Philips Fidelio X3 Review – Professional Studio Monitor Headphones

Philips Fidelio X3 Review – Short Words

Philips Fidelio X3 review: These open-back headphones deliver wide, natural, and spacious sound. The Fidelio X3 is very comfortable for a long session, even while listening to music or playing games. The X3 is a wired headphone design with low latency and almost zero sound distortion. However, for every pair of headsets, there must be advantages and disadvantages. Due to the open-back design, these headphones lack strong bass, but they offer natural sound and good mid-range.


Philips Fidelio X3 review

Philips Fidelio X3

Over-ear, open-back design, wired, hi-res audio, multi-layer 50mm diaphragms, detachable cable, comfort fit, ventilate earpad design, wide & natural soundstage

 

Philips has been famous for electronic gadgets for a long time. Not only headphones or audio devices, but the company is also a production line for TVs, fans, rice cookers, microwave ovens, light bulbs, electrical equipment, and many more.

The headphones are one of Philips’s popular products. The Fidelio X2 was one of the most popular open-back headphones on the market in the past. But now! Philips has released a new model, the Fidelio X3, that is quite different from the previous series. The Philips Fidelio X3 delivers better sounding and more exquisitely built quality. How about these open-back headphones are good? To check details in the Philips Fidelio X3 review. OK, follow me.

Philips Fidelio X3 Review – The Design

Philips Fidelio X3 review

Philips designed the Fidelio X3 headphones to be open-back style. The Fidelio X3’s body is quite bulky, and they also can’t fold the earcup. So, the Fidelio X3 headphones are not befitting for taking on the go. These open-back headphones are better for listening to music at home. They are sleek designs and have a unique style. At first glance, the overall shape looks like Philips Fidelio X2HR. They have a double-layer headband that helps distribute weight for the most comfortable fit and doesn’t clamp too tightly. The middle core of the inner-layer headband has a leather wrap to reduce pressure on the head. Meanwhile, the outer-layer headband adds a bit of weight. The material that wraps up the inner and outer headband is black Muirhead Scottish leather, which is better than faux leather in terms of durability and not easy to peel off.

The Fidelio X3 is well-built and very comfortable. I’m very impressed in terms of comfort; these open-back headphones feel light on the head. The Philips Fidelio X3 open-back headphones are also well-padded, making you don’t feel a lot of fatigue on your ears even though you wear them for a long listening session.

The Earcups

The Fidelio X3 uses an exquisitely tuned 50mm driver that is pretty big. The cups are padded with soft memory foam to increase comfort, reduce the clamping force to the right amount, and better seal. The Philips Fidelio X3 uses Kvadrat fabric to cover the cups, and you can’t see the honeycomb holes on both earcups. However, the feeling of the ventilation holes exists; you can feel the holes underneath the fabric, which can reduce the warmth during long listening sessions to music as well.

Build Quality

Philips Fidelio X3 Wired Open-back headphones

When it comes to built quality, the Philips Fidelio X3 is so well built. Although most material is plastic, it is good plastic. Also, they have some cloth and fabric covering the earcups and leather covering the inner and outer headbands. The overall material feels solid and durable. All hinges are also. Something that I can notice when a lot of use (heavy listening around two years) occurs is that the leather strap seems like a little peal-off. This is one drawback, but I’m not sure it might be because I have a lot of sweat over and around my head if the weather is quite hot.

Philips uses double-layer earshell technology to reduce resonance and vibration. Besides, the engineers’ Philips neat design uses a 15-degree tilt of neodymium drivers. These help drivers fit the ears as naturally as possible. This will result in the highest precision at high frequencies.

Philips Fidelio X3 Review – Sound Quality

Philips Fidelio X3 - Best open-back headpones under 200

The thing important is they use neatly tuned 50mm multiple-layer polymer (with the dampening gel) diaphragms. The result is they provide neatly detailed highs and full and smooth mids. However, these are open-back designs, so the bass is not overpowering, and you don’t feel the deep thump or rumble from the audio.

The Bass

They provide good bass accurately and are quite even. They are the same as most open-back headphones, which have a low-bass range. The result is what I said above: you don’t feel the deep bass. So these open-back headphones will quite surely disappoint those who are looking for aggressive bass headphones.

However, it doesn’t mean there is no bass; they still have a good amount of bass and are quite accurate and well-controlled, but just not overemphasized.

The Mids

The Philips Fidelio X3 gives amazing accuracy mids and is also full and smooth sounding. The sound is balanced, and the vocals and sound instruments are clear.

The Treble

In my personal opinion, the treble range is the weak point of the Philips Fidelio X3 open-back headphones. The moderate accuracy in highs. The Fidelio X3 lacks a bit of brightness and crispiness for some.

Soundstage

The Philips Fidelio X3 doesn’t disappoint when talking about the soundstage. These are open-back designs, so the sound output is sound spacious, open, and wide. Imaging is average, not too extremely accurate.

