Philips X2 vs HD 598
Open-back headphones are known for their superior soundstage and incredible immersion. Many music lovers and audiophiles prefer open-back headphones to enjoy the best sound quality. In this article, we will help you choose between two popular headsets in the category, Philips X2 vs HD 598. Which one is better?
Continue reading below to find out more about:
– What accessories that are included with each model
– The design and build quality of each headset
– Which model that is generally more comfortable to wear
– The sound quality of Philips X2 vs HD 598
– Which headset that is generally more recommended
Philips X2: What’s Included
Most open-back headphones aren’t designed for outdoor use. Obviously, open-back headphones are not suitable for commuting and traveling, as these models leak out sound a lot and are often bulky and heavy. See also: Sennheiser HD 598 SR vs HD 598.
With that in our mind, it is now understandable that Philips X2 vs HD 598 does not come with many accessories. The box only includes one audio cable, an adapter, and a cable clip. It does not include any travel case or pouch. This may be a bit inconvenient; even though we aren’t going to use it for commuting or traveling, sometimes we may want to bring it along with us. If this is the case, we need to use our own bag.
The included audio cable is of a very good quality. The length is only 3m, but the core is oxygen-free copper (OFC). The material ensures excellent sound quality with minimal distortion. The cable ends into a 3.5mm plug, and the adaptor provides a way to connect to a 6.3mm port.
Philips X2: Design and Build
Philips X2 comes with a gorgeous design, impressive comfort, and premium build quality. For the price, it offers such a huge value. You will notice the majestic feel of this headset right out of the box.
It is rather bulky, indeed. It is also weighty because of the 50mm neodymium drivers, but it is just weighty enough to give a stable feel without being overly heavy. The headset provides a superbly comfortable fit, with an airy hammock under the headband and soft, comfy memory foam earpads. The clamp force grips firmly without actually squeezing your head.
Philips X2 is definitely a good-looking headset. The overall build quality is good. Unfortunately, the cable may encounter some minor problems. Sometimes, the left ear cup may get cut out for no apparent reasons. You can try waggling the audio jack to make sound return. At least, the cut out doesn’t seem to be permanent, as the issue tends to disappear by itself after a while.
Philips X2: Sound Quality
Philips X2 has superb sound quality. You will be impressed by the brilliance right after you start driving the headphones. Compared to its predecessors, it is actually not as neutral – it tends to colorize the sound a bit. But the audio signature is highly clear, detailed, and enjoyable. Even before you start burning the drivers, it is already easy to listen to.
The mids are solid and meaty, but they remain clear and detailed. There is a good balance between bass and treble. The bass is solid, tight, and very detailed without overpowering the other frequencies. The treble is bright, and some people may find it a bit too pronounced, but it is exquisite overall.
Many audiophile-grade headphones need to be driven by external amps. But Philips X2 is happy with just your smartphone or iPad. It can be driven directly by a mobile device just fine. The volume is already good enough without a dedicated external amp.
Sennheiser HD 598: What’s Included
Just like Philips X2, Sennheiser HD 598 does not come with a travel case. This is understandable because such headphones aren’t designed for commuting or traveling. But having a travel case is still a nice thing in case that you want to bring the headset along as you go.
The box includes the audio cable and adapter. The audio cable is very good. It is an oxygen-free copper cable, which will give excellent clarity with minimum distortion. In addition, the audio cable has a gold-plated 6.3mm connector, which will resist rust and last for a long time. The adaptor will allow you to plug the cable to the 3.5mm port on your mobile device.
Sennheiser HD 598: Design and Build
Sennheiser HD 598 is a good-looking headset. It is available in two color options, black and ivory. The black version may look conventional, but the ivory version is really classy and elegant with a cream-colored frame and brown ear pads.
The build quality is good. The main construction is hard plastic, but the ear cups have metallic grilles with glossy Burl-wood veneers that look really nice. The headband is padded properly with foam and real leather. The audio cable plugs into the 2.5mm port on the headset, and a twist-lock mechanism secures the cable so that it won’t get detached by a simple yank. The headphones are exceptionally comfy and breathable.
Unfortunately, the leather on the headband is prone to cracking. This is because it has lots of folded parts. It won’t look as classy and stylish once the cracks come up.
Sennheiser HD 598: Sound Quality
When comparing the sound quality of Philips X2 vs HD 598, the difference is quite noticeable. Sennheiser HD 598 is not bad at all. In fact, it is among the best-sounding models in the price range. But it is still not as awesome as Philips X2.
The impressive thing about Sennheiser HD 598 is that it has powerful and well-defined bass even though it has open-back headphones. It can easily satisfy the bass-heads. The mids are warm and enjoyable. The overall sound remains articulate and detailed. The bass performance also makes it ideal for games and movies.
However, this headset may sound artificial when playing classical music, especially those piano pieces. The treble is not as accurate and detailed as Philips X2. The soundstage is somewhat narrower.
Philips X2 vs HD 598
Conclusion
Both are great headsets. But Philips X2 is generally more recommended. This model has a better build quality and is generally more comfortable. The sound quality is also better. It is more accurate and balanced. The sound is enjoyable, with decent bass and treble.
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