I really like your reviews, you are always among the people I seek when looking for a headphone. Currently I own the SHP9500 and I love it. I use an EQ setting that can bring the bass up to good levels and tame the treble (I can send you the Peace equalizer file / Reddit Post if you want to check the changes). Now I want to upgrade, I want to get something around 200 dollars max. I just can't decide on a headphone. On my lists there are things like the Hifiman HE-400i, AKG 7XX, AKG 612, DT 770 and the HD600 in order of good prices in Ebay (HD600 are being a pain to find in lower prices). I know that taste is very subjective but after watching your video and multiple reviews I'm afraid of going throught the importation nightmare and get something that would be more of the same, a refined SHP9500 (there is no problem if a new can is a refined SHP, but it must be an worthy upgrade), people like this so much and sometimes prefer it against cans I consider buying that it kinda makes me want to stick to the Philips. Do you know if any of these cans I listed would be an worthy change or have any different suggestion? Even a new AMP/DAC to futher improve the SHP9500. I don't have an specific taste I'm not very picky. I listen to a wide range of things, from post-punk to classic, from big band jazz to lo-fi rap. But I tend to like more neutral sounds, something like the SHP9500 with little more bass in. I'm leaning towards the Hifiman HE-400i but I'm not sure.
Well, RUclips didn't notify me of your comment. Sorry about the delay and thank you so much for the kind words! The 400i and HD600 are the obvious go to choices here as far as an upgrade, so you're definitely in the right place. As for a quick comparison: The 600's are definitely more sterile/cleaner sounding than the 400i. The 400i is warmer, more lush, with a bit of a deeper bass response and less overall roll off. The difference between the 9500 and HD600 is slight. The 600's have a darker treble and therefore come across as a bit more dull sounding in comparison to the more lively 9500. I personally don't have an issue with the treble, but I see you EQ'd it down a bit, which is fine, and actually makes it pretty much identical to the 600 in theory. If you like the sound of the 9500, you'll like the sound of the HD600. If you look at graphs of both, there is very minimal difference and my ears confirm this as well upon multiple times A/B'ing both of them. As for the 400i vs. 600 in terms of comfort, the 600's win easily because of their tighter clamp force and more secure overall fit. The 400i's tend to slide down on your head, hitting the tops of your ears and causing some annoyance. A proper fit is achievable, but will take a bit more fiddling. Build wise, the 400i's seem more sturdy, but it's almost a wash. The HD600's feel pretty good in your hand, but in no way are they rock solid. The 400i's feel as though they could take some more abuse. In the end, it's hard to say which you should go with. Because the 9500 resembles a 600 very closely in terms of sound, I may go with the 400i's. They are a fantastic headphone and you'll be really satisfied with them, especially if you prefer a warmer sound with a bit of added bass emphasis. As for an Amp/DAC, try the Oppo HA-2. It's a bit more expensive than my Magni/Modi desktop setup, but well worth it considering it's portable, and is loaded with cool features. Check out my review: homestudiobasics.com/oppo-ha-2-review/ The Audioquest Dragonfly Red is also an incredible option: homestudiobasics.com/audioquest-dragonfly-red-review/ And yes please send me that EQ change!
Home Studio Basics yeah I think I will get the 400i, if I have too much trouble (because no one sends anything to Brazil) maybe I will try an akg 612 or 7xx for the Soundstage. My only fear is what you said about the 400i and how they are in your face, and kinda make even small sounds demand attention. As for the EQ here it is, it was made by shield, please tell me what you think about it. www.google.com.br/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/63pfey/shp9500_correction_tune_v21/
Don't recall saying that the 400i is in your face, but I wouldn't worry about that regardless. You're going to love them. What amp are you thinking about?
Home Studio Basics Strange, well I mixed the millions reviews I read then. He-4xx on massdrop, I guess it's my chance now. Unfortunately I'm not sure about an amp yet. To be fair I don't want to waste too much, budget is tight because dollar conversion to my local currency making everything 3.2 times more expensive, also something avaliable on aliexpress would be ideal. I was thinking about the Fx-Audio X-6 amp/dac not the best but Zeos was positive about this, got power and a practical usb in to plug in anything easily. Never used an amp in my life, I need to check some things I need to keep on mind to don't explode the hifiman if I get it
Let me know what you go with! How much is the Dragonfly Red where you are? That would be my recommendation as it's really portable and amazing for most headphones.
SO, on top of owning the SHP9500, I now, have the Fidelio X2HR. Except for the mids, the Fidelio X2HR is better in every way. Tighter, thumpy bass. It's clean. Not overdone. Treble is not harsh. Deeper soundstage. Better imaging. Still, the SHP9500 is excellent for its price. I also, own the hd58x Jubilee. The Beyerdynamic DT770 is intriguing because they are closed-back, but I'm not sure how much better they'll be over the three headphones that I already have.
Interesting I will have to try the HR. Wait did you already tell me where you're located? I want to say yes but I can't remember. You in the states? If so I would love to try out the 58X and compare with 600/6XX if you'd be willing. Lemme know. 770 is a really great headphone because of how open and spacious it sounds plus the amazing comfort. It's more of a bass-head type though kind of like an M50x.
@@HomeStudioBasics They're surprisingly good. I live in the Atlanta-metro area. And, Idk. I use my hd58x Jubilees a lot. Then, the shipping and all. Smh Seems it would be a bit of a hassle. And, the 770s are intriguing because they're closed-back, but has the essence of open-back. Or, are they semi-open?
@@1Dub79 Well think about it and let me know man! :) They are indeed closed back but do sound very open. My friend Craig does mods of 770's and makes them sound even better. mageaudio.com/ I got a chance to demo it and it was amazing for everything including Gaming. I may pick up one down the road I loved it so much: homestudiobasics.com/beyerdynamic-dt770-review-mage-audios-dt770-black-mage-modded-version/
Yeah man don't even think twice just buy them. I say that because most pairs are around $200 last time I checked. I paid $54 or thereabouts for mine new. I think the price you mentioned is just about the best deal you're going to get right now. Let me know how you like them!!
Home Studio Basics USPS took them all over the country so they took a couple weeks to get here. I contacted the seller and they contacted USPS who said the storm was why they were delayed (but there were a lot of issues with its shipping) and I got them the next day. The package was bratty destroyed and I was afraid the headphones would be damaged but they were in great condition the seller had them in the original plastic shell so that probably helped protect them a lot. Anyways they sound AWESOME! Only things I don’t like about the are that they creak very slightly from time to time when I move my head and they are a bit light in terms of clamping force. But hey, I’ll never get any headaches from wearing them. Your very excellent review set up my expectations perfectly and I’m usually disappointed with stuff.
Hey man! Yeah clamp force is a bit on the lighter side but man you can really wear them for a long time without discomfort. So glad you're liking them though! Do you find the upper mids/treble to be too bright? That's a common complaint but it irritates me a little because that means we have to complain about a lot of headphones with similar peaks you know what I mean? I love the lean character of the 9500 though, and it will likely stay in my collection as I sell off most of my other cans. Stay tuned for an E10K video as well as more amp reviews in the future! Also I'm going to be making an improvements video where I get some feedback from the core group of homies.
Home Studio Basics No I found the upper mids and treble to be to be quite pleasing, never interfering with mid and low mid detail, or becoming sibilant. Sometimes the sub bass texture can be a bit subdued but it’s all there and with very good precision.
Yes I think you described these cans very accurately in fact. I feel the same way about the sub bass but the bass in general is just so articulate, pleasant and clean. A fine example of a headphone that will make you re-think/re-evaluate music and what you thought you preferred in a sound signature.
I think so, yes. 850 is super bright but still a good headphone. I ended up selling my 850 and still have my 9500 from 2017 or 18. Can't remember when I bought it but it stays lol.
$54? They sell for 170 € in Germany. They're cheaper to import from BHP including shipping than local offers. But for the same price I could buy another pair of Sony MDR-7506 to replace my old pair. The heandband finally starts to lose crumbs of pleather on my head which is highly annoying and don't feel like replacing it with china parts. Lasted 6 years, earcups got replaced like 3 times with good knockoffs. I was really looking for a replacement. The open back design is a caveat though. They should leak sound, which is why didn't jump on the Sennheiser HD 6XX either.
Hey man! Yeah I got a really good deal on the 9500 when I originally bought it. So you are looking for an open back? Interesting you mention the 7506. I'm actually coming out with a video on that one next week I think (haven't decided if it's next, but have it recorded and everything). The 7506 was my first "good" headphone and it's a sound I'll never forget. Loved it in 2010 and still think it's relevant today. It's an interesting comparison for sure. I think the 7506 probably will have more low end slam, but the sound signatures are pretty similar. I think the 9500 is a bit more laid back overall, but incredibly detailed, clear, and rather neutral aside from the high mids/low treble minor issue. You may just skip over the 9500 and go for a 6XX, but the treble is different for sure. Do you like the brighter sound of the 7506?
@@HomeStudioBasics I'm used to the fairly flat sound of the 7506. I usually listen to music through the PC without an extra DAC. I use a plugin for foobar2000 to fake some bass if I need it (Real Bass Exciter). Not an audiophile 😂 It's my first decent pair of headphones. I went through a pair of bad consumer grade skull candy, two Koss Porta Pro which I quite liked but the build quality isn't very good (cables broke) and the Koss KSC75 which sounded decent but were uncomfy. Same bad cables. I use the 7506 hooked to my PC without any DAC or use it at work (during night shifts) which is why I'm looking for closed cups. Open would leak sound which would annoy other people (or my wife 💪🏼 👩🏼). I really wish there was a DIY kit to migrate the 7506 drivers into a better pair of cups and a neat headband solution, ideally with real leather. A friend recommended the 6XX since the massdrop but the usage would be very situational.
Hey man. I currently own the Sennheiser Game One, Sennheiser Gsp 300 and Cooler Master Mh751 which I switch between on my Xbox and PS4. I don't feel fully satisfied with the volume I'm getting on the Game One but was wondering if these Phillips Shp9500 with the V Moda Boom Pro are an upgrade over the 3 mentioned above.
Hey man! Hmm. Haven't heard any of those. Been wanting to get my hands on a Game One for awhile though. I do know that the Boom Pro and 9500 are a great match. Are you using an Amp at all?
The shp9500’s are in stock on Newegg for $80. Since I already have the hd6xx and mdrv6, do you think it would sound different enough to warrant buying them over something like the Samson sr850? I’m also just generally looking for a portable open back to use with my phone around my house while I’m not near my amp. I don’t know if they are actually new stock or just getting around to selling old stock, so I don’t know if they will ever be available again.
