than speaker tests and have more of a requirement for subjective testing as a result.
Philips Audio Fidelio X2HR Measurements
Let's start with the X2HR frequency response measurements:
We have fair bit of good news here. Response more or less hugs our target preference curve from 40 Hz to 4 kHz or so. Bass response also extends lower than it typically does. Concern is around a set of jagged peaks in higher frequencies witht he first one being the worst at 5.3 kHz. The peaks seem to be distanced regularly at 900 Hz or double that. Seems like the driver resonates at these regular intervals. This means if you happen to have high pitched notes that are at these frequencies, they will be amplified and cause brightness. But if you don't, then they won't and tonality will be more correct.
Subtracting our response from the target preference curve we see the deviations more clearly:
I was surprised by the high level of distortion:
Not only do we have the classic distortion below 100 Hz or so, we also have some peaking around 270 Hz. If you look at the frequency response graph, you see a bump in that area. This is "good news" because we can take that bump down with equalization and with it, also reduce distortion. Group delay shows the same issue:
Back to distortion, here is the absolute level:
Impedance varies with frequency:
And at 40 ohm or so, it is pretty low. So when you look at my headphone amplifier tests, pay attention to 33 ohm load tests for ability to drive this headphone.
Good news is that the X2HR is rather efficient:
Subjective Headphone Listening Tests
The immediate response is typical of peaking high frequency speakers and headphones: "oh this sounds good." A few seconds later that changes to, "but wait... it is quite bright!" Per objective testing earlier, the brightness comes and goes. Female vocals were annoying to listen as the sharpness would pierce your ear and then go away. Mind you, they were also "attractive" in that they were not too distorted and brought a great sense of spaciousness. On that front, spatial qualities of the X2HR is quite good.
Equalization was tougher than normal due to plurality of resonances:
Usually equalization has completely positive results across the board. Not quite here. Shaving off those resonances also collapses the soundstage by some 20 to 30%. That is such a nice effect that you hate to give up. But give up I did as the headphones just sound way too bright to me.
Note that even with my EQ, it still sounded a bit bright to me. I could get rid of that with increasing the strength of the shelving filter but then it would cost even more in soundstage.
On bass eq, you notice that I dialed in very little of it. The reason was distortion. Turn up the level and each note clips. Turned up even more and you get a sequence of "brrrrrrr" with which each "r" representing a tick. "Fortunately" the clipping is gradual and proportional to volume and doesn't make you think the thing is going to blow up on you. It is funny as in the first instance of hearing them it almost sounded like it was part of the music given its regular cadence. So I reluctantly lowered the EQ to what you see there. Without EQ, the problem is almost not there unless you listen very loud. It seems that Philips has done most of the boosting they could already.
Conclusions
The Philips X2HR has a lot of good qualities at attractive price. High comfort factor, good spatial effects, and nice tonality in low to lower treble. If you are sensitive like I am though, the highs will get to you and get to you fast. And again, if you are like me and want to listen loud to a track or two, the low frequency distortion can be annoying.
Equalization salvages the headphone at the cost of some soundstage. I personally would not buy it, hoping we can find another headphone in this price range that doesn't give us compromises as the EQ did here.
I cannot recommend the Philips without EQ. With EQ, it is close to getting my recommendation. At the end, I decided to pass. You may disagree and I would be fine with it.
------------
As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
Appreciate any donations using: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/how-to-support-audio-science-review.8150/
