Philips Audio SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-Ear Headphones (Black)

I bought these headphones for critical listening of classical music. I know these aren't really high end phones in terms of price, however I will compare them to phones I've had in the past, the Sony MDR-V900, gold standard for mid-priced closed back phones, and the Sennheiser 600HD which is the gold standard for open back phones (both these phones retail / retailed in the $200-300 price range so bear that in mind). First of all, the SHP9500's are big phones, nothing small about them. They are fairly comfortable to wear, they fit around your ears, not on top of them. My first obvious note of displeasure is my right ear actually rubs on the speaker surface, but my left ear does not. Is my right ear bigger than my left ear? Your ears will be very, very close to the drivers on these phones, which is a little odd to say the least. Comfort wise, these phones are slightly more comfortable than the Sony and Sennheiser gold standard head phones. They have a weak clamp force and are light, so that makes them comfortable. The quality of the cup padding is below the other two headphones, however they are "okay". Build quality, below the two other headphones, but will probably last you 10 to 20 years, so whatever. Sound wise, the Sony closed back phones sound more "musical" to me, everything is in the right proportion. The SH9500 brings out the fine details better, and separates instruments better (aka "sound stage"). I could get used to the SHP9500's however they won't be in the class of the Sony's, even though the Sony's don't have as precise a sound as the SHP9500's. Comparing the SHP9500's to the Sennheiser 600 HD's is most instructive. The Sennheiser 600 HD is known as a "reference" headphone, its response is flat, flat, flat, ie you will hear music exactly as intended with no coloring, no extra emphasis of the low, mids or high tones. The SHP9500 is not flat. It emphasizes the bass more (surprisingly), sounds warmer, while the very highest registers could feel a little "screechy" (rarely) because they are emphasized. If you are looking for an absolutely analytical headphone (hear everything as intended headphone) the Sennheiser is for you. If you are looking to get a step up in sound quality to audiophile level, get the SHP9500 at a fraction of the price. Other than that, the SHP9500's run a little warmer temperature wise on the ear then my Sony closed back phone, which is a little surprising, maybe because the Sony's don't seal around my head as well. So, if you are looking for an audiophile experience on a budget, these phones are for you. You'll get precision, sound stage, its all there for you. If you are expecting the gold standard experience, the SHP9500 are not gold standard. It isn't as flat and analytical as the Sennheiser 600 HD or as "musical" as the Sony MDR-V900's (oldie but goody!) But what the SHP9500 is, is a very very good headphone for the price! UPDATE: Had these headphones a couple of days. Now my "brain" has gotten used to them, they are awesome, for the price, they are the best deal I've ever gotten in electronics / music gear. My ears aren't rubbing the speaker surface any more as maybe I just needed to adjust them. Update: Had these phones for over a year. They are still awesome. Definitely they are a scream of a deal for the money. I use them for my new Mac Mini M4, as no external speakers can compete with these.

I'll start this review by saying I'm no audiophile, but I do like my music with at least a decent sound quality. Having owned closed back headphones like the Audio-Technica M50x, AKG Y50, Sennheiser HD439, and the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 before, as well as having very fond memories of the Philips brand with their CitiScape Downtowns, I wanted to have a first experience with an open back headphone. The online user reviews on the SHP9500 I had encountered online were pretty divisive. Clear sound, a lot of sound leaking, almost no bass, overrated, underrated... It all made me want to test these headphones to see what the fuzz was all about. First off, the packaging is pretty standard (And they have a 1/4 inch jack adaptor, which is nice), though I would have appreciated if they had come with a pouch. They're really light on weight and I love how comfortable they are. On-ear headphones are synonymous with headaches for me, so I tend to like the over ear headphones like these more, given that I use glasses regularly. The clamp is gentle on muy somewhat oversized head, and while the cushions are not as soft as the Anker Q20's, it's enough for me to listen to them for long stances without feeling uncomfortable. Let's address the sound leak now. These are not headphones that I'd recommend using at work or in public. Due to their open-back nature, they will leak a lot of noise, both outside in and inside out. People WILL hear what you're hearing and you'll hear them, too. I'm planning to use these cans exclusively in my home, so I don't mind the leak, but you might be keen on a closed-back headphone if you're planning to take your next headphones for a walk. As for the sound itself... LOVE IT! The SHP9500's sound is like nothing I've ever heard before, and while I can't say if they're the best ones I've heard yet, its sound is astounding. I come from having owned a LOT of V-Shaped-sound headphones, and I enjoy every single one of them, but these ones hit you in a very different way. The mids, man! Folk and acoustic music, and vocal-centered music in general, is an absolute joy to listen to when you're wearing these. The vocals stand out, are clear and detailed, and the treble is very nice too (Albeit a bit sibilant if you're using the wrong EQ setup). Metal and Rock sound really good here, given that the bass doesn't get in the way of the drums and guitars. Regarding the basses, I had read that they were non-existant on these, and while they're definitely not basshead headphones, the bass IS there. It's tight, and a bit recessed in the lower frequencies, but it's very accurate. The sound might disappoint bassheads, but I don't think it's as lacking as some people say it is. Listening to Classical music you really start to notice how great the Soundstage is as well. For the price, I'm really satisfied with them. I'd probably say as an early impression that the bassier M50Xs are a bit more fun to listen to, but these ones are almost half as expensive and offer a clearer, neutral sound. And God, do the vocals and guitars sound amazing with the SHP9500s. I'll be using them a lot in the coming days, and will recomend them to anyone who wants to experience open-back headphones for the first time.

