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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and features like active noise cancelling, touch controls, and a built-in microphone for calls, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 would serve you well, especially if you travel frequently or exercise with them on. They're compact, designed for on-the-go use, and they can handle some sweat and dust, but they do come with a higher price tag. On the other hand, if your focus is on sound quality for music and you prefer to use them in a quiet environment, the Philips SHP9500 headphones, which cost less, might be your choice. They offer an excellent soundstage and natural sound due to their open-back design, making them great for home use, though they lack noise isolation and aren't suitable for noisy environments or outdoor activities. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- 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
6.7
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is only fair.
Gaming
5.3
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$149
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $149 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.0
4.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$149 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 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 | 6.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 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 | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
Philips SHP9500
See more
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Philips SHP9500
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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