A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and comfort for long listening sessions, the Philips Fidelio X2HR is a strong choice, offering an expansive soundstage and high-fidelity audio, which is excellent for music enthusiasts. However, they are usually more expensive and their open-back design doesn't isolate sound, so they're not ideal for noisy environments. In contrast, the Steelseries TUSQ is more budget-friendly, with a compact and portable design, and includes a microphone which is convenient for gaming or calls. They may not match the Fidelio X2HR's audio quality but could be a better option for active lifestyles and multipurpose use. 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 Philips Fidelio X2HR
- Excellent for music
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.3
7.6
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is excellent for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Gaming
7.0
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.7
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
8.8
7.3
The Philips Fidelio X2HR is very good for TV and video, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Philips Fidelio X2HR is poor.
Cost
$148
$55
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has a price of $148 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $55.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Philips Fidelio X2HR has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Philips Fidelio X2HR are both poor for phone calls.
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We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Philips Fidelio X2HR and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Philips Fidelio X2HR | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$148 | $55 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Philips | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2014 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 390 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Shopping
Philips Fidelio X2HR
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Dig into reviews and images
Liquid Audio
Stefan | May 2022
"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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Philips Fidelio X2HR or the Steelseries TUSQ
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.
About Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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Why trust us
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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