When I first did my digging into the great world of audiophile headphones, I thought I'd start my journey on the low-end range of things. The Philips SHP9500 (Predecessor to this model) are sung far and wide as being *the best* headphones, punching above their weight-class, sounding as well as headphones that cost triple or even quadruple its price. However, I soon heard many mixed reviews about it's successor, this here SHP9600 model. Let's get into the nitty gritty.
Philips made a followup to once of the most glowing, and might I add, quite unwarranted audiophile headphones for those stepping into the realm of a more "luxurious" listening experience. The only catch being that the legendary SHP9500 had a price of around $80, with the new SHP9600 retailing at $180 originally. From what you'll hear the upgrades (or some say lack of) that this model presents at its increased price point make it a pointless, fruitless endeavor to wear these headphones. Now perhaps I would agree, the SHP9500 is a hard lightweight headphone to beat. Worth $180? It's subjective. However, if you can get these on sale or with a coupon? Oh boy, there ain't nothing to lose.
Before I get into the pros and cons I'll give a TL;DR. The sound? Amazing. These offer an incredible crisp, yet slightly warm and rich sound, much unlike typical headphones that kill the mids or up the lows and highs. The build quality is good, the aesthetics are great, I'm particularly fond of the bronze ring on the ears, and the comfort is astounding. Is it enough to warrant a $180 purchase over a $80 purchase, assuming you get these off sale, well, they might just be. If you're unsure which team to swing for, do your research but bear in mind, these are still an amazing pair of headphones for the price. With that out of the way, it's deep dive time.
PROS
- Sound quality. As with the SHP9500, the audio coming out of this particular model is exquisite. The lows, great, the mids, extremely discernable, the highs, almost always don't become uncomfortable. These are the "flattest" headphones I own to boot. When I listen to a track it almost always sounds like I'm listening to it the way the artist intended, no EQ mixing needed. It's definitely a slightly warm sounding pair of headphones, but they still ring true and can handle any genre I throw at them, be it quiet or noisy.
- Build quality. A funny thing to preface this with is that these headphones are quite light. At a quick grab and glance these might not immediately register as particularly sturdy headphones. However, after using these for half a year now I can tell you that their durability is that of a snappy and whippy stick, that bends back into shape if it is ever forced to bear pressure. I've accidentally dropped these a couple times and they have a bit of bounce to them depending on how they fall, yet they have not bent or even scuffed. Furthermore, I've, rather sheepishly, put a little stress on them and purposefully stretched the headphones apart from each other to see if they bend or crack, yet here they remain, in mint condition still. Deceptively strong headphones, they can most certainly withstand reasonable punishment without suffering any failures.
- Aesthetics. Subjective, sure, but I must admit, these just *look* like nice headphones. Big ear cups with a bronze ring on them, nice sleek, black finish? Love them, they look just as well in a studio as they do with at home listening.
- Comfort. My goodness, I've owned my fair share of "over-ear" headphones and I must say, these truly are "over-ear." The padding is soft and remarkably thick, making it so these truly don't press the drivers up against your ears. I feel it evdn aids in the listening comfort to, the sound doesn't feel as though it's shot straight into your ear, the distance from the drivers plus the open-ear design really helps music sound like it's happening around you than directly in your ear.
- Aux adapter. Included with the headphones is a wonderful 3.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable of impressive length, which even comes with an aux adapter. A very nice addition!
- The soundstage. Music truly feels like it's happening around you with these on. The open-ear headphone experience is one I can never go back on. Music is no longer a sterile bit of sound blasted at my ears, it unfolds around me and envelopes me in listening bliss.
MIXED
- Clamp force. Don't get me wrong, the clamp force is perfectly, perfectly serviceable. Yet it must be noted that I have a rather big noggin, and still these still fall on the more medium, bordering on the medium-light side of clamp force. This could potentially be a problem for people with small heads, but it probably wouldn't hinder wearability to any extreme degree, just don't expect them to hug your head too tight if your head is indeed small when you engage in a bit of overzealous headbanging when listening to your favorite tracks. Light, even medium headbanging with these on and they still do hesitate to move, so this is a "your mileage may vary" point.
