Making High Quality Headphones: Philips iLab Belgium

The Bluetooth Interface

No doubt that Bluetooth is becoming more mainstream than ever, not only with headphones but with other devices like smart watches, health tracking gadgets, and other things flooding the market.

Listening to a simulated test of the effects of the different Bluetooth encodings compared to the original file, I was surprised to hear the quality you can get with Bluetooth at high bit rates (AAC 320kbps, APT-X, and SBC 320kbps). Here is a study that Stefan, the Bluetooth engineer at iLab shared with us:

IMG_20130905_132804

And also a screen shot of the Bluetooth evaluation test:

IMG_20130904_133805

 

Next page: Closing by Lieven and more photos…

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16 Comments

  • Reply September 18, 2013

    George Lai

    Very interesting article. I’m just sad I’m one of the 20% of the population that couldn’t wear their Fidelio L1 so I gave it away, and my bigger X1 just fits tightly. Sigh.

    • Reply September 18, 2013

      L.

      X1: me likes! And Thanks!

  • Reply September 18, 2013

    dalethorn

    I would feel a lot better about Philips if they would have their Facebook guy Kevin apologize for ignoring my requests about the M1 before I bought it and reviewed it, and found it to be a bad sound with a shelved treble. I’d like to know that the new M1 has fixed that problem, and it would be good if I could get a sample without having to spend another $250 for it. In the meantime I stand by my review. I’d like to be a happy Philips customer and independent reviewer, but I’m not rich enough to buy if I can’t get some assurance on these things.

    • Reply September 18, 2013

      L.

      I don’t think they changed the driver, just added Bluetooth. I haven’t had time to listen to it that much so far

  • Reply September 19, 2013

    TheMakhai

    Awesome write up guys! It looks like it was a lot of fun! This article definitely put philips on the map for me now when looking for future headphone upgrades. And great job on the pictures you took of the L2 and M1! Just phenomenal. I really feel you were able to capture and communicate their aesthetics in a stunning manner. Keep up the good work!

    • Reply September 19, 2013

      L.

      Thanks man. Nice to hear

  • Reply September 19, 2013

    Wid

    Loves the X1 so much, any rumor for X2? 🙂
    Mike, How can I go to your store from Pluit? Any best route you can recommend?

    • Reply September 19, 2013

      Mike

      Haven’t heard anything about the X2. I’d guess they’re working on an upgrade though. Every company is always working on an upgrade.

  • Reply September 19, 2013

    Ryan C

    Yo, do the L2 pads fit entirely around your ears, or do they caress the surfaces?

    • Reply September 19, 2013

      Mike

      They touch your ears a bit, if that’s what you’re asking.

    • Reply September 19, 2013

      L.

      The cups aren’t the biggest so if you have bigger ears, yes they will touch for sure. Doesn’t bother me at all, they’re soft

  • Reply October 4, 2013

    John123John

    Finally got around to reading this (sorry!) and it was a great article. They have a very thorough process that has the potential to deliver great sounding and comfortable product. I wonder if other companies, even the big ones like Sennheiser or even Beats lol, so these sort of surveys and tests.

    Its cool seeing you guys get even more global recognition, being there along with Tyll and Jude. Keep networking and maybe you get invites to other headphone developers as well!

    P. S. There is a repeated edited paragraph on page 3.

    • Reply October 4, 2013

      L.

      Thanks John, we’ve been invited to Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser and Violectric in the mean time 😉

    • Reply October 7, 2013

      Mike

      Well you know what I’ve been listening to the L2 and also getting a lot of the local enthusiasts to listen to it and there is not a single person I know who auditioned who was not impressed with the driver quality/technicalities. Of course sound signature preferences aside..
      Right now I do feel that the L2 has a driver quality that’s slightly ahead of the Hifiman HE-500 and just below the Senn HD700 in terms of technicalities. Of course the L2 is much easier to drive than the HE-500 and is also lighter and more comfortable as well. The L2 is really phenomenal and really a class ahead from its competition like the Momentum or the ESW-11.
      Thanks, Ill look into the repeated edit.

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