Philips SHP9600
Score: 81/100
Audio-Technica ATH-R50X
Score: 76/100Rankings
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 ATH-R50x offers a lightweight open-back design with strong bass and comfortable wear, making it suitable for critical listening in quiet environments. However, its pronounced treble peak and lack of isolation limit its use in noisy settings. Best for studio professionals and audiophiles who prioritize soundstage over isolation.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
50 mmbest | 45 mm | |
| ↓ lower better | 330 g | 207 gbest |
32 Ω | 50 Ωbest | |
101 dB SPLbest | 93.3 dB SPL |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(4) | ||
Frequency Response | 6-35000 | 5-40000 |
Driver Size (mm) | 50 mm | 45 mm |
Impedance (Ω) | 32 Ω | 50 Ω |
Sensitivity (dB SPL) | 101 dB SPL | 93.3 dB SPL |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 330 g | 207 g |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 201×172×100 mm mm | 199.9x169.9x101.6 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”
“good clarity from the 4 kHz peak but criticizes the 6-10 kHz 10 dB peak for sharpness”
“lightweight comfort during long wear”
Professional reviewers commend the ATH-R50x for its lightweight comfort, strong bass for an open-back design, accurate midrange, and easy driveability at 50 Ω, noting its natural soundstage and precise transients make it a solid reference tool. However, they point out a pronounced treble peak between 6 kHz and 10 kHz that can sound harsh, and the inherent sound leakage of the open-back architecture limits its use in noisy settings.
Everyday users echo the professional praise for comfort and spacious sound, especially appreciating the bass punch and value for studio use. Recurring criticisms focus on the sharp treble in the upper mids/highs and the lack of isolation, which can cause fatigue and disturb others in shared spaces.
