About Me
 
I’ve been a member, here, since early 2013 but am not much a reviewer as this is only the second review. My first one was written a couple of years ago about the AKG K7XX shortly after its first release on Massdrop. You can check that review, here (http://www.head-fi.org/products/akg-k7xx/reviews/12661), and my post history on my profile if interested in getting more familiar me. Now, I must mention that I have yet to bless my ears with any summit-fi headphones. I am mostly familiar with cans priced under $500. My current lineup consists of the Fostex TH-X00, Hifiman HE-400i, Philips Fidelio L2, Sony XBA-H3, and this lovely cost-effective Philips SHP9500.
 
As for my preference in sound, I favor warm and bassy headphones with slightly recessed mids and a small dose of emphasized treble. I do appreciate other sound signatures for what they offer (hence why I own the HE-400i and SHP9500), but I am not much of a neutral-head. I still mostly listen to old school 90s Rap/Hip Hop and R&B/Soul, with some Jazz, Reggae, Classic Rock, and Pop in between.
 
Philips SHP9500 Review
 
Physical build and accessories:
 
The SHP9500 is a well-built open headphone that is mostly made up of plastic for a lightweight experience. It uses 50mm drivers and has large cup sizes with huge pads, bigger than usual for full sized headphones. The headband includes a layer of padding that snaps on and off the main frame, allowing for hand washing when needed. The earpads are, by far, the weakest aspect of the way this headphone is constructed. Though very comfortable, the cheap material that is used causes one to sweat more than usual (compared to other velour pads) during long listening sessions. Still, I much prefer them over pleather/leather earpads. If the environment is cool enough, one should not worry but please be aware of this issue when listening to these in a warm setting. There are available modding methods, if needed, for easy pad rolling and can be researched within its respective thread here on Head-Fi.
 
The accessories are not much to write home about. I have the current “S” version which is essentially the same exact headphone with a shorter cable, no travel bag, and no ¼ inch adapter. The cable, itself, is 5ft long and does its job. It is detachable and can be replaced with other 3.5mm ended cables, including the V-Moda BoomPro mic, resulting in my preferred choice for cost effective gaming headphones.
 
Comfort:
 
As briefly mentioned, the SHP9500 is a very comfortable headphone when used in a cool environment. Due to its lovely headband padding, lightweight build, and wide earcups, I can wear these babies for hours without any discomfort. Adjusting the size is satisfying, simple, and sturdy. One should not have any issues with clamping force once the correct size is applied to fit your head, as the cups can swivel slightly forward and backward for proper sealing and placement over your ears.
 
Sound:
 
There are exceptions I make when choosing a headphone that doesn’t necessarily match my sound preference, and the SHP9500 is one of them. Though not the ideal choice for mild bassheads, like myself, the sound quality this headphone provides for its buck is why I have such an admiration for it. I will do my best to explain why that is so.
 
Although I consider the bass to be the weakest characteristic in regards to this headphone’s sound signature, it still comprises of great quality. Those who are not bassheads might just prefer the bass presence these offer as it is quick, tight, and just south of neutral to my ears. It is not anemic by any means like, let’s say, the Audio Technica AD700. During bass-heavy tracks, the pleasant thump that these provide is quite surprising. There is a slight mid-bass curve compared to the rest of the low frequency, extending rather nicely without any sudden roll-off. The bass sound quality is clean and present; it just takes a back seat to vocals and treble.
 
The mids aren’t the most polished I’ve ever heard and don’t consist of that “in your face” type of vocals that some mid-centric headphones provide. Still, it is one of the strongpoints for this headphone’s sound frequency. Male vocals are quite neutral sounding while female vocals are slightly forward and less refined. There is some minor grain, throughout, but it is nothing drastic when compared to other open headphones in the sub $200 price range. That says a lot considering the SHP9500 only costs $55-$60 (on average) during the time of this review, and has gone for as low as $40 during clearance sales in the past. For its price, the mids on this headphone are golden.
 
