Best Headphones

Head to head · for music listening

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO vs Philips Fidelio X2HR

More people recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO overall (75 vs 35). None of the 16 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.

Comments naming both
16
Say they own both
1
Choose the DT 990 PRO
0
Choose the Fidelio X2HR
0

Counted across 11 review videos, harvested Sep 2026. A comment counts as a choice only when it says so in plain words (prefer X over Y, upgraded from Y to X); questions never count. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.

At a glance the better number on each row is highlighted
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PROPhilips Fidelio X2HR
Typical price$200$149cheaper
Overall rank#8higher#21
People who recommend it75more35
Say they own it112more61
Mentions775more413
Typeopen-back wiredopen-back wired
Known forOpen-backBass and trebleBuilt to lastOpen-backBassNo amp
Best forBig, spacious sound on a budget for people who like sparkle and do not mind an amp.An open-back with bass for people who found the Sennheisers too polite.
BuyAmazon · $200DirectAmazon · $149

#8 overall

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (250 ohm)

3 of the 16 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Wide, open soundstage with sharp imaging; owners who came from gaming headsets call it a revelation
  • Very comfortable velour pads; owners keep them for 5-7 years
  • Built like the DT 770 and repairable: pads, headband and cable are replaceable

The complaints

  • The treble: bright to sharp, the most repeated complaint of any Beyer; some EQ it down
  • Bass is present but not deep
  • 250 ohm version wants an amp; the Pro X or 80 ohm editions are easier to drive
  • US service and repair experiences are poor

In their words

#21 overall

Philips Fidelio X2HR

1 of the 16 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Bass with real weight for an open-back; the fun one for pop and hip-hop
  • Called the most comfortable headphone several owners have owned; mostly metal build
  • Easy to drive, no amp; often on deep sale

The complaints

  • Stock pads: several owners hate them and replace them
  • A dark, warm tuning that some find fatiguing or too dull
  • Big and heavy on the head
  • Stock at Philips comes and goes

In their words

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