When comparing Philips Fidelio X2 vs Sony MDR 7506, the Slant community recommends Sony MDR 7506 for most people. In the question“What are the best headphones?” Sony MDR 7506 is ranked 15th while Philips Fidelio X2 is ranked 24th. The most important reason people chose Sony MDR 7506 is:
The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances . The reproduction of highs is the part that these headphones really shine. They are crystal clear and highly detailed without adding hiss or harshness to the overall sound. Cymbal crashes and pings, for example, are very close to what you would hear if they were played right in front of you.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Headphone cable is removable
You can just pull out the cable as needed, allowing you to easily store the headphones without the hassle of dangling cables. Also, this feature means that the cable is easily replaceable should it get damaged.
Pro Large ear pads are comfortable
The large ear cups go over the ear instead of sit on them, so no pressure is applied onto the ears. The ear pads on the other hand feature really soft and thick memory foam as well as high quality velour material on the pads' surface. These feel really soft on the sides of the head, and allows some air to circulate around the ears, minimizing heat.
Pro Pressure on the head is significantly minimized
A hammock design is used for the headband. Instead of one single headband piece, this has a two-piece design. The top, solid part is what holds the ear cups together while the lower piece is primarily made out of leather and mesh. This softer and more flexible part is what comes into contact with the head, which results in substantially improved comfort over conventional headband designs.
Pro Wide sound stage can result in an immersive audio experience
The wide soundstage heightens the feeling of immersion in in-game audio. The top-notch positional audio allows gamers to easily identify sound sources, like the movement of nearby players or the direction that bullets are coming from.
Pro Fun sound signature with powerful bass and crisp, detailed treble
The bass is really powerful yet also tight. The highs are boosted so audio details are quite prominent. The mids, while not as up front as the bass and the highs, are clear and present.
In-game sound effects will come as clear and detailed, while explosions, gunshots and similar sound effects are really powerful, making these really fun sounding gaming or movie headphones.
Pro Clean and balanced sound with smooth bass and detailed highs
The bass is just right. It may not have the deep sub-bass extension that bass heads crave for, but what is there is fast, tight and punchy. The mids are clear with a hint of warmth, which make vocals and guitars sound very clear and you can easily hear their sonic nuances .
The reproduction of highs is the part that these headphones really shine. They are crystal clear and highly detailed without adding hiss or harshness to the overall sound. Cymbal crashes and pings, for example, are very close to what you would hear if they were played right in front of you.
Pro Very affordable price for the sound and quality build that you get
Despite being sub $100, the MDR 7506 can compete against headphones up to twice the price. These make for great headphones if you are just starting to get serious about your audio and you want a relatively inexpensive yet quality purchase.
Pro Reliable headphones due to solid build quality
The MDR 7506 is built outstandingly well, with high quality materials and with little to no creaks and unnecessary flex. These headphones have been around since 1991, which has given Sony a lot of time to refine the manufacturing process of these cans.
Pro Easy to bring on the go due to the collapsible design
The yokes are collapsible and fold into the headband, reducing the headphones to a much more compact size. Included with each purchase is a synthetic leather pouch for added protection for the headphones when taking them on the go.
Pro Minimal sound leakage due to the closed back design
These leak very little sound compared to other over-ear headphones. The rear side of the ear cups is fully closed, which effectively minimizes sound leakage. With these, you can fully enjoy your music without disturbing people beside you.
Pro Has two separate ports for listening
Cons
Con Highs can be too harsh
High pitched sound effects can be more pronounced and can be quite fatiguing to those sensitive to treble.
Con These leak a lot of sound
The large ear cups go over the ear instead of sit on them, so no pressure is applied onto the ears. The ear pads on the other hand feature really soft and thick memory foam as well as high quality velour material on the pads' surface. These feel really soft on the sides of the head, and allows some air to circulate around the ears, minimizing heat.
Con Bulky and quite heavy
These are fairly large because of the sizeable ear cups and 2 piece headband design. Also, these are on the heavy side so if you prefer light weight headphones, these might not work for you.
Con ear pad material will flake off after a short while.
You can use Brainwavz replacement earpads as an alternative.
Con Cable is quite long and non-removable
The headphone cable is coiled and is about 10 feet long. This is great for studios, however walking around in public with these headphones on can be awkward. The cable cannot be removed and has no remote or mic.
Con Can be very picky with audio sources
Due to how accurate sounding these are, you will be able to hear minute details from the sound, including hiss, distortion, and the like. To get the most out of these headphones for music enjoyment, you will want to have a great audio source.