The SHP9500’s highs are the Hollywood star in regards to its sound signature but can sometimes get in the way, resulting in a minor spike that is most obvious when listening to poorly recorded songs. I have grown to like bright treble over the years but I am still quite critical of sibilance and brittle highs. It is safe to say that it is not the case here. Though it can sound artificial, at times, the treble is still quite pleasing, articulate, and extends relatively well. The detail and clarity when listening to jazz and classical music is lovely considering its price (again).
 
Soundstage is quite average for an open headphone, so don’t expect AD700 or AKG levels of width and depth presentation. That is not one of the SHP9500’s strengths due to its small opening on the outer frame where the grill lies. Even so, the quality of imaging and instrument separation is there and very enjoyable for those who appreciate such features in a headphone's sound signature. For a gamer, like myself, I rely heavily on positioning and accuracy; which this headphone still manages to do very well. No complaints about soundstage, here, my friends.
 
Sound leakage and noise isolation is less than ideal, but that is to be expected. Like other full size open headphones, this is firmly for home use in noiseless surroundings. I would have had this review out sooner had it not been for bike week, where I live, so that should give you an idea how poorly these isolate from outside noise.
 
Conclusion:
 
The Philips SHP9500 is one of my favorite headphones of all time despite its shortcomings. It is a headphone that does most genres very well if one’s ears aren’t spoiled by some of the finer options in this hobby. If you are looking for an entry level and cost-effective headphone to use at home, this is one you should look at very closely. It is easy to drive while maintaining the ability to scale nicely with better equipment. Combine its performance, BoomPro compatibility, and stellar price and we also have ourselves the ideal choice for a console gamer on a budget. You will not find anything better under $60 that outclasses most generic headsets on the market.
 
I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts with you all about this wonderful bargain of a headphone. Thank you for reading!

Intro
 
Well, after almost two years on Head-fi, I feel it is time to put my words out there and write my first review. In doing so, I feel it is only right that it be about the newly released AKG K7XX Massdrop First Edition. There are only a few days left on the final drop of 1000 units, and with no definite word on whether production will continue, I feel the need to make people aware of just how wonderful these babies are, and for only $200! This has been the best value per performance ratio that I have heard out of any headphone to date in my short audiophile-ish life. I chose to purchase this headphone because I am an avid lover of the AKG house sound; some of my most favorite headphones, to date, are the K712 and K702 65^th Anniversary Edition.
 
Now, I have to re-iterate on my short audiophile-ish life (key in on ish) before continuing. This is my first review and I want readers to familiarize themselves with my preferences and experience. I have yet to expand my listening on the higher end stuff. My limited experience consists of mostly mid-fi headphones under $500 on similarly priced sources and gear. If you want to see my current and prior line-up, just check out my profile. I prefer warm, bassy headphones, with slightly recessed mids and smooth but not recessed treble (SRH1540, anyone?). I do, however, appreciate other sound signatures for their strengths, but am not the flat response neutral-head audiophile. I mostly listen to Rap/Hip Hop and R&B/Soul, with some Jazz, Reggae, Classic Rock, and Pop on occasions.
 
Okay, enough about me. On to the star of the show…
 
AKG K7XX Massdrop First Edition Review
 
Physical build and accessories:
 
The K7XX is built pretty nicely and is sturdy for such a light headphone. It has an adjustable flat leather headband, (ridding the bumps of prior models such as the K701, K702, and Q701) and the ear pads are made of soft memory foam.
 
It doesn't come with many accessories, which I believe to be its biggest con. All you receive is the headphones, a 10ft mini XLR to 1/8 inch cable, a 1/4 inch adapter, and manufacturer paperwork. Still, for the asking price, there is not much to complain about, here. The K702 65^th Anniversary Edition is almost twice its price and comes with the same accessories. Only the K712 has a decent amount of accessories included (two cables and a carrying bag), and even that is almost twice the price of the K7XX.
 