The SHP-9500 has been in and out of stock following Philip's merger with Gibson, and their subsequent declaration of bankruptcy, but it's been around for quite a while and has garnered a following among budget audiophiles. It's a very common recommendation as a starter "good headphone". Does it deserve this reputation? TL;DR - Heck yes, it does. While it's a bit bass-lite, it's still got a relatively neutral sound signature and a relatively clear sound, it's comfort and build quality are above it's price range. Imaging is average, and soundstage is intimate. Not the most resolving, but a standout at it's price point. Packaging, Accessories & Features - Comes wrapped in a plastic bag, in a cardboard tray, inside a cardboard box with a graphic. Included is a 10 ft 3.5mm to 3.5mm (aka aux) cable, and a 1/4" adapter. Featurewise, you get a passive, open back, over ear headphone with a removable cable. Simplicity. Build & Comfort - Mostly plastic, metal grills for the exterior of the ear cups, and the height adjustment sliders, which feature a numbered system to keep both sides even. Cloth earpads and comfort strap. Neither the pads or the strap features memory foam, but the material and the foam are both soft. There's a large "L" and "R" painted in white on the metal grills, as well as L and R on the interior of the headband. The cups pivot a slight bit both inwards and outwards. The overall package is quite light and there's very little clamp force on your head. Combined with the soft ear and head pads, it's a headphone that floats on your head. Because of that however, quick movements will most likely unseat the headphones from your head. As they're open back, be prepared for them to leak a lot of sound, both in and out of the ear cups. Sound - This headphone has a similar sound signature to an HD 600, however, mids seem a bit more in-step with the rest of the band. The bass is also less clear, and the whole is less resolving than the HD 600. Imaging is decent, but not world-beating, while soundstage is intimate. Maybe slightly wider than HD 600, but not by much. Conclusions - The HD 600 is a headphone benchmark, and statements have been made that the SHP-9500 is close enough to the 600 that it's almost a wash. I disagree. The 600 is a better headphone for critical listening and mixing, because it's more resolving overall, and it's high impedance lends itself to playing nicely with tube amps as well. The SHP-9500 on the other hand is 32-ohm, and can definitely be driven out of a smart phone, dongle, or entry level DAP like the Shanling M0 to suitably loud listening levels. The SHP's were one of my first headphones and I listened to them a lot, recommended them to my friends, and even bought a pair for my sister. While they're not going to best the HD 600, they have some benefits, like the much lower clamp force, and the non-proprietary removable cable. The SHP-9500 is the perfect starter headphone because it allows you to try a neutral sound signature for cheap and see what you'd change... Play around with cables, try out the ModHouse pad-adapters, plug in a VModa Boompro for gaming, try different amps/dacs, annoy your co-workers or family, and all without breaking the bank. The SHP-9500's are workhorse, and if you've never heard open-back headphones, if you've never heard neutral(ish) headphones, if you want to play around with EQ, if you need something cheap and decent for gaming, or just your first pair of decent headphones, THESE are where you should start. *Disclaimer - I purchased this product with my own money and have owned several pairs. No one has paid for, or otherwise attempted to influence the content of this review. Perception of sound and comfort are subjective, and my statements above should be taken as opinion and not as objective fact. My ears are not a universal standard, and I have not heard everything ever, also I am human and make mistakes. Any comments, questions, corrections, or concerns. Feel free to leave in the comments.

