A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For an immersive music experience with excellent sound quality and a wide soundstage, the Philips SHP9500 headphones are a strong choice, and they're particularly well-suited for TV and gaming due to their open-back design. However, they lack a microphone and are not ideal for calls or exercise. On the other hand, the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 earbuds are significantly more expensive, but they offer a closed-back design with good noise isolation and are wireless with support for high-quality codecs like AptX HD, making them versatile for music, calls, exercise, and travel. They also have a built-in microphone but may not match the Philips in sound quality for music and TV. 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 Pi7 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
7.5
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good.
Gaming
5.3
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 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 Pi7 S2 is poor.
TV and Video
6.0
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$48
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has a price of $259 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for phone calls.
Build Quality
8.9
8.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $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 | 7.5/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 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 | 13 | 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 | 7/10 | 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) | 7 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | March 2023
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
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 Pi7 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Grado GT220
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort 45
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Apple Airpods Pro
VS
Compare Philips SHP9500 vs. Koss Porta Pro
VS
Compare Philips SHP9500 vs. Audio Technica ATH M20X
VS
Compare Philips SHP9500 vs. Sennheiser CX300S
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
124,700
Recommendations made
18,705
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
