🔶 Philips SHP9500

[Falenkor]

Update: So, I finally got it all in. Still working on the headband whenever I actually get time I wanna fix that. Not a big fan of the strap. ZMF Universe Suedes do some serious magic to this headphone. I couldn’t for the life of me get my beyer pads to fit on the headphone and was afraid to rip my pads so I placed an order for some custom made velour pads that are a bit on the larger size which should fit it more comfortably instead of having to fight with it. It sounds honestly quite balanced out now but the bass is noticeably amped up. It doesn’t really sound bright anymore instead its more warm now which kind of threw me off as I was expecting the mids to get really recessed and turn into a V signature. Granted the bass punches so unbelievably hard if I hit the bass button for the ifi zen dac the headphone literally starts vibrating from just how hard the bass is punching which is a bit much for me honestly. I do wish it had a bit more accuracy in it’s imaging but I suppose I have the dt 1990 for that. I probably won’t keep the shp9500 but I plan to give this as a christmas gift. Was fun sitting down testing with such a cheap headphone. This headphone just sounds shockingly good for the price($48 can’t be beat for this… seriously).

I am still waiting for the shp9600 to be shipped to me as of next month… I will be hanging onto the pads I have as well as the 9500’s adapters in the event that they are compatible with the 9600(hopefully? I mean they look like the same size and what not). After sitting down with so many gaming headsets a $50 headphone just blows them all out of the water in terms of comfort as well as price. If I had some complaints I wish it had more clamp and I wish it had a more accurate staging to be used for gaming like a 1990 can be that would make it nothing short of superb but I suppose the dt 880 still reigns supreme as far as stupidly great competitive gaming headphones

[JJPablo]

It’s crazy how excursive the driver is. This headphone loves ZMF pads. I just ordered the hybrid universe pads and will update you once I get them.

[Falenkor]

I was honestly considering picking up the hybrids from zmf or dekoni. Though wasn’t sure as to which to pick up in comparison. ZMF has some amazing pads for sure. I won’t bother with audeze. Far to expensive to me for just a pair of pads honestly.

[JJPablo]

I’m trying to get a sound sig thats in between the solid pads and the perforated ones. The solids ones have a bit too much bass and the perforated pads are a bit too bass lite, but not bad if I’m being honest. If the hybrids sound sig do actually fall right in between the other two pads then that’s it. I’m done with buying headphones lol.

not really

[Falenkor]

Will be interesting for sure. Seems zmf has two stylers of hybrid… a fully perforated and a fully solid. Meanwhile Dekoni has a internal perforation and solid outside. Assume they will all sound different from one another. Though all are what appears to be in a similar price point

[Falenkor]

Hey pablo, by chance do you know the pad thats compatible from dekoni for these? I tried the beyer suedes and they are too small. Would literally cause the pad to tear if I forced them on.

[JJPablo]

I have the beyer elite hybrids and they were easy to put on. Surprised you’re having issues

[Falenkor]

you using the modhouse circular pad adapters?

Edit: never mind. Managed to get them to fit. had to stretch the pads just a hair. Really snug fit give it that one.

[JJPablo]

Yes I have those adapters

[Falenkor]

Yeah, I got them on. The dekonis feel a little hotter than the zmf thats for sure. Curiously enough the zmf universe seem to sound better to me… perhaps cause they are angled pads while these dekonis are regular?

[JJPablo]

I think the ear cut out shape also has something to do with it

[Falenkor]

It honestly could be. I reached out to Dekoni for a more angled style pad instead of the regular circular variant of the suede. I prefer the material of the dekonis over the zmf honestly but I like the sound on the zmf a bit more and I definitely think it has to do with the fact that its angled drivers and the pads are ear shaped and angled. If possible I would like to see about a angled pad like these suedes from dekoni that could potentially fit on the T1 as well and see how they perform.

Edit: mainly cause when I tested those zmf suedes on the T1 they sound good but these dekonis don’t sound like they are correct. Same issue as shp9500 which is why I am pretty sure it involves those angled drivers.

[PeskyBee]

Hello.
I just got my SHP9500 and I would like some advice from some of you willing to help that know better than me

I guess this is my first pair of good quality headphones

Currently, I am running it through an old HyperX Cloud 2 USB Sound Card, since it is way better than my onboard (which is very shitty since my motherboard is kind of old (LGA 1155)).

