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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're considering the Beats Solo 3 over the Philips SHP9500 primarily due to the cost, keep in mind that the Beats are much more expensive and provide features like wireless capability, a closed-back design for passive noise isolation, and a built-in microphone, which suits on-the-go and casual use. The Philips SHP9500 offers an open-back design for a wider soundstage and typically more natural sound, which can be preferable for critical listening at home, but lacks the convenience features of the Beats and does not isolate noise well, making them less ideal for noisy 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 Beats Solo 3
- Very 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
6.3
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Beats Solo 3 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Beats Solo 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Beats Solo 3 and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Solo 3 is somewhat better.
Battery
41.5 Hours
N/A
The Beats Solo 3 has 41.5 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$117
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Solo 3 has a price of $117 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
4.9
The Philips SHP9500 and Beats Solo 3 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The Philips SHP9500 and Beats Solo 3 both have very good build quality.
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How the Beats Solo 3 and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Solo 3 | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$117 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2016 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.9/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 41.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 4.2 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 5.4/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 213.1 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Beats Solo 3
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | May 2023
"The Beats Solo3 Wireless is an old set of headphones but still works reliably well with iPhones, due to W1 chip integration and AAC support. The Beats Solo3 Wireless holds up well today with just a few features showing its age."
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 Beats Solo 3 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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