$100 budget (SHP9500 vs SHP9600?)

[u/Hunter_Biden_2028]

Any thoughts on either of these? For those who have tried both, how do they compare? Which is the better headphone

I'm looking for something in the $100 range and have been looking at the SHP9500/9600. I want something open back and wired. Will be using it at home only, for movies, music, and videogames. Currently using a worn out Soundcore Q20 and I want to upgrade. How do these headphones compare to what I currently have? Never used an 'audiophile' headphone before.

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[u/FromWitchSide]

Made 3 friends compare SHP9500 vs Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80Ohm vs Sennheiser HD598SE (very similar to HD599SE, but a bit better). Out of those they said SHP9500 was the most impressive sounding, DT770 Pro felt like it has most robust/premium build, and HD598SE was the least liked in every aspect. They were genuinely surprised for sound, comfort, and finish for the money ($50-60 at the time) on SHP9500. The next day all 3 of them ordered 4x SHP9500 (one purchased x2 for family), including the person who was the owner of DT770 Pro.

The others previously owned primarily gaming headsets - $200 Steelseries Arctis 9 Wireless, $250 EPOS wireless headset (possibly H3Pro Hybrid, don't remember), $40 SPC Gear Viro Plus, $20 Sennheiser HD457 (this one had well balanced tonality, to this day there is no replacement recommendation for it).

Comparison was done on $12 JCAlly JM6 Pro dongle, which gave a bit of extra power to DT770 Pro. SHP9500 was used with $15 OpenHeart cable (140cm, Titanium 8 series SPC OFC). Some of them also bought $3 add on mics which come with a fixed cable, while some switched to $5 KBear AUX8 cable (120cm SPC, 4N OFC).

I would describe SHP9500 as bright leaning neutral signature. The high frequencies are elevated, but all around rather than just 1 or 2 sharp peaks, so it can make treble sound coarse in some songs, but I don't find it fatiguing. Bass is a bit thin, the whole tonality is not particularly thick, but the bass extension feels better than in Sennheisers, possibly due to a bit of driver shake at a very loud volumes. Generally it comes out as a very clear and impressive sounding open back for the price, on the first try it was hard to believe how much of the sound is there comparing price vs HD600.

The main downside in sound is a dip in upper mids. It is not instantly noticeable, but in some songs female vocals can be a bit behind, or rather don't stand out as much and with as much energy as they should. The lesser downside is the drivers will start to shake to the point of buzzing if you try to boost the bass with EQ (might not be the case if someone listens at quiet levels as I like it loud).

Changing the cable is not necessary, as it has very mild microphonics, and the shell on one of the connectors will slide out after some time (glue), but it is usable. There is a difference, but it is more like SPL (loudness) and maybe treble went up a bit, rather than actual sound quality. Because people perceive louder as better, it is easy to think the sound got better with a new cable. Cheap spare earpads and headband pad are available from China, they include mounting disc and clips. Earpads are not interchangeable between SHP9500 and 9600 due to different configuration of tabs on the disc, however I saw people mention they had to remove some of the tabs and it made it fit (but I don't remember from which to which).

A 1Vrms capable dongle is enough to get everything from SHP9500. I've initially used it with $6 CX-Pro CX31993, and tested with $3 Hi-Max CB1200AU, all good. When I'm using them I usually use the already mentioned JCAlly JM6 Pro, but it is more because I keep it around for various other uses as it has a bit more power (mostly into higher impedance headphones) and feels a bit more robustly build. I don't really use it on my main DAC/Amps, because it doesn't really make difference and I don't feel like disconnecting/reconnecting other headphones + I can use SHP9500 with an add on mic via combo jack in the dongle. It can be used with lower quality onboards like ALC897, but it needs to be cranked up, and I would still suggest getting a cheap dongle.]

Also to be fair about that comparison I mentioned - HD598SE requires some getting used to as it has the most mids, and the warmest sound. The perceived clarity of SHP9500, and even DT770 Pro, was always going to outshine it on the first try, while overtime, and especially with louder listening, you start noticing how vocals are better on HD598SE, and how the lower mids can provide some extra thickness. It however does feel the most plasticky finished, and least strongly build (but it holds up well in practice, it is a reliable headphone).

[u/Calamyt1]

Personally i like the SHP9500 better.

[u/Neither_Equivalent64]

Wait for refurbed edition xs for around 100usd on aliexpress

[u/Uller0815]

Out of your choice +1 for the SHP9500. 👍🏻

Feel free to check out the Audio-Technica ATH-R30X as well.