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Philips SHP9500s vs SHP9500: Which Drivers HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphone is better?

philips shp 9500 vs shp 9500s

From podcasts to dancing to the beat of your own tunes, headphones allow you to get lost in the world of what you are listening to. Quality, style, and comfort are all that you would expect from Philips, and its headphones are just that.

We will be looking at the specifics of the Philips SHP9500s vs SHP9500. We will consider their similarities and differences regarding appearance, sound, and features. You will be able to find a comparison chart and some pros and cons before we decide on which of the two is the better option.

The Philips SHP 9500 and the Philips SHP 9500s are extremely similar, so we will start by looking at what they have in common.

Philips SHP9500s vs SHP9500 – Similarities

Quick Glance

Let’s recap on the features of the Philips SHP9500 and the Philips SHP9500s in a side by side chart.

Name
Our Pick
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
Philips SHP9500S 50mm drivers HiFi Stereo Headphones SHP9500S
Image
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
Philips SHP9500S 50mm drivers HiFi Stereo Headphones SHP9500S
Size
6.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 inches
6.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 inches
Weight
0.66lbs
0.72lbs
Style
Over-ear
Over-ear
Design
Double layered steel headband with cushioning, breathable ear cushion
Double layered steel headband with cushioning, breathable ear cushion
Drivers
50mm neodymium
50mm neodymium
Open-Back
Connection
3.5mm jack
3.5mm jack
Cable Length
1.5m
1.5m
Maximum Power Input
200mW
200mW
Sensitivity
101db
102db
Response Frequency
12Hz to 35,000Hz
6Hz to 35,000Hz
Our Pick
Name
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
Image
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
Size
6.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 inches
Weight
0.66lbs
Style
Over-ear
Design
Double layered steel headband with cushioning, breathable ear cushion
Drivers
50mm neodymium
Open-Back
Connection
3.5mm jack
Cable Length
1.5m
Maximum Power Input
200mW
Sensitivity
101db
Response Frequency
12Hz to 35,000Hz
Name
Philips SHP9500S 50mm drivers HiFi Stereo Headphones SHP9500S
Image
Philips SHP9500S 50mm drivers HiFi Stereo Headphones SHP9500S
Size
6.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 inches
Weight
0.72lbs
Style
Over-ear
Design
Double layered steel headband with cushioning, breathable ear cushion
Drivers
50mm neodymium
Open-Back
Connection
3.5mm jack
Cable Length
1.5m
Maximum Power Input
200mW
Sensitivity
102db
Response Frequency
6Hz to 35,000Hz

Appearance

These headphones are black with a large but subtle L and R on each of the ear covers which is very handy for those of us who are constantly putting our headphones on back to front. They measure 6.7 x 7.9 x 3.9 inches. The Philips SHP 9500 weighs 0.66 pounds and the Philips SHP 9500s a little more a 0.72 pounds, not enough to make a real difference.

Comfort

The adjustable headbands are made of steel for strength and durability and then have a layer of cushioning that allows you to wear either the Philips SHP 9500 or the Philips SHP 9500s for long periods of time. The ear cushions are breathable, and the drivers are angled so that they align with the ears and provide maximum comfort.

The Drivers

The Philips SHP 9500 and the Philips SHP 9500s have 50mm neodymium drives that produce the full spectrum of sounds. You will appreciate a crisp base, clear mid-ranges and perfect high frequencies. They have a natural geometry so that the audio signal passes straight to the ear.

Open Back Design

Being open-backed means that rather than having a plastic casing on the outer side, there is a fine mesh. This design eliminates air pressure that can build up and enhances the sound produced from the Philips SHP 9500 and the Philips SHP 9500s.

Cable and Connections

The Philips SHP 9500 and the Philips SHP 9500s have a 3.5mm jack so you can easily remove cables to change your music source or even add a microphone. They come with a 1.5m (4.9ft) cable so you have the flexibility to move around.

Maximum Power Input

The maximum power input for the Philips SHP 9500 and the Philips SHP 9500s is 200mW.

There are three differences the Philips SHP 9500 and the Philips SHP 9500s, two are related to specifications and for the average user, may not make a huge difference.

Differences Between Philips SHP 9500 and Philips SHP 9500s

Sensitivity

Philips SHP 9500 Comparison

The sensitivity is a measurement of how loud a set of headphones will be. The average volume used is between 60 and 80 decibels.

Philips SHP 9500

The sensitivity is 101db

Philips SHP 9500s

A whisper of a difference but a difference nevertheless, the sensitivity is 102db.

The Winner Is- A Tie

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Frequency Response

The frequency response it the range between the bass, mids and trebles and basically what sounds a set of headphones is capable of producing. The standard frequency response is 20Hz – 20,000Hz

Philips SHP 9500

There is an excellent frequency response of 12Hz to 35,000Hz.

Philips SHP 9500s

Again, the difference is marginal at 6Hz to 35,000Hz.

The Winner Is- The Philips SHP 9500s

Value for Money

Philips SHP 9500 review

For many, this could be the decider as the headphones are very similar. Although you can get over the ear headphones for as little as $10 and as much as $3000, it’s probably best to stick to between $50 and $200.

Philips SHP9500

The set is an absolute steal for the brand towards the lower end of the price range.

Philips SHP 9500s

You are looking at a more expensive set than the SHP 9500 but still, right in the middle of average.

The Winner Is- The Philips SHP 9500

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Pros and Cons

Up until now, the two Philips headphones are still very similar. The pros and cons will help to set them apart.

Philips SHP9500

Philips SHP 9500

Pros:

  • The bass sound is great for gaming, especially competitive
  • They are comfortable and have a nice firm grip but not too much pressure
  • Overall sound quality excels expectations when comparing to the price

Cons:

  • The materials are good, but they look a little cheap

Philips SHP9500s

Philips SHP9500s

Pros:

  • Awesome sounds for music and gaming
  • They are lightweight and have a good build
  • The size is easy to adjust and still get maximum benefits of the driver alignment

Cons:

  • The included cable isn’t the best quality

The Final Verdict

Before jumping to negative conclusions, many don’t realize that you need to let headphones burn for quite a long time before the quality of the sound becomes really apparent. Regardless of whether you choose the Philips SHP9500 or the Philips SHP9500s, after a couple of days use, you will notice that they begin to settle.

The one thing we noticed is that if you replace the cable with a slightly better quality one, you will notice a big difference in the sound clarity. It was impossible for us to base our decision on the sound because there wasn’t enough of a difference. The same could be said about the design. Really, the only difference was that the Philips SHP9500s was a fraction heavier.

Today’s winner is the Philips SHP9500. These are excellent headphones for under $100 and so comfortable you won’t want to take them off.

 

 

Last update on 2024-04-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API