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Philips SHP9500

#14 overall · open-back wired · counts updated Oct 2026

Philips SHP9500

Ranked #14 of 31: 51 people recommend it and 58 say they own it. Most repeated praise: The go-to open-back under $100 for years; wide, spacious sound. Most repeated complaint: Bass is light; several people call it weak in the low end.

Recommended as a first open-back for someone who wants space and clarity on a tight budget.

First open-backSpaceNo ampUnder $100
People who recommend it
51
Say they own it
58
Mentions
491
Posts read
2,808
Check price on Amazon · $80

Price when checked (Sep 2026): $80. Amazon showed $94.99 on the check date; it has sold for $60-80 for years, so it drifts across the $100 line.

What owners love

3
  • 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

3
  • 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

Where owners disagree

Fans see it as the best cheap open-back; a few say at this price in-ear monitors give more sound per dollar.

The 19 sources

Every thread and video these notes come from.

Owner = the person says they use it. Recommendation = passed on without saying so. Dates are when the thread or video was posted.

Recommended for

Compared with

The headphones people weigh against this one most often, counted from comments that name both.

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