I would buy it without hesitation at that price. It will do fine with your phone as well. Very efficient. I hope it's new stock lol. 850 is a great headphone but a bit bright. I prefer the 9500 over it but it is fairly close.
Home Studio Basics Thanks. I called customer service and they said it’s new stock, and they have about 800 units left, so I don’t think I’m as rushed to buy them as I thought. I think I will get them soon enough though.
Please do. Build quality is incredible for a unit at that price as well. I really hope Philips brings these back. It would be criminal not to. Keep me posted.
Home Studio Basics ok. Here’s the link if you want it m.newegg.com/products/N82E16826138190?ignorebbr=1&_ga=2.130830855.925168911.1549735736-amp-O5CsfR3WdYv9EFEgHkQZs8aZscdwIOucPqU_JCpR_YgnrdRI6LkifIUEuHSyA8aG&_gac=1.245623472.1549764995.EAIaIQobChMIv7-X2qCv4AIVBA9pCh3AiQwTEAkYAiABEgKKN_D_BwE
If you can stretch your budget, the DT880 250 Ohm is just over $200, and is one of the absolute best in any category. For a headphone truly under $200 in the open back category, I would honestly rate the the 9500 the best. In the review I compared them favorably against an HD600, and in fact there's nothing that the HD600 really does all that much better. The 9500 is an absolute steal. If you're wondering what a high end headphone sounds like, this is about the closest you'll get. Let me know what you decide. If you don't like that recommendation, the K612 from AKG is also fantastic as an open mixing/reference headphone under $200. If you don't like that, the Sennheiser HD598/558 is also great. But I'm telling you, 9500.
No problem brother! Consider also investing in an Amp/DAC combo like the Audioquest Dragonfly Red, as it will open up the sound considerably. Also make sure to get the 9500 and not the 9500S if you want a 1/4" adapter included. Please let me know how you like the headphones as well!
My favorite in the under $400 camp so far including the senns hd open back series. But a lot depends on your amp source, and what you like and use them for. but since they do not have the brand name or price, they will never get credit, because people are brand loyal, especially after spending hundreds more and not getting better sound. These are also some of the best gaming headphones bar none at any price because of the pinpoint imaging and wide soundstage, with a mod mic. They are also highly moddable with earpads, and have the ability to be made a closed back with enhanced bass. This are a true classic and I do not think they are available anymore.
Hey buddy. They are actually available again on New Egg for around $80 at the time of this comment. I really hope Philips brings these back. They are phenomenal and I do actually prefer them over the 600 at the moment. People really like to argue with me about it but the fact remains that both headphones provide the same level of detail and the 9500 is more resolving. You're spot on about gaming/imaging but there were people who claimed they didn't have good Soundstage which is just blatantly false. Definitely plenty of out your head moments in fact I thought someone was knocking at the door when I was playing Fallout. Which pads would you recommend? Would love to try something new.
@@HomeStudioBasics www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826138190&ignorebbr=1&source=region&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Headphones+and+Accessories-_-N82E16826138190&gclid=Cj0KCQiA14TjBRD_ARIsAOCmO9ZU5S9JXAxXLXf8kAC1B0YJwqjDSp1tsirMDaEcvTO0FUy-NI--s7oaAkIWEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds I just saw that, may have to get another pair, thanks.
Yes. I got them for $54 from New Egg in 2017 but $80 is still a steal for these. I think they're worth around $200 maybe more especially considering how great the build quality is as well.
I bought a couple of MDR V6 thanks to your reviews. Not. disappointed. at. all. Great sounding headphones and they just blew my head away, specially because I was coming from a bunch of cheap earbuds from a local store lol. However, now I want more, I wanna see if this whole thing of soundstage in open backs really makes the difference. So, would you say that buying this to get a nice taste of what a good soundstage is a good decision? Specially taking in consideration that I come from a couple of MDR V6. Do you think that the difference is clearly noticeable or that it doesn't really worth it? Will I be taking this baby off from time to time just to see if the sound is not coming out of my home? I really hope you answer this lol, I'm counting on you bro! Keep on the great work!
Hey Elvis! Thanks for the vote of confidence my friend. :) The V6's are dope like soap. I think the 9500 would make a great compliment actually. You can't go wrong for the price. I say go for it. Some people say that they don't have much of a Soundstage but I would tend to disagree. I tried these for Gaming and was hearing stuff in all directions playing Fallout 4. A great experience. There is some bass roll off here, and they are a bit bright in the upper mids/low treble but I like it and think it makes them sound more lively. A lot of people like to slam these and I really have no idea why. I talk about it ad nausea and if you read some of the comment threads below you can see my stance on the matter. Let me know what you decide!! I say go for it. :D You're not going to be disappointed my boy.
Hello! Just discover your channel,I like your reviews. How does this compare (in sound) with the Hifiman 4xx (or400i) in terms of Bass response?. Wich one would you recomend for enjoy classic rock? Thank you!!!
Hey there! The bass on the 9500 is definitely lean, a lot leaner than a 4XX for sure. There's nothing quite like a planar bass, or sound for that matter. I personally do not like the treble spike at around 9-10kHz on the 4XX, but the 9500 can also be a bit essy in the upper mids/low treble so there's that. For classic rock I think they both work really well although I'd probably begrudgingly take the 4XX because it does so much right and reminds me of the way I felt when I first heard a 400i. Do you plan on getting an amp?
Home Studio Basics Thank you for your answer!! I’m new on this open back headphones, amps, etc. I love music, and always been a “mainstream” headphone enthusiast. I have a Bose QC35 and a V-Moda Crossfade Wireless (mostly for travels) but I wanted to start listening to music in a different way. So, I wasn’t thinking on an amp, but I was Wondering if I can use my Denon AVR (home theater receiver) to connect the headphones. That receiver is connected to a CD player.
@@ccozzarelli Hey man sorry I missed this! I'm going back and editing descriptions and saw it. RUclips doesn't always notify me of follow up replies. As for your question. Something like a DENON is great for higher impedance cans, as it acts much like a tube amp does. Warm sound, luscious, creamy, etc. But for lower impedance it's a no go. For an amp you'll probably want to go solid state and low output impedance as it enures consistency across multiple different types of headphones and impedances. Have you thought any more about an Amp/DAC combo?
Home Studio Basics thank you man! By now I’ve already have the FiiO Mll and the DT770 Pro 80 ohms ! So far I like it hehe thanks for your videos ! They helped me a lot !
hey, you had hd668b before? im perfectly satisfied with the sound quality of hd668b, but the comfort gets annoying. so i want to buy shp9500 for its comfort but i also want to retain the punchy bass, good mid, and not so sibilant trebs.
Hey man. You're going to experience more bass roll off with the 9500. Mid-range is fantastic on the 9500 like the 668B. The only other difference between these two is the 668B has a presence boost around 2k vs. 5-7k for the 668B. The main argument against the 9500 is perceived "grain" and a somewhat artificial character in the treble. I don't really agree with it although it can definitely be a bit hot at times. A tad too much sizzle but for me it's a minor nitpick for an otherwise incredible overall experience. I think you'll really like these. Keep me posted and let me know if you have any other questions! Also check out Part II: ruclips.net/video/ZcRsNsuZzXg/видео.html
@@HomeStudioBasics woah, excellent. I used hyperx cloud 2 before which has ear bleeding sibilance, so i guess i wont be affected by shp9500's sizzle. I'll just have to find out. BTW I use this to test for sibilance. Warning though, it might hurt the ears. ruclips.net/video/neAMkgYta9M/видео.html let me know if the shp9500 performed well with that music, thanks. part 2's timing is perfect for me lol.
I would say absolutely. They are extremely revealing, but the bass does roll off quite a bit. This may be an issue if you tend to overcompensate during EQ, but as long as you're testing on different sources you can adjust accordingly. Let me know what you decide! The MDR V6 is also fantastic for mixing as a closed back option: ruclips.net/video/iVevSWZ2GPE/видео.html
I finally settled for these after haven't read and seen a ton of RUclips and proceeded to make the purchase upon watching your intake impressions, I have to say I'm pretty impressed by the clarity in the highs and mid frequencies bands given that these cost 50 freaking dollars (ordered mines from the US cause Amazon Europe has them here for nothing less than 120 Euros)..finally I can mix and master my projects on the go without the constant need for studio monitors which sadly are stationary ,not a good thing when you're a nomad DJ making music mostly from hotel rooms.I highly recommend these to anyone looking to invest gradually on studio gear ,you won't regret it .Side note calibrating these with the Sonaworks reference software does add an extra layer of fine tuning..thanks 👍
Thank you so much for the vote of confidence my boy! And for sure, I mean they are basically giving them away. I will have to check out that software that you mention as well. Don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need a hand moving forward! Blessings, -Stu
I can just feel that I'll eventually convince myself to buy these... even though I don't really need them. Then we'll see whom I agree more with. :P (u or metal) Selling my k712s btw, got bored of their signature... need something new.
Hey man haven't heard the Fidelio X2HR yet but it's been requested quite a bit. May see if I can get my hands on one. I do know for a fact there is more bass on the X2, that's pretty much undisputed. One of my good friends described the sound to me and it's going to be a lot warmer and more syrupy, better for pure musical fun rather than being analytical. Mids are a bit more pushed back than the 9500. The 9500 is a very crisp, kind of cold (ish) and detailed sound. Very revealing with not a lot of bass impact. The bass sounds good and is very textured and nuanced, but it doesn't slam if that makes sense. Even so, I find it to be very good. Hope that helps. Let me know your thoughts.
@@HomeStudioBasics Awesome and thanks for the quick reply. I was wondering because I've got the 9500 recently and made me wonder about their big brother. From the reviews, most say its a step up but some are saying its more colored. Graphs of the FR seem to be differing depending on who does the measurements. So I ordered one this AM so I'll probably have it next week. Maybe I can update and let you know what I think as well :) I've also got the NAD HP50 and I really like those but those are closed back and have a more warm and friendly sound. Awesome but in a different way.
well I'm not music expert so I can say with SHP9500 and E10K combo the sound is more natural, more stereo, I can hear some instrument on the left or on the right it's really beautiful haha, I use it for gaming and listening music
It's a great overall sound for sure. I noticed great Soundstage with it on Gaming especially. Not sure why people are claiming it has no Soundstage because that's a flat out lie/ignorance or people just parroting what others say.
