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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for premium, closed-back headphones with modern features, the Audeze Maxwell offers qualities like a removable boom microphone and wireless capabilities, which are ideal for immersive gaming and making calls. However, they are significantly pricier and their weight might be less comfortable for long sessions. On the other hand, the Philips SHP9500 provides a budget-friendly open-back option that's great for a spacious soundstage suitable for music and at-home use, but they lack wireless functionality and a microphone, making them less versatile for various multimedia tasks and on-the-go use. Consider the Audeze Maxwell for a full-featured, high-end experience and the Philips SHP9500 for a cost-effective, comfortable listening experience in quiet environments. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audeze Maxwell
- Very good for phone calls
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
8.4
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
Gaming
9.0
7.2
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for gaming, while the Philips SHP9500 is good.
Phone Calls
8.7
4.9
The Audeze Maxwell is very good for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.4
8.0
The Audeze Maxwell is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Philips SHP9500 is very good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audeze Maxwell is only fair for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
78.0 Hours
N/A
The Audeze Maxwell has 78 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$299
$48
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audeze Maxwell has a price of $299 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Audeze Maxwell has excellent build quality, while the Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips SHP9500 to be excellent for TV and video, while the Audeze Maxwell is very good.
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How the Audeze Maxwell and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audeze Maxwell | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$299 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audeze | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 78 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.3 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 498.9 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audeze Maxwell
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | August 2023
"Despite a few caveats, the Audeze Maxwell is one of the best-performing gaming headsets on the market and should top the ranks for a few buyers — provided the budget (and neck strength) is there. Gaming headsets have their work cut out for them, and their audience is historically unkind to performance flaws. If you’re an older gamer with some cash to blow, you should be pleased with the Audeze Maxwell."
Philips SHP9500
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Headphones Lab
Brian Stone | April 2020
"You can’t go wrong with the Philips SHP9500 for their price. Their audio quality is superb, and the fact that you can use them for just about anything you can think of makes them well worth your money"
Get a great deal on the Audeze Maxwell or the Philips SHP9500
About Audeze
Audeze is an, award-winning, American premium headphone manufacturer based in California. Founded in 2008, their products are developed around aerospace materials technology first used by NASA and are widely used by enthusiasts and professionals alike, not only in the fields of music and sound engineering but also in e-sports and the health industry.
About Philips
Philips is a Dutch conglomerate and electronics manufacturer with over 130 years of history. Philips makes the Fidelio audio line which includes several models of full-sized wired and wireless headphones, true wireless earbuds. soundbars and wireless speakers.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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