Designed in England by music lovers. Enjoyed by music lovers all over the world. The Chord Company Ltd, Millsway Centre, Amesbury SP4 7RX, UK To get more information and find your nearest retailer, please call us on: +44 (0)1980 625700 or visit: www.chord.co.uk “In short, this is a good value and great-sounding cable” Chord Clearway speaker cable <strong>Hi</strong>-<strong>Fi</strong> <strong>Choice</strong> Dec 2015 “This interconnect handles complex music with ease, delivering a performance that is lively and involving. It takes both classical and modern music in its stride” Chord C-line interconnect <strong>Hi</strong>-<strong>Fi</strong> <strong>Choice</strong> Nov 2015
HEADPHONES £220-£350 GROUPTEST Philips <strong>Fi</strong>delio X2 £230 This headphone won’t make much of a fashion statement, but it is very serious about how it sounds DETAILS PRODUCT Philips <strong>Fi</strong>delio X2 ORIGIN Hong Kong TYPE Over-ear open-back headphone WEIGHT 380g FEATURES ● 50mm dynamic drivers ● Quoted sensitivity 100dB/mW ● Detachable 3m cable with 3.5mm mini-jack ● 6.35mm adapter DISTRIBUTOR Gibson Innovations TELEPHONE 0207 9490241 WEBSITE philips.co.uk Y ou’d have to be brave to venture down the high street wearing <strong>Fi</strong>delio’s X2. This is an unapologetically big, beefy open-back headphone that wouldn’t look out of place in a recording studio. The vibe, of course, is hardly accidental. Serious cans for serious music lovers – that’s all you really need to know. Besides, no open-back headphone is really suitable for use outside the privacy of your own home. But that’s not a bad thing. The X2 is designed for optimum sound quality. Everyone’s on the same page. An evolution of Philips’ highly regarded <strong>Fi</strong>delio X1 (HFC 365), the X2 has new multi-layered diaphragm drivers which, at 50mm, are still around 10mm larger than the class norm. In stark contrast to the rather flimsy plain black box the X2 comes in, the headphone is a thing of real substance, sturdily built from quality materials. The slightly retro studio look is retained from the X1, which means mesh open-back ear cups, a two-tier ‘hammock-style’ self-adjusting headband and arguably the plushest and most comfortable ear pads in the group, made from plump rolls of memory foam covered with fine-nap velour. They’re replaceable, too, which is a nice touch. Other parts have been upgraded as well. The stainless steel accents on each ear cup are now a low-sheen black rather than silver, blending more harmoniously with the similarly dark leather headband and ear cups. It’s hard to believe the X1 came with just a 6.35mm plug, but, as part of the Velvet-gloved it may be, the Philips can hit hard when the music really calls out for it thorough modernisation, it’s the obligatory 3.5mm stereo mini-jack this time, with an adaptor for slotting into the larger socket. Just the one cable is supplied. It doesn’t have an in-line remote, but it does have a classy fabric sleeve and is a generous 3m long. But that’s your lot as far as accessories go. No flight adaptor and, as these are pretty much stay-at-home types, no travel case either, sexy or otherwise. Sound quality The <strong>Fi</strong>delio X2 weighs a comparatively whopping 380g – that’s twice as much as the Sennheiser – but, although you’re never quite likely to forget you’re wearing it, it’s comfortable in a luxurious, ear-coddling kind of way. Comfortable is an apt one-word description of the listening experience. The sound the X2 produces is effortlessly muscular and unerringly refined with a spacious, precisely delineated soundstage, deep but well-proportioned bass and a relaxed way with detail that encourages insightful and remarkably un-fatiguing listening sessions. Tempted to swerve the obvious car engine analogy here, but I can’t resist. There’s a bit of the V8-powered Lexus SUPER-SIZE ME Super-sized 50mm drivers, eh? Powerful neodymium magnets, too. And since no one in their right mind would be seen dead wearing the X2 outdoors, it can derive maximum advantage from a fully open-back design. Not only do open-back types eliminate air pressure build up behind the driver, allowing the diaphragm greater free movement, but they usually also have superior transparency and smoother extended high frequencies. Philips claims that multiple layers of polymer encasing a layer of damping gel form a flexible boundary that absorb and dampen any exaggerated frequencies, resulting in a smooth frequency response. The drivers are pre-tilted to minimise sound reflections and work in conjunction with ear cups that tilt at 15°, the idea being that this is a more natural fit with the ear’s natural geometry, resulting in a better dynamic performance. limo about the X2. Much of the motive character is masked by engineered-in smoothness and hush, but the all-important scenery-blurring thrust is there when you really need it. The X2 has a similar two-speed personality. Velvet-gloved it may be, the Philips can hit hard when the music really calls out for it. Pat Metheny’s Imaginary Day most definitely does. In places explosively dynamic, in others quieter than a pin drop and tonally more varied than just about any other piece of music I can think of, it’s a real challenge for any item of hi-fi kit. The <strong>Fi</strong>delio X2 isn’t fazed by any of it, capturing the loud and soft and the highs and lows with calm confidence. There’s more bite, colour and expressiveness to be had elsewhere in this group, but the X2’s balance, refinement and unflustered power is very appealing ● OUR VERDICT SOUND QUALITY VALUE FOR MONEY BUILD QUALITY EASE OF DRIVE OVERALL LIKE: No-nonsense design build and comfort; effortlessly smooth and spacious sound DISLIKE: Some lack of bite and sparkle WE SAY: Not the most exciting sound around, but built for long-term satisfaction MAY 2016 35
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