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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X provides good overall sound quality with a closed-back design for better noise isolation, making them suitable for environments where you don't want external sounds to leak in or out. They are more affordable but less comfortable for long sessions than the Philips SHP9500, which offers a superior soundstage ideal for an immersive listening experience due to their open-back design. However, the open-back design means they don't isolate sound well, making them less ideal for noisy environments. If portability and noise isolation are priorities, go with the Audio Technica; for comfort and a more expansive soundstage, the Philips are the better choice. 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 Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Gaming
6.6
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The Philips SHP9500 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Philips SHP9500 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Cost
$89
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
Philips SHP9500
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Dig into reviews and images
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 Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Philips SHP9500
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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