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.
Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
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Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
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HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
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Re: Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
Bargain
Analogue Source -
Denon DP47f; AT-VM95SH
GL-59; ARB uni pivot; AT- Signet
Ifi Zen Phono
Doug Self balanced Pre amp
Akai 4000DS mk2 R2R
Digital Sources- Argon Pi4 v2; IfI iUSB 3.0, Ifi Neo idsd Dac;
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Amplification Nva 300va mono blocks
Speakers Lii Audio F-15 in Open Baffle; Ls6
Weiduka AC8.8- for digital sources
Mini BMU for analog sources
Denon DP47f; AT-VM95SH
GL-59; ARB uni pivot; AT- Signet
Ifi Zen Phono
Doug Self balanced Pre amp
Akai 4000DS mk2 R2R
Digital Sources- Argon Pi4 v2; IfI iUSB 3.0, Ifi Neo idsd Dac;
Tidal / Radio Paradise
Amplification Nva 300va mono blocks
Speakers Lii Audio F-15 in Open Baffle; Ls6
Weiduka AC8.8- for digital sources
Mini BMU for analog sources
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Re: Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
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
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
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
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Re: Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
DAMN YOU! I've got four sets of headphones I hardly use, now I want the fifth pair.
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
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Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
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Re: Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
3 more days at this giveaway price ....
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
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Re: Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
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- michalakim (Sun Nov 28, 2021 9:15 am)
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X
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Re: Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
Get thee behind me, Satan!
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
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Re: Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
I think you mean "Get thee behind me Santa".
- These users thanked the author slinger for the post (total 2):
- Fretless (Thu Nov 25, 2021 10:54 pm) • CycleCoach (Fri Nov 26, 2021 1:01 pm)
Amps - NVA P50, AP30, A40, Stanislav Palo Tube Headphone Amp BB 85
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X
Speakers - Monitor Audio Silver RX2
Cables - NVA LS1+LS3, SSC, Gotham S/PDIF, IBRA Optical
Digital - NAD C516BEE, SONY ST-SDB900 DAB TUNER, TEAC UD-H01 DAC
Analogue - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 Phono
Cans - Grado SR80, ATH-M50X
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Re: Philips Fidelio X2HR/00 headphones
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.
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DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
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Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
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NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
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