Switched to Fidelio X1 but yes, still a 'decent' set of cans (£60 more than the Beyer too
) You did state this yes but I had nothing to lose by trying
. It seems the only genuinely decent way to do this is with the Beyer Headzone but that is like £700.
I still think for £116 delivered it's very good value and I'm going to keep it as it does a decent job of amping the headphones and the sound is definitely improved over the controller output. Part of the reason I changed headphones was also because the Mixamp can easily power these 32 ohm headphones.
I am sort of a Sennheiser fanboy but Beyer, AKG and AT make some really awesome sets too. Not looked into Phillips much.
Problem is that they are a lot cheaper to buy over in America, so I won't be buying any more until I go over there for a holiday or wedding, sometimes they are like half the price, especially when you take exchange rates into the equation.
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"Gaming
The X1s are probably the best overall gaming headphone I've personally heard. I say this because they have the highest combination of "competitive" and "fun" abilities that I've heard in a single headphone.
During my first initial listening session with the X1, I could tell the signature coming from them would be great for gaming, and they didn't disappoint. The combination of a slightly fun-tilted signature with immersive bass, open soundstage, and clear imaging makes them almost specialized for gaming and movies. The X1s work really well with Dolby Headphone, projecting a large and coherent soundstage without any abnormal jumps between sounds - objects pan smoothly around the soundstage and there's a good amount of spaciousness to be heard, which is surprising considering the warmth of the X1.
Earlier I mentioned that the X1s mids sometimes sound more distant when compared to the Anniversaries, but when gaming I want to hear space and distance - and the X1's can do this a bit better than the Anniversaries while still keeping a weighty sound. The Anniversaries larger instruments and greater intimacy can sometimes throw you off on distance, occasionally making distant sounds seem a little bit closer than they do on the X1.
I prefer the X1s to the Anniversaries for fun and immersive gaming because they combine a more fun tilted signature along with a slightly roomier soundstage and slightly sharper imaging. All three of those things improve the immersion for me. With the Anniversaires, the full mids, natural timbre, refined sound, and larger sounding instruments all give it nice immersion as well. But things like refinement and timbre are bit less important for gaming than they are for music, and I think the soundstage whore in me caves a bit to the X1's roomier soundstage and immersive bass.
As far as competitive gaming goes, if the X1s lose any points it's not because of their soundstage or imaging. They are warm with a fun signature though, and the bass can be a problem at times - covering up subtle details in the mids (which are already more laid-back then the Anniversaries mids). Running the X1s through a bass reducing EQ would probably help some for competitive gaming. The Anniversaries are flatter and more balanced sounding, with more reserved bass and more obviously forward mids, which is an area where a lot of the competitive details lie. The X1 do gain more soundstage points over the Anniversaries for sounding a little more spacious with sharper imaging - the Anniversaries soundstage sounds a tad more crowded and diffuse. All in all, it's kind of impossible for headphones like the X1 to truly excel at competitive gaming, since the best headphones for that will always be the ones that focus on presenting just those fine details in the mids and highs (footsteps/reloading/etc.) while keeping the bass reserved and out of the way. Still, I think the X1s do a damn good job of pulling off the best competitive ability that they can while still managing the fun signature that they do, so I don't fault them for any shortcomings in that area.
Overall I would rate the X1s competitive ability somewhat similarly to the Anniversaries. When listening for positional cues and details with both of them, I hear a small soundstage/imaging advantage for the X1 but a signature advantage for the Anniversary. I feel the two differences almost counterbalance each other, but the ultimate deciding factor may come down to the bass. I won't quibble over the fine details though, as I usually reserve my competitive gaming for the Q701s. They still hold a small competitive advantage over both the Anniversary and X1 due to their faster, lighter, clearer signature coupled with their open soundstage. With my pair, I can also control their level of bass with a flick of a switch (literally). For immersive gaming, while the Q701's open airy soundstage does gives them their own brand of immersion, they are lacking in weight and body next to the Anniversaries and X1s which ultimately puts them at a disadvantage. Bass boosting them helps, but the mids will still lack some weight and body and they will still be on the dry side. In my opinion, the X1s hold an edge over both AKGs in terms of fun factor and immersion.
I should mention for people who already own the Anniversaries...do keep in mind that they're already one of the best overall gaming headphone options out there. While they now have some healthy competition in the X1, it's not like it's "on another level." It's just a little different flavor of sound. If the X1's sonic traits and signature described in this review sound appealing to you, then by all means check them out - but if you're going to stick with the Anniversary/Q701, they are also one of the best in this range.
Overall the X1s are my top recommendation for all-around gaming headphone. The Anniversaries are a very close second. You may want to choose accordingly though, based on whether you would prefer a fun tilt or a balanced tilt. The X1s are also a strong recommendation for movies and TV, which benefit from the same sonic traits that contribute to a more immersive gaming experience."
http://www.head-fi.org/t/670318/philips-fidelio-x1-review-comparison
