The HD650 camp however, always found it to be lacking warmth and low end body. People like the 880 for its clarity, detail and speed. If you were there during the K701, DT880, and HD650 era years ago, you know how we used to fight over which of the three was really the best. Definitely there is something more being offered here by the Philips. The Beyers, the AD-Series Audio Technicas, the Grados, you don’t really have to wait for the X1. Of course, if air and clarity is what you are looking for, it’s pretty easy to find such characteristics on many other headphones. A lot more airy than the 650, and very clear sounding. The X1 by contrast was a lot more snappy especially on the top end. After just weeks with the X1 however, I went back to the 650 and there it was: that slow, sluggish sound that felt a little veiled.

It’s not fast, but I didn’t really feel it to be slow. And although I’ve always knew that the 650 is a slow headphone, my ears have somehow adapted to it during the many years that I listen to music through the 650. I did go back to the 650 once or twice during my few weeks with the X1. All without losing the bottom end weight and punch. Take the warm and full sound of the HD650, add top end air, add pace, snap and attack, and you’ve got the X1. However when you look at the positives of the X1, not only does it sound very good in a review like this, it also sounds really good when you are listening to it.

It’s really hard to say since the X1 is very new and the 650 has been tested for years. I’m not saying that this is a better headphone than the HD650. Weeks go by where I didn’t listen to the HD650, mainly due to this Philips. From the first moment I listened to the X1, my impression have been very positive. I’ve had it for almost two full months now and I’m guilty for not having published this review sooner. Disclaimer: I received the X1 sample directly from Philips Asia.Īh, the Philips Fidelio X1 headphone.

Audioengine d1 dac hd598