[TheHeadHunter]

I own both the m40x and the 9500.
The m40x isn't really all that neutral. It has way more bass than any open back headphone, including the shp 9500.
As far as treble goes, the 9500 isn't much brighter than the m40x, but , it sounds brighter than the m40x, because you hear the treble way more because it has a lot less bass.
Being an open back it doesn't sound as closed in as the m40x. It sounds more " airy".

If you're used to the m40x, the 9500 will sound way different. You might like it once you get used to it. Or maybe not. Hard for me to know.
At the price, It's probably the best open back you can find. It's not v shaped. The m40x is more v shaped.

Keep in mind the 9500 will leak a lot more sound for people around you to hear.

Thank you for the help, is good to have a reference with headphones that i already know. I'm somewhat used to the m40x but that I think that's probably because it's my only real experience with headphones, the only other headphone i've had the opportunity to use for more than a day was the Superlux HD661, which treble and bass i've found way too much for my taste. The "airy" aspect you've mentioned could be interesting for Jazz which, i listen the most, maybe not that much for soul and disco music, which i also listen very often, but again my experience is limited so maybe it could turn out to be something good.

Also, do you guys think the 9500's from AliExpress are legit? I've seen this asked here a couple times but none were replied. Buying from AE would make it much easier for me to obtain the 9500.

 

[SomeTechNoob]

There aren't any fake SHP9500s as far as I know. Other people have ordered 9500s of aliexpress without issue, so you'll probably be fine.

 

[Gogoawy]

The Balanced mod for SHP9500 which I have already posted here
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the...ized-headphone-mods-here.867426/post-15973235

 

[erotimatic]

Kind of a strange question. The SHP9500 on AliExpress have really unprofessional marketing, translation and images. It's not done by Philips themselves, correct?

 

[The Bard of Tysoe]

The SHP9500 on AliExpress have really unprofessional marketing, translation and images. It's not done by Philips themselves, correct?

No. However, I have had very good customer service dealing with PhilipsEarphone Authorization Store on AliExpress: purchasing first Fidelio X3s; and now – coincidentally – a pair of SHP9500s (principally to see what the relationship is – if any… – between the two)! Incidentally, I was recommended the store by one of the staff of RTINGS.com.

 

[aasat]

HI, I bought SHP9500 on AliExpress, but one driver have problem with low bass from 20hz to 130hz. I hear buzzing. When I blow on driver that help, but only for seconds.
Is it possible to open cup and remove driver?

 

[Slater]

HI, I bought SHP9500 on AliExpress, but one driver have problem with low bass from 20hz to 130hz. I hear buzzing. When I blow on driver that help, but only for seconds.
Is it possible to open cup and remove driver?

If you open and remove the driver, you wouldn’t be able to get them exchanged with the seller. Since you just got them, I would try contacting the seller first, to see what your options are.

 

[hifinoob005]

Didn't have a chance to go through the thread, I'm looking for some pads for this model.
Must not be velour or anything to absorb moisture.
Thickness at least 25mm.
Got the Brainwavz perforated but they get warm.
I have some Sennheiser which pads are a thin plastic film type. Don't get warm.

Is there anything like that for the SHP9500?

 

[skyrainz]

I would buy them,because I need something good and very comfortable ,but I don't know if earpads could press against my ears.I read that clamping force shouldn't be a problem,but I'm a little scared about how much they can hurt my ears,because I wear glasses.For example I have this problem even with hd681 evo

 

[dandreye]

Hi All,

I had my mind set on X2HR (~GBP120 cheapest here in UK) before seeing so good reviews of these ones coupled with their pricing at AliExpress. Could anyone who tried them both please share their thoughts on the SQ diffs between them to expect in my use case? It's 100% music (no tv/video/gaming etc), lately mostly electronic but also some guitar, occasionally light rock, and SQ is the main if not the only thing I'm prepared to pay for. Unless an amp is an absolute must for decent SQ I'd prefer to keep connecting the headphones of my choice directly to my USB DACs as I've been doing for years. Among those DACs are a cheap yet well praised 4x TDA1387 based one, a Topping D10 and I can see myself going up to the Topping D90 price level if that helps. I've briefly gone through the X2 search results in this thread (sorry can't go through all 136 pages) and have mixed feelings now. Among the reviews at Amazon that caught my attention: "...EDIT: Encouraged by the extraordinary sound from these relatively cheap headphones, I ordered a pair of their 'audiophile' cousins the Philips Fidelio X2HRs. I'm sorry to say the Fidelios went back. Compared to the SHPs the bass on the Fidelios could become overwhelming." While the bass needs to be there for sure it has to be a quality one, and definitely not a boum-boum like I guess the one in SHP6000, apparently being their selling point for some categories of buyers. Hence trying to guess if there'll be enough bass with SHP9500 in the music in question to never trigger any regrets about foregoing X2HR in their favour? Also what about other frequencies and other aspects of SQ? Any thoughts on this and/or anything else wrt their SQ diffs are really welcome.