The philips shp9500....is overall a great headphone for this price. It gets plenty loud. Its clear, has crisp audio, and very balanced sound. Do no believe the people who say this has no bass. What you have to understand is that this is an open-back headphone, the sound can freely leak out and theres not a crazy seal like most consumer headphones. If you have never heard hifi audio in an openback, you must give yourself some time to get acclimated to the way natural sound should be. There is such a thing as Brain burn in but not headphone burn in. The only real knock I can have on them is a personal one. The fabric on the earpads is rough in texture, and I am bald with facial hair, so if I move it around too much it can cause the slightest scratchiness. Thats the only knock. They are super lightweight, comfortable headphones. Tons of this is subjective to each person. There is hate for this headphone online and there is love for it online. You really do have to just bite the bullet and try it out yourself. Personally I love using this as my daily driver and all rounder. I've had the Sennhesier HD600 before and these get me back to most that way. These sound a bit more 'fun' (and I mean just a bit) than the very neutral 600s. I highly recommend to anyone starting their journey or even just curious.

I purchased these headphones 9 months ago and I am very pleased with the physical quality of construction and the sound - I believe this was a very good value for the amount of money spent. There is a newer model available, but based on the price and the specs, I believe most listeners will get better value for their dollar by purchasing this model, the SHP9500. Pros: + In my experience, these headphones do not require an additional headphone amplifier. You can plug them directly into your laptop or smartphone and they will work just like a normal pair of headphones. + These headphones have a published frequency response range of 12Hz to 35,000Hz. I have tested this out and found this to be accurate as far as I can tell. The lower frequencies are just about at the bottom of my hearing range (it gets into the rumble-range where you feel those deep subs rather than hear them), and the higher frequency range is way above what most humans can hear anyway. + The 1/8th inch standard headphone jack is optionally removable/replaceable from the headphones, which is always preferable to the built-in style because it means if your cord becomes damaged you can just replace it instead of having to buy new headphones. Also, the cord is extremely lengthy at 1.5 meters (just under 5 feet long). I have found this to be more than enough for my needs. + The open-back architecture provides an extremely light and airy experience. I can wear these headphones for hours and still not feel the unpleasant feeling you get after wearing earbuds or closed-back headphones for a long-time. From my experience, I feel like these headphones feel "healthier" than using earbuds or a closed-back system, because it provides more airflow to your ears. + I have listened to a variety of music styles/movies/and audio-books with these headphones, and they perform wonderfully. Classical music and action movies are especially great, awesome bass, clear treble, and good spatial depth of sound. Cons/Things to Consider: +The pressure that the headphones exert on the sides of your head by default is just slightly more than I would prefer. The metal arch that goes over your head is bendable, and you can adjust the size, but you really need to actually physically try to re-bend the metal wider if you want to adjust the actual resting pressure that the headphones exert on your head/ears. I have successfully done this, and tried to "unbend" the metal slightly by hand, but I would recommend to be careful if you do this yourself because I don't think the headphones were really intended to have the metal arch pressure adjusted. Maybe I just have a big head. + Not really a Con, but please be aware these are open-back construction headphones. This means if you are watching an action movie or listening to rock or hip hop music with these at a normal volume, people in the same room as you may be able to hear your audio fairly clearly, as if it were coming from a small speaker (because it literally is). This is normal, and this is what open-back headphones are supposed to do. That said, if you are listening to an audio-book at night on a lower volume, this will probably not be audible to anyone except you. + Also related to the above item, and again, not really a con but just something to think about - due to the open-back architecture of these headphones, I don't believe they would be good for the following listening situations: outdoors, car/train/bus, airplane, public space like coffee-shop or library. These headphones are not noise-canceling at all (they are not intended to be), and again, to reiterate, if you are listening to "loud" things like the audio from certain movies or some popular music, that audio can be heard by others in your room- please be aware of this. In summary - based on my experience with other Philips products, and my experience with the SHP9500's so far, I would expect these headphones to last me for many years. With a list price at $90.00 (you should be able to buy them for slightly less than that), I feel this is an excellent value for the money for a trusted brand name product.

