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Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Philips SHP9500

More people recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x overall (74 vs 51). None of the 28 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.

Comments naming both
28
Say they own both
2
Choose the ATH-M40x
0
Choose the SHP9500
0

Preference evidence:Limited0 explicit choices among 28 comments naming both.What the levels mean

Counted across 12 review videos, harvested Sep 2026. A comment counts as a choice only when it says so in plain words (prefer X over Y, upgraded from Y to X); questions never count. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.

At a glance the better number on each row is highlighted
Audio-Technica ATH-M40xPhilips SHP9500
Typical price$109$80cheaper
Overall rank#9higher#14
People who recommend it74more51
Say they own it92more58
Mentions646more491
Typeclosed-back wiredopen-back wired
Known forClosed-backBudgetFlatFirst open-backSpaceNo amp
Best forThe cheapest closed-back that owners keep recommending for a first proper pair.Recommended as a first open-back for someone who wants space and clarity on a tight budget.
BuyAmazon · $109DirectAmazon · $80

#9 overall

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

3 of the 28 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Flatter and less bassy than the M50x; several owners prefer it for the price
  • Detachable cable, folds, easy to drive from anything
  • A common first serious headphone that people keep for years

The complaints

  • Stock pads crack and crumble; most owners swap them for velour or sheepskin
  • Older units cracked at the hinge (Audio-Technica redesigned it)
  • Can sound a little sharp and boring for music; better with pad swaps

In their words

#14 overall

Philips SHP9500

2 of the 28 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • The go-to open-back under $100 for years; wide, spacious sound
  • One AudioKarma owner says it gets close to the Sennheiser HD 58X for a third of the price
  • Comfortable and light; detachable cable

The complaints

  • Bass is light; several people call it weak in the low end
  • Treble can be a little sharp for some
  • Big, plain plastic build with large L/R markings

In their words

Questions people ask about this pair

Every answer is built from the counts on this page, not from our own listening.

Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x better than the Philips SHP9500?
None of the 28 comments naming both says outright which one to buy. Overall, 74 people recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and 51 the Philips SHP9500. Read what owners love and complain about below and decide by taste.
Which is cheaper, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x or the Philips SHP9500?
The Philips SHP9500 is cheaper: $80 against $109 when we last checked. Prices move, so the buy buttons show the live price.
Which do more people recommend, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x or the Philips SHP9500?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: 74 people recommend it against 51. On the site-wide leaderboard the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is #9 and the Philips SHP9500 is #14.
Do people own both the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and the Philips SHP9500?
Yes. 2 of the 28 comments that name both come from people who say they own both pairs. 3 say they own the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and 2 the Philips SHP9500.
What do owners complain about on the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and the Philips SHP9500?
The most repeated complaint about the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: stock pads crack and crumble; most owners swap them for velour or sheepskin. About the Philips SHP9500: bass is light; several people call it weak in the low end. The full lists are on each side below.

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