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Philips SHP9500 Headphones
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Philips SHP9500 Headphones
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Product Description
You’ve searched high and low for the perfect headphones to deliver high precision sound, but nothing gives you what you’re looking for. If poor quality headphones are keeping you from holding on for one more day, the Philips SHP9500 Headphones are sure to break free the chains of bad sound Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downMastiffMike
164
Nov 21, 2020
I bought these 3 weeks ago (from somewhere else) but am returning them.
The sound IS pretty incredible, however everything else is subpar.
COMFORT: Some people say they're comfortable but I have issues with it. The headband is nice, but the extreme lack of clamp isn't good. The earpads, while I appreciate their large size, are just too shallow (depth) and so my ears (large size, but lay flat) rub the fabric over the driver. This does NOT happen with any of my other headphones with stock pads nor any of the aftermarket pads I use.
SOUND: The sound is amazing, for the person wearing the headphones. However, these are not just "open" they're speakers attached to your head. The amount of sound bleed is sooooo bad, it's the main reason I'm returning them. I could figure out a way to overcome the comfort issues, but there's just no way to lower the sound bleed to an acceptable level. When I wear these in one room, my wife in the next room over (so 12-15 feet away, through an open doorway) can hear them! So basically, the times where I could wear them without bothering someone else are the exact same times where I could use speakers. As my wife says, if she's going to have to hear my music, them she should be able to listen to it too, and not just be annoyed by the bleed.
BUILD: For the price, it's very well built. Sure there's a fair amount of plastic, but the fit and finish is all quite good. The biggest drawback to the build, and it's a HUGE deal for me, is the pads are not removable, so a pad swap is not doable without destroying the stock pads.
ACCESSORIES: The storage bag is crappy, and the cable is just "meh".
ALTERNATIVES: I find the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x to be a great alternative. It has much better clamping (as in there actually is CLAMPING, since the 9500's basically don't have any). The M40x has very good sound for a closed back, that isn't a whole lot more money ($25-30 more). I found the M40x stock pads a little too small for my liking, but once I switched them out for some Brainwavz, they're extremely comfortable, even for hours at a time. The SHP9500 imagining is slightly better, the sound stage is quite a bit wider, and if I'm nitpicking there's more refined detail throughout the frequency range with the SHP9500, but that's the case for most "open" vs "closed" comparisons. I do appreciate the standard SHP9500 cable connection, whereas the M40x uses a locking connection. So while both have replaceable cables, the 9500 can use pretty much any 3.5mm cable, while the M40x requires a very thin connector (it's recessed so far into the can) and some people may like/dislike the locking connector. Personally, I'd rather not have it locked so that if the cable gets caught on something it'll just be disconnected rather than pull the whole headphone off my head.
Compared to my old Sennheiser HD461, also closed back like the M40x, the SHP9500 is a little more detailed with a wider soundstage, but the really noticeable difference is in tonality. The HD461 is much warmer and mid-forward/focused than the SHP9500. It's not muddy, but it is definitely warmer, while the 9500 sounds more neutral because it's a more expected sound. FWIW, if everything else was equal I tend to enjoy a little more midrange focus, however the HD461 comfort trumps the SHP9500 by a bunch, especially with a pad swap. The only comfort plus to the 9500 is the headband.
MastiffMike
164
Nov 22, 2020
Thanks. When I first put the SHP9500 on and fired up a reference track, I literally whispered "whoa", the sound was that good. However, the ear pads started to bug me immediately and the lack of clamp was really annoying. Also, the first time my wife walked by the doorway to my den she said "What is that noise?" It was at that point that I realized all the cans I've owned since we got married have been closed back!
I've long considered buying the HD6xx but just not sure if I'd ever use them. I just bought some PXC550ii for traveling, I have the M40x for computer listening, I use the HD461 for music at night, and IEMs for out-and-about stuff (running, gym time, waiting room waits, etc.). I also have some Sennheiser wireless cans for late night movies. So while I want the 6xx sound quality (I've been told it's amazing - and a step up from what I have), I'm just not sure if I'd ever use them. I use speakers for most everyday listening and when I put on headphones (or IEMs) it's because I'm trying not to disturb others, so open cans probably aren't a good fit for me. I even had one of my kids try the 9500s but even with their bedroom door closed, you could still hear them!
Oh well. For people that live alone, the SHP9500 are phenomenal headphones, especially for how cheap they are.
(Edited)
JacobH
41
Feb 2, 2021
MastiffMikeNice write up. For <$80, I think the SHP9500 are probably the best all around open back headphone. They may not be the best at anything, but there is pretty much nothing they are bad at.
I also like the M40x of all the Audio Technica M_0x series the best and they are a solid choice for a fairly neutral closed back headphone in this price range if you find them comfortable.
Andrew_R
7
Apr 20, 2015
Ok so I've had these for about a week and so far they succeed in mostly every music genre i tried. Now since they are open back i was expecting to be blown away at the positional awareness in fps games but to be quite honest they had a very similar sound stage to my closed back sol republics. Now some very big positive points are the fact that i could now hear instruments in music that i couldn't previously hear with other closed back headphones, because the bass was just over powering. Also these have very nice detail and the bass is very crisp with the lows being really noticeable. Bass was more than exceptional and i don't see the issue with the volume on these can as they got fairly loud at 65% volume, any louder than that and it would get unpleasant. So all in all these are very good headphones for the price point. I mean the build quality is exceptional other than the headband mechanism some times doesn't keep the exact size, or the clamping force is relatively low but if you could overcome these minor compromises then i would say its a definite go. One more quick thing is i will be doing and update once i get my v-moda boom pro mic, because i bought these mainly for gaming on my ps4.
