Philips Fidelio X2 – new 50 mm monitor headphones with 5 Hz – 40 kHz, neodymium magnets and THD 0.1% for 280 USD

Monitor headphones Philips Fidelio X2
Monitor headphones Philips Fidelio X2

Company Philips released new professional dynamic monitor headphones Philips Fidelio X2 with 50 mm LMC diaphragms, 5 Hz – 40 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range, neodymium magnets, THD 0.1% and open acoustic architecture for 280 USD. Their impedance is 32 Ohms, sensitivity is 100 dB, maximal input power is 500 mW and mass is 380 g. Detachable cable with 3 m length is mounted only to 1 cup, to sound source it connects via 1/8″ mini-jack plug with gold-plated contacts. Additionally it is equipped with special clip, which prevents tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects.

Monitor headphones Philips Fidelio X2 package
Monitor headphones Philips Fidelio X2 package

Headphones Philips Fidelio X2 are not foldable, each cup has only 1 audio emitter, in place of entering into driver cable is additionally reinforced with resin tube for increased durability and wear resistance during bending and tear-off forces application. Cushions have breathing structure and remember form, this, together with soft covering of headband, allows to comfortably listen to the music and sounds during long time. Layered Motion Control diaphragms consist from multiple layers of polymer, sealed together with gel, which together dampen excessive vibration and resonance, which allows to reproduce all sounds frequencies more evenly, especially high ones. Sound emitters of headphones are placed under tilted angle, which allow to reduce amount of sound reflections ( this increases loudness and precision of sounds reproduction, due to the fact, that reflected sound does not come to ears with delay ) and direct it into the ears.

Headband of Philips Fidelio X2 automatically adjusts to listeners with different head sizes and forms; their cups have 2 layers, which decreases resonance amount and increases precision of sounds reproduction. Headphones have no active noise-cancellation function, as some other monitor headphones do, but they have very good external sounds isolation. Their cable is additionally reinforced with cloth braid, which increases wear and breaking resistance, it has no built-in volume control module, microphone and smartphones control button.

Package contains : Philips Fidelio X2 monitor headphones themselves, adapter to 1/4″ jack plug also with gold-plated contacts, clip for wire, warranty card and user’s guide. From one side : headphones are great, they have large diaphragms, wide reproducible audio-frequencies range, neodymium magnets, low THD, good sensitivity and implementation of different techniques for amplitude frequency characteristic evening and resonance vibrations lowering during sound reproduction. From the other side their price is quite big and there is ability to buy much cheaper 50 mm monitor headphones of other manufacturers with close characteristics and even cheaper 40 mm monitor headphones, also providing high quality of sounds and music playback. There is ability to note, that if from device small mass and compactness are needed, then there is ability to look on in-ears headphones, oriented for use during sportive exercises and trainings and everyday compact use, their cable is also often equipped with slider and clip for tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects prevention.

Philips – is a company, which were founded in Dutch in 1891 year; now it has 3 large subdivisions, which develop and produce : consumer electronics, medical equipment and lighting devices. At current moment this is one of the largest companies – producers of electronics, in which around 105000 people work in 60 countries of the world. In electronics area it produces wide range of devices : from kitchen appliances to headphones and smartphones. Philips is notable for producing quality devices, providing proper technical information about them without using of large amounts of psychological marketing and for setting of optimal prices for its goods.

Superlux HD-665 – 40 mm monitor headphones with 10 Hz – 20 kHz, 102 dB/mW sensitivity and good isolation from noises

40 mm monitor headphones Superlux HD-665
40 mm monitor headphones Superlux HD-665

Company Superlux presented its new high-quality device with not high price : HD-66540 mm dynamic monitor headphones with support of 10 Hz – 20 kHz sound frequencies playback, closed acoustic architecture, 102 dB/mW sensitivity and good isolation from external sounds, which cost around 80 USD. Their impedance is 68 Ohms, for their sounding there is need in powerful audio source, for example, USB audio source with separate output for headphones and its signal amplifier; mass is 372 g without cable accounting and 428 g with it. Earspads and part of headband of audio device are covered with soft material for comfortable sounds listening during long time.

