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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Grado GT220 earbuds offer wireless convenience and are highly rated for music and built-in controls; they also feature a reliable microphone and are sweatproof, making them suitable for exercise. However, they are more expensive and less immersive for TV and video. On the other hand, the Philips Fidelio X2HR headphones excel in overall sound quality and comfort, providing an expansive soundstage for an immersive experience during music and TV sessions. These headphones are wired, have no microphone, and are not ideal for exercise, but they are priced lower than the GT220s and don't offer wireless capabilities. Consider your primary use—portability and calls with the GT220s, or superior sound and comfort at home with the X2HRs. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Grado GT220
Good for air travel
Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Philips Fidelio X2HR
Excellent for music
Good for gaming
Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3/10
9.3/10
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1/10
7.0/10
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9/10
5.0/10
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8/10
7.9/10
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is good.
TV and Video
5.5/10
8.8/10
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3/10
2.5/10
The Grado GT220 and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Philips Fidelio X2HR does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$140
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR costs $140.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips Fidelio X2HR to have excellent build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR compare to other earbuds and headphones
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
"This piece is a fantastic option for music lovers searching for premium sound and a snug fit. You should get these headphones if you care about sound quality and want to hear music in a new light. This technology is a great option for high-quality headphones with superb sound reproduction."
Get a great deal on the Grado GT220 or the Philips Fidelio X2HR
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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