I'm debating between these beautiful headphones and MDR V6s. A friend of mine has had V6s since high school and I like them in isolation, but after using semi open headphones like my Koss', it drives me insane having the music inside my skull predominantly. The V6s also for some reason always lack power for me, they seem wimpy at the lower end (and I don't know why, it's not an amplification issue, my Porta Pros are 60ohm and drive on most things), and I hear bad things about the bass in the 9500's as well. Then again I also hear that the pack in cable uses STEEL instead of copper and actually makes them sound worse, so I don't know which reviewers were hearing them correctly or not. I do a lot of studio work but I am also a fan of casual listening. So I'm pretty confused. You should do a cool buyer's guide for best headphones by image/sound and value, that'd be neat.
I've always loved the V6's bass because it has impact without sounding muddy. There's still some roll off, but it doesn't result in a sound that's too light, at least in my opinion. I still think there's some weight to it. The 9500's have a similar signature, but because they're open they do tend to sound more airy, open, and more detailed. You may not find the bass adequate, but I think it's perfect. The 9500's sound just as good as an HD600, except for the low treble which, while it does sound brighter, can become grating at times. The 600's are darker in this regard, and do live up to that "veiled" accusation comparatively. If you're into pure power, you may pass on the 9500, but honestly I still think you can't go wrong. At their current price, they are basically giving them away. No lie. I have an HD600 with a Schiit stack and I can tell you it's really not all that much better. I also have an Oppo HA-2, which is a fantastic investment if you need an all in one solution for 99% of headphones. It brings out the good qualities of all of mine. Check out my buyers guide on my site: homestudiobasics.com/the-best-audiophile-headphones-a-complete-buyers-guide/ Do you think I should do one for RUclips? Also, you may try the Status Audio CB-1 which I currently own and am demoing for review/comparison to the V6. It has a bit more power in the bass, but does tend to be a bit "stuffy" at times, and not quite as clean as a V6. That said, the detail is there in spades, and it will provide a bit more slam. Very cheap as well.
Home Studio Basics fair points, the sad thing about headphones is that you really need to try them to know whether or not you like them, but there's no good place to try most models unfortunately...
I'm fortunate enough to have a couple of stores nearby.. my local Audio Advice carries a lot of great brands like Audeze, Focal, Bowers and Wilkins, Grado, HIFIMAN, Sony, Audioquest, etc. and they have ridiculously good set ups and also allow you to take stuff home to try out. I was first demoing on a Bryston BHA-1 which is like a $1400 - $2000 amp, and now a NAIM DAC V-1 combo Amp/DAC + it can do a bunch of other stuff, which is currently gone from the store, but should be back soon. That's a $2600 piece of equipment. So I'm really able to A/B test and get a feel for exactly how a headphone sounds. Keep me updated on what you're leaning towards.
I did a deep comparison with my sets of hd600 vs 9500, they do not sound the same - sorry. not even close. the 9500 is a full range spectrum capable, the 600 are narrowed to mid range only. the 9500 cost 25% only, but are 20-40% better sounding. that is the short one sentence review for professionals. the hd600 of mine are now on the second hand market waiting for a buyer.
Not sure if you're agreeing with me or not because you said "sorry" at the start. However, it seems as though you do agree that the 9500 sounds better to your ears. It's important to know what you're running the 600 through though. Please reply!
I agree with you with all, But the statement that the sound characteristic is similar in any way. the hd600 is a headphones that is narrowed down to 100hz up to 8khz range, and that is it. no acoustic energy beyond that narrow spectrum. the 9500 is a true 50hz to 16khz device and this is totally different characteristic and balance. full range vs narow range. because of this the hd600 sound tiny and shouty - as only mid range spectrum energy exist. the HD600 are old school technology from the 90's with very old design and material diaphragms in the drivers, and only 40mm size. the 9500 use much bigger 50mm and acoustically tuned (via electronics on board) to be flat and wide range for compensation (new school technology). trying to EQ the hd600 anachronistic driver ends up with harmonic distortions. they have their prestige only because of the past and I know best - I own them for many years. technology went ahead and today they cannot cope any more as much as a 25% cost of them E.G. 9500 yield better result, much better. I also own the fidelios X2 which are of course a league of its own above. For your Question I drive them with the on board sound card existing on my Asus P8Z68 Motherboard from 2011. don't try to find problems there ;-)
As far as outdated, I would kind of tend to agree and did mention that in a comment somewhere in this thread. I think it was something to the effect of "You're telling me that as technology has advanced, a company can't replicate the same sound for much less, and do it better?" Even with that said, I still have a hard time not using the HD600 as a sort of benchmark standard. By default, I kind of compare most everything I hear to the 600's because they are extremely close to 100% neutral that you'll find. Out of the HA-2 in a direct A/B comparison to the 9500, they lack a certain energy, but out of the Schiit Magni/Modi stack they perform much better it seems. That said, I kind of enjoy the 9500 more than a 600 in the grand scheme of it, though I'll likely never discard the 600 as an afterthought. It's still a very important headphone and remains relevant even today as that standard of sound quality in the $300 range. You'd be hard pressed to find a substantial difference in quality as you move up in price, as the law of diminishing returns sets in fairly quickly the higher you ascend. I'm going to continue to test both on various equipment and see if my opinions change. Thanks for your insight!!
If you trust academic musicians to advice you on neutrality, than know this: the 9500 are very close to neutral while the 600 are extremely far from neutral. the 600 (580 originally) were "hi end top grade" at the 90's, I personally have them since 1995, but today 23 years later (more or less) they expose all that is wrong with them: narrow bandwidth, no energy below 100hz and above 8khz, extremely unbalanced if you test a calibrated mic recording and immediately play it back with the 600. they may seem "neutral" to the uneducated musician. **another problem they have is very poor dynamic range (the delta between weakest sound to the maximal - thus poor linearity). now do this: record with a calibrated mic anything, even your friend talking in front of you yes, and than play it back immediately with 600 and then with the 9500, you will easily notice how unbalanced tonally the 600 are. do it with a piano - it will be much easier to perceive. they are unbalanced and far from neutral because a very large spectrum of the audio is missing, which mess our brain's sound perception with too much mid information and lack of other data. sound becomes weak, thin, extremely shouty in the mid, and musically disastrous. the outcome is also quick fatigue, such as the listener is forced to lower the volume, not to blow his ears with bleeding unrealistic mid range energy. if you would like to further test it, take a recording of a classic performance, lets say one of Beethoven symphonies or Mozart, and take it with you to the orchestra hall and enjoy a live performance of the same. intermittently switch between your headphones playing the same performance with the live performance in front of you - listen which headphone is closer to reality. this is a very good lesson for "green" audio listeners, and a headphone true test to do. the hd600 with out any offence yes, are a toy by today's standards. took the industry a little time to learn, when the newer age full range headphones were born. the hd600 were good for 93 yes, but they are horrible for today's standards. they live a hyped position today, because of their past, and mostly because 99% of reviewers out there are not professional musicians - so they do not have the necessary tools, knowledge and expertise in order to test and review music and acoustic reproduction tools such as headphones, loudspeakers, acoustic rooms, calibration, etc... you as a reviewer are one of the better ones out there on youtube, keep the good work. how do I know you are one of the better reviewers: A) you easily noticed how better the 9500 are compared to the 600. something many are afraid to say or are ignorant sonicly to notice. it is against the "common stream" of audiophiles to say such things - it puts the 600 to shame, when a 25% cost product trounce them from their glory. B) you understand easily the law of diminishing return. let this 43 years old with his tired ears - teach you something (if you choose so): audiophiles understand in audio, in music, in human hearing mechanism - absolutely nothing. pity is that the majority of reviews are coming from this population group, and not from the likes of professional musicians, conductors, and professional classic music engineers - who master recording technology Technics and mixing. go on now and change your reference to what you audition headphones with, to the 9500. if you want even better, use the fidelios X2 (after a minor Equalization - lower the second octave just a bit to get a more balanced response). the rest of the line above 2nd octave of the X2's is the perfect response true to reality performance. reality can only be referenced with live - don't forget it. so reference with live as uneasy as it may be. no cheap meals here. you want to be a pro ? that's how it is done. I will keep watching your reviews as out of the herd you are one of the better :-)
soundstage is overrated. i want those drivers as close to my ears as possible without touching my ears lol. these are deff my favorite headphones. they sounds great stock but with sonarworks they sound perfect, they're the most comfortable headphone i've ever tried, they're super light, clamp is just right, they're durable and solid, the earpads feel great on my head, a;ways prefer velour over pleather but these feel even better than velour somehow, probably because the material is so breathable. i have a sensitive head so i used to avoid wearing headphones as much as possible because of nerve damage but these bad boys or so comfortable they don't really seem to bother even for extended periods. everyone needs a pair of these, they definitely punch way above their price bracket
Yeah totally agree man everything you've said I have been trying to convey for awhile now. This is one headphone that I will not be getting rid of. I've got around 10 now lying around. I have a herniated disc in my neck so you can imagine my tolerance for heavy is very low. For instance I love the Audeze house sound but couldn't see myself owning one because it feels like wearing a bowling ball.
Home Studio Basics wow no way, I have herniated disc in my neck too. I used to have m50's and I would always avoid using them as much as possible cuz they just hurt to wear
I think because they have a lively character in the upper mid/treble, that they do fantastic (especially with crunchy guitars), but the bass roll off will be problematic for you. I listen to them with Indie Pop/EDM and I love them though. I suppose I really don't require as much bass as I used to. I actually don't like too much of it, and you may or may not. I would honestly try the Sennheiser HD25 for Metal though. I haven't personally had more fun with Metal with another headphone outside of the HD25. Something like Killing in the Name Of or Fistful of Steel from Rage is going to be borderline mind blowing with the 25. Same with EDM. The intensity makes you want to literally do cartwheels. They will provide that missing bass, but do know that they can get metallic/sibilant at higher volumes. Still recommend them though despite that. The back flip is real. You may go with a 9500 as your all around headphone. It's an offering that will work for most everything, and at it's price is an absolute steal.
That is not all i listen to and im not a basshead by any means. They are just hard to find in EU (Finland), i found them from Aliexpress for 73€ and assuming that they are legit im probably going to give these a try soon.
I received them yesterday, they sound phenomenal indeed. I cant say are they as good as HD 600 because ive never tried them (only promptly tested HD 650 long time ago) but they are at least on par with my HD 598 or possibly even better. More neutral sounding and accurate, soundstage is slightly narrower but still very good.