Many thanks in anticipation!

 

[gargani]

Hi All,

I had my mind set on X2HR (~GBP120 cheapest here in UK) before seeing so good reviews of these ones coupled with their pricing at AliExpress. Could anyone who tried them both please share their thoughts on the SQ diffs between them to expect in my use case? It's 100% music (no tv/video/gaming etc), lately mostly electronic but also some guitar, occasionally light rock, and SQ is the main if not the only thing I'm prepared to pay for. Unless an amp is an absolute must for decent SQ I'd prefer to keep connecting the headphones of my choice directly to my USB DACs as I've been doing for years. Among those DACs are a cheap yet well praised 4x TDA1387 based one, a Topping D10 and I can see myself going up to the Topping D90 price level if that helps. I've briefly gone through the X2 search results in this thread (sorry can't go through all 136 pages) and have mixed feelings now. Among the reviews at Amazon that caught my attention: "...EDIT: Encouraged by the extraordinary sound from these relatively cheap headphones, I ordered a pair of their 'audiophile' cousins the Philips Fidelio X2HRs. I'm sorry to say the Fidelios went back. Compared to the SHPs the bass on the Fidelios could become overwhelming." While the bass needs to be there for sure it has to be a quality one, and definitely not a boum-boum like I guess the one in SHP6000, apparently being their selling point for some categories of buyers. Hence trying to guess if there'll be enough bass with SHP9500 in the music in question to never trigger any regrets about foregoing X2HR in their favour? Also what about other frequencies and other aspects of SQ? Any thoughts on this and/or anything else wrt their SQ diffs are really welcome.

Many thanks in anticipation!

I own both. The x2 has more bass, the shp9500 has more treble.
The 9500 has bass but It's not dominant. The bass on the x2 is pretty noticeable.
The 9500 is more on the bright side.
They're both good but they're like two different flavors.

When the shp9500 were selling between $49 to $79 they were a bargain.
It really depends on individual preference, as far as sound goes.

 

[dandreye]

gargani:

Thank you. I hear the 9500 is quite EQ friendly, so if adding some bass with EQ gets their sound closer to my liking then the 9500 is my choice, at least for a start...or perhaps the 9600, which is reported to have somewhat more bass.

Btw both 9500 and X2HR can play directly off the line RCA out w/o the need in an amp in between, right? Just want to be 100% sure as someone is telling me in parallel that I won't hear anything if I connect them directly to the line RCA out.

 

[iL15hts]

This thing makes me happy.

 

[gargani]

gargani:

Thank you. I hear the 9500 is quite EQ friendly, so if adding some bass with EQ gets their sound closer to my liking then the 9500 is my choice, at least for a start...or perhaps the 9600, which is reported to have somewhat more bass.

Btw both 9500 and X2HR can play directly off the line RCA out w/o the need in an amp in between, right? Just want to be 100% sure as someone is telling me in parallel that I won't hear anything if I connect them directly to the line RCA out.

I don't know about rca line out. They can be plugged into any component or device with a headphone jack, without the need for an external amp.

 

[vtr1000]

Hi there! Just got these headphones last week and I love the sound stage and vocal performance they put out.

Luckily, the highs don't bother me much at all. However, I would absolutely love the tiniest bit extra in the 50-100hz region. Searching this thread I see suggestions for various pads, and while I find the OGs generally comfortable, the fact that my ear does press against the driver means that I'm willing to swap them out. Of the ones that don't seem to change the sound too drastically, I've seen a few of you recommend both the Shure 940 and the Shure 1840 pads. I'm intrigued as to whether there's any difference between the two and what they may be? Beyond the sound, I'd also be interested if one was found to fit better than the other.

UPDATE: I ordered both sets of pads.

My findings: The velour material and thickness of the pads are identical. The main difference is their shape; the 940s are rounder and therefore better suited if you've chosen to use a round adapter ring. The 940s also have white stitching to reinforce the fitment flange, whereas it's black on the 1840s. The white stitching would probably set off a rounded installation quite nicely as it'd be symmetrical - the opposite could be said for an oval fitment. Beyond that, the backing material is ever so slightly thinner and finer on the 1840s which is marginally closer to stock on the SHPs.

TLDR; use 940 pads for round fitment or 1840 pads for oval fitment.

Regards sound & comfort, I can confirm what others have said - slight imporovement over stock in all regards but without departing from what made them good in the first place.