Those look pretty nice 
still can’t find them available in Canada though.
hmm, kind of wish this time around they actually came in a carrying case… just a bag is a bit of a disappointment especially considering the price jump least in my opinion. Seems the padding is all there are the pads changeable easily this time around?
Gotta wait till tomorrow to get both of mine.
Ok so just a few quick thoughts on the headphone. The earpads have improved with a memory foam pad. But they are a bit clampy, I suppose that will improve a bit overtime. However the suspension strap is a bit noisy. I mean it shouldn’t make a whole lot of noise once it is rested on your head, but it comes across as a scratchy noise you will hear.
Ok, I like what I am hearing so far. I think this price might be justified. I think this headphone will be a winner.
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ok just x3 vs x2hr then
The modhouse adapters don’t work on the 9600 unfortunately. The clips are flipped
Man I gotta admit that looks a hell of alot nicer than the 9500. The clips are flipped now? shit. any way to pad swap you think?
I just taped the adapters on lol
lmao that’s one way to do it. I suppose I can get some like gorilla glue or something like liquid cement for the adapters
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Quick First impressions after 30 mins of listening:
Bass - There’s definitely a bit more bass compared to the 9500. Better extended but still rolls off a little.
Mids - about the same which is a good thing
Treble - definitely a bit smoother, not as peaky
Right of the bat they sound more balanced.
Build - the materials they used feels the same as the 9500 but is much better constructed. The size adjustments have a nice satisfying click to them. They don’t creek as much which isn’t really fair of me to compare because my 9500 are almost 3 years old. I mean they still hold up so I have no doubts that the 9600 will last.
Comfort - I feel like I can wear these for hours. The clamp is perfect.
The 9600 are definitely a huge improvement over the 9500. So far I’m very satisfied.
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Would you say the clamp is the same or tighter than the 9500?
Tighter
10 characters
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My SHP9600 arrived today and i can say that they are awesome. I think its even better than the fidelio x2hr. Definetely better than shp 9500 in my opinion.
Some photos:
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Sounds like a pretty good improvement so far especially if the clamp is resolved… Definitely gonna figure out a solid method to pad swap them though lol
Everyone else getting them meanwhile I am stuck here waiting for mine as they aren’t probably gonna deliver for another 12 hours.
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Philips X3 vs X2HR comparison
Build
- Better “memory” foam ear cups
- Leather headband suspension headband (makes a scratchy sound when adjusting)
- Not as much metal this time around compared to the X2HR version (Makes them lighter than the previous version)
- No metal grill on the ear cups this time around, now covered by a fabric
- Fabric on the cups is decent.
- Left and Right indicators on the headband can be hard to see. It’s black letter on black. Same goes for the included wire.
- Sound can still vibrate through the top of the band to the ear cups. So don’t play the drums on your headphones I guess is what I am saying?
Comfort
- Uses a nice leather headband to rest on your head. Seems fine. Although I am still currently blessed to still have a head of hair
- As mentioned before I like the memory foam earcups
- Not as heavy due to using less metal this time around
- It does feel a bit more clampy than the X2HR, but that could be just because they are newer.
Sound
- I think the Soundstage has increased just a bit. The soundstage seems pretty dang close to how my HD800s sounds.
- Vocals seem less forward than before.
- So comparing the X2HR and the X3, I think the vocals take a slight step back and the rest of the mix takes a slight step forward.
- Bass is still there and still solid, but I think the quality of the bass has stepped up a bit
- Treble I think is close but slightly recessed compared to the previous version. But a very small amount I think. However I do think there is a bit more air on the upper end of the treble.
Cons
- The scratchy sound from the suspension when putting them on and off I could do without. It’s like nails on a chalkboard.
- Cables are a bit janky and the balanced cable is a 2.5mm. Not sure why they went that route seeing as the newer headphones seem to be moving to the 4.4mm pentacon connection.
I think the overall look of the headphone is rather impressive. I do prefer the sound of the X3 over the previous X2HR. The better soundstage and the less aggressiveness with the vocals are a nice change. It’s a bit more of an enjoyable headphone because of this reason IMO.
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I just made an account to post on this thread.
I am scraping the internet for info on the 9600 and its comparison to the 9500 and X2HR.
Right now I am trying to decide between the X2HR, 9500, and 9600. I have the X2HR arriving tomorrow and the 9600 arriving the day after. Gonna try both.
My big priority is gaming. I want headphones that will allow me to hear positional audio, distance, etc. Im not an expert but I realize imaging and soundstaging are supposed to be important for this
I know the X2HR is supposedly too bass-heavy for gaming as the bass masks footsteps and the audio direction is supposedly not great. From what I understand X2HR is great for movies and single player games (and music ofc) but not competitive shooters.
Which is why I wanted the 9500, but supposedly these lack the bass (understandable), and there are some other criticisms which I consider nitpicks for an untrained ear like mine.
So my big question here that Im hoping to find info on: How is 9600 compared to 9500 for games like online shooters?
Im praying for some more detailed info on here and comparisons between X2 and 9500. I see the posts above give impressions and I am so thankful for it!
Can you expand your thoughts please and comapre to 9500/X2HR 
The 9600 is simply a better all rounder compared to those two. For purely competitive I’d still go for the 9500 although the 9600 is a close second.
Any reason why? I think I can tradeoff the competitive edge if its just a shave worse than 9500, if it means I get a better all around headphones.
Would the 9600 suffer from the same issues as the X2HR for competitive gaming?
Shp 9500 is indeed a bit better than shp9600 for competitive games. shp9600 is more like an improved x2hr rather than an inproved shp9500.
But, when i had the x2hr i didnt find it dificult to hear footsteps. With the shp9600 i find it easy to hear it too. But i have to agree that the shp9500 is better in that aspect.
Still, i would recommend the shp9600 hands down when compared to the x2hr and shp9500.
I just want to know now how the shp9600 compare to fidelio x3.
Hmm thanks. This seems like a tough decision to me. If 9600 muffles footsteps and has difficulty telling me the distance/direction of enemies, then it seems 9500 is just the best option.
So in terms of gaming quality for competitive games, its 9500 > 9600 > X2HR?
I hope we see specific reviews soon because Ive been trying to decide on this for weeks.