A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and actively use earbuds during exercise or travel, then the JBL Live Free NC+ with its sweatproof design and active noise cancelling feature would suit you well; they also have a shorter battery life but can be charged wirelessly. However, if you prefer over-ear comfort, better overall sound quality, and an expansive soundstage for home listening, the Philips SHP9500 headphones would be a better choice, although they lack a built-in microphone and active noise cancelling, and are less portable due to their larger size and cable requirement. The JBL earbuds are often less expensive compared to the Philips headphones, which might also influence your decision. 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 JBL Live Free NC+
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.8
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Gaming
5.0
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
4.9
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Live Free NC+ is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ is good for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Free NC+ has 5 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$48
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Live Free NC+ has a price of $60 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.4
8.0
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Philips SHP9500 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Live Free NC+ and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Live Free NC+ and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Free NC+ | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2021 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.1 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 18 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 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 | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JBL Live Free NC+
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Dig into reviews and images
HeadphoneCheck
Maike Paeßens | 2020
"JBL has added great-sounding, rock-solid all-rounders with a pleasant, warm sound character to their range. They are equipped with a high level of functionality that can be customised via the app. Some compromises have to be made with the active noise cancellation, which has a discreet effect, while the ambient mode and the Talkthru function proved to be powerful despite a perceptible background noise."
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 JBL Live Free NC+ or the Philips SHP9500
About JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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