For the past year, I had heard, SO much about these headphones. I have seen them reviewed time and time again on YouTube. I hardly heard anything negative about them. However, for the longest time, they could not be bought because they were not available. For the ones, which were, they were way overpriced. Then, in March, they became available on Amazon for a nice price. I jumped on it. Now, that I have them, are they worth the hype? DESIGN/FEATURES: The drivers of the SHP9500 are 50mm, which is large. The frequency response is an outstanding, 12-35,000 Hz, which is 1,500 Hz short of Hi-Res territory. Nevertheless, they still sound superb. The impedance is 32 ohms. For PS4 gamers, 32 ohms is low enough for the controller to drive the headphones with the controller volume set to max. The maximum input power is only 200mW, meaning a user will have to be careful when using an amp. A DAC can be used but is not needed. Of course, the sound will be improved and of course, increasingly loud. The design of the SHP9500 is very cool in my opinion. Some could argue that it looks cheap, which they sort of do. However, they have some style to them. The headband is aluminum, cased with a hard, matte black, plastic. Atop of the headband is a glossy-black, Philips insignia. The sides of the headband have measuring notches and a hole, which shows a number, indicating the level, which the headband can be adjusted to. Underneath the headband is a cushion, made of breathable, dual-layered, cloth fabric for head support. On the bottom, inside the right and left side of the headband, a plastic tag with R and L can be seen on the corresponding sides of the headband. This is the part of the design, which I love the most. The ear cups are made of plastic. In addition, the speakers are made of aluminum. On each speaker, R and L are painted in white on the corresponding sides of the speakers. Personally, I believe that the design feature is cool and unique. The speakers are transparent enough, where the drivers can be seen. The ear cushions are over-the-ear and made of the same, breathable, double-layered, cloth fabric. BASS/MID-BASS/SUB-BASS: There is bass. When playing games, which have explosions, I can hear that boom. However, the bass is inconsistent, overall. With that said, the sub-bass is non-existent. I could not hear much of a subwoofer-like rumble when I was playing certain games, which had explosions. HIGHS: The SHP9500 is bright sounding headphones. The sound is crystal clear, overall. The treble highs can be grainy at times. However, there Results and ears vary. For example, Call Of Duty Black Ops 4 is a prime example, which has lots of sharp sounds. Gunshots are loud but clear. Each time bullets hit, there a loud, thumping sound, which follows with a loud, “squish”, when a kill is achieved. I found having the volume high while hearing this sound can be harsh of the ears. The high end of female voices sounds great. Hearing female voices on Call Of Duty Black Ops 4 is another. Hearing my female character, Battery’s voice lines sound great. “Cluster grenade, enjoy!” “Splash!” “Dropped!” “All right, boom time.” “All talk!” “Doggone!” Those are some of my favorite voice lines of hers. Once, Battery ran inside of an open-ended bay of the Summit map. Battery said a voice line, while outside of the bay. Then, her voice became magnified, as she entered the bay. Plus, there was an echo of Battery's voice. The authenticity of the echo was unbelievable and nearly, scary. This was a good example of a transition between mid to high sounds. IMAGING/SOUNDSTAGE: The SHP9500 has good imaging. They handle directional sounds, exceptionally, well. With that said, I tested the performance of the SHP9500 while playing Call Of Duty Black Ops 4. The best map, which showcases the performance of the best is the “Occupation” map, which is a close-quarters. I could hear what was going on and direction, where the action was taking place on the map, whether it was dialogue, gunshots or explosions. Of course, footsteps could be heard, as well. It seems the sound magnifies toward closer sounds coming from a different direction. For example, each time my character looks in one direction, the sound increasingly amplifies in the direction and less in the opposite direction, where lesser actions were taking place. The soundstage is great. Of course, they are open-back, so that is expected. The airiness and open sound of the SHP9500 is great. Very spread out. I played a match on the very open. “Gustav Cannon” map. I could hear sounds, very clear from across the map at a far distance. Not to mention, sounds from a distant, sounded a bit closer than they actually were. LOWS/MIDS: I must say, the SHP9500 picks up subtle sounds, pretty good. Hearing shells hit the floor, coming from a blasting shotgun is addictive to listen to, strangely. On the Morocco map, outside of hearing the common sounds, during game-play, I could hear the subtle, clinking and breakage of pottery being kicked around, while traversing the area. I could barely, hear this with other headsets, but in more abundance with the SHP9500. The unbelievable sound of crunching, as my character was trampling through the deep snow, cracking of the ice or sounds of moving water, while swimming on the Icebreaker map. Once, my character, Battery, ran inside of an open-ended bay of the Summit map. Battery was communicating, while outside and finished talking, while going inside of the bay. There was an echo of Battery's voice while speaking inside of that open-ended bay. The authenticity of the echo was unbelievable and nearly, scary. MIC (OPTIONAL): An external mic, such as a V-Moda Boom Mic Pro will have to be purchased to utilize, while online gaming. The prices vary. I have not tried this, yet, as I do not have a mod-mic at this time. I do know, with one attached, it should perform exceptionally, well. VERDICT: Overall, the SHP9500 is a great headset. For the past year, when constantly, hearing about these, I was wondering, if these lived up to the hype and they did. Never in my wildest dreams, I would ever think Philips would make such an outstanding headset. They were smart to put these back on the market and at an affordable price. With that being said, I would advise anyone looking for a headset to pick these up, just in case they are no longer available, as they were, prior to resurfacing. Honestly, I believe my search for the “perfect” headset(s) is over.