Wire of Superlux HD-665 has 3 m length, it is detachable, connects to only 1 of the cups and plugs to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts; headphones are supplied only in black color variant and have auto adjustment mechanism for users with different heads sizes. Manufacturer tells about additional measures, applied for increase of amplitude-frequency characteristic evening, in particular : headphones have improved basses reproduction, which is useful for playback of drums, string instruments and other instruments, having low frequencies in their sounds, during their recording in the studio or simple music playback. Superlux HD-665 absorb external sounds with volume up to 30 dB, they have no noise-cancellation function; each cup has only 1 driver; even accounting for the fact, that their earspads rotate freely, they have no compact folding mechanism,

Package with Superlux HD-665 headphones contains : adapter to 1/4″ jack connector also with gold-plated contacts, cable fixation clip, bag for convenient carrying and storage, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, headphones are good : they have wide reproducible sounds frequencies range, improved basses reproduction, good sensitivity, high impedance for noises from cable and contacts areas absorbing and more stable audio playback, good environmental noises absorbing and comfortable framing for long-time sounds and music listening. Their price is quite adequate to their functions; however there is need to note that for the smaller price there is ability to buy 40 mm monitor headphones with close characteristics and for approximately the same – 50 mm monitor headphones, providing better basses reproduction.

Superlux – is a company, which main office is located in Taiwan development and testing laboratories and facilities in Hong Kong and other China cities. This name is a brand of company Goang-Fann Co. Ltd., which in 1997 year acquired Tenlux – company-producer of microphones and started to release headphones, microphones and other audio equipment under this name. Company is known for production of very functional devices with very attractive prices; so, when according sound devices are being choosen, it is useful to look on products of Superlux.

Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2 – new professional 50 mm monitor headphones with 5 Hz – 30 kHz and 3500 mW power

Headphones Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2
Headphones Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2

Company Pioneer presented professional novelty HDJ-2000MK250 mm dynamic monitor headphones with 5 Hz – 30 kHz sounds frequencies playback support, closed back acoustic architecture and 3500 mW max input power. Their impedance is 32 Ohms, sensitivity is 107 dB and mass is 298 g; cable is connected to only 1 of the cups, it is detachable; there are 2 wires in package : coiled one with 1.2 m length, which can be stretched to 3 m, and 1.6 m straight one; they both are connected to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts. Headphones construction is foldable for convenient storage and carrying, they are supplied in 2 color variants : black and white.

Headphones Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2 folded in case
Headphones Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2 folded in case

Manufacturer tells about additional measures, taken for amplitude-frequency characteristic evening; earspads and headband are covered with soft material for comfortable wearing during long-time listening; additional comfort is provided by auto adjustment mechanism for users with different heads sizes. Package with Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2 headphones contains : case for protection from damage during storage and carrying, screw-on adapter to 1/4″ jack connector also with gold-plated contacts, warranty card and user’s guide.

Headphones are great, designed for professional use by DJs and have everything, needed for this : wide reproducible audio frequencies range, high maximal input power, good sensitivity and large membranes for high-quality basses reproduction. Their price corresponds to this : around 430 USD, for professional functions of Pioneer HDJ-2000MK2 it is not high, but for high-quality in-home sounds and music listening there is ability to buy much cheaper 40 or 50 mm monitor headphones with high enough characteristics.

Pioneer SE-MJ722 – 40 mm monitor headphones with 6 Hz – 40 kHz, microphone and 101 dB sensitivity for 68 USD

Monitor headphones Pioneer SE-MJ722
Monitor headphones Pioneer SE-MJ722

Company Pioneer released its new high-tech device SE-MJ72240 mm dynamic monitor headphones with 6 Hz – 40 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range, microphone, closed back acoustic architecture and 101 dB sensitivity for 68 USD. Their impedance is 32 Ohms, maximal input power is 1000 mW, mass is 190 g; cable with 1.2 m length is mounted to both cups, in its volume control module mobile devices control button and microphone are built-in, it is connected to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector.

Each cup of Pioneer SE-MJ722 has only 1 driver, they have no active noise cancellation, but they have good external sounds isolation with use of air camera. Headphones are foldable for convenient carrying and storage, their wire is not detachable; magnets of drivers are produced with use of rare metals for high quality high frequencies sounds reproduction. Pioneer SE-MJ722 are released in 4 color variants : black, red, brown and white. Manufacturer tells about additional measures, implemented for amplitude-frequency characteristic evening; part of headband and earspads are covered with soft material for comfortable long-time listening.

