Philips SHP9600
Score: 81/100
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x White
Score: 67/100Rankings
The Philips SHP9600 are open-back, over-ear wired studio headphones offering a spacious soundstage and excellent comfort at a low price. Their open design causes sound leakage and they miss modern wireless features. Ideal for home audiophiles and casual studio monitoring.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is a wired over-ear studio monitor with 40 mm drivers, lightweight construction, and solid bass response. It offers no Bluetooth, a fixed non-detachable cable, and can become uncomfortable during extended sessions. Best suited for beginner to intermediate home-studio users seeking affordable monitoring.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
50 mmbest | 40 mm | |
| ↓ lower better | 330 g | 260.9 gbest |
32 Ω | 47 Ωbest | |
101 dB SPLbest | 96 dB SPL |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(4) | ||
Frequency Response | 6-35000 | 15-20000 |
Driver Size (mm) | 50 mm | 40 mm |
Impedance (Ω) | 32 Ω | 47 Ω |
Sensitivity (dB SPL) | 101 dB SPL | 96 dB SPL |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 330 g | 260.9 g |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 201×172×100 mm mm | 169.8×207.0×82.0 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the SHP9600 for its exceptional comfort, easy driveability, and neutral, spacious sound signature, emphasizing the 50 mm drivers and low impedance as strengths. However, they criticize the open-back design for sound leakage, the modest bass response, and the lack of premium build materials and modern wireless features, positioning the headphones as a value-driven option for critical listening rather than a high-end flagship.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for their comfort and wide, detailed soundstage, describing them as superb for long home listening sessions. Common complaints revolve around sound leakage, modest bass, and occasional cable durability issues, with many noting the product is best suited for stationary use rather than on-the-go scenarios.
“superb for hours of listening”
Professional reviewers praise the M20x for its tight channel matching, low distortion, solid build, and strong bass response, noting excellent value for the price. However, they point out comfort issues after extended wear, a predominantly plastic construction, a fixed non-detachable cable, and occasional high-frequency inconsistencies.
Everyday users commend the headphones for strong bass, effective isolation, lightweight comfort in short sessions, and clear sound without needing an amp, while repeatedly citing ear fatigue after 1-2 hours, the non-removable cable, a plasticky feel, and minor high-frequency quirks as common drawbacks.