I have a pair of Grado SR-60's (the original, not i, is, or e, with probably over 2000 hours of listening time over the years) with the "G-cush" foam earpads that are used on the very high end Grados. I have been listening to these Philips SHP-9500 and they sound better in every department than my Grados, except a bit in soundstage. When I first bought the SHP-9500s, I thought they were no where near as good. While the bass was better (bass definitely isn't something you come to expect from any Grados I've heard), the mids and highs were harsh sounding. I was really disappointed because I had read so many good things about these headphones. However, I'm a real believer in "break-in" on stereo equipment. So, I let the SHP-9500s break-in overnight at the loudest volume my DAC/amp could handle without distortion, a total of about 6 hours. Even that little time really made a large difference. Now, while the bass is still strong (but not overbearing), the mids and highs have smoothed out and, IMO, now exceed those of my SR-60s (based on side-by-side) listening tests, using the same playlist/amp. By comparison, the Grados, while they have a slightly better soundstage, don't have anywhere near the fullness of sound (from bass to highs and everything in between) that the SHP-9500s now exhibit. I'd even go so far as to say the Grados sound a bit "tinny" by comparison. If the SHP-9500s have improved this much in just 5-10 hours of listening, I would imagine that there will not be any comparison between the two after 50-100 hours of listening. I should also mention that the SHP-9500s are a bit heavier than the Grados. The Grados, especially with the G-Cush ear pads, are so light and comfortable you can easily forget they are there. The SHP-9500s feel about 25-50% heavier, but you can still forget you are wearing them. They are very comfortable, but I find that the earpads are slightly too shallow for my, apparently, "Dumbo ears". I find them comfortable, but I am reminded they are there because of this. I have a bit of a large head (at least that is what my kids say), but the SHP-9500s can accommodate my head with about 50% of the adjustment to spare. I can't imagine there are many people out there whose head would be too large for these headphones. On the other hand, the SHP-9500s are probably not appropriate for people with smaller heads. My 14 year old daughter tried these on while studying and they kept falling off whenever she tilted her head forward. I can feel them try to fall forward when I'm wearing them (kept on my head because of my ears), but they don't have enough clamping force for smaller heads. Please note that these headphones also appear to be more efficient than my old Grado SR-60s. The volume, at any given level appears to be about 15-25% louder, more than what you'd expect from the published "ohm resistance" for each headphone (Grados=32 ohms, SHP-9500s=30 ohms). Definitely noticeable and very welcome while using with my smartphone. All-in-all, I think these are a FANTASTIC value and would make great replacements for any Grado SR-60s (including the i, is, and e generations of these headphones. I can't say how the SHP-9500s would compare to higher-end Grados as it has been ~15 years since the last time I listened to a pair of SR-80s and a pair SR-125s. Please keep in mind that the SHP-9500s are "open-back" headphones. Because of this, you will be able to clearly hear sounds from, and leak sounds out to, your environment. These are not appropriate headphones in quiet settings. They have a standard, detachable cable that can easily be replaced. The included cable does not allow for phone calls. However, a replacement cable with microphone can easily and cheaply allow you to use these with your phone for calls: VOJO Aux Cord for Car 3.5mm Auxiliary Audio Cable with Mic / Microphone 4ft Coiled HOTLINE [Black], Premium Metal Shell for iPhone 6 6s Plus, Tangle-free . I have tested this cord and it works fine. I grew up when "Philips" was synonymous with cheap/junky, but pricy (for what you got) electronics. Imagine my surprise after listening to these headphones. At this price, they have no business sounding this good! Hope this helps!

