Home Headphone Comparisons Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600 | THIS is an upgrade?!

Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600 | THIS is an upgrade?!

by Stuart Charles Black

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Is the SHP9600 an upgrade over the 9500? Is the increase in price worth the investment? Did Philips actually improve on the shortcomings of the original?

All of these answers and more, comin’ up…

Greetings mate and Welcome aboard… Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music .. all over again, so..

At A Glance

Title
Better for Critical Listening
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
Better for Casual Listening
PHILIPS Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones Wired with Detachable Audio Jack, Studio Monitor Headphones for Recording Podcast DJ Music Piano Guitar (SHP9600)
Preview
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
PHILIPS Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones Wired with Detachable Audio Jack, Studio Monitor Headphones for Recording Podcast DJ Music Piano Guitar (SHP9600)
Type
Open Back, Dynamic
Open Back, Dynamic
Fit
Circumaural
Circumaural
Frequency Response
12Hz - 35kHz
6Hz - 35kHz
Impedance
32 Ohm
32 Ohm
Sensitivity
101dB/mW
102dB/mW
Amplification Required?
Primary Use(s)
Mixing, Mastering, Reference, Gaming
Rock, Hip-Hop, EDM, Indie, Pop
Materials
Plastic, Metal, Cloth
Plastic, Metal, Cloth
Weight
9.9 Oz. (289g)
10.1 Oz. (298g)
Color
Black, White, Silver
Black, Silver, Gold
Prime
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime
Price
$79.99
$69.99
Better for Critical Listening
Title
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
Preview
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)
Type
Open Back, Dynamic
Fit
Circumaural
Frequency Response
12Hz - 35kHz
Impedance
32 Ohm
Sensitivity
101dB/mW
Amplification Required?
Primary Use(s)
Mixing, Mastering, Reference, Gaming
Materials
Plastic, Metal, Cloth
Weight
9.9 Oz. (289g)
Color
Black, White, Silver
Prime
Amazon Prime
Price
$79.99
Learn More
Better for Casual Listening
Title
PHILIPS Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones Wired with Detachable Audio Jack, Studio Monitor Headphones for Recording Podcast DJ Music Piano Guitar (SHP9600)
Preview
PHILIPS Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones Wired with Detachable Audio Jack, Studio Monitor Headphones for Recording Podcast DJ Music Piano Guitar (SHP9600)
Type
Open Back, Dynamic
Fit
Circumaural
Frequency Response
6Hz - 35kHz
Impedance
32 Ohm
Sensitivity
102dB/mW
Amplification Required?
Primary Use(s)
Rock, Hip-Hop, EDM, Indie, Pop
Materials
Plastic, Metal, Cloth
Weight
10.1 Oz. (298g)
Color
Black, Silver, Gold
Prime
Amazon Prime
Price
$69.99
Learn More

Table of Contents

Build
Comfort
Sound + Video
Amplification
Final Word
Photo Gallery


Philips SHP9500

Price: Check Amazon! | Check B&H!

In The Box

Philips SHP9500 Headphones

4.9ft. Straight Cable (Detachable)

1/4″ Adapter

Philips SHP9600

Price: Check Amazon! | Check B&H!

Philips SHP9600 Headphones

Straight Cable

1/4″ Snap-on adapter

Limited 1-Year Warranty

Philips SHP9600 Review

Specs & Price

Philips SHP9500

  • Type: Open Back, Dynamic
  • Fit: Circumaural
  • Frequency Response: 12Hz – 35kHz
  • Impedance: 32 Ohm
  • Sensitivity: 101dB/mW
  • Amp Required: No
  • Primary Use(s): Mixing, Mastering, Reference, Gaming, and pretty much all genres.
  • Materials: Plastic, Metal, Cloth
  • Weight: 9.9 Oz. (289g)
  • Color: Black, White, Silver

Philips SHP9600

  • Type: Open Back, Dynamic
  • Fit: Circumaural
  • Frequency Response: 6Hz – 35kHz
  • Impedance: 32 Ohm
  • Sensitivity: 102dB/mW
  • Amp Required: No
  • Primary Use(s): Rock, Hip-Hop, EDM, Indie, Pop
  • Materials: Plastic, Metal, Cloth
  • Weight: 10.1 Oz. (298g)
  • Color: Black, Silver, Gold

We’ll start with the build, which is much improved over the original 9500 if you can believe it.


Build


Right away you’ll notice that the 9600 is more compact all around, with a slightly tighter clamp force that feels quite incredible on your head.

No longer does the headphone feel like it’s going to slide off.

It’s also a tad smaller and less bulky than the 9500.

Note: The 9600 actually weighs a bit more than the 9500 (I included this in the about section on the graphic in the video), but was surprised.

It doesn’t feel as bulky to me, but this may be my imagination.

It likely has a lot to do with the grill size and Philips doing away with the old design.

Even so, the weight disparity is only around 11 grams, so not that much.

Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600

The fit is snugger like a bug in a rug this time, and even despite the cups being smaller in both length and width, there is still ample room for my big Dumbo-sized ears inside.

The depth of the cups is about the same on both.

Philips has brought back the same exact headband mechanism and padding, but this time there are no windows. Instead, they’ve opted to improve the click adjustment.

It’s still numbered like the 9500, and not only is it easier to settle on a number appropriate for your head, but it actually holds its place this time.

If you’ll recall, the 9500’s adjustment was a bit loosey-goosey in that regard, sometimes moving a bit too easily up and down and not really locking into position.

The 9600’s do.

Aesthetically, Philips has removed their logo, all text, as well as the giant Block “R” and “L” indicators; the latter being a point of contention amongst some.

Replacing those elements is a single gold ring around the grille, housing the same 50mm neodymium driver.

Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600

Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600

Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600

Do you prefer the newer look or the old-school aesthetic? Comment below and let me know!

The same rugged plastic has returned, and the headphone cups swivel in the same way as the original 9500, ensuring that you’re able to get a good fit on your noggin.

You will notice the grille on the 9600 is a tad smaller, perhaps reducing a bit of air that was present in the 9500, making it a bit less of a “fully open” headphone.

More on that in a bit.

The detachable 3.5mm cable has returned, but this time around it feels more solid and robust at the business end.

There seems to be a protective measure taken in looking at the greyish-blue cap, a stark contrast to the rubbery, flimsier material inherent in the original 9500.

The 9600 also comes with a more rugged-looking and feeling snap-on 1/4″ adapter, with a subtle but still noticeable “grip” towards the bottom.

Instead of “Philips” engraved on the jack termination itself, it’s now embossed, reading “Philips” on one side, and “SHP9600” on the other in a more readable way due to the better color matching.

All in all?

it seems like Philips has really honed in on small details with this newer iteration 9600, and it
hasn’t gone unnoticed.

But are they comfortable?


Comfort


Absolutely.

Both headphones are incredibly comfy, but I feel more secure with a 9600 on my head if that makes sense.

It doesn’t want to slide around at all and feels more like a headphone should feel.

Clamp force is just right like Goldilocks’ porridge, and it’s still incredibly comfy for long listening sessions, feeling mostly like air, but with a slightly tighter clamp.

The 9500, while feeling like complete air, did tend to move around a bit more than I’d like, which was the trade-off.

Again, the small attention to detail here from Philips is more than admirable, it’s outright amazing that they would adjust and improve the fit.

Note: The clamp has opened up since I first put them on, and is roughly the same as the 9500.

Perhaps a tad tighter (which is a good thing) but not a huge difference.

Being that I bought the 9500 a while ago, I can’t actually remember if the clamp was as tight as the 9600’s straight out of the box.

If I look up or down and move my head, the 9600 does slide, so that’s something to keep in mind.

Now for the moment that you’ve been anticipating.

How do they sound in relation to one another?

Is the 9600 an actual upgrade? Did Philips improve the 9500’s upper mid/low treble issues?

Does the bass hit harder?

Glad you AKSED, homie…


Sound


Right off the bat,

you’ll notice the 9600 has a bit more mid-bass emphasis, likely somewhere around 100-200Hz.

I also feel like it doesn’t roll off nearly as much in the sub-bass regions.

The kicker here is that it adds slam without interfering with the other frequencies.

This was something I was a bit worried about, but Philips has proven once again how adept they are at making headphones.

Check this out:

It’s truly astounding that a gigantic conglomerate again came out of nowhere and slapped us in the face with this product.

There’s significantly more MEAT on this version of the headphone.

It sounds fuller and more impactful, while still mostly retaining all of that incredible micro-detail that the original 9500 provided in spades.

The treble sizzle and brightness that many snobs complained about have been fixed for the most part, as it no longer sounds overly essy or bitey in most instances.

I think this is very source-dependent as well.

Some songs still have that essiness, but to me, that mostly boils down to the way the track was recorded.

The 9600 mostly still provides the same great experience as the 9500, but it feels a bit more like a bass-oriented sound for sure.

This will be fairly unanimous.

Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600

The 9600 is a tad more claustrophobic, but still incredibly crisp and lively.

It’s hard to explain.

It sometimes feels like it’s trying to be and do too many things at once, but still works somehow.

There isn’t much to complain about at all.

As alluded to in the build section,

I think this in large part also has to do with the smaller grille present.

Technically and quite literally, the 9600 is simply not as open by design.

There isn’t as much air around the instruments, which is something you will clearly hear and feel in relation to the breezier, cooler 9500.

Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600

Even so,

I’m glad Philips didn’t butcher the headphones with an overly accentuated low end, so don’t get me wrong.

The bass (mid-bass in particular) is clearly boosted and weightier, but it doesn’t feel out of line and doesn’t cause the mids to sound overly recessed, pushed back, or lost.

That said, there is a slight dip around 1-2kHz, but it comes back up at around 3.

Vocals and instruments still stand out, sounding very lively, intimate, and engaging, but in my opinion, these mids aren’t as good as the 9500.

The bass also sometimes sounds a tad clammy or something.

Like it’s trying a bit too hard, whereas the 9500’s bass felt a lot more neutral and thus natural.

Keep in mind that for the 9600 this is a minor nitpick, and I’ve noticed the bass settle in quite a bit the longer I listen.

It hits harder but still sounds crispy.

Of course,

the debate rages on whether this is my brain becoming acclimated to the sound, or if burn-in is a real thing.

I honestly think it’s a bit of both, and I’ve talked quite a bit about this with folks over the last few months…

The notes may not have had as much impact on a 9500, but darn if they weren’t incredibly articulate and crystal clear!

As for the treble,

I really appreciate the improvement that they made.

It’s more subdued and less obnoxious, like your bratty teenage son who’s finally stopped smoking weed and eating Cheetos for breakfast.

The 9600 will most certainly appeal to a wider demographic of people.

Cats who are more bass-happy will undoubtedly love these.

Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600

Soundstage and instrument separation on both is about the same.

You’ll get some of those same “out of your head” moments like you previously enjoyed with the 9500, but I do feel like the 9500’s Staging is a bit better overall.

Both will do excellent with Gaming and Film,

but I’d probably rely on the 9600 more for Film and mostly use the 9500 for Gaming.

The 9600 is going to fare better well for action movies with lots of explosions.

It’s an intense but meaty sound that matches quite well with that particular cross-section of entertainment.

Background instrumentation and subtlety are still there to a large extent, and you’ll still be noticing a lot going on in songs that you may have been previously unaware of – one of the main perks of the audiophile sound for sure.

This hallmark tradition in the line hasn’t changed, much to my delight and likely yours as well.

Genre-wise, the obvious is apparent:

The 9600 will fare a bit better for bass-happier music: Hip-Hop, R&B, EDM, and Indie Pop all sound phenomenal with these.

There’s an unmistakable slam that you’re likely to become addicted to.

With the 9500, there’s more air and clarity, but at the expense of a somewhat more fatiguing high-end and not as much meat on the bass.

The 9600 will do well with most genres of music outside of bass-heavy tracks as well: Rock, Metal, Jazz, Classical, etc.

In fact, I think I may have found my go-to budget headphones for Classical in the 9600.

It’s taken quite a while to find something, but the 9600’s added “meat” seems to really help tame the volatile nature of the genre.

I had read something a few years ago that claimed Classical actually needs more bass, and now I know why.

The 9600 does really well with it.

I don’t find myself adjusting the volume as much, and I really like the way it portrays the sound.

Time will tell if this sentiment stands.

Video Comparison

Don’t forget to leave me some love in the comments!! <3

That said, do they need amplification?


Amplification


Nah.

The same highly efficient headphone with a low impedance is there.

Both come in at 32 Ohm, but the 9600 is actually a dB more efficient at 102dB, vs. 101 for the 9500.

It doesn’t really make much of a difference in practice though as most mobile devices will power either of them just fine.

Still, I’d recommend an Amp/DAC for best results sound-wise.

I listened to both with a wide array of setups:

DON’T OVERTHINK IT THOUGH!

Out of all the Amp/DACS, I tried with the 9600, I enjoyed the FiiO K3 the most.

I think it matches really well with the 9600 and sounds the most “right” to me.

The 9500 will also do well with the K3, but I actually like it more with a simple E10K.

And even despite that,

I’d recommend a K5 Pro over both as a much better overall value nowadays.

FiiO K3

K3 + Koffee

So…

Is the 9600 worth the investment? Is purchasing one a “sound” decision?

Final Verdict and Update

At this point, I’d say no.

Why?

Well, because I sold it. Lol.

It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the headphones. I most certainly did.

It’s just that I hardly ever used them.

I kept the 9600 around for a while until I realized that I wasn’t listening to it at all.

It basically collected dust, so I ended up giving someone else a chance.

A tough decision?

Not one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but yeah, I did give it a second thought.

Ultimately, it was a necessary decision for me.

It feels like Philips tried to make a product that would appeal to both audiophiles and consumers alike, and I think they did a pretty good job though I still prefer the 9500 at the end of the day.

I still have one, still use it, and still love it.

Are you after a more neutral headphone with more air around the instruments?

Will you be doing more mixing/mastering in the studio?

Do you want a headphone that will serve you better over the long-term?

Then the 9500 is the solution.

I’ve had mine since 2017 or so as it’s a fantastic product that I plan on keeping around for a long time.

 

If you’re like me, BUY ALL OF THE HEADPHONES!! XD

Actually, don’t. Lol. You’ll regret it.

Well, that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Philips SHP9500 vs. 9600 comparison, and now understand the main differences between them!

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

If you love what I do here and want to support the blog and channel in a more personal way, check me out on Patreon and discover all the value I have to offer you.

Just want to make a one-time donation? Click here. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps keep this site running!

Which of these headphones sounds like YOU? I would love to hear your thoughts. Until next time…

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

Be sure to also check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

Photos…

Photo Gallery

Click to see them in action!

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12 comments

JJ November 28, 2020 - 8:08 am

Just stumbled onto your YouTube videos and subed after the first one. Love the honesty and knowledge being dropped. My question is this. I need headphones to play guitar thru my Line 6 Hx Stomp. Was thinking the 9500 were the ones to get but your review on the 9600 has me questioning which one to get. Also should I use a DAC/Amp or small tube amp for this setup? I play mostly blues, blues rock and hard rock. Signal chain right now is guitar-Hx stomp-headphones. What say you? Thank you for the great content.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black November 29, 2020 - 12:00 am

Hey man! Did you see my reply on YouTube?

Reply
Jeff W March 19, 2021 - 1:24 pm

Thanks for the really good comparison, I opted to go with the 9600 even though I primarily game (lots of explosions in the games I play), but I do listen to enough music to enjoy them.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black March 27, 2021 - 4:19 pm

My pleasure man! Let me know how you like the 9600 for sure!

Reply
Melvin Emmanuelli April 12, 2021 - 5:04 am

Thanks for the advice man, I ended up buying the 9600.
Love your Youtube channel very informative and fun.
Don’t feed the troll!!!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 13, 2021 - 2:24 am

Haha! Thanks man! Really glad to hear. Let me know how you’re liking them and reach out any time! πŸ™‚

Reply
Bogdan Massk April 22, 2021 - 2:21 am

Thanks for your advice, through them I chose the 9500, and I am very happy. Your review made me decide which one to buy.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black April 22, 2021 - 3:44 am

Hey man, that’s so great to hear! How are you liking the sound?

Reply
Bogdan M. April 22, 2021 - 11:53 am

Love it, brother! Obviously I can’t compare with 9600, but this sounds better than my JVC HARKX 700. Only one complain, I noticed the ear pads cannot be replaced which is not a problem now that they are new.

Reply
Stuart Charles Black May 3, 2021 - 5:29 pm

Nice! Yeah man. Philips really threw a lot of people off with the 9500. 9600 is good but I generally prefer 9500. The earpads can actually be replaced but it’s quite an involved task. I will be doing some sort of pad replacement here soon so stay tuned for that! πŸ™‚ You actually don’t have to rip them off; rather there’s a ring you buy that goes on there and then you can clip the new pad on.

Reply
Hans December 20, 2022 - 9:02 pm

This was a great review and super helpful. Thank you!

Reply
Stuart Charles Black December 21, 2022 - 2:58 pm

Hans,
You’re welcome! Glad it helped. Did you decide on the 9500?

Reply

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