[MarcoGV]

 

   
Guess I was thinking you could name some HPs for $50 that would be just as good or better than the SHP9500s.  Do you know of any?  Just curious.

 
Oh, I didn't know that you were directly asking me what other headphones could beat or match these in their price range.
 
I too am like you, and haven't had much experience with many open-back headphones. I was eyeing the Samson SR850 (http://www.amazon.com/Samson-SR850-Professional-Reference-Headphones/dp/B002LBSEQS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439677228&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+sr850) though. Based on the reviews I've read, they could be a good competitor to the SHP9500s. And then there are the Takstar and Superlux cans as well. They are all within the relative price range with open-back designs. and all three look to be Chinese companies. 
 
I actually really want the Samsons and might pick up a pair soon. I was thinking of getting the closed-back SR950 seeing as though I don't really need another open-back pair, but I can't help but want more.The large, velour pads are a big reason why I want a pair so much.
 

 
I have both the Samson SR850 and the Philips SHP9500, and I find the Philips to have a much more balanced ("natural") tonality.  What do I mean by "natural"?  Here is an anectode that may explain it.  On a recent trip, I brought with me the Philips SHP9500 and the Sennheiser Amperior.  I like the Amperior a lor for traveling---it isolates well enough that it can be used on a plane, and it may be better than the Philips from a technical standpoint, but listening to classical orchestral music with the Philips is more enjoyable and sounds closer to the real thing. The Samson is a treble monster.  Of course, this is just an opinion.

 

[slowpickr]

Seems like I read somewhere that the Samson SR850 is a copy of the Superlux HD681.  Is that correct?  I had the HD681 for quite a long time and ended up selling it because I just couldn't take the treble.  I can already tell the SHP9500 treble is not near as fatiguing. 

 

[ourfpshero]

The Samson is a renamed superlux. I had have both, they are the same

 

[djmuzi]

What about TAKSTAR Hi2050? How well they do compare? 65€ - almost 2x the price I payed for my SHP9500

 

[Apex Eight]

The Samson is a renamed superlux. I had have both, they are the same

 
Are the Samsons the only ones with velour pads? How are they?

 

[ourfpshero]

   
Are the Samsons the only ones with velour pads? How are they?

There is a huge Samson thread around here. The superlux come with vinyl pads. They are pretty good for $30 headphones but have a lot of graininess or roughness at the high end. For the 30$ range, get a JVc harx700 or a Panasonic htf600

 

[octiceps]

These are OK cans for the money but I def wouldn't pay >$50 for them and TBH I think the Takstar 2050 is a better buy in this price range

 

[ourfpshero]

These are OK cans for the money but I def wouldn't pay >$50 for them and TBH I think the Takstar 2050 is a better buy in this price range

I have had the Takstar, sold them off quickly, the Takstar is another low price, bassy Chinese headphone that sounds like the rest. Could not understand the hype

 

[slowpickr]

I've had the SHP9500s a few days now and am enjoying them quite a lot.  Is modding really necessary for the best sound or can you get "close" with EQ?

 

[octiceps]

I have had the Takstar, sold them off quickly, the Takstar is another low price, bassy Chinese headphone that sounds like the rest. Could not understand the hype

At least they have bass and are comfortable. These have no bass and shallow, hot, non-removable cloth earpads reminiscent of cheap Logitech gaming headsets. I can't understand the hype surrounding the SHP9500 either. Reading through this thread I find it amazing that people are comparing it to AD900x and HD 558/598 which IMO spank it in all aspects be it sound, comfort, or build. At $100-$150 those are more than worth their price difference even when these go on sale for $50. Instead of the SHP9500 I would recommend spending a little more for an HD 518 or M40x, the improvement is worth it.

 

[peter123]

At least they have bass and are comfortable. These have no bass and shallow, hot, non-removable cloth earpads reminiscent of cheap Logitech gaming headsets. I can't understand the hype surrounding the SHP9500 either. Reading through this thread I find it amazing that people are comparing it to AD900x and HD 558/598 which IMO spank it in all aspects be it sound, comfort, or build. At $100-$150 those are more than worth their price difference even when these go on sale for $50. Instead of the SHP9500 I would recommend spending a little more for an HD 518 or M40x, the improvement is worth it.

Well luckily not everyone enjoys the same sound. Maybe you need to realize that the difference in people's sound taste is as wide as in food, clothes, ladies /men or any other thing.

 

[octiceps]

Well luckily not everyone enjoys the same sound. Maybe you need to realize that the difference in people's sound taste is as wide as in food, clothes, ladies /men or any other thing.

That's fine, but they are still uncomfortable and built cheaply

 

[djmuzi]

I have the HD558 and ... It's all plastic as well

 

[MarcoGV]

 

At least they have bass and are comfortable. These have no bass and shallow, hot, non-removable cloth earpads reminiscent of cheap Logitech gaming headsets. I can't understand the hype surrounding the SHP9500 either. Reading through this thread I find it amazing that people are comparing it to AD900x and HD 558/598 which IMO spank it in all aspects be it sound, comfort, or build. At $100-$150 those are more than worth their price difference even when these go on sale for $50. Instead of the SHP9500 I would recommend spending a little more for an HD 518 or M40x, the improvement is worth it.

Well luckily not everyone enjoys the same sound. Maybe you need to realize that the difference in people's sound taste is as wide as in food, clothes, ladies /men or any other thing.

There are various reasons to own and enjoy the SHP9500, even if you own a HD598.  I own the Sennheiser HD598, the Philips SHP9500, and the Audio-Technica AD700.  Here are the impedance and phase diagrams for the SHP9500 (top) and HD598 (bottom) from Golden Ears:
 

 

The HD598 has a strong peak in the impedance magnitude centered at 90Hz.  This emphasizes the midbass when used with a high output impedance amplifier.  See the explanation at http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/musings-headphone-amplifier-output-impedance#z8oEM3wyxBh30cWL.97.  When I first played the Sennheiser HD598 thorugh my NAD 3130 amplifier, I thought the response was unnaturally "boomy." It was much later, when I started using a Dragonfly (which has a low output impedance) that I realized how good the HD598 can be. In fact, I use the HD598 more than the SHP9500.
 
So, the SHP9500 is more tolerant of the output impedance of its source and sounds fine with high output impedance amplifiers.  I also find (subjectively, of course) that the SHP9500 has an open sound and a natural tonality that is particularly pleasing for large orchestral work; I think that this is a matter of tuning and a Philips trait, at least in their older models.

 

[octiceps]

I have the HD558 and ... It's all plastic as well

HD 5x8 is a featherweight though so the all-plastic build is somewhat forgiveable. SHP9500 rattles/feels loose as well when you shake it but actually feels more fragile because it has more weight behind it, if you get what I mean. Plus I'd rather have the signature Senn clamp, which at least feels secure. The Philips has too little clamp for my head, which isn't exactly small (I have the headband extended 4/6). It slides off my ears with quick turns of the head and when I look down, and the weight doesn't help either.