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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize wireless convenience and versatility, the JBL Tune Flex is suitable, offering good sound quality, low-latency mode for gaming, and sweatproof certification ideal for exercise, as well as active noise cancelling for noisier environments. However, for critical listening, the Philips SHP9500 with its open-back design provides excellent soundstage and superior comfort, though it lacks any form of noise isolation and is wired, which may limit mobility and use in noisy or outdoor settings. The JBL is more feature-rich with built-in controls and an app for customization, but the Philips excels in pure sound quality and comfort for home use. 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 Tune Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Gaming
8.5
7.2
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Philips SHP9500 is good.
Phone Calls
6.3
4.9
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.0
8.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Philips SHP9500 is very good.
TV and Video
7.8
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Flex is good.
Noise Reduction
6.5
2.5
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for noise reduction, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Battery
6.5 Hours
N/A
The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$60
$48
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The JBL Tune Flex has a price of $60 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
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How the JBL Tune Flex and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| JBL Tune Flex | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | JBL | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2022 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.6/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.7/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 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 | 5.1/10 | 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) | 9 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
JBL Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
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 Tune Flex 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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