It's close, but the 9500 does everything that the 880 does, at a ridiculous price. The 880 is way more comfortable though. By my calculations, the HD600 is slightly better than an 880, and if a 9500 is just as good as a 600, then you should go with the 9500. Some will argue that, but I A/B tested both and the differences are almost negligible. Read: There are hardly any, and with the 9500 you're getting a brighter/crisper treble. With the 880 you'll have to to purchase an amp as well, so that should seal the decision for you. Hope it helps! Let me know :)
Some other reviews talked about the treble you mentioned as being splashy and trying to forcefully add up details that ain't in the music. Do you think its true?
That's laughable. Sure, in comparison to the HD600, the treble is going to sound brighter and somewhat more harsh, but that's only because the 600's treble is dark by contrast. If the 9500's are "splashy" that means nearly every headphone with a bright treble is splashy. The 880's are significantly brighter up top, but never get accused of that. It's rubbish, but of course that's still my opinion. Does this graph look like anythings being forced? www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/philips/shp9500-hifi-precision-stereo I mean, it's a $54 headphone that sounds as good as a $300 one. There really isn't much to discuss, and frankly whoever said that is just looking for reasons to nitpick at an amazing product. My .02. Also, you can always EQ it down a bit if it's too much.
These imo. I have the Samson SR850 which is basically a 668B, and while i love it, it's going to come across as brighter than a 9500. Since most blokes already whine about the supposed "harshness" of the 9500, you'll def find the 668B too shrill if the 850 is any indication. I haven't personally heard the 668B though. Still, I consider the 9500 the absolute best open back at this price range, so take that fwiw. Let me know what you decide and how you like the headphone!!
Most certainly. I personally believe they ARE worth the prices they're going for now which is funny to me. Around $150 to $200. I always thought the price to performance ratio for these was astounding when I got mine for around $54 on New Egg, and I wrote articles about this very thing before the price jump. Basically saying they're worth way more than they're going for, and rival a lot of more expensive cans. I wouldn't hesitate for $80 man. Let me know what you decide!
@@HomeStudioBasics thanks. I accidentally commented you on two videos, The other video was about the sennheizer 558. I hesitated after seeing that prices of 558 and 559 are not very far away, but after seeing some more positive reviews and your comment I decided to give the philips a try. Hope they'll be good after all it's not a big risk for less than 100.
It is not a 1000$ headphones my 9500 is much better than more expansives ones I have tried. I return my AKG K702 and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X and keep the Philips SHP9500.
I can appreciate the value vs the sound with this headphone, and I listen to mine of a regular basis, but they are still a $60 headphone and they have their share of shortcomings; primarily in the lower region. For having 50mm drivers the sub-bass quite is poor. Tracks that on other headphones (like the HD600's or DT770's) would have me thinking there was a sub in the room ("If I only had a brain" by MC 900 is a great test track for sub-bass) do not deliver with the SHP9500's. Another problem is that often times I'll notice that virtually inaudible bass being produced by the SHP's is distorting other frequency ranges (intermodulation distortion). "Let Go" by Deadmau5 is a perfect example of this phenomenon (Start from the 2:00 mark). As far as comparing these to the HD600 or HD650, the reality is that the majority of people who buy those headphones do not posses the equipment capable of bringing out their full potential. This issue, not the sound, is the biggest issue facing the Senns. I had to buy a Bifrost Multibit, a Woo Audio WA3, and some expensive tubes before I understood what the HD600's, and HD650's were capable of.
For your first point, there's just no way I would ever think there is a sub in the room listening to the 600. That's just blatantly false. Both headphones have almost identical bass response, and I think that people should understand what they're getting with the 9500, rather than complain about lack of bass later. It's not a bass heavy headphone, but provides an incredible amount of texture, detail, clarity, and nuance. To me it's what bass is supposed to sound like. Same with the 600. As for distortion, I will listen to the track you mention. What was your source? CD? Spotify? Vinyl? I would need a similar source to yours before giving my own impressions, and in the interest of consistency. Yeah, the 9500's can be bright at times, and raspy with certain recordings, but that's true for all "good quality" headphones as they will reveal flaws in the recording. The 9500 is no different. It's a very balanced headphone for the most part. As for amplification, the HD600's aren't picky about what you choose, but I will concede that I haven't tried them with any of the amps you mention. Could you describe how they sound with those amps? You do make a good point in that most people looking to buy an HD600 aren't trying to spend a whole lot on amplification. I would actually like to try a Bottlehead Crack with these, as I heard it's one of the best overall pairings.
Home Studio Basics I can you as someome who owns a pair of 9500 and a pair of 650s which are extremely similar to the 600s that it's not even a competition as the 650 blows the 9500 away when hooked up to a proper system. 9500 is tinny and grainy in comparison, but they sound pretty similar on portable amps like my lg v30. 6xx series isn't picky and they sound good on most devices, but it scales up and rewards you with much greater clarity and resolution when amped to their full potential, something the 9500 cannot achieve.
Home Studio Basics like I said in the other thread, Valhalla 2. If you can't hear the clarity and resolution difference on that and other audiophile level systems then there's a problem with the ears buddy.. Aye too many years of blasting music? Your headphones are only gonna sound as good as what they are plugged into. Nothing scales quite like the 650
Again. I replied to you in the other thread about the 1k+ and 2K+ setups I've used (NAIM DAC V1/Bryston BHA-1), along with a Magni, Dragonfly Red, and HA-2 (which you blatantly ignored). Those first two amps are used in professional audio stores with some of the best headphones in the world. Secondly I never mentioned anything about the 650. My comparison was in regards to the 600 and 9500. I know it's outrageous, people have different opinions than you. What a shocker.
Okay. First off I wasn't comparing the 650 and 9500, I've been A/B'ing the 600 vs. 9500. Please. Stick to one thread. You're commenting all over the place and then ignoring stuff I say. That said, I don't want to sit here and get into a flame war about this. It's obvious we don't agree but I will be A/B testing both at Audio Advice and will report back my findings. Albums I will test: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Come on feel the Illinoise, Things Fall Apart by The Roots, Chon's Homey, Elliott Smith's XO, Dark Side of the Moon, and Wish You Were Here. All stuff that I'm extremely familiar with.
Home Studio Basics throw some love is the thing by nat king Cole in there for good measure and some celtic woman is also good. I haven't heard the 600s in a while but they would definitely slay with Danny boy by celtic woman... 9500s as I have retested today sound insanely bright and grainy in comparison to the 650s which are more similar than they are different to the 600s. love is the thing is simply some of the best recording quality I've ever heard for an album and the beautifully forward vocals, swallows and breaths Cole takes do not come out in the same way on the 9500 despite them being in my opinion overly bright. There's also noticeable distortion in some of the heavier string parts in all of coles songs and the 9500 sounds like it's struggling in comparison to the 650 which produces it effortlessly with no distortion. Its not even a competition tbh and the 650 is just a 600 with an emphasized mid to low end.
That's the fundamental difference in opinion. I just don't perceive the 9500's as ever struggling to reproduce what's there, which is why they can easily compete with the HD600 despite being extremely cheap. I also don't think the fact that they're brighter automatically means that they're struggling (if that's what you're alluding to). Quite the contrary, I believe them to render tracks effortlessly and flawlessly in most cases, with unbelievable clarity, detail, and resolution to the point of me being able to understand lyrics that sound muffled in any other setting. That's called value if you haven't heard of it. The thing that trips me out about certain people's overly critical assessment of this headphone is two fold: 1) It's a $50 headphone that out performs a lot of more expensive headphones. Let me repeat; it's $50. One more time. It's Fifty. Dollars. 2) I literally never hear anyone complain about a brighter mid-range/treble, unless it specifically is this headphone. Lol. That includes a DT880, 990, SRH440, AD900x, 50x, 40x, any Grado, etc. All more expensive to boot. The fact is that the 600's can get pretty shrill (ish) in the mid-range but I haven't heard you once acknowledge that despite me saying that the 9500 can be bright at times. Being bright does not equal bad nor does it mean they fail to live up to expectations or hype. You know what people do when they tire of the 600's shouty mids? They EQ it down. Bright treble on the 9500? EQ it down. You should try it out sometime. The hype for these is warranted no matter what people say due to the simple fact that they're $50 and behave like $300. Furthermore, you keep wanting to use other headphones to prove some obscure point that doesn't correlate in the slightest. You literally grabbed the LCD2 and HD800 in your other response out of thin air and tried to assume that I thought the 9500 performs just as good when I never even said that. Your flawed reasoning was, "Well since the HD600 is considered to be worth way more than it is, that means you think the 9500 performs just as well as an LCD2 and HD800!! Huh? What country are you from? I've been comparing 2 headphones from the start, and now you've brought in 3 more with absolutely no reasoning or justification. Add to that the fact that the 600 and 650 are completely different sound signatures. The 650 is bassier and much warmer overall, while the 600 is sterile with more bass roll off by contrast. Not really the same, so really all you've ended up doing is comparing a warm headphone (650) with a clinical one (9500). Not sure what that accomplishes other than more confusion. That said, I will compare the two (9500 vs. 600) YET again and get back to you. Thanks for reading.
Hahah so glad you found it funny and didn't get all offended like some people would. Subscribe to the channel because I'm always goofing off and making jokes! Saturday's video should be another barrel of laughs XD
Specs: 0:00 Comfort: 0:42 Build: 2:00 Sound: 5:18 HD600 Comparison: 6:25 Soundstage: 7:36 Imaging: 8:52
Great review. Subscribed.
I really like your reviews, you are always among the people I seek when looking for a headphone. Currently I own the SHP9500 and I love it. I use an EQ setting that can bring the bass up to good levels and tame the treble (I can send you the Peace equalizer file / Reddit Post if you want to check the changes).
Now I want to upgrade, I want to get something around 200 dollars max. I just can't decide on a headphone. On my lists there are things like the Hifiman HE-400i, AKG 7XX, AKG 612, DT 770 and the HD600 in order of good prices in Ebay (HD600 are being a pain to find in lower prices).
I know that taste is very subjective but after watching your video and multiple reviews I'm afraid of going throught the importation nightmare and get something that would be more of the same, a refined SHP9500 (there is no problem if a new can is a refined SHP, but it must be an worthy upgrade), people like this so much and sometimes prefer it against cans I consider buying that it kinda makes me want to stick to the Philips.
Do you know if any of these cans I listed would be an worthy change or have any different suggestion? Even a new AMP/DAC to futher improve the SHP9500. I don't have an specific taste I'm not very picky. I listen to a wide range of things, from post-punk to classic, from big band jazz to lo-fi rap. But I tend to like more neutral sounds, something like the SHP9500 with little more bass in. I'm leaning towards the Hifiman HE-400i but I'm not sure.
