Philips SHP9500 Guide

Why did I place this second?

The 9500 was tops on the list for 3 years until I tried the 30i, which I believe is a perfect headphone across the board. The 9500 is close to perfection but has one issue which now prevents it from holding the crown.

It’s still high on the list because its overall detail, clarity, imaging, comfort, build, and more are all exemplary, and way better than they have any business being for something so dirt cheap.

In other words, the price-to-performance ratio is unbelievable.

It’s just about the closest you’ll get to a true audiophile headphone, without the audiophile price tag.

With that, let’s see what you can expect in this review.

By the end, you will learn exactly why I still recommend this headphone, and what makes it so special. You’ll also be well-equipped to decide if it’s ultimately right for YOU.

Time is a funny thing.

Looking back on moments and events in our lives can sometimes give us a new perspective or simply reinforce what we originally thought or felt at the time.

Since 2017, my original impression of Philips’ SHP9500 hasn’t changed one bit, even despite the naysayers, even despite new products flooding the market, even despite other reviewers flip-flopping on their position, even despite how trashing the 9500 became a fad, even despite the simple passage of time and my somewhat jaded view on audio in 2022.

If the SHP9500 were a person, it would say something like this:

“It get kind of hard to replace me, so don’t go lookin’ for nobody else. I was keepin’ my heart there on safety, but now I’m letting it go until ain’t none left. You got a lot to lose, but it’s all basic. I’ll probably ride the times to prevent a late text. I bet I’m living it up while so spacey, you love to wine and dine come be my lady.”

Of course, that’s a rather comical analogy, but my headphones talk to me, what can I say.

If you’ve ever slept with your headphones, you’ll know what I mean.

Oh, behave!

If you are looking for high-end headphones at an affordable price, the Philips SHP9500 Headphones can be a great buy. We stumbled upon these headphones while looking for the best headphones with an open-back design and high-precision sound.

Initially, we were somewhat skeptical about buying these headphones as we were looking for wireless headphones; however, after reading hundreds of existing user reviews we decided to buy them. Post-purchase we tested the Philips SHP9500 Headphones over 30 days and have compiled our complete experience in this detailed Philips SHP9500 Headphones Review.

To test these headphones, we used different types of music and file sources. We also tested them on different devices, such as laptops, media players, PC, and so on, and various DAC/amp setups. Read further to know more.

If you are short on time and cannot read the full review, here’s a quick recap of why you should buy the Philips SHP9500 Headphones.

They are extremely comfortable headphones with a well-padded and adjustable headband, and large ear cups. If you prefer a tight fit, you may find the clamping force a little weak.

Their sound quality is incredible. The bass is perfectly balanced. However, it’s not something bass fans will like. The mids are natural and warm. The treble is great. The headphones are perfect for casual use.

The open-back headphones are not suitable for mixing and studio recording due to sound leakage. In the open-back vs. closed-back headphones comparison, the closed-back headphones are more suitable for studio recording.

The headphones do not provide noise isolation. Therefore, they are not suitable for outdoor use. However, for indoor use, we bet you won’t find such premium-quality headphones at such an affordable price anywhere else.

The headphones comprise a 3.5 mm jack. Therefore, they are compatible with all devices that have a 3.5 mm audio input.