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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is often less expensive and features an on-ear design, making them portable and generally suitable for casual music listening, calls, and meetings due to its built-in microphone. They have decent sound quality and can be used for gaming but are not the best for noise isolation, and their open design isn't ideal for loud environments. On the other hand, the Philips SHP9500 headphones are over-ear and rated higher in overall sound quality, comfort, and build. They offer superior soundstage, making them excellent for music and TV/video, but they lack a microphone and are less portable due to their larger size. Choose the Porta Pro for convenience and the inclusion of a mic or the SHP9500 for better sound and comfort at home. 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 (with mic)
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Philips SHP9500
- Excellent for music
- 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 (with mic) is very good.
Gaming
8.2
7.2
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is very good for gaming, while the Philips SHP9500 is good.
Phone Calls
6.1
4.9
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair for phone calls, while the Philips SHP9500 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) is good.
Cost
$60
$48
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has a price of $60 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
Build Quality
6.0
8.5
The Philips SHP9500 has very good build quality, while the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
2.5
2.5
The Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Koss Porta Pro (with mic) and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Koss Porta Pro (with mic) | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$60 | $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 | 6.2/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 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 | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | N/A | |
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 | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Koss Porta Pro (with mic)
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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 (with mic) 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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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.
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