My favorite oddball blanket brand recommendation for audio gear used to be Philips. That’s right, the Dutch conglomerate perhaps most famous for Sonicare toothbrushes also makes a wide range of random other stuff, including (until recently) some of the most amazing-sounding headphones ever produced.
Now, in an industry dominated by fighting over the scraps of the Bluetooth market not already swallowed by Apple, they’ve cut most of their interesting models. They just went ahead and trashed them into oblivion, without warning. Clicking through the audio portion of their web site is now a sad journey through a bevy of Air Pod clone models, re-badged OEM noise cancelling headphones, and truly classic high end audio gear with a big “discontinued” graphic slapped over it.
The excellent Fidelio X3, which is one of the most comfortable, well-built, and neutral-sounding pairs of headphones I’ve ever owned? Discontinued. Its wonderful and more affordable predecessor, itself based on years of audio tech research and with a legion of die hard fans? Discontinued. The “giant-killer” SHP9500 and SHP9600, both great entry level products that gave other open back legends a true run for their money? Discontinued.