Well, RUclips didn't notify me of your comment. Sorry about the delay and thank you so much for the kind words! The 400i and HD600 are the obvious go to choices here as far as an upgrade, so you're definitely in the right place. As for a quick comparison: The 600's are definitely more sterile/cleaner sounding than the 400i. The 400i is warmer, more lush, with a bit of a deeper bass response and less overall roll off. The difference between the 9500 and HD600 is slight. The 600's have a darker treble and therefore come across as a bit more dull sounding in comparison to the more lively 9500. I personally don't have an issue with the treble, but I see you EQ'd it down a bit, which is fine, and actually makes it pretty much identical to the 600 in theory. If you like the sound of the 9500, you'll like the sound of the HD600. If you look at graphs of both, there is very minimal difference and my ears confirm this as well upon multiple times A/B'ing both of them. As for the 400i vs. 600 in terms of comfort, the 600's win easily because of their tighter clamp force and more secure overall fit. The 400i's tend to slide down on your head, hitting the tops of your ears and causing some annoyance. A proper fit is achievable, but will take a bit more fiddling. Build wise, the 400i's seem more sturdy, but it's almost a wash. The HD600's feel pretty good in your hand, but in no way are they rock solid. The 400i's feel as though they could take some more abuse. In the end, it's hard to say which you should go with. Because the 9500 resembles a 600 very closely in terms of sound, I may go with the 400i's. They are a fantastic headphone and you'll be really satisfied with them, especially if you prefer a warmer sound with a bit of added bass emphasis. As for an Amp/DAC, try the Oppo HA-2. It's a bit more expensive than my Magni/Modi desktop setup, but well worth it considering it's portable, and is loaded with cool features. Check out my review: homestudiobasics.com/oppo-ha-2-review/ The Audioquest Dragonfly Red is also an incredible option: homestudiobasics.com/audioquest-dragonfly-red-review/ And yes please send me that EQ change!
Home Studio Basics yeah I think I will get the 400i, if I have too much trouble (because no one sends anything to Brazil) maybe I will try an akg 612 or 7xx for the Soundstage. My only fear is what you said about the 400i and how they are in your face, and kinda make even small sounds demand attention.
As for the EQ here it is, it was made by shield, please tell me what you think about it.
www.google.com.br/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/63pfey/shp9500_correction_tune_v21/
Don't recall saying that the 400i is in your face, but I wouldn't worry about that regardless. You're going to love them. What amp are you thinking about?
Home Studio Basics Strange, well I mixed the millions reviews I read then. He-4xx on massdrop, I guess it's my chance now. Unfortunately I'm not sure about an amp yet. To be fair I don't want to waste too much, budget is tight because dollar conversion to my local currency making everything 3.2 times more expensive, also something avaliable on aliexpress would be ideal. I was thinking about the Fx-Audio X-6 amp/dac not the best but Zeos was positive about this, got power and a practical usb in to plug in anything easily. Never used an amp in my life, I need to check some things I need to keep on mind to don't explode the hifiman if I get it
Let me know what you go with! How much is the Dragonfly Red where you are? That would be my recommendation as it's really portable and amazing for most headphones.
SO, on top of owning the SHP9500, I now, have the Fidelio X2HR. Except for the mids, the Fidelio X2HR is better in every way. Tighter, thumpy bass. It's clean. Not overdone. Treble is not harsh. Deeper soundstage. Better imaging. Still, the SHP9500 is excellent for its price. I also, own the hd58x Jubilee. The Beyerdynamic DT770 is intriguing because they are closed-back, but I'm not sure how much better they'll be over the three headphones that I already have.
Interesting I will have to try the HR. Wait did you already tell me where you're located? I want to say yes but I can't remember. You in the states? If so I would love to try out the 58X and compare with 600/6XX if you'd be willing. Lemme know. 770 is a really great headphone because of how open and spacious it sounds plus the amazing comfort. It's more of a bass-head type though kind of like an M50x.
@@HomeStudioBasics They're surprisingly good. I live in the Atlanta-metro area. And, Idk. I use my hd58x Jubilees a lot. Then, the shipping and all. Smh Seems it would be a bit of a hassle. And, the 770s are intriguing because they're closed-back, but has the essence of open-back. Or, are they semi-open?
@@1Dub79 Well think about it and let me know man! :) They are indeed closed back but do sound very open. My friend Craig does mods of 770's and makes them sound even better. mageaudio.com/ I got a chance to demo it and it was amazing for everything including Gaming. I may pick up one down the road I loved it so much: homestudiobasics.com/beyerdynamic-dt770-review-mage-audios-dt770-black-mage-modded-version/
I looked all over and since they’ve been discontinued it’s hard to find them... do you think $64 shipped is a good price for a “barely used” pair?
Yeah man don't even think twice just buy them. I say that because most pairs are around $200 last time I checked. I paid $54 or thereabouts for mine new. I think the price you mentioned is just about the best deal you're going to get right now. Let me know how you like them!!
Home Studio Basics USPS took them all over the country so they took a couple weeks to get here. I contacted the seller and they contacted USPS who said the storm was why they were delayed (but there were a lot of issues with its shipping) and I got them the next day. The package was bratty destroyed and I was afraid the headphones would be damaged but they were in great condition the seller had them in the original plastic shell so that probably helped protect them a lot. Anyways they sound AWESOME! Only things I don’t like about the are that they creak very slightly from time to time when I move my head and they are a bit light in terms of clamping force. But hey, I’ll never get any headaches from wearing them. Your very excellent review set up my expectations perfectly and I’m usually disappointed with stuff.
Hey man! Yeah clamp force is a bit on the lighter side but man you can really wear them for a long time without discomfort. So glad you're liking them though! Do you find the upper mids/treble to be too bright? That's a common complaint but it irritates me a little because that means we have to complain about a lot of headphones with similar peaks you know what I mean? I love the lean character of the 9500 though, and it will likely stay in my collection as I sell off most of my other cans. Stay tuned for an E10K video as well as more amp reviews in the future! Also I'm going to be making an improvements video where I get some feedback from the core group of homies.
Home Studio Basics No I found the upper mids and treble to be to be quite pleasing, never interfering with mid and low mid detail, or becoming sibilant. Sometimes the sub bass texture can be a bit subdued but it’s all there and with very good precision.
Yes I think you described these cans very accurately in fact. I feel the same way about the sub bass but the bass in general is just so articulate, pleasant and clean. A fine example of a headphone that will make you re-think/re-evaluate music and what you thought you preferred in a sound signature.
Would you say upgrading from samson sr850 to shp9500 offers any substantial improvement?
I think so, yes. 850 is super bright but still a good headphone. I ended up selling my 850 and still have my 9500 from 2017 or 18. Can't remember when I bought it but it stays lol.
$54? They sell for 170 € in Germany. They're cheaper to import from BHP including shipping than local offers. But for the same price I could buy another pair of Sony MDR-7506 to replace my old pair. The heandband finally starts to lose crumbs of pleather on my head which is highly annoying and don't feel like replacing it with china parts. Lasted 6 years, earcups got replaced like 3 times with good knockoffs. I was really looking for a replacement. The open back design is a caveat though. They should leak sound, which is why didn't jump on the Sennheiser HD 6XX either.
Hey man! Yeah I got a really good deal on the 9500 when I originally bought it. So you are looking for an open back? Interesting you mention the 7506. I'm actually coming out with a video on that one next week I think (haven't decided if it's next, but have it recorded and everything).
The 7506 was my first "good" headphone and it's a sound I'll never forget. Loved it in 2010 and still think it's relevant today.
It's an interesting comparison for sure. I think the 7506 probably will have more low end slam, but the sound signatures are pretty similar. I think the 9500 is a bit more laid back overall, but incredibly detailed, clear, and rather neutral aside from the high mids/low treble minor issue.
You may just skip over the 9500 and go for a 6XX, but the treble is different for sure. Do you like the brighter sound of the 7506?
@@HomeStudioBasics I'm used to the fairly flat sound of the 7506. I usually listen to music through the PC without an extra DAC. I use a plugin for foobar2000 to fake some bass if I need it (Real Bass Exciter). Not an audiophile 😂
It's my first decent pair of headphones. I went through a pair of bad consumer grade skull candy, two Koss Porta Pro which I quite liked but the build quality isn't very good (cables broke) and the Koss KSC75 which sounded decent but were uncomfy. Same bad cables. I use the 7506 hooked to my PC without any DAC or use it at work (during night shifts) which is why I'm looking for closed cups. Open would leak sound which would annoy other people (or my wife 💪🏼 👩🏼). I really wish there was a DIY kit to migrate the 7506 drivers into a better pair of cups and a neat headband solution, ideally with real leather. A friend recommended the 6XX since the massdrop but the usage would be very situational.
Hey man. I currently own the Sennheiser Game One, Sennheiser Gsp 300 and Cooler Master Mh751 which I switch between on my Xbox and PS4. I don't feel fully satisfied with the volume I'm getting on the Game One but was wondering if these Phillips Shp9500 with the V Moda Boom Pro are an upgrade over the 3 mentioned above.
Hey man! Hmm. Haven't heard any of those. Been wanting to get my hands on a Game One for awhile though. I do know that the Boom Pro and 9500 are a great match. Are you using an Amp at all?
The shp9500’s are in stock on Newegg for $80. Since I already have the hd6xx and mdrv6, do you think it would sound different enough to warrant buying them over something like the Samson sr850? I’m also just generally looking for a portable open back to use with my phone around my house while I’m not near my amp. I don’t know if they are actually new stock or just getting around to selling old stock, so I don’t know if they will ever be available again.
I would buy it without hesitation at that price. It will do fine with your phone as well. Very efficient. I hope it's new stock lol. 850 is a great headphone but a bit bright. I prefer the 9500 over it but it is fairly close.
Home Studio Basics Thanks. I called customer service and they said it’s new stock, and they have about 800 units left, so I don’t think I’m as rushed to buy them as I thought. I think I will get them soon enough though.
Please do. Build quality is incredible for a unit at that price as well. I really hope Philips brings these back. It would be criminal not to. Keep me posted.
Home Studio Basics ok. Here’s the link if you want it m.newegg.com/products/N82E16826138190?ignorebbr=1&_ga=2.130830855.925168911.1549735736-amp-O5CsfR3WdYv9EFEgHkQZs8aZscdwIOucPqU_JCpR_YgnrdRI6LkifIUEuHSyA8aG&_gac=1.245623472.1549764995.EAIaIQobChMIv7-X2qCv4AIVBA9pCh3AiQwTEAkYAiABEgKKN_D_BwE
Also would love to demo the HD6XX and do a video on it if you're willing to lend it out sometime in the future. Just let me know.
