A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds are wireless, feature active noise cancelling, and are sweatproof, making them a good fit for exercise and travel with high portability. Although suited for music listening and making calls, their sound quality and soundstage may not be as impressive as some alternatives. On the other hand, the Philips SHP9500 headphones offer superior overall sound quality and an expansive soundstage due to their open-back design, which enhances comfort and is ideal for immersive TV, video watching, and gaming experiences. However, they lack a built-in microphone, are not portable, nor suitable for exercise or noisy environments due to their lack of noise isolation and open-back design. 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 Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
5.9
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
5.3
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.8
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
TV and Video
5.5
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
2.5
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
8.3 Hours
N/A
The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$90
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The JBL Live Pro 2 has a price of $90 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
The Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality, while the JBL Live Pro 2 has good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.2
4.9
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for phone calls.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the JBL Live Pro 2 and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Live Pro 2 | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$90 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2022 | 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 | 5.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 8.3 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.8 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 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 | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.8 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JBL Live Pro 2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Philips SHP9500
See more
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 Pro 2 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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare JBL Live Pro 2 vs. Sennheiser 450BT
VS
Compare JBL Live Pro 2 vs. Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
VS
Compare JBL Live Pro 2 vs. Audio Technica ATH M30X
VS
Compare Philips SHP9500 vs. Koss Porta Pro
VS
Compare Philips SHP9500 vs. Audio Technica ATH M20X
VS
Compare Philips SHP9500 vs. Sennheiser CX300S
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
124,100
Recommendations made
18,615
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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.
Featured in
