Wired headphones might be seemingly on the way out in a world that is getting increasingly into Bluetooth pairing mode when it comes to audio, but audiophiles still swear by them.
This is because although bluetooth headphones have indeed come a long day and deliver better audio than ever before (check the recently released Sennheiser HDB 630 if you don’t believe us), wired headphones handle detailed and higher resolution/lossless audio much better, making them perfect for audiophiles and those who edit audio.
And even among wired headphones, open back headphones have a special place because of their generally wider soundstage, and ability to deliver astonishing levels of detail. However, these do not come cheap. A pair of good open backed headphones will generally set you back by well over Rs 10,000 and will also need additional equipment like a DAC to actually be able to work well.
So imagine getting a very famous pair of open back headphones that audiophiles swear by and which work just fine with most smartphones (provided you have a Type-C to 3.5 mm audio dongle) for as little as Rs 6500? Well, that’s what you can get the famous Philips SHP9500 for at many outlets these days.
The open-backed nature of these headphones provides a much wider soundstage. (Express Image) . They come with large 50mm neodymium drivers. (Express Image)
Although globally considered as budget audiophile headphones, they have generally been available at prices in the region of Rs 15,000 in India, but are now available at less than half that price. They might have been released in 2015, but are even now a totally steal deal for those who love clarity in their audio, and are perhaps the perfect pair of first open back headphones for those starting out on their audiophile journey.
When they were released way back in 2015, the Philips SHP9500 caused a huge stir in the headphones market. This was because they were priced at around USD 100, and still offered sound quality that was comparable to headphones that cost three to four times as much. They were considered revolutionary for their time, and still are considered classics.
In terms of design, the Philips SHP9500 are a delightful blast from the past. They come with massive earcups which will totally cover the ears of most users, enabling them to be surrounded by audio. And in an era when headphones come with faux leather and foam padding, these come with old-fashioned but super comfortable fabric. There is a metal band inside the headband, which also comes with a fair amount of padding.
The 3.5 mm audio port on the lower part of the left earcup. (Express Image)
One of the most famous parts of the design of these headphones were the large R and L written on the outside of the right and left earcups, making them easily recognisable. Being open back headphones, these come with a grille on the back of the earcups, which makes sound leak out but also provides a wider soundstage.
There are no buttons on the headphones, but only a 3.5 mm audio port on the lower part of the left earcup. You also get a really long 3-meter cable in the box, with a 3.5mm jack on both ends, and with a 3.5mm to 6.3mm (1/4″) adapter in the box too allowing use with both consumer devices and hi-fi equipment – you can connect these to your phone (with an adaptor) and even to studio editing hardware. At around 300 grams, these are not light, but they remain very eye-catching thanks to those iconic earcups.
Alas, there is no carrying case in the box, which is a bit of a pity because these are huge headphones and that looong connecting cable and adapter take up space.
They might have been released a decade ago, but the Philips SHP9500 still sound fantastic. They come with large 50mm neodymium drivers which deliver extremely detailed sound, especially if you are listening to audio in high definition or lossless format. You will end up hearing sounds and instruments that you would have missed, and we got very impressive volume levels even off our iPhone 17 and Pixel 10. The open-backed nature of these headphones provides a much wider soundstage, so you can actually figure out the direction from which the sounds of different instruments are coming in high quality recordings.
They come with massive earcups which will totally cover the ears of most users. (Express Image)
Mind you, you are not going to get punchy bass here – the sound is generally very flat and unfiltered, which is how audiophiles and audio specialists like it. There is also plenty of sound leakage, thanks to those open backs, so we would not recommend using them in public places, unless you want to let the world know what you are listening to (you never know).
While the SHP9500 are large and a little heavy, what makes them remarkable is just how comfortable they are. All that padding in the earcups and on the headband make these one of the most comfy headphones out there, and while there is no ANC, noise isolation is pretty decent. Still, we would recommend using them in areas that are relatively quiet. They are awesome for audiophile listening, editing sessions and well, we think they are fantastic for gaming, as that soundstage literally lets not just hear your enemies, but in many cases, where they are coming from.
While there is no ANC, noise isolation is pretty decent. (Express Image)
They still look good (and odd) enough to turn heads and they still deliver phenomenal sound, without needing any extra equipment, other than a Type-C to 3.5 mm dongle. If you are wondering what the fuss about open back headphones is or what audiophile headphones are, then the Philips SHP9500 are the perfect place to start, especially now that they are crazy affordable and cost a fraction of most premium headphones!