Wow! I am really surprised at how true the hype is -- I just received these headphones today, and as I was listening to them, I felt compelled to come write this review because I am so happy with the way they sound. I love good sounding audio. I'm kinda picky about it. But I increasingly dislike the term "audiophile," and not being independently wealthy, I don't own much gear. So, I try to make my purchases wisely. That's how I wound up with the SHP9500s. A little background: My first "real" headphones were Audio Technica ATH-M30s (the original generation, not the current M30X). I probably bought ATs back around 2003 or so, and they were pretty much my only cans for 15 years. They were beat to hell, but always never gave me any trouble. And I thought they sounded just fine. Since they were starting to get pretty worn out, I decided it was time to upgrade. So a few years ago, I bought a Schiit Fulla 2 DAC/amp combo and some Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pros (250 ohm). I never knew how much I was missing with the ATH-M30s until I started using the DT 770s. It was beyond night and day. The DT 770s have been my daily drivers for a couple years now. I love them; they really do sound so nice. I think they're beginning to be at the point of diminishing returns, though - if I start to spend much more than I did for the DT 770s, I probably won't notice nearly the improvement I did when I went from the ATH-M30s to the 770s. But, the 770s are closed-back headphones. I had never really tried open-back headphones. I heard open cans tend to have better sound stages, can be more comfortable, and of course make it easier to hear your surroundings (this can be bad and good - but there are times when I need to be aware of what other people are doing, in an office environment, for example, so that's why I consider it a "good" thing). Anyway, while the DT 770s aren't necessarily uncomfortable, they're definitely noticeable and can get kind of tiresome after an extended session. So, I decided it was high time to try some open-back headphones, and the SHP9500 kept popping up with rave reviews. When black Friday came around, I decided to nab 'em. I almost pulled the trigger on the more expensive Philips Fidelio X2HR, which were also on sale, but the SHP9500 seemed like a sure bet based on the sheer number of great reviews, and money was is tight, anyway. Plus, there are those who say the 9500s are less colored or "V" shaped than the X2HRs, and I tend to prefer headphones that don't color the sound too much. TL;DR - My headphone progression has been Audio Technica ATH-M30 > Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (250 ohm) > Philips SHP9500. The DT 770 Pros are arguably several "grades" better than the 9500s, and easily 2x the price. But these 9500s sound *almost* as good -- really. DT 770s are closed-back, these 9500s are open-back. The sound stage is slightly disappointing on the 9500s - I thought it would be better since they're open-back, but I think the DT 770s have a better stage. Definitely less bass with the 9500s, but its still good bass! The SHP9500s are very clear, crisp, and detailed. Overall, there is just a tad less "depth" and "body" to the sound when compared to my DT 770s - and less rumble in the bass - but it is _so close_ in overall quality - and more comfortable than the DT 770s - that these SHP9500s are worth buying for everyday use, backup use, a 2nd pair of cans to keep at the office - whatever. I'm already thinking about buying a second pair! They're that good. That said, I still have a lot more listening and comparison to do, so this review may be subject to change. Also, make sure to check the prices. Around $50-60, they're a steal. Much more than that, I'd consider putting my money toward something higher-end.

