Customer Reviews

Philips SHE9500 Ultra Sound In Ear Headphones

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(19)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I have listened to Shure 1,2,3,4,5. (1,2,3 meh, 4,5 amazing) I have listened to V-Moda's top of the line. I have listened to them all, over-ear, in ear, noise-canceling, etc... Hear's what I think. Pun intended.

The Philips earbuds are very picky. If you don't have the correct fit, they sound terrible. If you have your EQ in itunes or on your MP3 player turned up in the bass section these headphones sound terrible. But, if you spend the time to get the correct fit, and use quality sound files, and keep your EQ flat, these headphones sound just as good as the $100 V-Modas. In fact I think they have a little more bass. I compared the two headphones back to back, properly fit each time. I found that as soon as you turn up the bass, even the V-Modas distort. You have to keep the EQ flat. Overall the V-Modas have slightly better mids and highs, but not enough to justify spending another $70 on them. If you have ever demo'd the Shure line of buds you would notice that there is hardly a difference in their line until you get to the stage 4. At that point they begin to sound ridiculously good. But they also cost $400. For the price, these Philips do a great job. They are efficient, have great bass, and good mids and highs, (they don't annoy you). I'm very pleased with my purchase.

Here's the best part, they have a short and long cord configuration. Perfect if you want to clip on an iPod to a shirt pocket. And when you need it longer simply attach the other 2' of cord. I have an iMac at work which I constantly need to switch between my over-ear Sennheiser HDs, and my external speakers. I simply leave the Philips cord plugged into the rear of my iMac and viola! I can plug and unplug without leaning over my computer to find the socket.

Seriously, if you don't find these to be more than adequate for on the go listening, then it's time to pony up for the Shure 4s. If you are an audiophile then you shouldn't be using buds anyway. I'll be using these buds with my MP3 player when I'm pumping iron. I just hope they last me at least a year. If they do that then they deserve the 5 star rating that I gave them.

Good luck with your buds. Sincerely, your bud, -Bud.

I disagree with the majority of the reviews this product has received...From day one, these headphones have delivered everything they have promised. They are by far the most comfortable headphones I've even worn let alone actually owned, and anybody that says differently is either A) is a complete idiot that does not know how to wear/insert the earbuds, or B) has misshapen ears and in that case should wear another type of headphone. I don't know if the bass hits hard enough to justify the title "turbo bass", but it is definately more bass then I had hoped for from a pair of headphones. I adore the sound, design, and items that are packaged with this product, and am very satisfied with my purchase. I wouldn't blow this great product off until you've tried it yourself.

I personally don't like any ear-bud type headphones - like the ones that come with most MP3 players - they make my ears ache. Typically I listen with my trusty Sony MDR-V600's I've had for around 10 years, but sometimes I don't want to lug around such a large pair of Greg Brady's when I'm on the go. These Phillips were well worth the $25 I paid for them, and sound a lot like the V600's, but in a smaller package. For me, I like a slightly bass heavy headphone, mainly so I don't have to adjust the EQ in the MP3 player and run down the batteries faster. These Phillips have enough increased bass for me, but not too much that it drowns out the mids and highs.

Ear placement is key along with using the right pad size. Experiment with the different pads, and you may even need to use two different sizes in each ear. Once you do, and get the hang of placing them in the ear, they fit, feel, and sound great.

I honestly have no idea where the negative reviews of the quality of this product are coming from. I *am* an audiophile and these buds are terrific. They produce 6Hz bass to a level that makes you look for the subwoofer that is making your head buzz, but without the chest-thumping. It's quite an unusual experience to hear bass like that without any physical feedback. The highs are not tinny, but quite precise.

As for the noise blocking, I was listening quite comfortably while playing the computer and my wife was standing in the doorway getting frustrated that I could not hear her. She thought I must have been blasting the sound, but it was considerably low volume.

