Review on Hi-Res Philips Fidelio L2BO Over-ear Premium Portable Headphones with In-line Mic, Noise Isolation - Black/Orange by William Dean

I've had these headphones for over a year now. Since purchasing these headphones I've delved into the world of audiophiles and have spent a lot more on add-on gear like amps and DACs and other headphones. For reference I have a Sennheiser HD650 [Primary Open Ear[, Phillips Fidelio X2 [Secondary Open Ear], Phillips Fidelio L2, Sanheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless, Sanheiser PXC550s so the comparison will be to oranges, apples and pineapples. None of the headphones I have overlap with the L2 use case. These headphones are definitely good when it comes to comfort and offer second best of many worlds. It's easy to use, has a microphone, and is very comfortable. Its semi-open style also adds some softness to the sound while still having good bass punch. These headphones definitely don't need an amp to get the best results, and they sound great right out of your phone, which is a huge bonus. With these headphones there are no annoying highs and a decent bass. These headphones don't go low, however, but it should be noted that most headphones don't roll off low frequencies while maintaining balanced mids and highs. Great for relaxed listening, these headphones have a V-shaped sound profile that rolls over at high frequencies. They don't have good mids, but most pop/edm/rap don't need mids, so that's fine for those genres. They probably won't blow your mind when listening to classic rock. I bought these headphones on sale for $90 so this is a bargain for me. Not sure if these headphones are $200 - for reference you can buy the HD6XX for a massive $200 drop (although you'll need to buy a $200 amp to make them shine) . I listen to them at home and at work. There are some audio leaks, but since our work environment is pretty noisy anyway, it doesn't matter. They are sufficiently isolated so that a quiet conversation does not seem too intrusive. They're definitely used for fun - and they're very fun headphones. I wouldn't use them for close listening, but they do a great job of relaxing listening. I do find that the headband can get a little irritated/sore when playing for long periods of time as it is essentially a metal bar. The frame of these headphones is very durable, giving you peace of mind that the material you are buying is worth the price. The soft ear cushions can get hot on a warm day and make you sweat, but if you're at home or at work you should be fine as long as you don't move around too much. The size of the cups is great for my ears - they fit with no contact with drivers or pads (unlike the Momentum 2.0, which is a serious issue). The cord is made of premium braided synthetic material, which is a nice touch. The cable does not tangle or interfere with walking. The cable doesn't feel flimsy, which I always consider a big plus. However, the tote bag is a joke, so I bought a tote bag for transport.