I Absolutely Love The Way The SHP9500s Look .

Ok, guys, I couldn't decide between the two models, so I got both of them (with the idea of keeping the one I liked more and selling the other one). And so, here's my verdict: 9500, all the way. It's not a small difference, either. To my ears, SHP9600 is an unbalanced, muddy audio mess, while the 9500 is almost magical in its wide stage, precise imaging and an overall satisfying listening experience. Yes, it's a bit light on bass and bright on treble, but it lends itself very well to equalization, which is more than can be said for the 9600. No matter what I did to the latter, it was no use. With the 9500, however, there is a the simple fix that can be applied to tame the treble: putting coffee filter cutouts into the earcups (just a single layer will do). If you don't feel like fiddling with the physical inserts, an equivalent effect can be achieved with EQ. Below is a Peace EQ curve that worked very well for me on the coffee filter-dampened 9500 (you can copy and save it as a .peace file in the C:\Program Files\Equalizer APO\config folder). You can, of course tune these settings up or down to your taste. Fortunately, the 9500 responds quite well to EQ. [General] Description=As per www.dropbox.com/s/sc2wanrbrqe0qn7/Philips%20SHP9500.pdf?dl=0 [Speakers] SpeakerId0=0 SpeakerTargets0=all SpeakerName0=All SpeakerId1=1 SpeakerTargets1=L SpeakerName1=Left SpeakerId2=2 SpeakerTargets2=R SpeakerName2=Right SpeakerId3=3 SpeakerTargets3=C SpeakerName3=Center SpeakerId4=4 SpeakerTargets4=SUB SpeakerName4=Subwoofer SpeakerId5=5 SpeakerTargets5=RL SpeakerName5=Left rear SpeakerId6=6 SpeakerTargets6=RR SpeakerName6=Right rear SpeakerId7=7 SpeakerTargets7=SL SpeakerName7=Left side SpeakerId8=8 SpeakerTargets8=SR SpeakerName8=Right side [Frequencies] Frequency1=30 Frequency2=90 Frequency3=105 Frequency4=200 Frequency5=1250 Frequency6=2300 Frequency7=3000 Frequency8=4800 Frequency9=6000 Frequency10=11000 [Gains] Gain1=4.5 Gain2=2.5 Gain3=4 Gain6=2 Gain7=0.5 Gain8=-2 Gain9=-2 [Qualities] Quality1=0.71 Quality2=1 Quality3=0.71 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=4 Quality8=3 Quality9=3 Quality10=0.71 [Filters] Filter1=14 Filter3=14 Filter10=15 [Frequencies1] Frequency1=10 Frequency2=21 Frequency3=42 Frequency4=83 Frequency5=166 Frequency6=333 Frequency7=577 Frequency8=1000 Frequency9=2000 Frequency10=4000 [Qualities1] Quality1=1.41 Quality2=1.41 Quality3=1.41 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=1.64 Quality8=1.41 Quality9=1.41 Quality10=1.41 [Frequencies2] Frequency1=10 Frequency2=21 Frequency3=42 Frequency4=83 Frequency5=166 Frequency6=333 Frequency7=577 Frequency8=1000 Frequency9=2000 Frequency10=4000 [Qualities2] Quality1=1.41 Quality2=1.41 Quality3=1.41 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=1.64 Quality8=1.41 Quality9=1.41 Quality10=1.41 [Frequencies3] Frequency1=10 Frequency2=21 Frequency3=42 Frequency4=83 Frequency5=166 Frequency6=333 Frequency7=577 Frequency8=1000 Frequency9=2000 Frequency10=4000 [Qualities3] Quality1=1.41 Quality2=1.41 Quality3=1.41 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=1.64 Quality8=1.41 Quality9=1.41 Quality10=1.41 [Frequencies4] Frequency1=10 Frequency2=21 Frequency3=42 Frequency4=83 Frequency5=166 Frequency6=333 Frequency7=577 Frequency8=1000 Frequency9=2000 Frequency10=4000 [Qualities4] Quality1=1.41 Quality2=1.41 Quality3=1.41 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=1.64 Quality8=1.41 Quality9=1.41 Quality10=1.41 [Frequencies5] Frequency1=10 Frequency2=21 Frequency3=42 Frequency4=83 Frequency5=166 Frequency6=333 Frequency7=577 Frequency8=1000 Frequency9=2000 Frequency10=4000 [Qualities5] Quality1=1.41 Quality2=1.41 Quality3=1.41 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=1.64 Quality8=1.41 Quality9=1.41 Quality10=1.41 [Frequencies6] Frequency1=10 Frequency2=21 Frequency3=42 Frequency4=83 Frequency5=166 Frequency6=333 Frequency7=577 Frequency8=1000 Frequency9=2000 Frequency10=4000 [Qualities6] Quality1=1.41 Quality2=1.41 Quality3=1.41 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=1.64 Quality8=1.41 Quality9=1.41 Quality10=1.41 [Frequencies7] Frequency1=10 Frequency2=21 Frequency3=42 Frequency4=83 Frequency5=166 Frequency6=333 Frequency7=577 Frequency8=1000 Frequency9=2000 Frequency10=4000 [Qualities7] Quality1=1.41 Quality2=1.41 Quality3=1.41 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=1.64 Quality8=1.41 Quality9=1.41 Quality10=1.41 [Frequencies8] Frequency1=10 Frequency2=21 Frequency3=42 Frequency4=83 Frequency5=166 Frequency6=333 Frequency7=577 Frequency8=1000 Frequency9=2000 Frequency10=4000 [Qualities8] Quality1=1.41 Quality2=1.41 Quality3=1.41 Quality4=1.41 Quality5=1.41 Quality6=1.41 Quality7=1.64 Quality8=1.41 Quality9=1.41 Quality10=1.41