I *do* agree that the rubberized cord is annoying, and even removing it from the pouch tangled it, so I'm going to use a twist-tie from now on, as that only takes a second or two. On the flip side, they cord is comfortable, even when you are hot, unlike the "get off" feeling I get from common cords. I was not a big fan of the asymetrical cords until this model. They are measured perfectly.

I would also note that if you are doing air travel, the person next to you will likely hear some sound escaping from the hole on the outside of the earbuds, but that's what allows for deep bass. Do you want 6Hz or to be quiet for your neighbors.

I have had these for about a week. I love the soft rubber caps--three sizes included; very soft and much more comfortable than foam caps. They don't slide/pop out of your ears, either. Bass response is respectable for this price. Asymmetrical cord design is comfortable. Cord separates in the middle-- you can use shorter length for arm or pocket player location; add extension for belt or backpack use. A small ear buds-only case is included, which keeps the buds protected from dust or other unwanted dirt when not in use. Also included is a felt drawstring pouch to hold pieces you aren't using, or all of the parts if desired. I'm very pleased so far. I have used them for jazz, rock and classical listening. They are not active noise-cancelling type, but in-ear design blocks out most noise, anyway.

Every headphone in this price range comes with practically identical silicone thingies, so it's not really worth it to judge this type of headphone based on comfort (I find them very comfortable anyway).

I use these to play my electronic drum kit silently, and the response is great on mid-tones (toms), treble (hi-hat), and bass (...bass) with no need for tweaking or equalization on my part. I can practice for hours with these things in and have no complaints as for comfort.

They sound great plugged into a laptop/iPod/etc. as well!

Only reason I gave it a 4 was because I had a Sony pair of headphones a couple years back that were better than these for roughly the same price, so I know it can be done; alas, Sony doesn't make the same ones anymore!

I had been looking for small ear buds that would be comfy in my small ear holes & these 'fit' the bill.

For me, the sound quality of these earbuds was fine...actually quite good. But like other reviewers, I found myself very frustrated with the wiring scheme. How frustrated? Well, I sort of snapped at the gym this morning and threw these babies right into the trash (I rescued them a minute or two later). But these are not keepers. In short, if you clip your MP3 player to your waist, the weight of the two cords connected goes all over the place. You'll be continually losing an ear, so to speak...or you'll feel an annoying tugging. Today it took me an agonizingly long time to get through my arms and shoulders weight routine, and I owe it all to these earbuds. Boo. Lesson for me to take-away: no assymetrical...I'm old school, baby....

While the sound quality of these earphones is exceptional, buyers beware. The durability of these earphones is pathetic. The first pair I bought went out after about 6 months, the second pair went out after around 2 months. Each time the left earphone quits producing sound. Very irritating.

I picked these up after wanted some in-ear headphones, but not too expensive. I bought the first pair four years ago but it broke after heavy use after a year, mainly due to the cord quality. But I liked the sound quality, it really did have a good bass that I love. When I picked up the second pair, I initially bought the in ear skullcandy which sucked so bad I immediately returned them that day and bought the Philips SHE9500 again. I immediately noticed the cord quality was much much higher, so to those who are buying them now, should expect them.

The comfort levels were fine, but after a few hours of having it in, then taking them you, you do feel a bit of comfort letting your ear take a rest.

The cord is weird, it's way too short without the extension and way too long with it. It's just a weird design overall, especially with the left bud cord shorter in length than the right, and I don't like to have the cord wrap around my neck.

The earbud sizes have got to be correct for your ear, otherwise these earphones will suck. I initially used the small buds, but then accidentally lost one and had to switch to the medium ones, and noticed a better sound in quality. So make sure you try them. And they definitely cancel out the sound well enough, and people have had to get my attention when I wear these and I'm doing something.

For exercising, I would definitely not recommend these, as they do come loose if moving vigorously.

I'm not a audio expert, but more of a bass head, and I've even been called that before, and these served well for my budget and I would recommend anyone who wants good sound at a reasonable price.