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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value a wider soundstage and a more immersive listening experience for music, the HifiMan Sundara headphones would be a great choice, but keep in mind that they're more expensive. However, if you're looking for something more affordable that still delivers excellent sound quality and is considered highly comfortable, the Philips SHP9500 could be a better fit. Both models are open-back, offering natural sound but limited isolation from ambient noise; they aren't suitable for noisy environments or recording purposes due to the lack of a microphone. Neither are ideal for exercise or travel because of their size and lack of noise cancellation. 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 Sundara
- The HifiMan Sundara has no clear advantages over the Philips SHP9500.
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Cost
$279
$48
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The HifiMan Sundara has a price of $279 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Music
9.3
9.2
The HifiMan Sundara and Philips SHP9500 are both excellent for music.
Gaming
7.2
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 and HifiMan Sundara are both good for gaming.
Phone Calls
4.9
4.9
The Philips SHP9500 and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.8
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips SHP9500 to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the HifiMan Sundara is good.
TV and Video
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Philips SHP9500 to be excellent for TV and video, while the HifiMan Sundara is very good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The HifiMan Sundara and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Philips SHP9500 and HifiMan Sundara both have very good build quality.
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How the HifiMan Sundara and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| HifiMan Sundara | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$279 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | HifiMan | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2020 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.2/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.4/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 394.6 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
HifiMan Sundara
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
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 Sundara 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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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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