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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If top-notch sound quality for music and a premium build are priorities, the Focal Bathys might be a great choice, especially given their better overall sound quality and strong performance for gaming and TV. They also offer active noise canceling for better immersion and focus, which the Philips SHP9500 lacks, making the Bathys suitable for air travel and noisy environments. However, the SHP9500 has an excellent comfort rating, and if you're seeking a pair with a spacious soundstage and are not concerned about active noise cancellation or wireless capability, they might be the better economical choice, being much less expensive. Keep in mind that the SHP9500's open-back design means they will leak sound and offer little noise isolation, which can limit their use in public spaces or quiet areas. 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 Focal Bathys
- Excellent for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Focal Bathys is very good.
Gaming
9.3
7.2
The Focal Bathys is excellent for gaming, while the Philips SHP9500 is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.2
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Bathys is only fair.
TV and Video
10.0
9.0
The Focal Bathys is best in class for TV and video, while the Philips SHP9500 is excellent.
Noise Reduction
8.3
2.5
The Focal Bathys is very good for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
31.0 Hours
N/A
The Focal Bathys has 31 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$699
$48
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Focal Bathys has a price of $699 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Focal Bathys has excellent build quality, while the Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The Focal Bathys and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Focal Bathys and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Focal Bathys | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$699 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Focal | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2022 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 10/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 31 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | 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 | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 350 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Focal Bathys
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | May 2023
"As much as I hesitate to recommend a headphone that sells for $800 USD, if you’re looking for the best sound quality you can find in the ANC space: it’s the Focal Bathys."
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 Focal Bathys or the Philips SHP9500
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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