I was wondering if I should get a DAC/AMP like a DACX6. Is it gonna make that much of a difference

I will attach a picture of the usb sound card I am currently using.

[PeskyBee]

This may sound stupid to some of you, but keep in mind I live in South America, specifically Brazil

Unfortunately, audio equipament is overwhelmingly expensive here

The cheapest we get is through the importation of equipament through sites like Gearbest and Aliexpress. Therefore we are very limited to what products those sites provide. Luckly Aliexpress sells the SHP9500 which allowed me to buy them for 400 Reais.
To put that meanless number into perspective, 400 reais is about half a monthly minimum wage and a quarter of the monthly average wage.
Long story short then, 400 Reais is A LOT of money and it does not mean the same 60 Dollars it costs for americans to aquire a 9500 for example

Coincidentally the DACX6 also costs about the same 400 Reais through Aliexpress. As previously explained it is a lot for us to pay, and I am more then willing to pay it if its actually gonna reflect in perceptible and relevant improvement of audio quality.
But I would hate to spend that much money for something it is not going to make that much of a difference

[K4sh1ma]

In case you guys are living in the same area as me, there is a legit seller that sells these for PHP 3999 or $81.34 and to me that is already a deal for a set of Philips SHP9500. Hope it can be a help to those who are looking for a set.

[Photoro]

Hello,
Two weeks ago I received the Philips headphones but the left headband become loose, it is falling of from the socket. Anyone has this problem and does any one knows how can I fix it?
Thanks!

[Falenkor]

@PeskyBee

HyperX Cloud 2 USB Sound Card

well, the shp9500 isn’t particularly picky and is very low demand for power requirements which is why this little sound card can power it… granted a lot of soundcards can kill the sound of the shp9500 from my experience with it which is a little odd…

@PeskyBee

I was wondering if I should get a DAC/AMP like a DACX6.

I would wait and save up for a better unit if you are okay with the current soundcard. Dacx6 is decent but slightly better than an onboard audio. Over here that unit is like $50-$60. I would see about the potential of a better unit. It’s unfortunate that such a cheaper unit is so expensive over there.

@Photoro

Anyone has this problem and does any one knows how can I fix it?

Can’t say I have ever had this issue on it… if you can I would request a return/repair on this if it has a policy on it.

[Kato]

It just happen that I found this forum and watched a video about DHMIS today haha

Anyways, I’m also from Brazil and I’m thinking about buying a SHP9500 these days. I own a Superlux HD681 and I think this would be a great improvement. My Superlux is 7yo already and it’s time to try new things.

[PeskyBee]

Manda brasa então cara.

Fonezasso, especialmente pelo preço.
Dá para pegar por 400 reais no aliexpress

[boomstick]

I have the SHP 9500’s with BoomPro mic through a Schiit Hel. I’ve been very, very happy with the sound of the SHP 9500’s. However, curiosity is getting the better of me and now I’m wondering…what’s the next headset that will blow my mind?

I love the soundstage and sound profile of the 9500’s. They sound full, wide, clear, and natural to me, without sounding harsh or too bassy. I bought them because nearly every audiophile/gaming audiophile reviewer out there said that you can’t go wrong with these and they were right.

I’m hoping to share my opinions on what I like and see if someone can give me some suggestions:

Headphones/sound profiles I like/enjoy: SHP 95500, KPH30i

Headphones that are OK sounding but don’t excite me (to my ears): X2HR, AKG Q701, CM MH752

Headphones I really didn’t like: PC37x

I’m thinking about Sundara’s now, since JoshV, Zeos, and others generally say “these are the best value at $350”. My PC37x experience really makes me shy away from Sennheiser at this point. Otherwise, I’d maybe have tried the HD58x or HD600’s.

So, if I like SHP 9500’s, is it likely that when I listen to Sundara’s I’m going to fall in love? If they are as bright (not brighter) as the SHP’s and have a tiny bit more low end, while offering even more detail, resolution, clarity, etc., I imagine I’d like them. I’m not expecting anything to have the wide soundstage of the SHP’s, but if something has 2/3’s the same soundstage, I’ll be fine, since I like the KPH30i’s as well and they aren’t as wide as the SHP’s.

I’d be powering them through a Schiit Hel.

I really wish it wasn’t COVID time and I wish I had somewhere in Maine where I could try on a few different headphones and figure out what I liked most (if I can even find anything I’d like more than these).