It's the cohesion between the mids and treble it's flawless in how it transitions, they just sound right, like what music is meant to sound like. Most headphones these days recess the upper mids where as the HD650 has always been more forward in this area; gives female voices that body and range. I've been waiting for a headphone with HD650 timbre, tonal balance and improved bass for years. The Focal Clear gets close but the timbre is completely different, more metallic harsh. I've accepted it'll never happen despite many headphones like the ZMF range trying to mimic the HD650's.
Philips Fidelio X3 coming soon
- Thread starter shankly1985
- Start date
It's the cohesion between the mids and treble it's flawless in how it transitions, they just sound right, like what music is meant to sound like. Most headphones these days recess the upper mids where as the HD650 has always been more forward in this area; gives female voices that body and range. I've been waiting for a headphone with HD650 timbre, tonal balance and improved bass for years. The Focal Clear gets close but the timbre is completely different, more metallic harsh. I've accepted it'll never happen despite many headphones like the ZMF range trying to mimic the HD650's.
Fully agree
Man of Honour
Having owned the X1, X2, and various variants of AKG equivalents and now (well, several years in...) owning HD650s with the Dekoni memory foam velour earpads, the 650s walk all over anything I have had previously for clarity, detail and presentation. I am using a higher end for the time NAD DAC/amp though as my ears are tuned for the "NAD sound" and nothing else sounds right for my preference. I have zero desire to even look up potential upgrades because the HD650s may as well be end game for me. I've got a better quality cable and more comfortable memory foam pads, I'm sorted.
I guess my interest in the X3 is purely based on having owned the X2 and X1 before so wanting to see where Phillips have advanced.
I guess my interest in the X3 is purely based on having owned the X2 and X1 before so wanting to see where Phillips have advanced.
Zeos has reviewed the X3. (Z Reviews on Youtube)
TLDW
"In a 20 minute blind test with these i would have a hard time telling them apart from the X2HR's." I.e. they sound almost exactly the same, you're paying for a more premium box and premium materials but the X2HR has a better cable.
In short, if you own the X2HR, skip the X3
Man of Honour
You forgot to mention the cable disaster too. The cables are WAY too long and using a custom or aftermarket cable won't work because Philips in their infinite wisdom chose to use different poles on one side of the headphone connector so you only hear sound through one cup when using a cable that isn't the stock cable.
Regardless of the high end leather abruptly finished on the headband, for this price these niggles are not just niggles, they are what I'd call a disaster and grounds for a full refund.
Sennheiser only give a 3m long cable too but guess what, all aftermarket cables work no probs hence why I have a custom wardmod braided cable on the 650s!
Regardless of the high end leather abruptly finished on the headband, for this price these niggles are not just niggles, they are what I'd call a disaster and grounds for a full refund.
Sennheiser only give a 3m long cable too but guess what, all aftermarket cables work no probs hence why I have a custom wardmod braided cable on the 650s!
Soldato
people put WAY to much faith in his reviews in general and i have no idea way.
Zeos represents consumers but the thing is he can't explain sound in his reviews. I find it hard to believe that having experienced all that gear he doesn't know what good sound is, not for a second. Sometimes I'll listen to him and think how the ***** did you come to that conclusion. I just think he's one of those people who cannot explain things in normal terms.
Nothing against the guy at all, fair play to him but if one is a serious audio enthusiast then Zeos isn't the reviewer for them. When Tyll left, there's literally nobody, all of the most experienced and reliable are forum only, Hands, Purrin are two I respect a lot but they're strictly forum only.
Soldato
Based on how loud he blasts his headphones I'm sure his hearing is shot anyway.
Soldato
Way too heavy for using longer than 1 hour. Too hot also, even in Winter. Sold those on as soon as my drop order arrived. Also made me look a total knob on the bus.
Thanks for this. I'll likely give them a miss.
I don't want to go to wired headphones ever again. Although I liked them, my lifestyle and comfort is just not designed around a wire to get maximum use and enjoyment from them.
At home, I'm always going to listen to music, games and films on my Arendals. Its just superior for me in every way.
At the gym, I need wireless. At work, I need wireless. On the bus, I need wireless.
So damn..
Soldato
Yeah weight is not usually a consideration in high end wireless headsets for me as I just want the best. But then I put on the Pandas and it did my neck in, found myself slumping in my seat after an hour. They sounded alright kinda like those big wooden Denons they used to do but so so heavy and overall not very high end looking in build.
Associate
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These have some stiff competition - Hifiman Sundara, Sennheiser 6XX etc. Anyone been able to compare them vs. competition?