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Philips SHP9500 vs Fidelio X2HR

More people recommend the Philips SHP9500 overall (51 vs 35). None of the 51 comments that name both says outright which one to buy, so read the loves and complaints and decide by taste.

Comments naming both
51
Say they own both
5
Choose the SHP9500
0
Choose the Fidelio X2HR
0

Preference evidence:Limited0 explicit choices among 51 comments naming both.What the levels mean

Counted across 18 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
Philips SHP9500Philips Fidelio X2HR
Typical price$80cheaper$149
Overall rank#14higher#21
People who recommend it51more35
Say they own it5861more
Mentions491more413
Typeopen-back wiredopen-back wired
Known forFirst open-backSpaceNo ampOpen-backBassNo amp
Best forRecommended as a first open-back for someone who wants space and clarity on a tight budget.Recommended as an open-back with bass by people who found the Sennheisers too polite.
BuyAmazon · $80Amazon · $149

People who mention both, in their own words

#14 overall

Philips SHP9500

5 of the 51 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

#21 overall

Philips Fidelio X2HR

5 of the 51 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Bass with real weight for an open-back; the fun one for pop and hip-hop
  • Called the most comfortable headphone several owners have owned; mostly metal build
  • Easy to drive, no amp; often on deep sale

The complaints

  • Stock pads: several owners hate them and replace them
  • A dark, warm tuning that some find fatiguing or too dull
  • Big and heavy on the head
  • Stock at Philips comes and goes

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 Philips SHP9500 better than the Philips Fidelio X2HR?
None of the 51 comments naming both says outright which one to buy. Overall, 51 people recommend the Philips SHP9500 and 35 the Philips Fidelio X2HR. Read what owners love and complain about below and decide by taste.
Which is cheaper, the Philips SHP9500 or the Philips Fidelio X2HR?
The Philips SHP9500 is cheaper: $80 against $149 when we last checked. Prices move, so the buy buttons show the live price.
Which do more people recommend, the Philips SHP9500 or the Philips Fidelio X2HR?
The Philips SHP9500: 51 people recommend it against 35. On the site-wide leaderboard the Philips SHP9500 is #14 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR is #21.
Do people own both the Philips SHP9500 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR?
Yes. 5 of the 51 comments that name both come from people who say they own both pairs. 5 say they own the Philips SHP9500 and 5 the Philips Fidelio X2HR.
What do owners complain about on the Philips SHP9500 and the Philips Fidelio X2HR?
The most repeated complaint about the Philips SHP9500: bass is light; several people call it weak in the low end. About the Philips Fidelio X2HR: stock pads: several owners hate them and replace them. The full lists are on each side below.

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