Comfort:
 
When I say comfortable, man, these are COMFORTABLE!!! I mostly use these for gaming on my PS4, which often end up being sessions of hours upon hours on end (no, I don't have much of a life outside of school and work *sad face*). This is the only headphone I have been able to wear for so long without any fatigue from comfort or sound. If you need a headphone for long listening sessions, and the sound fits your preference, look no where else. You have found your perfect match (I did!).
 
Sound:
 
Massdrop claims that their signature AKG K7XX has a matched response to that of the AKG K702 65^th Anniversary Edition by using the same driver technology. Well, based off memory, I can confirm that this is correct. I owned the Anniversary a while back and, as I mentioned before, this is familiar territory for me as I am extremely fond of that headphone.
 
The bass is tight, articulate, and just north of neutral to my ears. It does a great job of being present while not bleeding into the mids. It kicks when it needs to, and relaxes when asked. It does a beautiful job of mixing in with the rest of the spectrum, while still being slightly warm and liking for the consumer audience. The extension is very nice, but not as deep as the likes of its open counterpart, the K612. Still, AKG does a great job of improving the bass presence of the drier K702/Q701 with this wonderful headphone. Bassheads, however, may need to look elsewhere. Though it is one of the K7XX's strengths, it is by far NOT a bassy headphone.
 
The mids are also a strong point, here. Though not as forward as the likes of most mid-centric cans, I just love how its voice presentation blends in. Vocals absolutely shine when it is the star of the show, and the fact that there is no bass bleed makes for a wonderfully smooth experience. Male vocals are more present than female, but there is a slight grain in the upper mid range on certain tracks. This is a similar experience that I had with the K702 Anniversary Edition, which was the major difference between it and the K712 I purchased right after, which slightly improves on that minor flaw. The K7XX has that same flaw, so I can assume that difference is the same when compared to the smoother K712.
 
Highs are the most sensitive frequency range for my ears. I do not like overly bright headphones, though I do appreciate their detail and clarity on certain genres. The K7XX's treble does a great job of falling right where I want it to be, detailed without being bright or recessed. If I were to make an analogy, I would have to say the highs are that one person in the crowd who is unique and appealing, but doesn't necessarily stand out. The treble is very well behaved while still having a good level of clarity and presence. It is by far some of the best treble I have heard on an open headphone. It can be a bit brittle, at times, but I think that is more to blame on the poorly recorded track rather than the headphones.
 
My favorite thing about this headphone is its wonderful soundstage and instrument seperation. Because of the large soundstage, it allows the K7XX to have no weaknesses in its sound presentation. The slightly north of neutral bass has room to breathe, resulting in that sensual transition from lows to mids without any muddiness or bass bleed. Also, when gaming, the large soundtstage allows for pin point accuracy when trying to define where sounds are coming from. A definite strength, arguably its best.
 
Sound leakage and isolation is poor, but that is to be expected from an open headphone. This is strictly for home use in quiet environments.
 
Amplification:
 
Though not required, it is ideal that one provides the right synergy for this fantastic headphone. It absolutely loves juice, so don't cheat it from its vitamin C. The K7XX scales extremely well with proper amplification.
 
Conclusion:
 
Massdrop's variation of AKG's K700 line is one that is surprisingly low priced based on its sound performance. The AKG K7XX Massdrop First Edition is a great all-rounder, one that does most, if not all, genres very well. I know this can be a bit cliché, but it is indeed a jack of all trades kind of headphone. If you are looking for a good headphone for all purposes at home, this is one you should look at very closely. There is no definite timetable for when/if AKG will manufacture more, so I strongly suggest to get your hands on one if the situation calls for it.
 
It has been my pleasure to share my thoughts with you all about this marvelous headphone. I hope I touched on most of what readers search for when reading a headphone review. Please feel free to give me some feedback and pointers for future reviews, should I have missed or messed up on anything. Thank you for reading!