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.
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
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.
Would you say the clamp is the same or tighter than the 9500?
Tighter
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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:
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.
Philips X3 vs X2HR comparison
Build
Comfort
Sound
Cons
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.
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.
For me, yes. But i am no expert haha, it’s just how it feels when i am gaming.
Shp9600 initial impressions. Not very impressive so far but heres what I see. Outside build materials are improved. Pads and overall cushion is the same as the 9500 however there is more headclamp but for me definitely not enough as it’s still not providing a proper seal. Bass response has been increased highs are smoother and mids are clear the there appears to be some potential recession sound somewhere and I can’t place it right now(lol still waking up drinking my coffee). Soundstage… I want to say is borderline even with the 9500 so far I can’t see much merit in paying like what… $120? for the 9600 at the current point in time but again, initial thoughts granted again I am so far enjoying it more out of the box than 9500 as the clamp and bass is a much needed improvement…
editory note: definitely bright still… I can hear that treble hiss and some sparkle coming out of the headphone but it’s so smooth now it’s rather hard for me to tell. pretty angry that the damn clips inside have been flipped around so now my adapters don’t work now you either need to glue the modhouse adapters, need new adapters, or scrape the glue off the current pad adapters. Going to do as jjpablo mentioned and get some small tape for that for now to do some testing in a bit
going to sit with x3 in a moment for some initial thoughts
I will test that theory personally however as of current while the bass is increased yes, there isn’t additionally a bunch of rumble it’s more impactful and deeper yes it has more fullness and has weight behind it yet your bigger concern for competition is your rumble… I am not getting that so I wouldn’t be able to make that call at this moment in time.
edit: seriously though man these 9600 have a pretty damn weighty bass to them that’s actually quite lovely sounds closer to my Tygrs which is very much appreciated