- The bass. This is more of a headsup than a proper Mixed note on my part. If you're the type to listen to exclusively bass heavy tracks and/or the type to boost the bass on your music be mindful that these are open-ear headphones. These offer a more impressive soundstage than closed-ear but as such bass is less punchy, again, aiding in the more neutral "flat" sound that most audiophiles would prefer. That being said, bass is still very noticeable, but it won't rattle your brain.
- Swivel ears. The ears have a fair bit of degrees of swivel to them. This is only a personal gripe, I just am not a big fan of swivel ears on headphones. They do not effect the comfort, but I just prefer a more rigid feel to my headphones, and it's just a nitpick of mine.
CONS
- Sound leak. This is just a byproduct of being open-ear headphones. Sound *will* leak out of these headphones, people around you will hear what you're listening to, so if you're concerned with interfering with others around you then it could be a problem. However if you've got your own place or room to vibe in or people who don't mind it then it isn't a concern.
- The... price? The thing is, these headphones are WELL worth the original retail value of $180. If there didn't exist the SHP9500 these wouldn't even be noted. That being said, in spite of its minor upgrades it just depends on how much you're willing to shill out on your beginner pair of audiophile headphones. The SHP9500 model is fantastic, but these are *just that bit* better to me personally and makes it worth it.
Look, when all is said and done, I can't help putting my experiences up front to help punch for this model. I love these headphones so much that I've put off on upgrading to much more expensive audiophile headphones. $180 is more than the $80 model, sure, but these have provided such a listening experience comfort that I've found myself not getting that itch to upgrade, and I think that says a lot about the quality of the SHP9600. They make me truly feel like I'm bopping with $500 headphones on my head, and my personal bit of advice (since you're still reading my review) that you need to pick these up. These are a safe horse to bet on. I unashamedly champion the SHP9600 model, they're my favorite pair of headphones I've ever owned, and I reckon it'll be years before I find a pair of headphones I favor over these.
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From the manufacturer
Philips SHP9600 Hi-Fi headphones
A quality performance
Looking for the perfect blend of performance, comfort, and quality? These over-ear, open-back headphones are built to take your home listening up a notch. You get great sound, premium construction, and gold-plated cable connections.
Included accessories:
- Detachable 3.0 m cable (gold-plated connectors)
- 1/4 inch to 3.5 mm adapter
Specifications:
- Acoustic system: Open
- Magnet type: Neodymium
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Maximum power input: 200 mW
- Sensitivity 101 dB
- Speaker diameter 50 mm
- Frequency response: 12 - 35,000 Hz
- Nett weight: 0.728 lb
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Open-back design. Spacious soundFeel the music. Perfectly tuned 50 mm drivers deliver crisp bass, balanced midrange, and pristine high frequencies. The drivers are engineered to fit the ear's natural geometry, ensuring no detail is lost. |
Superb comfort and durabilityThe headband is reinforced with durable steel, which adds just the right amount of tension for a secure fit. The double-layered headband cushion adds real comfort, and the breathable ear-cup cushions are perfect for long listening sessions. |
Connect to any source. From phone to headphone ampImmerse in your favorite albums-on your smart device, home setup, TV, or laptop. The included cable boasts a gold-plated 6.3-3.5 mm jack adapter for the best connection when listening on audiophile-grade equipment. |
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| Fidelio X3 Hi-Res | SHP9600 Hi-Fi | L2BO Hi-Fi | PH805 Noise Cancelling | ST702 UV-Sanitizing | |
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| Customer Reviews |
723
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10,687
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243
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2,778
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| Price | $147.99 | $69.99 | — | $69.99 | $59.99 |
| Connectivity | Wired (3.5 mm) Balanced/Unbalanced | Wired (3.5 mm) | Wired (3.5 mm) with in-line mic | Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 | True Wireless Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Acoustic system | Open | Open-back | Semi-open | Closed | Closed |