Resumindo: o melhor headphone aberto dessa faixa de preço! O acabamento é simples, porém honesto; além de ser extremamente leve e confortável. O som é limpo e preciso, com um amplo "palco sonoro". Excelente para escutar música, trabalhar com áudio/mixagem, estudar, jogar, assistir filmes/séries; independentemente do uso você estará bem servido aqui. A título de exemplo, você consegue perceber diversas nuances ao ouvir músicas/sons com ele, como a presença de instrumentos e/ou detalhes do ambiente que quase sempre não ficam evidentes em um fone comum/fechado que geralmente abusa dos graves para tentar te impressionar (tal como os famigerados headsets da Razer por exemplo). Falando em graves, este com certeza não é o "forte" dele pois a proposta é justamente ser algo mais neutro e fidedigno, e é justamente por isso que ele brilha e é tão amado pelos audiófilos. Os graves são singelos, se você realmente gosta de um grave exagerado e sempre presente possivelmente essa não é a opção para você. Pelo fato de ser um fone aberto o isolamento do barulho externo também é mínimo, ou seja, vai do seu gosto e/ou necessidade; lembrando que o som que você escuta também vaza para fora. Ou seja: se tiver alguém do seu lado dependendo do volume utilizado é bem provável que a pessoa escute o que você está ouvindo. Todavia, considero essa característica excelente para quem trabalha com locução/gravação de conteúdo por exemplo, pois você consegue ter noção de quão alto/baixo está falando sem precisar tirar o fone. Também é muito útil caso precise estar atento a alguém lhe chamar e/ou para receber alguma encomenda. Além disso, a característica de ser "aberto" é justamente o que faz com que o "palco sonoro" seja muito amplo e agradável. Essa sensação de que você está em um grande teatro e precisão de qual direção está vindo o som é estupenda! Eu particularmente adoro essa sensação de espacialidade. Por fim, justamente por não ter foco em graves e por ser aberto o fone é muito menos "cansativo": você não fica com dor de cabeça e/ou aqueles graves pesados ressoando no seu canal auditivo. É difícil expressar em palavras, mas tentando traduzir a experiência: é como se todo o "ouvir" ficasse mais suave e agradável no geral. Em fones fechados, em especial nos de baixa qualidade (que acabam abusando demais dos graves), a sensação é que o som fica super abafado e/ou todo "embolado"; fica difícil definir o que é o que. Aqui não, o som é cristalino, claro e direto! Também existe um acessório/microfone destacável de outra marca (V-Moda BoomPro) que teoricamente dá para ser adaptado à parte caso você faça questão de convertê-lo em um "headset". Como uso um microfone USB à parte para gravação então não tive a oportunidade de testá-lo dessa maneira, mas dizem que funciona bem. Neste caso vale colocar na balança se vale a pena. Saí de um Astro A40 TR + MixAmpPRO e não me arrependo!

Great build quality, light on the head, nearest audiophile experience one can get at this price point.

J'ai acheté ce casque pour compléter ma collection des Fidelio X2 et X3. Je n'en attendais rien de particulier puisque j'avais déjà ses successeurs a priori plus aboutis... Eh bien, c'est une excellente surprise : ce casque est très léger, très agréable à porter, confortable et le revêtement des coussinets ne m'a jamais irrité (j'ai pu lire ce reproche fait par d'autres acheteurs). J'aime beaucoup le filé de son aigu et la douceur du medium. Il est vrai qu'il est (peut-être) un peu court dans le grave, mais rien de rédhibitoire, et je suppose que ça dépend du genre de musique écoutée ; pas gênant pour le classique (chambre et symphonique) ou le jazz (y compris les bands formations)... Je ne me prononcerai pas pour les autres genres musicaux. Il peut saturer à haut volume, mais il faut y aller fort ! Bref, ses possibles défauts sont amplement rachetés par une couleur musicale que je trouve très agréable. C'est en quelques sortes une version allégée du X2 que j'affectionne particulièrement. C'est, à mon avis, un très bon choix.

For its price it's a one hick of a deal, it sounds so good and it's built firmly and unlike a lot of its competitors it has a detachable cable, my only one minor issue that it slides of my head so easily. Other than that I wouldn't mind daily driving it

Really happy, the audio file YT vids were right, these are perfect for gaming, music, and movies. I have them on most of the day, super comfortable, amazing sound...like really great sound for a normal guy like me, especially in gaming, hearing the directional sound cues has changed my game.