Head to head · for music listening
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
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.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $80cheaper | $149 |
| Overall rank | #14higher | #21 |
| People who recommend it | 51more | 35 |
| Say they own it | 58 | 61more |
| Mentions | 491more | 413 |
| Type | open-back wired | open-back wired |
| Known for | First open-backSpaceNo amp | Open-backBassNo amp |
| Best for | First open-back headphone for someone who wants space and clarity on a tight budget. | An open-back with bass for people who found the Sennheisers too polite. |
| Buy | Amazon · $80 | Amazon · $149 |
People who mention both, in their own words
“I've owned both the SHP9500's and briefly tried out the X2HR's”
Owns bothA commenter under FIDELIO X2HR Review | For you B A S S heads out there 🤯 (Joshua Valour) · Oct 2019
#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
“I've got the Philips SHP9500 and I can definitely recommend”
A commenter under 3 Best Headphones Under $100 (Joshua Valour) · May 2018
“My go-to headset was SHP9500 & V-Moda boompro”
A commenter under Open vs Closed Back Headphones for GAMING - Which Is Best? (Hardware Canucks) · Jul 2019
“Very Happy with SHP9500 another Great Budget Buy recommendation from Z reviews”
A commenter under 🟥Philips SHP9500 (AKA F'n Amazeballs) (Z Reviews) · Sep 2015
#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
“I highly Recommend X2HR”
A commenter under Philips Fidelio X2HR Review: STILL a BEAST in 2019!! (BadSeed Tech) · Sep 2019
“To anyone stupid and desperate, just get the Fidelio X2”
A commenter under Sennheiser & Massdrop HD 6XX ... Epic $199 Headphones! (Hardware Canucks) · Nov 2016
“Get the X2HR is you guys can, it's an awesome product”
A commenter under Philips Fidelio X2HR _(Z Reviews)_ Still the Soundstage KING (Z Reviews) · Nov 2019
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