Upgrading from X2HR, overthinking too much?

Headphones Headphone Discussion / Help
1

Hello gents,

For quite a few years now I’ve owned the Philips Fidelio X2HR. Purchased it after my Sennheiser RS180 died after a whooping 11 years. God, I loved that headphone. Anyway, the X2HR was certainly a step up from the Sennheiser and now with a few good years in it with an average userate of 7 hours per day the pads and headband started to wear. So I figured I’ll be on my way to find a replacement. I use my headphones purely on a PC desktop setup. Currently on a Creative G6, previously a K5 pro, and I plan on replacing that G6 with a Topping DX3 Pro+. My budget for a headphone is €550,-

My genres:

  • 90s hiphop
  • Hardcore/gabber
  • 60s / 70s / 80s stuff like AC/DC, Roxette, Rolling Stones, Dire Straits.

My issue comes with determining what to upgrade to. I tend to pick the things I liked and disliked and look from there. I read so many comments, reviews, watch youtube videos, that it all becomes too much and more confusing. I feel it’s bringing me into a position where I’m wondering if I’m overthinking things.

What I like about the X2HR:

  • Build quality, comfort, fit.
  • Sounds good.

What I dont like about the X2HR:

  • While I listen to a lot of bass heavy music (90s hiphop, Hardcore/Gabber), I do at times feel as if the bass on the X2HR is a bit overdone.
  • My ears aren’t real big but the top and bottom of my ear do touch/rub the inner of the earpads, specially during summer days it irritates.

So I go onto a mission to look at upgrades. Looking for longer earcans. I check out the Sennheiser HD660S. So I run into the comment that it has a very narrow soundstage. Ok, what is soundstage, check, got it. Oh, so my X2HR has a good soundstage. Well, I like my X2HR so I guess I want soundstage? But do I really? I mean, listening to soundstage test videos on youtube I get what it does, and I can see that it matters. But does that mean it’s that important that the Sennheiser is ruled out? I don’t know…

I listen to bass heavy music a lot. So I guess a good bass is wanted, right? Oh, the Sennheiser lacks bass. Oh, so like bad or? Looking further it seems many great headphones lack in the lower. Again I start wondering how far I need to take that comment. Like, is the bass really bad, or is it fine but it doesn’t nail the perfect measurement line?

You see, as a somewhat inexperienced buyer you read so much opinions, reviews, youtubers, whom in many cases judge by neutral reference. I find it hard to interpret that judgement and as a result I seem to take on that certain products suck because they lack a little.

At some point I picked up the hype of Hifiman’s Sundara. Great, just the shell shape not what I’m looking for. Looking further I find the Edition XS and the Ananda. Commonly agreed that the Edition XS sounds better. Great, seems to tick the boxes. Oh, people say the headband sucks. Right…so it’s a bad product?

Anyway, long story short, at this point I’m overthinking things and I don’t really know how to make my choice now. I find it hard to figure out what kind of features of sound I really like. I’m not an audiophile, but I do have a feel for quality sound. I can’t stand gaming or BT headphones, the sound quality I notice instantly. In my younger years I’ve been a DJ for a long time, my ears are quite trained to listen to details, imaging, and listen individually.

  • Is soundstage really a big thing?
  • Edition XS: is the headband like that bad garbage, or is it bad like it’s not as good as the Ananda.
  • Ananda: so, the headband is better than the Edition XS, but the Edition XS sounds much better. Is that difference small enough to go for the headband, or big enough to accept the headband of the Edition XS?
  • Sennheiser HD660S: is the bass like that bad, or still decent enough and EQ can solve things?

Sorry for my little bit of a rant, just some frustrations coming out in my quest for the next step into more highend headphones. I just feel a bit lost. I wish I could just goto a store where they have all this but sadly in my area there’s none and I depend on internet research. So maybe, just maybe you lads can give me some advice.

Cheers!