What headphones would you recommend under $200?, mainly for mixing purpose.
Hey Sagar! Would you rather have closed back or open back? With an open back you won't get fatigued as easily. Let me know.
Open Back
If you can stretch your budget, the DT880 250 Ohm is just over $200, and is one of the absolute best in any category. For a headphone truly under $200 in the open back category, I would honestly rate the the 9500 the best. In the review I compared them favorably against an HD600, and in fact there's nothing that the HD600 really does all that much better. The 9500 is an absolute steal. If you're wondering what a high end headphone sounds like, this is about the closest you'll get. Let me know what you decide. If you don't like that recommendation, the K612 from AKG is also fantastic as an open mixing/reference headphone under $200. If you don't like that, the Sennheiser HD598/558 is also great. But I'm telling you, 9500.
Thanks for the quick response man, I guess I am getting 9500.
No problem brother! Consider also investing in an Amp/DAC combo like the Audioquest Dragonfly Red, as it will open up the sound considerably. Also make sure to get the 9500 and not the 9500S if you want a 1/4" adapter included. Please let me know how you like the headphones as well!
My favorite in the under $400 camp so far including the senns hd open back series.
But a lot depends on your amp source, and what you like and use them for.
but since they do not have the brand name or price, they will never get credit, because people are brand loyal, especially after spending hundreds more and not getting better sound.
These are also some of the best gaming headphones bar none at any price because of the pinpoint imaging and wide soundstage, with a mod mic.
They are also highly moddable with earpads, and have the ability to be made a closed back with enhanced bass.
This are a true classic and I do not think they are available anymore.
Hey buddy. They are actually available again on New Egg for around $80 at the time of this comment. I really hope Philips brings these back. They are phenomenal and I do actually prefer them over the 600 at the moment. People really like to argue with me about it but the fact remains that both headphones provide the same level of detail and the 9500 is more resolving. You're spot on about gaming/imaging but there were people who claimed they didn't have good Soundstage which is just blatantly false. Definitely plenty of out your head moments in fact I thought someone was knocking at the door when I was playing Fallout. Which pads would you recommend? Would love to try something new.
@@HomeStudioBasics www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826138190&ignorebbr=1&source=region&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Headphones+and+Accessories-_-N82E16826138190&gclid=Cj0KCQiA14TjBRD_ARIsAOCmO9ZU5S9JXAxXLXf8kAC1B0YJwqjDSp1tsirMDaEcvTO0FUy-NI--s7oaAkIWEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
I just saw that, may have to get another pair, thanks.
Yes. I got them for $54 from New Egg in 2017 but $80 is still a steal for these. I think they're worth around $200 maybe more especially considering how great the build quality is as well.
@@HomeStudioBasics if they are still available in march I will pick up two pairs and mod one to be a close back with enhanced bass for about $30.
Nice keep me posted on it. I would like to swap out the pads on mine just for something a little different.
I bought a couple of MDR V6 thanks to your reviews. Not. disappointed. at. all. Great sounding headphones and they just blew my head away, specially because I was coming from a bunch of cheap earbuds from a local store lol. However, now I want more, I wanna see if this whole thing of soundstage in open backs really makes the difference. So, would you say that buying this to get a nice taste of what a good soundstage is a good decision? Specially taking in consideration that I come from a couple of MDR V6. Do you think that the difference is clearly noticeable or that it doesn't really worth it? Will I be taking this baby off from time to time just to see if the sound is not coming out of my home? I really hope you answer this lol, I'm counting on you bro! Keep on the great work!
Hey Elvis! Thanks for the vote of confidence my friend. :) The V6's are dope like soap. I think the 9500 would make a great compliment actually. You can't go wrong for the price. I say go for it. Some people say that they don't have much of a Soundstage but I would tend to disagree. I tried these for Gaming and was hearing stuff in all directions playing Fallout 4. A great experience. There is some bass roll off here, and they are a bit bright in the upper mids/low treble but I like it and think it makes them sound more lively. A lot of people like to slam these and I really have no idea why. I talk about it ad nausea and if you read some of the comment threads below you can see my stance on the matter. Let me know what you decide!! I say go for it. :D You're not going to be disappointed my boy.
Hello! Just discover your channel,I like your reviews.
How does this compare (in sound) with the Hifiman 4xx (or400i) in terms of Bass response?. Wich one would you recomend for enjoy classic rock? Thank you!!!
Hey there! The bass on the 9500 is definitely lean, a lot leaner than a 4XX for sure. There's nothing quite like a planar bass, or sound for that matter. I personally do not like the treble spike at around 9-10kHz on the 4XX, but the 9500 can also be a bit essy in the upper mids/low treble so there's that. For classic rock I think they both work really well although I'd probably begrudgingly take the 4XX because it does so much right and reminds me of the way I felt when I first heard a 400i. Do you plan on getting an amp?
Home Studio Basics Thank you for your answer!! I’m new on this open back headphones, amps, etc. I love music, and always been a “mainstream” headphone enthusiast. I have a Bose QC35 and a V-Moda Crossfade Wireless (mostly for travels) but I wanted to start listening to music in a different way. So, I wasn’t thinking on an amp, but I was Wondering if I can use my Denon AVR (home theater receiver) to connect the headphones. That receiver is connected to a CD player.
@@ccozzarelli Hey man sorry I missed this! I'm going back and editing descriptions and saw it. RUclips doesn't always notify me of follow up replies.
As for your question. Something like a DENON is great for higher impedance cans, as it acts much like a tube amp does. Warm sound, luscious, creamy, etc. But for lower impedance it's a no go. For an amp you'll probably want to go solid state and low output impedance as it enures consistency across multiple different types of headphones and impedances.
Have you thought any more about an Amp/DAC combo?
Home Studio Basics thank you man! By now I’ve already have the FiiO Mll and the DT770 Pro 80 ohms ! So far I like it hehe thanks for your videos ! They helped me a lot !
hey, you had hd668b before? im perfectly satisfied with the sound quality of hd668b, but the comfort gets annoying. so i want to buy shp9500 for its comfort but i also want to retain the punchy bass, good mid, and not so sibilant trebs.
Hey man. You're going to experience more bass roll off with the 9500. Mid-range is fantastic on the 9500 like the 668B. The only other difference between these two is the 668B has a presence boost around 2k vs. 5-7k for the 668B. The main argument against the 9500 is perceived "grain" and a somewhat artificial character in the treble. I don't really agree with it although it can definitely be a bit hot at times. A tad too much sizzle but for me it's a minor nitpick for an otherwise incredible overall experience. I think you'll really like these. Keep me posted and let me know if you have any other questions! Also check out Part II: ruclips.net/video/ZcRsNsuZzXg/видео.html
@@HomeStudioBasics woah, excellent. I used hyperx cloud 2 before which has ear bleeding sibilance, so i guess i wont be affected by shp9500's sizzle. I'll just have to find out. BTW I use this to test for sibilance. Warning though, it might hurt the ears. ruclips.net/video/neAMkgYta9M/видео.html
let me know if the shp9500 performed well with that music, thanks. part 2's timing is perfect for me lol.
Just keep me posted man!
Are these good for mixing music for a budget home studio?
I would say absolutely. They are extremely revealing, but the bass does roll off quite a bit. This may be an issue if you tend to overcompensate during EQ, but as long as you're testing on different sources you can adjust accordingly. Let me know what you decide! The MDR V6 is also fantastic for mixing as a closed back option: ruclips.net/video/iVevSWZ2GPE/видео.html
I finally settled for these after haven't read and seen a ton of RUclips and proceeded to make the purchase upon watching your intake impressions, I have to say I'm pretty impressed by the clarity in the highs and mid frequencies bands given that these cost 50 freaking dollars (ordered mines from the US cause Amazon Europe has them here for nothing less than 120 Euros)..finally I can mix and master my projects on the go without the constant need for studio monitors which sadly are stationary ,not a good thing when you're a nomad DJ making music mostly from hotel rooms.I highly recommend these to anyone looking to invest gradually on studio gear ,you won't regret it .Side note calibrating these with the Sonaworks reference software does add an extra layer of fine tuning..thanks 👍
Thank you so much for the vote of confidence my boy! And for sure, I mean they are basically giving them away. I will have to check out that software that you mention as well. Don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need a hand moving forward! Blessings, -Stu
yes especially for placing instruments in a mix, and their neutral sound and nice midrange.
I can just feel that I'll eventually convince myself to buy these... even though I don't really need them.
Then we'll see whom I agree more with. :P (u or metal)
Selling my k712s btw, got bored of their signature... need something new.
Dude send them to me. I was actually meaning to get back with you about that on FB.
K712 pads are so comfy and soundstage keep me coming back to them, almost sold them but at the end I cant haha
@@soulfulfool I'd give the k702s a try, check out Stu's review on that one
Same construction with better tuning
How does this compare to the Philips Fidelo X2HR?
Hey man haven't heard the Fidelio X2HR yet but it's been requested quite a bit. May see if I can get my hands on one. I do know for a fact there is more bass on the X2, that's pretty much undisputed. One of my good friends described the sound to me and it's going to be a lot warmer and more syrupy, better for pure musical fun rather than being analytical. Mids are a bit more pushed back than the 9500. The 9500 is a very crisp, kind of cold (ish) and detailed sound. Very revealing with not a lot of bass impact. The bass sounds good and is very textured and nuanced, but it doesn't slam if that makes sense. Even so, I find it to be very good. Hope that helps. Let me know your thoughts.
@@HomeStudioBasics Awesome and thanks for the quick reply. I was wondering because I've got the 9500 recently and made me wonder about their big brother. From the reviews, most say its a step up but some are saying its more colored. Graphs of the FR seem to be differing depending on who does the measurements. So I ordered one this AM so I'll probably have it next week. Maybe I can update and let you know what I think as well :)
I've also got the NAD HP50 and I really like those but those are closed back and have a more warm and friendly sound. Awesome but in a different way.
Hey what amp/dac under 100 usd would you recommend to be used with this headphone?
The FiiO E10K for sure.
Schiit Fulla 2: though it is less portable.
Would love to get my hands on that Schiit. Lol.
Fiios A1 for $25 on Amazon
using this headphone and pairing with FiiO E10K and sound is amazing 😎😎😎
Nice man! What are your impressions of the sound signature?
well I'm not music expert so I can say with SHP9500 and E10K combo the sound is more natural, more stereo, I can hear some instrument on the left or on the right it's really beautiful haha, I use it for gaming and listening music
It's a great overall sound for sure. I noticed great Soundstage with it on Gaming especially. Not sure why people are claiming it has no Soundstage because that's a flat out lie/ignorance or people just parroting what others say.
