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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro, being less expensive, offers a good overall sound quality and is portable, foldable, and lightweight, suited for casual listening and comfortable for extended periods. However, its open-back design offers minimal noise isolation, making it less ideal for noisy environments or air travel, and it's not suitable for exercise. The Philips SHP9500, although somewhat pricier, boasts superior sound quality and an exceptional comfort score, making it ideal for critical listening sessions and prolonged TV or gaming use due to its over-ear design. It has a detachable cable for easy replacement, but it's larger and less portable, sharing the same shortcomings in noise isolation and suitability for exercise. Both lack built-in controls, microphones, and wireless capabilities, narrowing their use primarily to wired listening scenarios. 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 Koss Porta Pro
- The Koss Porta Pro has no clear advantages over the Philips SHP9500.
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
8.2
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Koss Porta Pro is very good.
Gaming
6.4
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The Philips SHP9500 and Koss Porta Pro are both poor for phone calls, though the Philips SHP9500 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro is good.
Build Quality
6.0
8.5
The Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Koss Porta Pro and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction.
Cost
$49
$48
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Koss Porta Pro has a price of $49 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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How the Koss Porta Pro and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Koss | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 1984 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.3/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.4/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 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 | 6/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 63.5 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphones.com
Sebastian Taboada | February 2022
"It’s clear to see why these have been such a popular choice amongst listeners for nearly four decades. It’s a charming pair of headphones that delivers a truly enjoyable listening experience and one that I think punches well above its weight."
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 Koss Porta Pro or the Philips SHP9500
About Koss
Koss is an American headphone manufacturer established in 1953. In 1958, they created the first set of stereophones, that is headphones with stereo sound, and in 1984 they released the world-famous Porta Pro, a set of on-ear headphones that has remained essentially unchanged for more than 30 years and that is still made, sold and loved by many audio enthusiasts around the world today.
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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