2

haven’t heard the X2HR but
EQing depends a lot on the headphone some can be changed greatly and some not at all.
personally I hated the 660s so much I returned it after 3 days some people like it though ymmv
Edition XS for me was super uncomfortable but some people don’t have issues, I did like the sound though, I just got the Ananda Nano and am enjoying it.
AKG K702 might be something to look into, huge pads pretty comfy, pretty balanced sound and there is a pretty easy mod you can do to give it a bit more bass, can find it for $130ish new from pretty much anywhere besides AKG themselves
also could consider trying Dekoni or other 3rd party pads Dekoni usually have measurements vs stock pads so you can try a slightly different sound sig and it should give a bump in comfort (maybe even have a wider pad than stock)

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550 is a lot of money to blinds but a headphone based on reviews and feedback. I have the feeling many of your questions could be sword away of you could try the headphones you talk about.

I don’t know where you live, but my advice would be that you try and go to a local hifi/headphones dealership. You can take an appointment, explain them your situation and I’m sure they’ll be glad to make you try as many headphones as you like.

I tried that , in a store approx 1h and a half from my home, and they even suggested I took place in one of their dedicated room and told me I could bring my desktop stack with me to really get a grip on what the headphones could sound on my own rig!!

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4

I think that the egg shaped HFM makes sense from covering some sub bass needs and probably the best overall performer - plus the right shape. XS - I don’t like that headband type a lot, but it’s been fine on my 560v4. I’ve tried XS at show, sound good, take some power, fit super-loose. I never knew I had such a shallow skull until I put those on. A bit more V shaped and power-hungry than Ananda. Ananda headband also not ideal, lacks some swivel - but feels/looks better, certainly more clamp. Some of the Ananda models can be found for very affordable prices also.

The fit of Sennheiser 6__ series is good for most everyone. Their mid-focus and lack of extension might not prove the best sound choice for you. 660v2 certainly seemed warm at show - 6xx/650 probably prove better value to try out.

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5

Yeah, I kinda decided that the HD660S is off the list, although that shape and fit I like a lot.

So right now, I guess it’s Sundara (€349) vs Edition XS (€549) vs Ananda (€649). Somehow I feel the Sundara would be the best bang for buck, but I know the earcups of the other 2 would be a lot better for me. So I’m sortof now torn between spending an extra €200-300 for better earcups. Unless I can do something with the Sundara pads.

6

Well, amazon prime day is here, and both the Editon XS and the Topping DX3 Pro+ were on sale. Snatched both of them.

Excited!

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7

Good deal, I have the Ananda and Edition XS. The XS is better for music out of the box with more bass, but not overpowering, it’s just more fun. The Ananda is good for gaming (but not as good as the Ananda Stealth which is kingpin for FPS), but they aren’t all that far apart. I’d spend a solid 2 days using them before doing any equalization though. It takes me that long for my wee brain to adjust to a new sound signature. I’ve had the DX3 Pro+ also and it won’t disappoint. The new stealth magnet versions are easier to drive than some of the old models. If you need a longer cable without melting down a credit card, Amazon has the Youkamoo Hifiman cables in black to match. They sound the same as expensive cables, but come in lengths up to 10ft. I just get the 6.6ft ones, so I can get up to answer the phone without getting clotheslined/strangled.
Also I’ve sold my stock cables on eBay for $30 each, so you can break even on it.

8

Congrats, hopefully the XS Headband works out for you. It’s hit or miss. I was going to recommend the Thieaudio Ghost (not an upgrade cost-wise). I have X2HRs myself and used them exclusively for years. The Ghost with a pad-swap is pretty enticing for your genres. I currently have Modhouse Audio Xenon Sheepskin pads on mine and they’re very fun. Considering you have the issue of your ears touching the inside of even the X2 pads, I’d recommend Modhouse pads, they’re very deep - I have the same issue as you for most cans. Either way, congrats again :+1:

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I started with X2HR, got tired of the bass and heard some sibilance.

Then I got the hyped HD560s. Good headphone, but a little to thin and clinical sounding for me. Too much elevation at 5k.

Then I got HD6XX. Love them. Did the copper mod which improved the bass. Using them with my OTL when I’m in the mood for some tubes.

Zeos review made me buy Thieaudio Ghost. Now I’m running them as my daily driver. From recommendation I got the Brainwavz Angled Hybrid Pads, which improved the bass thump and made them overall bigger sounding. This is the sound I was looking for all the time. I EQ down 250 hertz a bit to get rid of some bloat from the deep pads. And adding a small rise at 40Hz. The Ghosts were recently on summer sale at Linsoul for $103, must be some record in hifi per dollar, lol. :smile:

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