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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize portability and wireless convenience for a more active lifestyle, go for the Grado GT220 earbuds, which also have a reasonable sound isolation. However, if you prefer superior sound quality, wider soundstage, and comfort for extended listening sessions at home or in quiet environments, the Philips SHP9500 headphones are better suited, especially since they are open-back and wired, which usually provides better audio fidelity but with less isolation and portability. Keep in mind, the SHP9500 lacks built-in controls and mic, making them less versatile for calls or on-the-go adjustments compared to the Grado GT220, which is equipped with these features. 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 Grado GT220
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.3
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.9
4.9
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.8
8.0
The Grado GT220 and Philips SHP9500 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.5
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Grado GT220 and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Grado GT220 is somewhat better.
Battery
5.5 Hours
N/A
The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$259
$48
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Grado GT220 has a price of $259 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.8
8.5
The Grado GT220 and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
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How the Grado GT220 and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Grado GT220 | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$259 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Grado | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.4/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 36 | 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 | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
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 Grado GT220 or the Philips SHP9500
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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