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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Etymotic ER4XR earbuds offer excellent noise isolation and are great for air travel, but they aren't as comfortable as the Philips SHP9500 headphones, which are better for extended listening sessions. The SHP9500 has higher overall sound quality and an open design, giving a more immersive experience, especially for music and TV, but they do let in more ambient noise. The ER4XR is compact, which makes it portable, whereas the Philips headphones are bulkier and less suitable for travel. The ER4XR earbuds are at a premium price point, but if budget is a concern, the SHP9500 offers great value for a typically much less expensive price. 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 Etymotic ER4XR
- The Etymotic ER4XR 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
8.0
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Etymotic ER4XR is very good.
Gaming
6.2
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Etymotic ER4XR is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
7.4
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Cost
$234
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Etymotic ER4XR has excellent build quality, while the Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.7
4.9
The Philips SHP9500 and Etymotic ER4XR are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 Etymotic ER4XR or the Philips SHP9500
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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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.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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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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