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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If sound quality and comfort are your top priorities, especially for listening to music, the Philips SHP9500, with its open-back design, offers a more immersive experience and superior comfort compared to the Beats EP. However, the open-back design of the SHP9500 does mean it leaks sound and offers little noise isolation, making it less suitable for noisy environments or commute use. The Beats EP, being on-ear and closed-back, provides better noise isolation, suitable for travel or office environments, but might not be as comfortable over long periods. Neither has built-in controls or microphones, so if you need to take calls frequently, consider that both may not fulfill this requirement. The SHP9500 also has a detachable cable, offering more versatility if the cable were to get damaged. Choose the SHP9500 for the best audio experience at home, and the Beats EP for more practical use in noisy environments where you still want good sound quality. 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 Beats EP
- The Beats EP has no clear advantages over the Philips SHP9500.
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
8.1
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Beats EP is very good.
Gaming
6.3
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Beats EP is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.2
4.9
The Philips SHP9500 and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls, though the Philips SHP9500 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats EP is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Beats EP is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats EP and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats EP is somewhat better.
Cost
$100
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The Philips SHP9500 and Beats EP both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats EP and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats EP
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
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 Beats EP or the Philips SHP9500
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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