Within the world of headphones there are proposals for all types of users, needs and budgets. The Philips Fidelio X3 They are oriented to offer the highest sound quality, although always thinking of doing it in the tranquility of home. For a few days we have tested them and this has been our experience.
Philips Fidelio X3, video analysis
high-end headphones
The AirPods Max have made some users discover a new world, that of high end headphones. A product category that is committed to the highest sound quality, but at prices that make many wonder if this leap is really appreciated or not compared to other somewhat cheaper proposals, more for everyone.
The truth is that it will depend a lot on how trained your ear is, the quality of the music you play and the player you use next to it, but it is a fact that when you try good headphones it is easy to appreciate that value and its price is not so high for you.
For a few days I have been able to try are the Philips Fidelio X3, which are currently its highest-end proposal. So, if you are interested, I will tell you more about the experience and other details in case you had thought about getting one and you want to know to what extent the investment will compensate you or not.
Fidelio X3: open design for large headphones
The design of these Fidelio X3 is the first thing that attracts attention and it must be admitted that at first it is not very clear that you are in front of a product that aspires to be considered the best on the market. And I'm not saying this because of its generous dimensions, but rather because of the finishes that cover the earphones and the pads, although later you understand the reason for said choice.
The upper headband is metallic and that conveys a feeling of durability and resistance, although best of all is that the pressure exerted when you have them on is adequate. It's not too loud or quite the opposite at all, so the headphones hold well and allow for prolonged use.
Next to that headband we have a Muirhead leather upholstery that curiously they indicate in their instructions how it should be cared for so that it does not spoil. Do not expose the headphones for long periods of time to extreme sunlight, heat or humidity.
By the way, the leather thing can be controversial for some users, although according to Philips and the company behind this high-quality leather, they say that its production is responsible. So it's a personal matter whether you like it or not, although surely using artificial leather wouldn't have been a bad idea either. But regardless of the preferences of each one, this auction dresses the product very well and makes it look even more like a premium product.
Respecto a the band on which the head rests has an elastic system Already seen in many other headphones to adapt to any user and make the product rest comfortably during the entire time of use. Something that is noticeable despite the 380 grams what a weight
For the rest, the headphones are lined with a fabric with a rather pleasant touch and in a dark gray color. At first it may seem that this detracts from it as a Premium product, but it is so because of the open design itself that fabric allows the sound to come out transparently and without affecting the experience.
Similarly, the ear cushions have a velvety fabric very soft that make the experience of having them on very pleasant and that the sound is not affected, although they also avoid having the passive noise cancellation that other proposals with leather pads (synthetic or not) do offer. Of course, the most negative thing that I see in these pads is that in summer they have to generate heat.
Lastly, includes two 3m long cables with different connections depending on whether you are going to use them with a device with a 3,5 mm TRS or TRRS Jack connector, an adapter and a small clip to improve their management if you see them too long. But they are the ideal cables to use because of their nylon braiding and because they are free of oxygen.
Sound quality
For a lot of design, which is important in terms of wearing comfort, the important thing about any headset is undoubtedly its sound quality. These Philips Fidelio X3 do not disappoint.
The translators they mount are 50mm and made with neodymium magnet Like many other proposals in this range that seek the highest sound quality. So, without trying to overwhelm you with too much technical data, here's what it delivers in terms of frequency response, sensitivity, and impedance:
– Frequency response from 5 to 40.000 Hz
– Sensitivity of 100 dB at 1mW
– 30 ohm impedance
With these data, the answer to the question of how they are heard is outstanding. But, yes, everything will depend a lot on the sound source and the quality of the material. It is not the same to connect it to a mobile than to a computer with a higher quality sound card or DAC. Just like it's not fair to compare playing music from Spotify at average quality to doing it through Tidal or Amazon Music HD.
It is true that these differences are appreciated only if you know the subject you are listening to very well and have some training to detect small variations, but in general what you should care about is the feeling you are going to have when you put these headphones on and listen to something for the first time is to be inside a very wide soundstage.
That is to say, by sound scene I mean that ability that you are going to have to “separate” the different instruments that make up the song. Thus being able to locate them more precisely than with other lower-end headphones where, normally, certain frequencies and equalizations are abused to hide deficiencies.
Testing it with recordings of all kinds and genres, I can't say anything other than They are a real delight to sit back and enjoy the music you love.. You can also take advantage of them to enjoy other types of multimedia content and even for audio and video editing work, although to be honest there are other more suitable and cheaper proposals for that.
However, they are headphones for listening at home, quietly and in an environment that you can control in terms of external noise. Because they do not offer any type of noise cancellation, neither passive nor active. Also, by being open, those around you can clearly hear what you hear. But that same design also allows you to wear them longer by generating less listening fatigue.
Fidelios X3, comfortable and with a price that is not so scary anymore
The Philips Fidelio X3 They are one of those headphones that at first may seem expensive, currently they are around 350 euros (sometimes cheaper if there is an offer), but the truth is that the AirPods Max effect has made them look even cheap.
It is true that here we are talking about wired headphones, without Bluetooth connectivity or noise cancellation systems and an open design, but those are also its main arguments. Because the experience is very natural and the most audiophiles really appreciate all of that.
See offer on AmazonTherefore, if what you are looking for are headphones to enjoy your favorite music quietly and with quality when you are at home, these Philips Fidelio X3 are a real delight. But they are for that to have and enjoy at home. They are not travel headphones, to carry with you all the time. In that sense, they have limitations, so you will have to assess whether you are looking for a total solution or something very specific.