| Frequency response | 5 – 40,000 Hz | 12 - 35,000 Hz | 6 - 40,000 Hz | 7 – 40,000 Hz | 20 – 20,000 Hz |
| Driver size | 50 mm | 50 mm | 40 mm | 40 mm | 6 mm |
| Impedance | 30 Ohm | 32 Ohm | 16 Ohm | 16 Ohm | 16 Ohm |
| Maximum power input | 500 mW | 200 mW | 200 mW | 30 mW | N/A |
| Sensitivity | 100 db @ 1 mW | 101 dB | 105 dB | 90 dB | 94 dB |
| Distortion | <0.1% THD | <0.1% THD | <0.1% THD | N/A | N/A |
| Cable length | Detachable 3.0 m cables (balanced and unbalanced cables included) | Detachable 3.0 m cable included | Detachable 3.0 m cable with in-line microphone and pick-up button | Detachable cable and airplane adapter + USB charging cable included | USB charging cable |
Compare with similar items
This Item  PHILIPS Over Ear Open Back Stereo Headphones Wired with Detachable Audio Jack, Studio Monitor Headphones for Recording Podcast DJ Music Piano Guitar (SHP9600) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $69.99 | -13% $199.95 List: $229.25 | -27% $109.00 List: $149.00 | $133.99 | $39.99 | $180.00 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 8 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 8 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 8 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 8 | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 8 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sound quality | ||||||
| Comfort | ||||||
| Noise cancellation | ||||||
| Quality of material | ||||||
| Volume control | ||||||
| Sold By | Bsd Wholesale | Amazon.com | HIFIMAN | Sky Sound | Yinyoo Audio | Amazon.com |
| connectivity tech | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| headphones form factor | Over Ear | Over Ear | — | In Ear | In Ear | Over Ear |
| connector type | 3.5mm Jack, 1/4-inch | 1/4-inch, 3.5mm Jack | 6.35mm Jack | 3 5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack |
| noise control | sound isolation | — | — | — | sound isolation | sound isolation |
| headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| cable feature | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable |
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Philips SHP9600 Wired, Over-Ear, Headphones
Scotts Honest Reviews
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Why I love the Philips SHP9600 Open Back Headphones
Miles Rose
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Great sound an unbelievably good price
For the past year, I had heard, SO much about these headphones. I have seen them reviewed time and time again on YouTube. I hardly heard anything negative about them. However, for the longest time, they could not be bought because they were not available. For the ones, which were, they were way overpriced. Then, in March, they became available on Amazon for a nice price. I jumped on it. Now, that I have them, are they worth the hype?DESIGN/FEATURES: The drivers of the SHP9500 are 50mm, which is large. The frequency response is an outstanding, 12-35,000 Hz, which is 1,500 Hz short of Hi-Res territory. Nevertheless, they still sound superb. The impedance is 32 ohms. For PS4 gamers, 32 ohms is low enough for the controller to drive the headphones with the controller volume set to max. The maximum input power is only 200mW, meaning a user will have to be careful when using an amp. A DAC can be used but is not needed. Of course, the sound will be improved and of course, increasingly loud.The design of the SHP9500 is very cool in my opinion. Some could argue that it looks cheap, which they sort of do. However, they have some style to them. The headband is aluminum, cased with a hard, matte black, plastic. Atop of the headband is a glossy-black, Philips insignia. The sides of the headband have measuring notches and a hole, which shows a number, indicating the level, which the headband can be adjusted to. Underneath the headband is a cushion, made of breathable, dual-layered, cloth fabric for head support. On the bottom, inside the right and left side of the headband, a plastic tag with R and L can be seen on the corresponding sides of the headband. This is the part of the design, which I love the most. The ear cups are made of plastic. In addition, the speakers are made of aluminum. On each speaker, R and L are painted in white on the corresponding sides of the speakers. Personally, I believe that the design feature is cool and unique. The speakers are transparent enough, where the drivers can be seen. The ear cushions are over-the-ear and made of the same, breathable, double-layered, cloth fabric.BASS/MID-BASS/SUB-BASS: There is bass. When playing games, which have