[yangian]

 
That's a fair point. One area I did enjoy the 598s was imaging. I think the 9500 makes up for it with separation and layering, but the image isn't always perfect. I do find the soundstage more pleasant than the 598s though. Better width with not too much difference in depth. Height is well done with the 9500 as well. 

Yeah, I agree. Soundstage of 9500 is great in its own way.

 

[Ni6htWalker]

 
Yeah, the reason I keep going back and forth is because they're both so good in their price range and both have their own strengths and weaknesses. If I had to pick one for someone to listen to, I'd probably just say whichever you can get cheaper, and the 9500 was almost 1/3 the price. 

 
If you wanted to really move up you'd have to get into the $300-$400 range. Almost 5x the price of the 9500.

nahh for now i dont want to spend more money in headphones,i need the girlfriend to calm down

 

[yearsofwisdom]

How good are these compared to 598s or Beats Solo 2s? Already on A900x and HD600. Looking for a pair of beaters/portables

 

[ZapX629]

  How good are these compared to 598s or Beats Solo 2s? Already on A900x and HD600. Looking for a pair of beaters/portables

They're open so they're not really portable. They beat the 598 pretty easily to me, but it depends on your preferences. I like neutral bass and clear highs, so if that's your style they're awesome. I didn't like the Solo2 that much in my limited times I've heard them, but they'd make a better portable than these.

 

[yangian]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Philips-SHP9500-Over-Ear-Headphones-Black/381133854860?hash=item58bd59188c&_trkparms=5374%3AFeatured%7C5373%3A0&rmvSB=true

 

[Bob A (SD)]

Thought they were sold out at Newegg / Newegg eBay.   Went and snagged another pair for a gift. 

 

 

[Butter123]

I find my Sennheiser HD558 a bit too slow and laid back for the genre of music I listen too. Would this philips shp9500 be a better option? $59 seems like a steal. 

 

[ZapX629]

  I find my Sennheiser HD558 a bit too slow and laid back for the genre of music I listen too. Would this philips shp9500 be a better option? $59 seems like a steal. 

What kind of music is that? What kind of sound signature do you like? They're faster and tighter than the 598s. Haven't heard the 558, but I understand they're the same drivers. 

 

[Butter123]

I listen to all kinda of genre, but for pop music, the hd558 is a bit too slow and laid back for my liking.
My main daily driver is still the denon d2000 markl and recabled, I tend to gravitate towards a sparkly high and slightly bass emphasized sound signature.
But I also enjoy a very lushy mid like my ie8

 

[ZapX629]

I listen to all kinda of genre, but for pop music, the hd558 is a bit too slow and laid back for my liking.
My main daily driver is still the denon d2000 markl and recabled, I tend to gravitate towards a sparkly high and slightly bass emphasized sound signature.
But I also enjoy a very lushy mid like my ie8

Well, they've got the sparkling highs covered. Wouldn't call them bass emphasized though. More like a neutral bass. I find them nice and exciting for any genre that's not bass heavy when amped a little. The part I like best about them is how clean realistic they sound, if a little thin. For $60 they're kind of a no brainer, but if you're any sort of a basshead I'd pass. This sound quality should run you at least $150 to $200 bucks.

 

[harpo1]

Just received mine from Newegg.  $58 well spent.  I had the X2's.  Actually several of them because of the QC issue and for price/performance these beat them or for that matter any other headphone I've heard hands down.  Glad I picked these up.  I won't worry about dinging them up or dropping them like I do with several of my other HP's.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

That $59 shipped deal is still on.  They really are great bang-for-the-buck especially at this price.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

Hello guys, Price point aside. I enjoyed the X2 but had to return it because of quality issue. I am now looking for an Open Back headphone. I am torn between this and the HD598SE. Which headphone do you think I would enjoy more If I like the sound of the X2. I listen to all kind of music except RAP & Country. I heard SHP9500 sound as good as the more expensive HD600, is it true? also is there any known quality issue with the SPH9500?

 

[yangian]

  Hello guys, Price point aside. I enjoyed the X2 but had to return it because of quality issue. I am now looking for an Open Back headphone. I am torn between this and the HD598SE. Which headphone do you think I would enjoy more If I like the sound of the X2. I listen to all kind of music except RAP & Country. I heard SHP9500 sound as good as the more expensive HD600, is it true? also is there any known quality issue with the SPH9500?

Yes, 9500 is more like 600 than 598. And 598 is more like X2. The imaging of 9500 is obvious worse than X2 or 598. But 9500 is much natural than either 598 or X2 to my ear. So I prefer 9500 to both of them.

 

[TooPoorForHiFi]

I pulled the trigger on this over the HD598SE. Anyway, I was wondering if you guys could recommend replacement pads or some pads that would fit at least. If I'm replacing the Pads in the future, I would like to retain / keep it as an open-back headphone. I will be wearing these for long hours.
 
 
Thanks