Good video. Personally, I like the L & R on the SHP9500. I also replaced the cable with Hart Audio Cables because I use the cable on more than just my SHP9500. Honestly, if the clamp is more on the 9600, I will pass on them then. My first requirement in a headphone is comfort. I do not care how good something sounds if I cannot wear it for more than a few minutes. The 9500 clamp is perfect for me. The SHP9500 is the only headphone I own that does not cause me migraines from the pads trying to touch through my skull. I will not buy the 6xx or similar because everyone says the clamp is so much and is required.

I downloaded and tried an eq for shp9600 from autoeq and it made the headphone much much better

quality review, nothing too fancy, straight to the point. subbed.

A very comprehensive review! I just received a pair of the 9600 from Amazon for $68.87. They sound good and feel very comfortable. The soundstage does seem smaller and somewhat muted. I may get a pair of the 9500's and the Sennheiser HD58X to compare. Being a bass player and sound tech, I want full and defined bass. My reference headphones now are the Audio Technica ATH-MSR7 and the ATH-M50X, both of which I like a lot! If I find something else that' sounds better, I'll return the 9600's.

Only complaint with 9500's is the head/ear pads takes in a lot of moisture w/ sweat build-up like a sponge. Get a V-Moda cable - if you don't like the stock, you won't regret it. It was just around 50 bucks when I bought it a number of years back. Fantastic mids with just enough bass.

Great review. It's always good to see reviews showing graphs. I'm stuck between the 9500 and the 9600 right now since I can buy either with just a 20 dollar difference. I'm looking for a predominantly gaming headphone but I'm quite cautious of the 9500's peaks after using Sennheiser wired momentum in-ears which sounded sibilant and metallic. Any thoughts between the two?

Kinda late to comment but your description of the sound of the 9600 is spot on. It sounds bloated/boomy and overall just weird on the mids, cause the bass bleeds and the mids are really scooped. The comfort is great, but the sound quality is just terirble, specially for what it costs.

Love the review very methodical and thorough and dispelled all my doubt about buying a pair of these for my spare gaming rig. They currently selling on special in my country .I’m rocking a pair of Koss KC75s clip ons for gaming(got them as hand me down from relative!)but though I loved the sound was over the clip on mechanism and was iffy about the build quality of the koss porta pros. Excited to the Phillips 9600 when they arrived for gaming. Keep up the good work look forward to your content going forward

I ended up modding my 9500's with the morehouse cups not too long ago to give em more bass. These probably aren't worth it for me.

