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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The HifiMan Edition XS is a higher-end option with superior sound quality and soundstage, making them exceptional for critical listening; however, they are significantly more expensive and less portable. On the other hand, the Philips SHP9500 offers great comfort and very good sound quality at a more affordable price, making them an excellent choice for home use and varied music genres. Neither have built-in mics or active noise cancelling, and both have open-back design which does not isolate sound, so they may not be suitable for noisy environments or recording. If budget is a concern and you want a high-value option for home listening, consider the SHP9500, but if you prioritize top-notch audio reproduction and can afford a premium, the Edition XS may be the way to go. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Best in class for TV and video
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Cost
$269
$48
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Edition XS has a price of $269 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Music
8.8
9.2
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips SHP9500 to be excellent for music, while the HifiMan Edition XS is very good.
Gaming
7.4
7.2
The HifiMan Edition XS and Philips SHP9500 are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
4.9
The HifiMan Edition XS and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips SHP9500 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Edition XS is good.
TV and Video
9.5
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers HifiMan Edition XS to be best in class for TV and video, while the Philips SHP9500 is excellent.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Edition XS and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Edition XS | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$269 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2021 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.4/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 421 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Edition XS
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream 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 HifiMan Edition XS or the Philips SHP9500
About HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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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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