Andrew_R
7
May 14, 2015
I was in no away offended, i just feel that your input in this discussion had no real validity. Also the fact that you haven't had experience with other products doesn't back your argument, it just makes your opinion senseless. Just because you cant own the product doesn't mean its inferior.
MasterRace
22
May 14, 2015
Andrew_RI don't know why you'd assume that I haven't tried the inferior products. When you actually understand the technology you're using, the correct one becomes clear, and you have no reason to ever use the inferior product again. Good day.
TheGeeMan
88
Apr 22, 2021
drop fail.
73 bucks on Amazon with two day shipping via prime
you can pony up a few more bucks and get the 9600 newer version
advice to drop. Get your price point down for bulk orders. 60 bucks or bust
bjvp182
224
Jul 10, 2021
Nifty design too. My addiction to buying stuff i don't need would make me want to give em a try but i absolutely do not need them lol
TheGeeMan
88
Jul 10, 2021
The Philips SHP9600 are very similar open-back headphones to their predecessor, the Philips SHP9500. The SHP9600 have a sleeker, all-black design, and leak less noise. They also have a more extended bass, and they have a little extra boom and punch in the bass range that some users may prefer
the shp9600 has a better treble profile and extended bass.
I own both. And prefer the 9600
daustin
6
Mar 19, 2015
Did they delete the Newegg Flash comment someone else just posted? Its only $62.99 on there with free shipping. Better deal and you can get it in a couple of days instead of waiting a month or more to receive them.
I really wanted some X1's but these are a much better value.
Danny_Liu
1106
Mar 20, 2015
daustinHeyo,
I checked with our team and no one touched it. Posting links to competitors that are offering a similar or better deal is not frowned upon. If there's a better deal out there, I'd want to know as well.
The user may have deleted his own post.
I checked with our team and no one touched it. Posting links to competitors that are offering a similar or better deal is not frowned upon. If there's a better deal out there, I'd want to know as well.
The user may have deleted his own post.
tem0
14
Nov 21, 2020
Buy them on Amazon for 80, get them in two days. Buy them on Drop for 70, get them next year. Hmmm, what a difficult choice. Drop has really gone downhill.
Headphones themselves aren't worth more than 50 IMO. Sound great, very comfortable, just not worth the new inflated market price.
tem0
14
Nov 23, 2020
unaniFrom what I have read, is Phillips sold their manufacturing rights for the SHP9500 to a Chinese manufacturer last year. After that they started selling them on Ali, Newegg, etc. so there's a good chance they aren't fakes.
However I cannot give a definitive for AliExpress, some may be fake some may be real. It's a gamble, but if you find one from a reputable seller with good reviews I'd assume it's real. They also have some form of consumer protection if you get a lemon.
DABTPA
66
Jan 23, 2015
These are $65 right now at Newegg with free delivery and returns. The headphone category in general is so mixed up right now I feel bad for the Massdrop buyers. It mkes it impossible to strike a good deal that won't disappear over night.
Bayerische
1
Jan 27, 2015
DABTPADang, I need to check the posts before I commit. Could have saved another $12. OH WELL - STILL A DECENT DEAL.
Jsmoothie
11
Aug 16, 2016
Do a drop bundle with the Phillips SHP9500 and V-MODA BoomPro Mic. My buddy has this combo and it's legit.
mdb1
11
Apr 6, 2015
You crybabies should just use Amazon if you want them in two days. Otherwise realize what mass drop is and buy on here or don't. I chose mass drop over newegg because mass drop is going to take that money and use it to get more products I'm interested in compared to a general consumer electronics website.
SpydieHolesForDays
216
Feb 3, 2021
Come on Drop..... This again is an awful deal. It's $75 on Amazon and you get it in 2 days. Hell, you can get the SHP9600 which IMHO is a much better headphone for $90 with free 2 day shipping pretty often on Amazon. This is a terrible deal by any stretch of the imagination.
dwane5
293
Mar 10, 2021
The 9500 is clearly the best deal in audiophile for open headphones under 100. The 9500 I’m sure most would agree look more aesthetically pleasing than its counterpart.
SpydieHolesForDays
216
Mar 10, 2021
dwane5How do you figure? The 9600 are typically only about $10-$15 more and a lot of people prefer the sound. If you don't like the sound of the 9500 then it's clearly an awful deal. I don't know how many times this can be emphasized but your opinions are not facts. Just because you enjoy them doesn't mean they are the "best deal under $100". A lot of people would say KPH30i or Porta Pro. Other people might say 9600. Could be AKG K361 for another. All of those are under $100 and all have different sound signatures that will appeal to different people. If you don't like the sound then they are a bad deal at any price point. Having listened to both I can't stand the 9500 making them an awful deal for me at even $50. I have a pretty mean treble sensitivity and the 9500 give me a headache because of it. You can like the 9500 and a lot of people do. But that does not objectively make them better, as a lot of people like a lot of things in the sub $100 price point.
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