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Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Marshall Major IV offers a higher overall sound quality and is suitable for those who prefer wireless convenience with a long battery life and the ability to charge wirelessly. They also provide better isolation from noise and are more portable due to their foldable design, making them good for commuting and travel. On the other hand, the Philips SHP9500 features better soundstage, comfort, and is geared towards critical listening, due to its open-back design. However, they lack a built-in microphone, wireless capabilities, and have less noise isolation, which could be a downside for use in noisy environments. Choose the Marshall if you need wireless features and portability, or the Philips for a better open sound and comfort, mainly in quiet places. 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 Marshall Major IV
- 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
6.6
9.2
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for music, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
7.2
The Philips SHP9500 is good for gaming, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Phone Calls
5.8
4.9
The Marshall Major IV and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for phone calls, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
8.0
The Philips SHP9500 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Marshall Major IV is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
9.0
The Philips SHP9500 is excellent for TV and video, while the Marshall Major IV is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.6
2.5
The Marshall Major IV and Philips SHP9500 are both poor for noise reduction, though the Marshall Major IV is somewhat better.
Battery
80.0 Hours
N/A
The Marshall Major IV has 80 hours of battery life. The Philips SHP9500 does not have a battery.
Cost
$100
$48
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Marshall Major IV has a price of $100 and the Philips SHP9500 costs $48.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
The Marshall Major IV and Philips SHP9500 both have very good build quality.
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How the Marshall Major IV and the Philips SHP9500 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Marshall Major IV | Philips SHP9500 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $48 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Marshall | Philips | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | August 1, 2013 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.8/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 7.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 80 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 3 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 9/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.8/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 165 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Marshall Major IV
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Marshall Major IV shares quite a bit in common with its predecessor, but a key upgrade appears to be softer ear cushions. They make upgrading worth it. As a set of basic wired or wireless headphones the Major IV ticks most boxes by remaining easy to use, and fairly comfortable (at least, as on-ear headphones go)."
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 Marshall Major IV or the Philips SHP9500
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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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.
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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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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.
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