Package with Pioneer SE-MJ722 headphones contains : warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, headphones are great : they have a great reproducible sounds frequencies range, good sensitivity and microphone, wherein their price is quite adequate to their characteristics. By these characteristics it can be seen, that they ‘ll fit to professional work with sound : in studios and on concerts, and for everyday high-quality music listening and films watching. There is also ability to say, that there are 40 mm monitor headphones with smaller price and lower technical characteristics and for approximately the same amount of money there is ability to buy 50 mm monitor headphones, providing better basses reproduction quality.

Pioneer Corporation – is a Japanese manufacturer of electronics, company was founded in 1938 year in Tokyo as service center for repair of radio and speakers. Currently this is one of the largest world wide corporations – producers of electronic devices; it participated in development of many electronics novelties, among them there are : cable TV, optical disks, DVD, plasma displays, Organic LED ( OLED ) displays and other devices. There is also need to note, that in the country of the rising Sun audio technics and electronics overall usually is developed and manufactured with high components and production quality.

AKG K92 – stylish 40 mm monitor headphones with 16 Hz – 22 kHz, 113 dB/mW sensitivity and professional AFC

Monitor headphones AKG K92
Monitor headphones AKG K92

Among stylish monitor headphones there is a novelty appeared – 40 mm AKG K92 – device with 16 Hz – 22 kHz sounds frequencies playback support, 113 dB/mW sensitivity, professional Amplitude Frequency Characteristic ( with high equalization of volumes of different sounds frequencies ) and closed back architecture. Their impedance is 32 Ohms, maximal input power 200 mW; cable with 3 m length is attached to only one of the cups and is not detachable, it is connected to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts. Earspads are made from leatherette and can be replaced, if needed.

Monitor headphones AKG K92
Monitor headphones AKG K92

AKG K92 have automatic adjustments mechanism for different sizes of heads of different users and are released only in matte black color variant. Headphones mass is 200 g, they are not foldable. Package with AKG K92 contains : screw-on adapter to 1/4″ jack plug also with gold-plated contacts, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, headphones are professional : they have wide audio frequencies playback support, as manufacturer tells, high equality of AFC, high sensitivity and stylish look. Their price is around 80 USD – it is not high for their functions; however, there is need to note, that for much smaller sum there is ability to buy 40 mm monitor headphones with similar characteristics or for the same amount of money – 50 mm monitor headphones, providing better basses reproduction support.

Superlux HD-685 – 40 mm monitor headphones with microphone, 10 Hz – 20 kHz and neodymium magnets

Headphones Superlux HD-685
Headphones Superlux HD-685

One of the novelties among dynamic monitor headphones is a 40 mm Superlux HD-685 with microphone, 10 Hz – 20 kHz sounds frequencies playback support, neodymium magnets, closed acoustic architecture, dynamic audio emitters and price around 85 USD. Their impedance is 68 Ohms, sensitivity is 102 dB/mW and mass is 285 g without wire accounting ( 310 g with it ); it has 1.2 m length, attached only to 1 cup, can be disconnected and is plugged to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts. With headphones 2 cables are supplied, one of them contains volume control module with microphone and mobile devices remote control button.

Monitor headphones Superlux HD-685
Monitor headphones Superlux HD-685

Superlux HD-685 are foldable for compact carrying and storage, earspads are made from leatherette for comfortable sounds and music listening over long time. In each cup there is only 1 sound emitter, they have no active noise-cancellation function, as some other monitor headphones do, but they have good isolation from external sounds. In place of entering into cup wire is additionally reinforced with resin tube for increased wear resistance and durability during bending and tear-off forces application. It is equipped with clip, for tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects prevention, it has no slider for this purpose.

Package contains : Superlux HD-685 headphones themselves, 2 cables, carrying and storage pouch, cable clip, warranty card and user’s guide. All in all, headphones are good : with large membranes, wide reproducible sounds frequencies range, neodymium magnets and microphone, their price is not high for their functions. However, there is need to note, that there is ability to buy cheaper 40 mm monitor headphones, or for the same amount of money – 50 mm monitor headphones, providing better basses reproduction quality. There is also ability to say that, if from device compactness and lightness are needed, then there is ability to buy much cheaper in-ears headphones, oriented for use during sportive trainings and exercises and everyday compact use. Their cable is also often equipped with clip and slider.

Superlux – is a company, which main office is located in Taiwan development and testing laboratories and facilities in Hong Kong and other China cities. This name is a brand of company Goang-Fann Co. Ltd., which in 1997 year acquired Tenlux – company-producer of microphones and started to release headphones, microphones and other audio equipment under this name. Company is known for production of very functional devices with very attractive prices; so, when according sound devices are being choosen, it is useful to look on products of Superlux.