Dope video my brother!!! You just a new subscriber 👍🏿

Really excellent guide and helps buying advice a lot - appreciate the indepth review

Excellent comparisons video man, much appreciated as usual. What was the MSRP for the 9500 ? People always talk about their value around 50-70 bucks but they came out a long time ago, were they at this price from the get go ? I remember the X2 MSRP was close to the freshly released X3 and nowadays you can find them for 100 bucks. Pretty sure the 9600 will do down quickly too, then it will make more sense to get them.

Nice review, shame about that midrange dip. More bass and calmer treble was looking so promising! Especially liked your summing up at the end.

Hey man, great video. Thanks for the info. SHP9500 has amazing sound for me (as it is, but I may try the coffee filter sometime) but kind of fatiguing after some time.

they "improved" the price too

At $130, I would much rather go for the Sennheiser HD 58x for a bit more. Sorry Philip's, At $70 the 9500's are great because of the price. But if you double the price, there's better options. Love my 58x, I had the 9500, and X2HR compared directly with the 58x and the 58x was my favorite by far. Only downside of the 58x is the sound stage and bass is much less than the X2HR, but imaging, precision, resolution, and clarity is much better on the 58x.

long story short: if you have the 9500 then you're gucci, don't need to splash extra 50 or whatever on these 9600, they're the exact same essentially!

I was really hoping this could replace my nearly 10yr old AD700s but it sounds like a hard no. Do you have a recommendation? I’ll go back for your review on them. Checking out the three you mentioned in the review. Thank you!

had my 9500's for 5? ish years now... Mine came with the 3.3m cable out of the box, and to date my only gripe is still the clamping force.

I'm using the SHP9600 for a month now, managed to find it for the price of a SHP9500 First thing I noticed is that a lot of voices are terrible in this I'm using it without any EQ for now and I have to drastically change volume depending on what i'm listening to All around it's weird

What would you recommend to be the best for gaming/music headphones in the $100-150 range? I'm upgrading from an old razor kraken 7.1.

if i want to upgrade, I'll just go for fidelio x2hr

The beyerdynamic tygr 300r is back in stock on the beyerdynamic website if you’re interested. Today is the first day back in stock.

I'm looking for headphones used for gaming. Especially competitive fps (csgo). So localisation is key! I also need some with a detachable 3.5 cable so I can get a modmic like the boompro. What would you recommend? I was thinking of the 9500. But I'm open to suggestions. Up to 130$.

Is shp 9500 good for just plain listening to music, say on spotify? Or is the lack of bass a big factor?

ordered them for $92, what to expect from them after JBL Tune 700BT? 🤔

Which would you recommend for podcasts and TV series.?

I found the 9600 for 88 is it worth it

Between the Philips X2 and the 9600, which one do you recommend more? Both seem to be more focused on bass, which one handles it better in your opinion and which one do you prefer overall?

do you plan to review the akg k361/371? people say they are currently the best closebacks under 200

what you prefer for long time usage?

The 9600 are about $110 while the 9500 are $135 in my Country(Mexico). I really like clear neutral sound but I also like bass sounding when its needed. Considering the 9600 are cheaper, is there a reason to go with the 9500?

Im listen you via mis SHP9500s

Have you tried eq to make it more balanced

sounds like its a buy if the price drops to SPH9500 levels

Hi how do you think the T1 gen2 would be for gaming and watching movies I know there not tuned for gaming but what do you think please let me know thankyou

I can enhance the 9500 bass with ifi zen dac with truebass in PUBG MOBILE.

what dac/amp u use here? also any thought on v-moda cable? wanna add v-moda and tempotec hd pro to my shp next

I'm new for SHP series, i should pick SHP9600 right?

Holy sh!t it looks trash.... I'm still waiting for mine to arrive. Thanks for keeping my expectations in check.

Which are better for rainbow six siege ps4 n ps5???

philips got their target audience wrong with shp9600 when they decide to bassboost and lower the mid section ill stick with my shp9500, the bass is fine if i can get clearer vocal and string instrument

u been using game filters since season 5 lmao

The moment you pulled up the graphics I shut myself down to your channel. Graphics are nothing son! They reveal ZERO about the sound and the emotion that they give when listened to. Please don't show up on my recommended again