Compare specs Philps Fidelio X3 to Similar Headphones

Philips Fidelio X3 Vs Philips Audio SHP9600 Vs Samson SR850 Vs AKG Pro Audio K712 Pro Vs HifiMAN Edition XS

Philips Fidelio X3 review

Philips Fidelio X3

Specs: fit-type: over-ear, open-back design, dimension; 4.72″ x  9.45″ x 12.6″, weight: 13.4 ounces, driver: exquisitely tuned 50mm dynamic driver, magnet type: neodymium, frequency response: 5 – 40kHz, impedance: 30ohms, sensitivity: 100dB @ 1mW, distortion: <0.1% THD, maximum power input: 500mW
Features: hi-res audio, connectivity: wired, detachable cable, multi-layer polymer diaphragms drivers ( provide exquisitely detailed highs, full and smooth mids), premium materials, balanced & unbalanced input ( great for headphones amp or smartphones or laptops), sound profile: wide & natural soundstage (double-layered ear shells to reduce resonance and vibration), headband: dual headband (both wrapped with soft leather), earcups: snug fit of the feather-light memory foam earcup cushions to perfect seal, design to eliminating the air pressure, tangle free cable
Included accessories: balanced and unbalanced detachable Oxygen-free cable (3m), 3.5 to 6.3mm adapter, cable clip

 


Philps Audio SHP9600MB - specs

Philps SHP9600 – Wired Open-Back Headphones

Specs: over-ear, open-back design, dimension: 9.21″ x 7.76″ x 4.8″, weight: 1.54 pounds, frequency response: 12 – 35kHz, impedance: 32 ohms, sensitivity: 101dB, speaker diameter: 50mm, connectivity: wired (cable: one-side/finish of connection: gold-plated/cable length: 3 meters detachable
Features: wired microphone: boom mic & detachable, sounding: detailed sound/crisp bass/balanced midrange, breathable earcup cushions, adjustable headband, Superb comfort & durability

 


Samson SR850 Semi Open-Back Studio Refrence Headphones

Samson SR850 – Semi Open-Back Studio Headphones

Specs: form factor: over-ear, semi-open dynamic design, dimension: 8″ x 8″ x 4.8″, weight: 9.73 ounces (276g), frequency response: 10 – 30kHz, impedance: 32 ohms, sensitivity: 98dB @ 1kHz, driver diameter: 50mm, style: circumaural, earpad material: velour, cable length: 8.25″ (2.5m)
Features: professional studio reference designed for mixing/tracking/mastering/playback, self-adjusting headband for optimal fit, lightweight for a long listening session

 


AKG Pro Audio K712 Pro review

AKG Pro Audio K712 Pro

Specs: form-factor: over-ear, headphones type: open-back, dimension: 4.45″ x 7.83″ x 8.35″, weight: 8.3 ounces/235 grams, frequency response: 10 – 39.8kHz, sensitivity: 105 dB SPL/V, impedance: 62 ohms, connectivity: wired: cable: 3 meters detachable
Features: design to maximize wearing comfort & minimum fatigue, improved low-end performance by 3dB (more powerful sound imaging), earpad replaceable: yes, ability to accurately reproduce every nuance with outstanding clarity, sounding: spacious soundstage & precise sound, ideal for: musician/mixing/mastering/those who love the high-fidelity sound

 


HifiMAN Edition XS Review

HifiMAN Edition XS – Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphones

Specs: over-ear, open-back design, dimension: 11.89″ x 10.63″ x 7.01″, weight: 14.3 ounces/405g, frequency response: 8 – 50kHz, impedance: 18 ohms, sensitivity: 92dB, cable termination: 3.5mm, cable length: 4.76ft / 1.45m
Features: planar magnetic hi-fi headphones with stealth magnets design, adjustable headband, detachable cable for audiophiles, advanced design is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence, ergonomically designed for maximum comfort even hours of listening, low impedance for easy drivability, invisible magnet architecture, premium build quality form supreme comfort and durable

 

Philips Fidelio X3 Open-Back Headphones Review – Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Comfortable fit
  • Good built quality
  • Unique design and quite durable

Cons

  • Not wireless, Bluetooth
  • No microphone

Philips Fidelio X3 Review – Final Verdicts

Before ending the Philips Fidelio X3 review, the short words are that these open-back headphones are not ideal for those looking for modern technology like wireless, Bluetooth, or noise cancellation. If you are like that, look over this item. But if you want well-built quality headphones, do not emphasize strong bass. These open-back headphones are a great choice for you. They have lovely expansive sound with high-res audio and are comfortable for a long session. Moreover, they have a nice design and look modern.

Where you can buy Philips Fidelio X3

Philips Fidelio X3 reviewPhilips Fidelio X3 – Studio Monitor Headphones for Recording & Mixing:

Over-ear, open-back design, wired, hi-res audio, multi-layer 50mm diaphragms, detachable cable, comfort fit, ventilate earpad design, wide & natural soundstage

 

Alternative Headphones – These may be good options for you

buy OneOdio Studio Hi-Fi Wired Over-Ear HeadphonesOneOdio Studio Hi-Fi Wired Over-Ear Headphones:

wired, over-ear, 50mm neodymium drivers, hi-res audio, super comfortable, superior noise isolation, detachable dual jack: 6.35mm/3.5mm, cord: DJ-style coiled cord (9.8 feet stretched). ideal for: recording/monitoring/mixing/personal listening, in-line microphone: control music playback & call management (answer/end/reject)


Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Audio-Technica ATH-M50X – Great for Professional Studio Monitor

Best professional studio monitor headphones under $150, comfortable fit for hours of listening, fold-flat & foldable design, good sound isolate, detachable cable, 45mm large-aperture drivers, copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils, exceptional clarity & deep accurate bass sound

 

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