Philips Fidelio X3 Open Back Headphones

Philips' Fidelio headphones have acquired an excellent reputation over the years, and it's good to know that the series will continue. After all, this is not a matter of course, as the Philips audio division has long since ceased to be part of the Dutch Philips group, which now merely grants trademark rights to its licensing partners. Until recently, this licensee for audio products was the US guitar manufacturer Gibson or, to be accurate, its subsidiary Gibson Europe, which, however, could not handle the hi-fi business and sold it after insolvency to the Chinese group TP Vison, which also holds the trademark rights to the Philips televisions. TP Vision wants to strengthen the higher-end headphones segment – hence the Fidelio X3, which costs 350 euros. Among its fine ingredients are the memory foam ear cushions covered with velour and the metal headband covered with black Muirhead leather from Scotland. Instead of a grid, the outside of the earcups is covered with an acoustic fabric from Kvadrat in Denmark. In addition to the standard 3-meter cable, a balanced cable with a four-pin 2.5 mm jack plug is included. Also new from TP Vision are televisions with integrated soundbar from Bowers & Wilkins.