Sony MDR7506
Score: 73/100
Philips SHP9600
Score: 81/100Rankings
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 Sony MDR-7506 is a professional closed-back studio headphone known for its accurate sound reproduction and excellent isolation. Lacking wireless connectivity and on-headset volume controls makes it less versatile for modern mobile use. Best suited for audio engineers and broadcasters who need reliable wired performance.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
40 mm | 50 mmbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 260 gbest | 330 g |
63 Ωbest | 32 Ω | |
106 dB SPLbest | 101 dB SPL |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio(4) | ||
Frequency Response | 10-20000 | 6-35000 |
Driver Size (mm) | 40 mm | 50 mm |
Impedance (Ω) | 63 Ω | 32 Ω |
Sensitivity (dB SPL) | 106 dB SPL | 101 dB SPL |
Build & Design(2) | ||
Weight (g) | 260 g | 330 g |
Dimensions (H×W×D) (mm) | 246x84x185 mm | 201×172×100 mm mm |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers consider the MDR-7506 a studio staple, emphasizing its closed-back architecture for superior isolation, the 40 mm neodymium-driven drivers for accurate bass and dynamics, and its foldable, portable build with a long coiled cable that resists snags. Editors highlight its comfort during long sessions and its ability to deliver ample volume even from low-impedance sources.
Everyday users consistently commend the headphones for their clear stereo imaging, robust noise isolation, and practical foldable design. The long coiled cable and included adapters receive positive remarks for flexibility, while the most common complaint centers on the absence of an on-headset volume control and lack of wireless connectivity.
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.
“extraordinary acoustic isolation”
“superb for hours of listening”