I'm debating between these beautiful headphones and MDR V6s.
A friend of mine has had V6s since high school and I like them in isolation, but after using semi open headphones like my Koss', it drives me insane having the music inside my skull predominantly.
The V6s also for some reason always lack power for me, they seem wimpy at the lower end (and I don't know why, it's not an amplification issue, my Porta Pros are 60ohm and drive on most things), and I hear bad things about the bass in the 9500's as well.
Then again I also hear that the pack in cable uses STEEL instead of copper and actually makes them sound worse, so I don't know which reviewers were hearing them correctly or not.
I do a lot of studio work but I am also a fan of casual listening. So I'm pretty confused.
You should do a cool buyer's guide for best headphones by image/sound and value, that'd be neat.
I've always loved the V6's bass because it has impact without sounding muddy. There's still some roll off, but it doesn't result in a sound that's too light, at least in my opinion. I still think there's some weight to it. The 9500's have a similar signature, but because they're open they do tend to sound more airy, open, and more detailed. You may not find the bass adequate, but I think it's perfect. The 9500's sound just as good as an HD600, except for the low treble which, while it does sound brighter, can become grating at times. The 600's are darker in this regard, and do live up to that "veiled" accusation comparatively. If you're into pure power, you may pass on the 9500, but honestly I still think you can't go wrong. At their current price, they are basically giving them away. No lie. I have an HD600 with a Schiit stack and I can tell you it's really not all that much better. I also have an Oppo HA-2, which is a fantastic investment if you need an all in one solution for 99% of headphones. It brings out the good qualities of all of mine. Check out my buyers guide on my site: homestudiobasics.com/the-best-audiophile-headphones-a-complete-buyers-guide/ Do you think I should do one for RUclips? Also, you may try the Status Audio CB-1 which I currently own and am demoing for review/comparison to the V6. It has a bit more power in the bass, but does tend to be a bit "stuffy" at times, and not quite as clean as a V6. That said, the detail is there in spades, and it will provide a bit more slam. Very cheap as well.
Home Studio Basics fair points, the sad thing about headphones is that you really need to try them to know whether or not you like them, but there's no good place to try most models unfortunately...
I'm fortunate enough to have a couple of stores nearby.. my local Audio Advice carries a lot of great brands like Audeze, Focal, Bowers and Wilkins, Grado, HIFIMAN, Sony, Audioquest, etc. and they have ridiculously good set ups and also allow you to take stuff home to try out. I was first demoing on a Bryston BHA-1 which is like a $1400 - $2000 amp, and now a NAIM DAC V-1 combo Amp/DAC + it can do a bunch of other stuff, which is currently gone from the store, but should be back soon. That's a $2600 piece of equipment. So I'm really able to A/B test and get a feel for exactly how a headphone sounds. Keep me updated on what you're leaning towards.
Home Studio Basics it's such a tough call. I think I'll have to keep trying the V6s, that'll help.
If you want I can send you my 9500's for demo. PM me for email.
I did a deep comparison with my sets of hd600 vs 9500, they do not sound the same - sorry. not even close. the 9500 is a full range spectrum capable, the 600 are narrowed to mid range only. the 9500 cost 25% only, but are 20-40% better sounding. that is the short one sentence review for professionals. the hd600 of mine are now on the second hand market waiting for a buyer.
Not sure if you're agreeing with me or not because you said "sorry" at the start. However, it seems as though you do agree that the 9500 sounds better to your ears. It's important to know what you're running the 600 through though. Please reply!
I agree with you with all, But the statement that the sound characteristic is similar in any way. the hd600 is a headphones that is narrowed down to 100hz up to 8khz range, and that is it. no acoustic energy beyond that narrow spectrum.
the 9500 is a true 50hz to 16khz device and this is totally different characteristic and balance. full range vs narow range.
because of this the hd600 sound tiny and shouty - as only mid range spectrum energy exist.
the HD600 are old school technology from the 90's with very old design and material diaphragms in the drivers, and only 40mm size. the 9500 use much bigger 50mm and acoustically tuned (via electronics on board) to be flat and wide range for compensation (new school technology). trying to EQ the hd600 anachronistic driver ends up with harmonic distortions.
they have their prestige only because of the past and I know best - I own them for many years.
technology went ahead and today they cannot cope any more as much as a 25% cost of them E.G. 9500 yield better result, much better. I also own the fidelios X2 which are of course a league of its own above.
For your Question I drive them with the on board sound card existing on my Asus P8Z68 Motherboard from 2011. don't try to find problems there ;-)
As far as outdated, I would kind of tend to agree and did mention that in a comment somewhere in this thread. I think it was something to the effect of "You're telling me that as technology has advanced, a company can't replicate the same sound for much less, and do it better?" Even with that said, I still have a hard time not using the HD600 as a sort of benchmark standard. By default, I kind of compare most everything I hear to the 600's because they are extremely close to 100% neutral that you'll find. Out of the HA-2 in a direct A/B comparison to the 9500, they lack a certain energy, but out of the Schiit Magni/Modi stack they perform much better it seems. That said, I kind of enjoy the 9500 more than a 600 in the grand scheme of it, though I'll likely never discard the 600 as an afterthought. It's still a very important headphone and remains relevant even today as that standard of sound quality in the $300 range. You'd be hard pressed to find a substantial difference in quality as you move up in price, as the law of diminishing returns sets in fairly quickly the higher you ascend. I'm going to continue to test both on various equipment and see if my opinions change. Thanks for your insight!!
If you trust academic musicians to advice you on neutrality, than know this:
the 9500 are very close to neutral while the 600 are extremely far from neutral. the 600 (580 originally) were "hi end top grade" at the 90's, I personally have them since 1995, but today 23 years later (more or less) they expose all that is wrong with them: narrow bandwidth, no energy below 100hz and above 8khz, extremely unbalanced if you test a calibrated mic recording and immediately play it back with the 600. they may seem "neutral" to the uneducated musician. **another problem they have is very poor dynamic range (the delta between weakest sound to the maximal - thus poor linearity).
now do this: record with a calibrated mic anything, even your friend talking in front of you yes, and than play it back immediately with 600 and then with the 9500, you will easily notice how unbalanced tonally the 600 are. do it with a piano - it will be much easier to perceive.
they are unbalanced and far from neutral because a very large spectrum of the audio is missing, which mess our brain's sound perception with too much mid information and lack of other data. sound becomes weak, thin, extremely shouty in the mid, and musically disastrous. the outcome is also quick fatigue, such as the listener is forced to lower the volume, not to blow his ears with bleeding unrealistic mid range energy.
if you would like to further test it, take a recording of a classic performance, lets say one of Beethoven symphonies or Mozart, and take it with you to the orchestra hall and enjoy a live performance of the same. intermittently switch between your headphones playing the same performance with the live performance in front of you - listen which headphone is closer to reality. this is a very good lesson for "green" audio listeners, and a headphone true test to do.
the hd600 with out any offence yes, are a toy by today's standards. took the industry a little time to learn, when the newer age full range headphones were born. the hd600 were good for 93 yes, but they are horrible for today's standards. they live a hyped position today, because of their past, and mostly because 99% of reviewers out there are not professional musicians - so they do not have the necessary tools, knowledge and expertise in order to test and review music and acoustic reproduction tools such as headphones, loudspeakers, acoustic rooms, calibration, etc...
you as a reviewer are one of the better ones out there on youtube, keep the good work.
how do I know you are one of the better reviewers:
A) you easily noticed how better the 9500 are compared to the 600. something many are afraid to say or are ignorant sonicly to notice. it is against the "common stream" of audiophiles to say such things - it puts the 600 to shame, when a 25% cost product trounce them from their glory.
B) you understand easily the law of diminishing return.
let this 43 years old with his tired ears - teach you something (if you choose so):
audiophiles understand in audio, in music, in human hearing mechanism - absolutely nothing.
pity is that the majority of reviews are coming from this population group, and not from the likes of professional musicians, conductors, and professional classic music engineers - who master recording technology Technics and mixing.
go on now and change your reference to what you audition headphones with, to the 9500. if you want even better, use the fidelios X2 (after a minor Equalization - lower the second octave just a bit to get a more balanced response). the rest of the line above 2nd octave of the X2's is the perfect response true to reality performance. reality can only be referenced with live - don't forget it. so reference with live as uneasy as it may be. no cheap meals here. you want to be a pro ? that's how it is done.
I will keep watching your reviews as out of the herd you are one of the better :-)
Ok this is quite a long response, but I will get to it in more detail in a bit. :) I'm about to try out the mic test that you mentioned.
soundstage is overrated. i want those drivers as close to my ears as possible without touching my ears lol. these are deff my favorite headphones. they sounds great stock but with sonarworks they sound perfect, they're the most comfortable headphone i've ever tried, they're super light, clamp is just right, they're durable and solid, the earpads feel great on my head, a;ways prefer velour over pleather but these feel even better than velour somehow, probably because the material is so breathable. i have a sensitive head so i used to avoid wearing headphones as much as possible because of nerve damage but these bad boys or so comfortable they don't really seem to bother even for extended periods. everyone needs a pair of these, they definitely punch way above their price bracket
Yeah totally agree man everything you've said I have been trying to convey for awhile now. This is one headphone that I will not be getting rid of. I've got around 10 now lying around. I have a herniated disc in my neck so you can imagine my tolerance for heavy is very low. For instance I love the Audeze house sound but couldn't see myself owning one because it feels like wearing a bowling ball.
Home Studio Basics wow no way, I have herniated disc in my neck too. I used to have m50's and I would always avoid using them as much as possible cuz they just hurt to wear
@@WillJukedTheBox Hey man sorry I never replied to this. I sometimes don't get notif. If that happens, just make a new comment! :) How's it going?
Can these handle genres like metal and EDM?
I think because they have a lively character in the upper mid/treble, that they do fantastic (especially with crunchy guitars), but the bass roll off will be problematic for you. I listen to them with Indie Pop/EDM and I love them though. I suppose I really don't require as much bass as I used to. I actually don't like too much of it, and you may or may not. I would honestly try the Sennheiser HD25 for Metal though. I haven't personally had more fun with Metal with another headphone outside of the HD25. Something like Killing in the Name Of or Fistful of Steel from Rage is going to be borderline mind blowing with the 25. Same with EDM. The intensity makes you want to literally do cartwheels. They will provide that missing bass, but do know that they can get metallic/sibilant at higher volumes. Still recommend them though despite that. The back flip is real. You may go with a 9500 as your all around headphone. It's an offering that will work for most everything, and at it's price is an absolute steal.