explosions, I can hear that boom. However, the bass is inconsistent, overall. With that said, the sub-bass is non-existent. I could not hear much of a subwoofer-like rumble when I was playing certain games, which had explosions.HIGHS: The SHP9500 is bright sounding headphones. The sound is crystal clear, overall. The treble highs can be grainy at times. However, there Results and ears vary. For example, Call Of Duty Black Ops 4 is a prime example, which has lots of sharp sounds. Gunshots are loud but clear. Each time bullets hit, there a loud, thumping sound, which follows with a loud, “squish”, when a kill is achieved. I found having the volume high while hearing this sound can be harsh of the ears. The high end of female voices sounds great. Hearing female voices on Call Of Duty Black Ops 4 is another. Hearing my female character, Battery’s voice lines sound great. “Cluster grenade, enjoy!” “Splash!” “Dropped!” “All right, boom time.” “All talk!” “Doggone!” Those are some of my favorite voice lines of hers. Once, Battery ran inside of an open-ended bay of the Summit map. Battery said a voice line, while outside of the bay. Then, her voice became magnified, as she entered the bay. Plus, there was an echo of Battery's voice. The authenticity of the echo was unbelievable and nearly, scary. This was a good example of a transition between mid to high sounds.IMAGING/SOUNDSTAGE: The SHP9500 has good imaging. They handle directional sounds, exceptionally, well. With that said, I tested the performance of the SHP9500 while playing Call Of Duty Black Ops 4. The best map, which showcases the performance of the best is the “Occupation” map, which is a close-quarters. I could hear what was going on and direction, where the action was taking place on the map, whether it was dialogue, gunshots or explosions. Of course, footsteps could be heard, as well. It seems the sound magnifies toward closer sounds coming from a different direction. For example, each time my character looks in one direction, the sound increasingly amplifies in the direction and less in the opposite direction, where lesser actions were taking place. The soundstage is great. Of course, they are open-back, so that is expected. The airiness and open sound of the SHP9500 is great. Very spread out. I played a match on the very open. “Gustav Cannon” map. I could hear sounds, very clear from across the map at a far distance. Not to mention, sounds from a distant, sounded a bit closer than they actually were.LOWS/MIDS: I must say, the SHP9500 picks up subtle sounds, pretty good. Hearing shells hit the floor, coming from a blasting shotgun is addictive to listen to, strangely. On the Morocco map, outside of hearing the common sounds, during game-play, I could hear the subtle, clinking and breakage of pottery being kicked around, while traversing the area. I could barely, hear this with other headsets, but in more abundance with the SHP9500. The unbelievable sound of crunching, as my character was trampling through the deep snow, cracking of the ice or sounds of moving water, while swimming on the Icebreaker map. Once, my character, Battery, ran inside of an open-ended bay of the Summit map. Battery was communicating, while outside and finished talking, while going inside of the bay. There was an echo of Battery's voice while speaking inside of that open-ended bay. The authenticity of the echo was unbelievable and nearly, scary.MIC (OPTIONAL): An external mic, such as a V-Moda Boom Mic Pro will have to be purchased to utilize, while online gaming. The prices vary. I have not tried this, yet, as I do not have a mod-mic at this time. I do know, with one attached, it should perform exceptionally, well.VERDICT: Overall, the SHP9500 is a great headset. For the past year, when constantly, hearing about these, I was wondering, if these lived up to the hype and they did. Never in my wildest dreams, I would ever think Philips would make such an outstanding headset. They were smart to put these back on the market and at an affordable price. With that being said, I would advise anyone looking for a headset to pick these up, just in case they are no longer available, as they were, prior to resurfacing. Honestly, I believe my search for the “perfect” headset(s) is over.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2023
Style: Performance Audio | SHP9600Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2023
Style: Performance Audio | SHP9500Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Arash Fallah
Great Open-back Pair of Cans for the price
Reviewed in Canada on December 29, 2023Style: Performance Audio | SHP9600Verified Purchase
Erudito
Estupendo!!!
