Another day, another top tier headphone update. When I carried out my exhaustive headphone group test, Allen & Heath’s Xone XD-53 faired really well against some serious and considerably more expensive competition. The one reason that they didn’t come in the top 3 was the fixed headphone cable – for me an absolute no-no for DJ headphones.
Now along comes an update – the XD2-53, that gets a slightly different gun metal paint job, but importantly gets… can you guess? Yes – the upgraded cans get a much needed removable cable.
Firstly, a video. Yes, a video for headphones:
Allen and Heath XD2-53 press release:
ALLEN & HEATH LAUNCHES UPGRADED XONE DJ HEADPHONES
Allen & Heath has launched an updated version of its flagship Xone professional monitoring headphones, the XD-53s. The new XD2-53s have several new features, including a detachable coiled cable with 3.5mm connector and ¼” jack adaptor, and also sport a stylish gunmetal finish.
Designed to complement Allen & Heath’s leading brand of Xone DJ mixers, the XD2-53s retain a circumaural design providing high level isolation from ambient noise, making them the ideal product for DJs working in loud environments. Existing users include leading DJ, Pete Tong.
Containing 53mm diameter drivers with high power neodymium magnet design, 3500mW of power handling, and high SPL capacity, the XD2-53 headphones deliver excellent sound reproduction. They also have rotating earpieces for easy one-ear monitoring, an adjustable metal reinforced headband, and folding design for compact portability.
The XD2-53 headphones will be available immediately, SRP £148 (ex VAT).
XD2-53 our thoughts
This would probably see me move them into the top 3 in preference to the Ultrasone DJ1 Pros. But since that time, we’ve seen the VMODA Crossfades, Beyer HT1350s, and the all new Sennheiser Amperiors come out – 3 very good pairs of headphones. I think it’s time to revisit the group test.
Nice photos A&H. I’m sure I’ve seen some like them before… ;)
Seeing that the only problem with the XD-53’s I’ve seen was a bent 3.5mm plug – this should be just what the doctor ordered. Great set otherwise :)
man i need headphones .this looks good .
right now im using ps3 gaming headphones and they suck for mixing lol
are these rebadged audio technicas as well/
wow I am SOOOOOO DISAPPOINTED with these headphones! I just listened to a classical piano piece originally played on one of the worlds most beautiful pianos. A Bosendorfer Imperial 290 and on these XD2 version headphones it sounds like fking MUD. Not joking at all. almost sounds like MONO because of the wash of bass.
I just had a pair of the XD-53 (not XD2) and you can hear literally everything. The most crystal clear I have ever heard out of headphones. Even some things in the high frequency ranges that you cant hear as clearly on my calibrated studio reference monitors.
These XD2 versions are lighter, look cheaper and sound way worse. I hate them so much. Hope this was not a cost cutting plan to sell more of a cheaper product by simply adding a new removable cord. whoop de doo for real. I really think thats why they sound so different. Sound quality should be everything.
Completely unacceptable to use for accurate mixing unlike the XD- version which were perfect for doing that. Taking them straight back and getting another pair of the XD-53 version (not XD2-53). such a waste of time.
Sounds like inaccurate sound colored garbage. Fake, colored bass.
By the way I am a certified audio engineer. Hope this helps someone. I know they changed something. I dont know what or why. they are a lot lighter and the sound has been severely changed. Acceptable for listening to random music but not for doing an accurate mix. I absolutely hate that because their pervious product was so great.
I just got the headphones. The sound quality is indeed not as good as I expected… The bass is not punchy at all :/ I don’t understand it. I read everywhere good reviews, good comments, … Is it me taking to high expectations or?
taking back that comment. Just adjusted the equalizer of my computer. Now it sounds like I want :) My bad
Just did some more test listens. Ulgh sounds like such crap compared to my previous pair. Some of the bass notes are noticeably louder than the other notes in the scale in these. The high treble sounds like it has been fake turned up too which means the mid frequencies are not as loud anymore. A trait of all non flat response colored speakers hence not calling them reference monitors. I think they may have altered the mids response in the XD2 version to make it sound like they have “extended low frequency response” as they mention in their description. Fk you
They dont have as much vibration as the XD-53’s when you turn the volume all the way up either. A quality of less mid response in a speaker. I am almost certain that they just turned the mid down by altering the physical characteristics of the chamber. I notice 2 little pinholes at the tops on the back of each headphone on these too. not sure if the XD-53’s had those. I dont think they did. I really need these for work. I am so mad
I just ran some audio through an EQ and turned only some of the lowish mid frequencies up and sounds a lot more like the XD-53. I am now certain that mids have been altered in the XD2-53 probably to prevent the speakers from blowing out in high volumes or from bad mixes. I now view these as generic. Not scientifically calibrated like they were. If I can get my hands on another pair of XD-53 I will compare them in great detail and post what is different complete with frequency response graphs and db meter statistics. I will also send it to A&H telling how inconsiderate they are to sell me such a insulting refined product at full price with no indication of the difference in sound quality other than the words “extended low frequency response” written on the box. Very misleading obviously. I trusted it from my previous set that these were “better” ass they claimed but I know they are not. These will fk up my mixes and that is very very very insulting and inconsiderate to sell me something without telling me you changed the most important thing in a headphone. the sound. great going. I am lucky that I can take this back to an actual store instead of having to mail it in for a refund. either way not cool.
3 separate posts? That’s passionate. I love headphones, but I doubt I could be quite so pissed off or as detailed as you are, especially at a pair of £139 headphones.
I’ll alert Allen & Heath and let them know about your concerns.
These or Audio-Technica ATH-PRO700MK2s have more balanced sound?
May you do a review that compares Allen & Heath Xone XD2-53s vs Audio-Technica ATH-PRO700MK2ANVs headphones?
@aflashoflight The little pinholes are the bass reflexes… XD2 version has only two and smaller in size than the previous one (5)… That means better isolation but less bass… I study in Greece Music Technology and Acoustics (http://www.teicrete.gr/mta/gr/)… Sorry for my English…
@aflashoflight The little pinholes are the bass reflexes… XD2 version has only two and smaller in size than the previous one (5)… That means better isolation but less bass… I study in Greece Music Technology and Acoustics (http://www.teicrete.gr/mta/en/…… Sorry for my English…
@aflashoflight how did it go?have you got a xd-53 to compare yet?any more detail results?