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Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Philips SHP9500

More people recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x overall (99 vs 51). None of the 17 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.

Comments naming both
17
Say they own both
1
Choose the ATH-M50x
0
Choose the SHP9500
0

Preference evidence:Limited0 explicit choices among 17 comments naming both.What the levels mean

Counted across 14 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-M50xPhilips SHP9500
Typical price$159$80cheaper
Overall rank#5higher#14
People who recommend it99more51
Say they own it172more58
Mentions927more491
Typeclosed-back wiredopen-back wired
Known forClosed-backPortableBassFirst open-backSpaceNo amp
Best forRecommended as a tough, portable closed headphone for people who want bass and will use it on the move.Recommended as a first open-back for someone who wants space and clarity on a tight budget.
BuyAmazon · $159Amazon · $80

People who mention both, in their own words

#5 overall

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

2 of the 17 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Very durable; several owners report five-plus years of daily use
  • Punchy bass and clarity; good for casual listening as well as recording
  • Folds, detachable cable, easy to drive from a phone

The complaints

  • Narrow, cramped soundstage compared with open-backs
  • Some find it bass-heavy or overpriced for what it is
  • Ear pads and the small hinge tab wear out and need replacing

In their words

#14 overall

Philips SHP9500

3 of the 17 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-M50x better than the Philips SHP9500?
None of the 17 comments naming both says outright which one to buy. Overall, 99 people recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and 51 the Philips SHP9500. Read what owners love and complain about below and decide by taste.
Which is cheaper, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or the Philips SHP9500?
The Philips SHP9500 is cheaper: $80 against $159 when we last checked. Prices move, so the buy buttons show the live price.
Which do more people recommend, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or the Philips SHP9500?
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: 99 people recommend it against 51. On the site-wide leaderboard the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is #5 and the Philips SHP9500 is #14.
Do people own both the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and the Philips SHP9500?
Yes. 1 of the 17 comments that name both come from people who say they own both pairs. 2 say they own the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and 3 the Philips SHP9500.
What do owners complain about on the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and the Philips SHP9500?
The most repeated complaint about the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: narrow, cramped soundstage compared with open-backs. 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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