Reviewed in Brazil on June 29, 2023Style: Performance Audio | SHP9500Verified Purchase
Erudito
Reviewed in Brazil on June 29, 2023
O acabamento é simples, porém honesto; além de ser extremamente leve e confortável. O som é limpo e preciso, com um amplo "palco sonoro". Excelente para escutar música, trabalhar com áudio/mixagem, estudar, jogar, assistir filmes/séries; independentemente do uso você estará bem servido aqui. A título de exemplo, você consegue perceber diversas nuances ao ouvir músicas/sons com ele, como a presença de instrumentos e/ou detalhes do ambiente que quase sempre não ficam evidentes em um fone comum/fechado que geralmente abusa dos graves para tentar te impressionar (tal como os famigerados headsets da Razer por exemplo). Falando em graves, este com certeza não é o "forte" dele pois a proposta é justamente ser algo mais neutro e fidedigno, e é justamente por isso que ele brilha e é tão amado pelos audiófilos. Os graves são singelos, se você realmente gosta de um grave exagerado e sempre presente possivelmente essa não é a opção para você.
Pelo fato de ser um fone aberto o isolamento do barulho externo também é mínimo, ou seja, vai do seu gosto e/ou necessidade; lembrando que o som que você escuta também vaza para fora. Ou seja: se tiver alguém do seu lado dependendo do volume utilizado é bem provável que a pessoa escute o que você está ouvindo. Todavia, considero essa característica excelente para quem trabalha com locução/gravação de conteúdo por exemplo, pois você consegue ter noção de quão alto/baixo está falando sem precisar tirar o fone. Também é muito útil caso precise estar atento a alguém lhe chamar e/ou para receber alguma encomenda. Além disso, a característica de ser "aberto" é justamente o que faz com que o "palco sonoro" seja muito amplo e agradável. Essa sensação de que você está em um grande teatro e precisão de qual direção está vindo o som é estupenda! Eu particularmente adoro essa sensação de espacialidade.
Por fim, justamente por não ter foco em graves e por ser aberto o fone é muito menos "cansativo": você não fica com dor de cabeça e/ou aqueles graves pesados ressoando no seu canal auditivo. É difícil expressar em palavras, mas tentando traduzir a experiência: é como se todo o "ouvir" ficasse mais suave e agradável no geral. Em fones fechados, em especial nos de baixa qualidade (que acabam abusando demais dos graves), a sensação é que o som fica super abafado e/ou todo "embolado"; fica difícil definir o que é o que. Aqui não, o som é cristalino, claro e direto! Também existe um acessório/microfone destacável de outra marca (V-Moda BoomPro) que teoricamente dá para ser adaptado à parte caso você faça questão de convertê-lo em um "headset". Como uso um microfone USB à parte para gravação então não tive a oportunidade de testá-lo dessa maneira, mas dizem que funciona bem. Neste caso vale colocar na balança se vale a pena. Saí de um Astro A40 TR + MixAmpPRO e não me arrependo!
Images in this review
Gerardo Gustav
Una experiencia muy buena con pequeñas imperfecciones.
Reviewed in Mexico on August 20, 2022Style: Performance Audio | SHP9500Verified Purchase
Cliente Amazon
Fantàstics
Reviewed in Spain on January 8, 2024Style: Performance Audio | SHP9600Verified Purchase
Gilles
Bien !
Reviewed in France on November 23, 2023Style: Performance Audio | SHP9600Verified Purchase