That is not all i listen to and im not a basshead by any means. They are just hard to find in EU (Finland), i found them from Aliexpress for 73€ and assuming that they are legit im probably going to give these a try soon.
You're not going to be disappointed I can tell you that! Let me know your findings once you've tried them out :)
I received them yesterday, they sound phenomenal indeed. I cant say are they as good as HD 600 because ive never tried them (only promptly tested HD 650 long time ago) but they are at least on par with my HD 598 or possibly even better. More neutral sounding and accurate, soundstage is slightly narrower but still very good.
Try them with Gaming you'll be surprised how good the Soundstage is. Any other impressions?
This or the dt 880 (250 ohms)?
It's close, but the 9500 does everything that the 880 does, at a ridiculous price. The 880 is way more comfortable though. By my calculations, the HD600 is slightly better than an 880, and if a 9500 is just as good as a 600, then you should go with the 9500. Some will argue that, but I A/B tested both and the differences are almost negligible. Read: There are hardly any, and with the 9500 you're getting a brighter/crisper treble. With the 880 you'll have to to purchase an amp as well, so that should seal the decision for you. Hope it helps! Let me know :)
Some other reviews talked about the treble you mentioned as being splashy and trying to forcefully add up details that ain't in the music. Do you think its true?
That's laughable. Sure, in comparison to the HD600, the treble is going to sound brighter and somewhat more harsh, but that's only because the 600's treble is dark by contrast. If the 9500's are "splashy" that means nearly every headphone with a bright treble is splashy. The 880's are significantly brighter up top, but never get accused of that. It's rubbish, but of course that's still my opinion. Does this graph look like anythings being forced? www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/philips/shp9500-hifi-precision-stereo I mean, it's a $54 headphone that sounds as good as a $300 one. There really isn't much to discuss, and frankly whoever said that is just looking for reasons to nitpick at an amazing product. My .02. Also, you can always EQ it down a bit if it's too much.
Please let me know what you decide and keep me updated on your impressions of whatever headphone you decide to purchase. :)
These or SuperLux hd668b?
These imo. I have the Samson SR850 which is basically a 668B, and while i love it, it's going to come across as brighter than a 9500. Since most blokes already whine about the supposed "harshness" of the 9500, you'll def find the 668B too shrill if the 850 is any indication. I haven't personally heard the 668B though. Still, I consider the 9500 the absolute best open back at this price range, so take that fwiw. Let me know what you decide and how you like the headphone!!
You think they worth 80 bucks?
Most certainly. I personally believe they ARE worth the prices they're going for now which is funny to me. Around $150 to $200. I always thought the price to performance ratio for these was astounding when I got mine for around $54 on New Egg, and I wrote articles about this very thing before the price jump. Basically saying they're worth way more than they're going for, and rival a lot of more expensive cans. I wouldn't hesitate for $80 man. Let me know what you decide!
@@HomeStudioBasics thanks. I accidentally commented you on two videos, The other video was about the sennheizer 558. I hesitated after seeing that prices of 558 and 559 are not very far away, but after seeing some more positive reviews and your comment I decided to give the philips a try. Hope they'll be good after all it's not a big risk for less than 100.
Hey did you like the Philips or what did you end up going with?
yes
It is not a 1000$ headphones my 9500 is much better than more expansives ones I have tried. I return my AKG K702 and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X and keep the Philips SHP9500.
I can appreciate the value vs the sound with this headphone, and I listen to mine of a regular basis, but they are still a $60 headphone and they have their share of shortcomings; primarily in the lower region. For having 50mm drivers the sub-bass quite is poor. Tracks that on other headphones (like the HD600's or DT770's) would have me thinking there was a sub in the room ("If I only had a brain" by MC 900 is a great test track for sub-bass) do not deliver with the SHP9500's. Another problem is that often times I'll notice that virtually inaudible bass being produced by the SHP's is distorting other frequency ranges (intermodulation distortion). "Let Go" by Deadmau5 is a perfect example of this phenomenon (Start from the 2:00 mark). As far as comparing these to the HD600 or HD650, the reality is that the majority of people who buy those headphones do not posses the equipment capable of bringing out their full potential. This issue, not the sound, is the biggest issue facing the Senns. I had to buy a Bifrost Multibit, a Woo Audio WA3, and some expensive tubes before I understood what the HD600's, and HD650's were capable of.
For your first point, there's just no way I would ever think there is a sub in the room listening to the 600. That's just blatantly false. Both headphones have almost identical bass response, and I think that people should understand what they're getting with the 9500, rather than complain about lack of bass later. It's not a bass heavy headphone, but provides an incredible amount of texture, detail, clarity, and nuance. To me it's what bass is supposed to sound like. Same with the 600. As for distortion, I will listen to the track you mention. What was your source? CD? Spotify? Vinyl? I would need a similar source to yours before giving my own impressions, and in the interest of consistency. Yeah, the 9500's can be bright at times, and raspy with certain recordings, but that's true for all "good quality" headphones as they will reveal flaws in the recording. The 9500 is no different. It's a very balanced headphone for the most part. As for amplification, the HD600's aren't picky about what you choose, but I will concede that I haven't tried them with any of the amps you mention. Could you describe how they sound with those amps? You do make a good point in that most people looking to buy an HD600 aren't trying to spend a whole lot on amplification. I would actually like to try a Bottlehead Crack with these, as I heard it's one of the best overall pairings.
Home Studio Basics I can you as someome who owns a pair of 9500 and a pair of 650s which are extremely similar to the 600s that it's not even a competition as the 650 blows the 9500 away when hooked up to a proper system. 9500 is tinny and grainy in comparison, but they sound pretty similar on portable amps like my lg v30. 6xx series isn't picky and they sound good on most devices, but it scales up and rewards you with much greater clarity and resolution when amped to their full potential, something the 9500 cannot achieve.
You still haven't mentioned your "proper set up" and this is the third comment you've made. Check my other reply on the other thread.
Home Studio Basics like I said in the other thread, Valhalla 2. If you can't hear the clarity and resolution difference on that and other audiophile level systems then there's a problem with the ears buddy.. Aye too many years of blasting music? Your headphones are only gonna sound as good as what they are plugged into. Nothing scales quite like the 650
Again. I replied to you in the other thread about the 1k+ and 2K+ setups I've used (NAIM DAC V1/Bryston BHA-1), along with a Magni, Dragonfly Red, and HA-2 (which you blatantly ignored). Those first two amps are used in professional audio stores with some of the best headphones in the world. Secondly I never mentioned anything about the 650. My comparison was in regards to the 600 and 9500. I know it's outrageous, people have different opinions than you. What a shocker.
If anyone thinks this headphone even comes close to the 600/650 has never heard a properly amped 6xx series.
Like what amp?
Home Studio Basics Valhalla 2 is what I run, own the 650 and the 9500 and the difference in clarity and resolution is insane.
Okay. First off I wasn't comparing the 650 and 9500, I've been A/B'ing the 600 vs. 9500. Please. Stick to one thread. You're commenting all over the place and then ignoring stuff I say. That said, I don't want to sit here and get into a flame war about this. It's obvious we don't agree but I will be A/B testing both at Audio Advice and will report back my findings. Albums I will test: Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Come on feel the Illinoise, Things Fall Apart by The Roots, Chon's Homey, Elliott Smith's XO, Dark Side of the Moon, and Wish You Were Here. All stuff that I'm extremely familiar with.
Home Studio Basics throw some love is the thing by nat king Cole in there for good measure and some celtic woman is also good. I haven't heard the 600s in a while but they would definitely slay with Danny boy by celtic woman... 9500s as I have retested today sound insanely bright and grainy in comparison to the 650s which are more similar than they are different to the 600s. love is the thing is simply some of the best recording quality I've ever heard for an album and the beautifully forward vocals, swallows and breaths Cole takes do not come out in the same way on the 9500 despite them being in my opinion overly bright. There's also noticeable distortion in some of the heavier string parts in all of coles songs and the 9500 sounds like it's struggling in comparison to the 650 which produces it effortlessly with no distortion. Its not even a competition tbh and the 650 is just a 600 with an emphasized mid to low end.
That's the fundamental difference in opinion. I just don't perceive the 9500's as ever struggling to reproduce what's there, which is why they can easily compete with the HD600 despite being extremely cheap. I also don't think the fact that they're brighter automatically means that they're struggling (if that's what you're alluding to). Quite the contrary, I believe them to render tracks effortlessly and flawlessly in most cases, with unbelievable clarity, detail, and resolution to the point of me being able to understand lyrics that sound muffled in any other setting. That's called value if you haven't heard of it. The thing that trips me out about certain people's overly critical assessment of this headphone is two fold: 1) It's a $50 headphone that out performs a lot of more expensive headphones. Let me repeat; it's $50. One more time. It's Fifty. Dollars. 2) I literally never hear anyone complain about a brighter mid-range/treble, unless it specifically is this headphone. Lol. That includes a DT880, 990, SRH440, AD900x, 50x, 40x, any Grado, etc. All more expensive to boot. The fact is that the 600's can get pretty shrill (ish) in the mid-range but I haven't heard you once acknowledge that despite me saying that the 9500 can be bright at times. Being bright does not equal bad nor does it mean they fail to live up to expectations or hype. You know what people do when they tire of the 600's shouty mids? They EQ it down. Bright treble on the 9500? EQ it down. You should try it out sometime. The hype for these is warranted no matter what people say due to the simple fact that they're $50 and behave like $300. Furthermore, you keep wanting to use other headphones to prove some obscure point that doesn't correlate in the slightest. You literally grabbed the LCD2 and HD800 in your other response out of thin air and tried to assume that I thought the 9500 performs just as good when I never even said that. Your flawed reasoning was, "Well since the HD600 is considered to be worth way more than it is, that means you think the 9500 performs just as well as an LCD2 and HD800!! Huh? What country are you from? I've been comparing 2 headphones from the start, and now you've brought in 3 more with absolutely no reasoning or justification. Add to that the fact that the 600 and 650 are completely different sound signatures. The 650 is bassier and much warmer overall, while the 600 is sterile with more bass roll off by contrast. Not really the same, so really all you've ended up doing is comparing a warm headphone (650) with a clinical one (9500). Not sure what that accomplishes other than more confusion. That said, I will compare the two (9500 vs. 600) YET again and get back to you. Thanks for reading.
Bro hilarious! If your white you said😂
Hahah so glad you found it funny and didn't get all offended like some people would. Subscribe to the channel because I'm always goofing off and making jokes! Saturday's video should be another barrel of laughs XD
Are you thinking about getting a 9500?