JVC HA-EBR25 – sportive in-ears 13.5 mm headphones with 16 Hz – 20 kHz, microphone and neodymium magnets

Headphones JVC HA-EBR25
Headphones JVC HA-EBR25

Company JVC released new sportive in-ears headphones HA-EBR25 with 13.5 mm membranes, 16 Hz – 20 kHz sounds frequencies playback support, microphone and neodymium magnets. Their maximal input power is 200 mW, mass is 13 g, without wire accounting; manufacturer does not tell anything about their impedance and sensitivity; cable with 1.2 m length is mounted to both cups, it is connected to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts, compatible with Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad, as well as with Android and BlackBerry mobile devices.

Headphones JVC HA-EBR25
Headphones JVC HA-EBR25

JVC HA-EBR25 have ears band with adjustable size, protected from sweat and moisture, which is useful for sports exercises, and have microphone and mobile devices control button, built into volume control module. They are released in 4 colors variants : white, blue, black and red; package with JVC HA-EBR25 contains : warranty card and user’s guide. Their price is around 26 USD, which is adequate to their functions; but, in the same time, there is ability to buy similar in-ears headphones cheaper and, by adding small sum, there is ability to buy 40 or 50 mm monitor headphones, providing better sound quality, if compactness is not needed.

Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z – top-level 53 mm monitor headphones with 5 Hz – 45 kHz, titanium cups and 2000 mW power

Monitor headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z
Monitor headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z

Lets look on top-level class of professional studio monitor dynamic headphones and meet with 53 mm Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z, having 5 Hz – 45 kHz sounds frequencies playback support, titanium cups, 2000 mW maximal power input and closed acoustic architecture. Their sensitivity is 101 dB/mW, impedance is 44 Ohms, mass is 294 g; speakers baffle is made from magnesium alloy for resonance reduction, cable with 3 m length is mounted to both cups, is not detachable and is connected to sound source via TRS 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts, left and right channels have separate grounds, which many other headphones do not have.

Monitor headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z
Monitor headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z

Inside of Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z there is a magnetic system German Permendur, coils are wound with use of OFC-7N wire for mass reduction and better signal transmittance, magnets’ yoke is made of pure iron, PCB of headphones is located in their top part for better air circulation inside them – all this together allows to much better and loudly reproduce all sounds frequencies. In each cup there is only 1 audio emitter; headphones are produced with use of Double Air Damping System ( D.A.D.S ) technology, increasing quality and loudness of basses reproduction due to their resonance inside cups; they are released only in silver-black color variant. Device has no active noise-cancellation function, like some other monitor headphones do, however they have very good external sounds isolation. Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z have no smartphones and volume control buttons and microphone.

Headband of Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z has auto-adjustment system to different sizes of heads of different users, earpads are made from soft material for comfortable listening over long time. Manufacturer also tells about implementation of different other techniques for increased amplitude-frequency characteristic uniformity. Package with Audio-Technica ATH-A2000Z contains : screw on adapter to TRS 1/4″ jack connector, warranty card and user’s guide. Headphones are great and aimed for professional studio use, they have according characteristics and will have according price at time of appearance in shops : > 680 USD. For high quality sounds and music playback such characteristics are not needed and there is ability to buy much cheaper consumer level or studio entry-level 40 or 50 mm monitor headphones with good characteristics.

If from headphones compactness and small mass are needed in the first place, then there is ability to look on in-ears headphones, which do not reproduce audio frequencies as good, as monitor ones do, but they cost much less and have small sizes, are light and comfortably place inside ears. Which is especially important during sportive exercises and trainings, also wire of such headphones often has slider and clip, to prevent its tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects.

There is also need to note, that Audio-Technica – is a Japanese company, established in Tokyo in 1962 year, as phonographs cartridges producer. Then it started to develop and introduced among its products microphones and headphones, among which now there are wired and wireless models. At current moment it is one of the leading foreign consumer sound electronics and government organizations devices supplier in USA. And in the country of a rising Sun audio devices are usually made with high quality of components and assembling.

Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z – 53 mm monitor headphones with 5 Hz – 43 kHz, 2000 mW power and 101 dB/mW sensitivity

Monitor headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z
Monitor headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z

Company Audio-Technica released new very professional 53 mm dynamic monitor headphones ATH-A1000Z with 5 Hz – 43 kHz reproducible sounds frequencies range, 2000 mW max input power, 101 dB/mW sensitivity and closed acoustic architecture. Impedance of headphones is equal to 44 Ohms, mass is 265 g; cable with 3 m length is attached to both cups, in it left and right channels have separate grounds, in contrast to many other headphones, it is connected to sound source via TRS 1/8″ mini jack connector with gold-plated contacts and is not detachable. Manufacturer tells, that there are additional techniques implemented to make amplitude frequency characteristic more even; cups bodies are made from aluminum for reduced chatter during audio playback.

Monitor headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z
Monitor headphones Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z

Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z are not foldable and have no active noise-cancellation function, as some other monitor headphones do, but they have good isolation from external sounds; each cup has only 1 audio emitter. Coils of drivers are wound with use OFC-7N wire for mass reduction and better signal transmittance, yoke of magnet is made from pure iron, which allows to reproduce sounds with higher quality. PCB of Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z is located in their top part, which allows air to move more freely in cups and also increases quality of reproduction of audio frequencies. Device uses technology Double Air Damping System ( D.A.D.S ), increasing quality and loudness of basses reproduction due to their resonance inside of headphones. Headband and cups are covered with soft material for comfortable wearing during long-time listening; they have no built-in microphone and smartphones and volume control buttons.

Headband of Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z has auto fit mechanism for comfortable use by users with different head sizes; headphones are supplied only in crimson color variant. Package with Audio-Technica ATH-A1000Z contains : screw-on adapter to TRS 1/4″ jack plug also with gold-plated contacts, warranty card and user’s guide. Headphones are very professional : they have large membranes, very wide reproducible sound frequencies range, very high max input power and good sensitivity, their price is according : goes up to 680 USD. For their characteristics, they are not overpriced, because headphones are oriented for very professional studio application; but they are not needed for simple high quality audio and music reproduction : for this purpose there is ability to buy much cheaper consumer level or professional studio entry level 40 or 50 mm monitor headphones with good characteristics. If compactness and small mass of device is needed the most, then there is ability to buy much cheaper in-ears headphones, which do not provide the same quality of sounds frequencies reproduction, as monitor headphones, but they are very light, comfortable and have small sizes. Which is very important during sportive exercises and trainings; also cable of such headphones often has slider and clip, which prevent its tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects.

There is also need to note, that Audio-Technica – is a Japanese company, established in Tokyo in 1962 year, as phonographs cartridges producer. Then it started to develop and introduced among its products microphones and headphones, among which now there are wired and wireless models. At current moment it is one of the leading foreign consumer sound electronics and government organizations devices supplier in USA. And in the country of a rising Sun audio devices are usually made with high quality of components and assembling.

Pioneer SE-CL502 – 10 mm in-ears headphones with 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 100 dB sensitivity and 17 USD price

Headphones Pioneer SE-CL502
Headphones Pioneer SE-CL502

Among in-ears dynamic headphones with not high price there is a new device – 10 mm headphones Pioneer SE-CL502 with 20 Hz – 20 kHz sound frequencies playback support, 100 dB sensitivity, closed acoustic architecture and 17 USD price. Their impedance is 16 Ohms and mass is 4 g, cable is mounted to both cups, is not detachable, its length is 1.2 m and it is connected to sound source via 1/8″ mini jack connector.

Pioneer SE-CL502 have no active noise cancellation function, as some monitor headphones do, each cup has only 1 audio emitter. Headphones have no built-in microphone and smartphones and volume control buttons; as well as clip and slider on cable, to prevent its tangling and clinging to clothes and surrounding objects.

Package with Pioneer SE-CL502 headphones contains : interchangeable ears-tips of different sizes ( small, medium and large ), warranty card and user’s guide. All in all headphones are good enough, they are mainly oriented on use during sportive exercises and trainings and everyday compact use, they are not overpriced. There is need to note, however, that there is ability to find similar in-ears headphones cheaper and, adding small sum, there is ability to buy good monitor headphones, providing better sound quality.

Pioneer Corporation – is a Japanese manufacturer of electronics, company was founded in 1938 year in Tokyo as service center for repair of radio and speakers. Currently this is one of the largest world wide corporations – producers of electronic devices; it participated in development of many electronics novelties, among them there are : cable TV, optical disks, DVD, plasma displays, Organic LED ( OLED ) displays and other devices. There is also need to note, that in the country of the rising Sun audio technics and electronics overall usually is developed and manufactured with high components and production quality.