X2 versus X1

Hello,
I've been thinking long ... my Rezi from X1 describes a 4-star headphones, which offers a lot ... but I could not leave it and have 'me the X2 also worried. I do not regret a Euro ... and contradicts As with so many Rezi X1 and the audio test, which I read recently.
What most excites me somehow: Philips seems to have listened and to have taken the comments of customers for X1 to heart. Short - everything right.

Like the X1, the X2 in the processing beyond doubt. Everything fits, fits, is processed wertig - and ... 1st change to the X1 - the pads are now easily interchangeable. The from me when X1 slightly bleated slightly sharp inner edge of the retaining ring of the outer ear is no longer quite as sharp.

The cable is 3m long - (vs. 2. Change the X1.) With now 3.5 mm jack on both sides (!). Who is the cable too long, simply go to the search and a shorter cable with 2x 3.5mm buy, connect - ready. Philips also makes here now everything right: With a gold-plated adapter from the small to the large 3.5mm 6.35mm connector is converted effectively and without losses on the large format for the amplifier. So it must be.
No changes from the X1, the comfort remains the same. The KH is relatively heavy in comparison, the pressure is indeed slightly increased but far from unpleasant. I say: it is adapted to the weight and refer gladly again on the AKG K702, which is similar in size and heavy, but to lapprig sits me on the eavesdroppers. Otherwise: touchdown - It is good, as well as the headgear very pleasant sitting on the cranium. Can improve you actually only the substance of the earcups. The HD 558 is an even softer and takes Fussel not so pushy on (everything really only gripe at a high level :-)

Sound: I'm testing with a Plattendreher Project Xtension 12, 12-inch tonearm 12cc Evolution, just equipped with an Ortofon Cadenza red, all over silver cable on Luxman L540 connected, one indeed already older reference amplifier, but an absolutely first-class headphone amplifier includes.

The sound ... great improvement compared to the X1 - 3. Changes for X1

It's true what the other reviewers write, which also call both Philips Fidelio their own. The basses are less and the highs are more. Well, the first shows where although the journey to the X2 goes, but does not explain nearly everything. I hear more "withdrawn", ie with too little rather than too much treble. A Beyerdynamik DT-990 Edition is me still too narrow above rum. I was now at X1 treble not enough (as some 'other customer), the X2 but does now exactly the right place (or 2 points) to. Once so the 6 kHz and even the top of the range. Both frequency ranges are best determined with a steel brush for's drums - now does all better by drawn, it sounds authentic, the broom is more present here but also fine. I feel, I can count the threads individually. Demarcation: the resolution and detail of a AKG K702 not reached the Philips BUT: as already written often the AKG bought this extreme precision with a more analytical sound character. I mention it is therefore as precise as many CD players possibly sound a little cold. Now, Philips has the highest pitch - now hammer out great - despite large 50mm diaphragm.
Conciseness and liveliness: This has me vs. the X2. the X1 most clearly taken aback. I launched the first edition of Michael Jackson's Bad, a black vinyl from the 80s, which is to provide momentum barely. "Speed ​​Demon" is a piece of extremely dynamic kicks. The X2 when something redeemed Bass is actually as deep as the X1 only clearly "dry". "Kugelrund" and "more soft" as I have called the bass when X1 is no longer appropriate, the bass is now "gaudy" have those same "punch" that I am so SONY MDR Z-1000 likes. The upper bass is so crisp that these extreme dynamic jumps of the song simply banging really crazy ear, while the soft compared clicks can be discerned in the respective clean blow.

I also like to listen to bluegrass. Alison Krauss' voice (Vinyl - Paper Airplane) is top notch, although here again the AKG K702 has still slightly in the lead. The voice has the necessary melt is clear and absolutely clean in the lower layers. It comes a stage over louder than the X1. The Anzupfgeräusche a strung with steel strings Dreadnought are significantly better recognizable as the X1, the Dobro sound harder and dry (when X1 softer, but perhaps for one or the other "pleasant") and also the metallic sounding Dobro now sounds more authentic, more clearly. Well, this discipline can now also the AKG K702 turn the track better, at least not in this vinyl. For CDs in the same group but it may already for one or two back to be "annoying" in the ears, because here the K702 with the analytical approach slightly exaggerates the accuracy. The X2 makes but one clearly better than the K702, namely depict the plucked bass. When K702 you have to look for him, the X1 is the bass bigger, high-volume off. So it seems to me as if the instrument while a small tick at the X2 but now the strings seem to be harder strained. The individual oscillations of the long strings come the successor to the corresponding overtones even faster at the ear on, the bass is louder now (??) but without being larger. So here too: more punch in the bass than just only "thud". Very well done for my taste.

I had written the X1 at the outset:
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Fidelio is known an opera by Ludwig van Beethoven - that I would the phone but never ever want to use and am so glad a AKG K702 to be able to just call my own.
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This statement puts the X2 - which is why there is now the 5th star. The X2 sets in the space now a pack on top. Everything sounds now fresh, lively, tidier. Great choirs are clean through audible, you can imagine the sound body just fine. Well, the striking spatiality from K702 is not reached but has to offer what the X2, is impressive and is also, for example a Sennheiser HD600 in every way.
Last comparison, this time SACD, this time Bach - Organ Music from the Dresden Frauenkirche, an extremely spatial recording. It lacks the X2 a bit of space and the organ is displayed overall a bit too small. But for true resolution. The balance between musical sound but necessary hardness is taken very neat in small pipes. The soft, slightly dull veil the X1 gives way to an open, clear playback at X2.
Smartphone and living room: The X2 is as compared louder than the X1, works Samsung smartphone but only conditionally. The max. Volume is likely to be many too low. But a COWON MP3 player provides the necessary pressure.

Conclusion:
The X2 does not allow any real weakness more. I know of no open headphones with better bass response and not, who is so clean with such a large membrane. The upper frequencies are better sorted, put succinctly, the space is yoy. the X1 improved. But most enthusiastic as the X2 dynamic music converts, crisp, "fast", concise and here I disagree quite clearly the audio test. The new is a 'round' careless listeners', the likely crowd-pleasing.

When X1 I had written:
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Philips is in general very good progress with the Fidelio series. High-end is not the X1 but.
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Is the X2 now high-end? I do me really hard but I say yes! I take my hat off, especially at the price.
Now even please a beautiful bag it, then it would be perfect :-)

Greeting, Rounder6