Philips Fidelio L2: A hidden headphone gem
I'm David Carnoy from cnet.com, and this is the Phillips Fidelio L2 and over ear headphone that sells for around $250 online.
There's a lot of competition in this price range, and you don't hear that much about the L2, which doesn't have great distribution in the US, but it's a really good headphone.
Unlike the open back Fidelio X2, which we also like, the L2 has a closed back design and comes with a cable that has an inline remote for cell phone use, so it does double duty as a home and mobile headphone.
Overall, it seems sturdily built and it's comfortable to wear, with nice padded ear cushions.
That said, it's not quite as comfortable as the Sony MDR18 that we reviewed recently.
It folds flat but doesn't fold up.
This is a very likeable sounding headphone.
It offers very good clarity but also manages to play harsh, overcompressed recordings with a rare ease.
Bass is plentiful but never crosses over the line to muddy and finally the L2 sounds more open and spacious in most close back headphones in this price range.
As I said earlier there are several great headphones at around this price point, maybe a little higher, a little lower.
You can include these Sennheiser MOMENTUM 2.0, the V-MODA M-100.
NAD, Viso, HP50, Audio Technica HTMSR7 and the aforementioned Sony MDR18 to name a few.
The [UNKNOWN] doesn't usually get mentioned in the same breath as those headphones but it probably should.
I'm David Conway thanks for watching.
Up Next
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
Up Next
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
Headphone Hype: Are Expensive Ones Worth It? Let's Find Out
Headphone Hype: Are Expensive Ones Worth It? Let's Find Out
AirPods Pro 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: Tech Showdown
AirPods Pro 2 vs. Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Bose QC Ultra Earbuds: Tech Showdown
Earbuds Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Earbuds Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know
These Are the Best Wireless Earbuds for 2023
These Are the Best Wireless Earbuds for 2023
Bose QC Ultra vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Kings of ANC
Bose QC Ultra vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Kings of ANC
Bose QC Ultra Headphones Review: Superior to Sony?
Bose QC Ultra Headphones Review: Superior to Sony?
AirPods Pro's Newest Features Try to Rival Sony's WF-1000XM5
AirPods Pro's Newest Features Try to Rival Sony's WF-1000XM5
Bose Debuts QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Ultra Earbuds (Hands-On)
Bose Debuts QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Ultra Earbuds (Hands-On)
Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Top Earbuds Get Even Better
Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Top Earbuds Get Even Better
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
What to Expect at Apple's May 7 iPad Event
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro