Philips SHP9500 Review: The Budget Open-Back That Still Makes Sense
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Open-back design with an airy, spacious presentation for the price
See Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision … on AmazonShort version: the Philips SHP9500 is still one of the most sensible budget open-back headphones: light, comfortable, easy to drive and spacious-sounding for the money. Its weak points are lean sub-bass and the usual open-back trade-off of leaking sound both ways.
Buy it if you want a comfortable, airy open-back on a tight budget, for music or gaming at home. Skip it if you want strong bass or need isolation.
Key specs
| Philips SHP9500 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Open-back, over-ear |
| Driver | 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | Low (easy to drive) |
| Cable | Detachable 3.5mm |
| Needs an amp? | No |
What it does well
Space. Open-back designs present music more naturally around you than closed-backs, and the SHP9500 delivers that at a budget price.
Comfort. Large, light earcups suit long sessions and glasses wearers.
Easy to run. No amp needed: a phone dongle or laptop is enough.
Where it falls short
Bass. Sub-bass rolls off, as on most budget open-backs. Bass-heavy music can sound thin.
No isolation. It leaks sound and lets outside noise in, so it’s for home use.
How it compares
| Headphone | Choose it if… |
|---|---|
| Philips SHP9500 | You want comfort and space for the least money |
| Sennheiser HD 600 | You want more detail and a reference-style tuning, and have an amp |
| HiFiMAN HE400SE | You want better bass extension from a budget planar |
| Philips Fidelio X2HR | You want a warmer, bassier open-back |
See our headphones hub for more options.
Verdict
The SHP9500 remains a strong first open-back: comfortable, spacious and easy to drive. Step up to the HD 600 for detail (with an amp), or the HE400SE for bass.
How we chose
This review is compiled from manufacturer specifications, current product listings and published measurements. We don’t test products ourselves.
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones: Pros & Cons
- Open-back design with an airy, spacious presentation for the price
- Large, light earcups that suit long sessions and glasses wearers
- Easy to drive and has a detachable 3.5mm cable
- Lean sub-bass, as is common for budget open-backs
- Leaks sound and lets outside noise in
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Philips SHP9500 still worth buying?
Yes, as a budget open-back for comfort and a spacious sound. Its main limitation is lean bass; if that matters, the HiFiMAN HE400SE or Philips Fidelio X2HR are worth comparing.
Does the SHP9500 need an amp?
No. It's easy to drive from a phone dongle, laptop or onboard audio.
Is the SHP9500 good for gaming?
Its open-back soundstage suits games, and many people pair it with a separate microphone. It has no built-in mic.
Where to Buy
Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear HeadphonesSee Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision … on Amazon
