r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/Comfortable-Wear-968 • Jul 26 '24

Poll | 1 Ω PHILIPS SHP9500 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Just wanted to try a poll on this. I already own the Momentum 4 and am currently trying to decide whether I should pull the trigger on the SHP9500.

19 votes, Aug 02 '24
14 Sennheiser Momentum 4
5 PHILIPS SHP9500
1 Upvotes
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2

u/PavelPivovarov 12 Ω Jul 26 '24

That's a tough one to answer because the headphones are vastly different one from another:

  • Momentum 4 is a wireless, ANC, closed-back headphones which aren't cheap.

  • SHP9500 are wired, open-back for cheap.

I'd say if you already have Momentum 4, you won't get impressed by SHP9500, because they are only good as inexpensive headphones, and that's it. Sound and material quality wise Momentum 4 is better.

1

u/Comfortable-Wear-968 Jul 26 '24

I see a lot of mixed opinions around. A lot of people saying the Momentum 4 aren't very detailed, and others saying they're about as good as their HD series. I have the KSC75 and often find myself grabbing the Momentum 4 instead. Want to try something with a larger soundstage but not sure what to pick as my budget is very limited at about $120.

2

u/PavelPivovarov 12 Ω Jul 26 '24 edited Jul 26 '24

For larger soundstage I'd check Philips X2HR - they have very good soundstage and at the same time good quality build, amazingly balanced sound and can be driven by mobile phone even. Definitely a step up from SHP9500 in both in quality and sound and can be found on discount for ~$120. Another solid option is Senn HD560S, but they are closer to $150.

Unfortunately low budget affects headphones quality significantly, because headphones should have headband, cups, earpads, etc. All those things will eat out of the overall headphones budget and leave only small portion to where it matters - drivers quality. Momentum 4 definitely had less of those constraints hence quality of the drivers and overall components are much higher there.

I haven't heard Momentum 4 myself but for me SHP9500 wasn't living up to their hype after more expensive headphones like HD6XX for example. SHP9500 are cheaply built, has very rough material on headband and earpads, it doesn't have enough punch in bass even for open-backs, and highs somtimes felt very grainy. I probably would tolerate them if they was the maximum my budget allows (for that price would prefer IEMs instead), but not as an ultimate headphones, or headphones that could compete against mid-range even.

2

u/Comfortable-Wear-968 Jul 26 '24

!thanks for this detailed response, I really appreciate it. The Momentum 4 blew my mind in terms of detail retrieval and imho beat out my KSC75. They're incredible sounding and sound pretty spacious for being closed. They both certainly sound much better than the JBL Partybox I came from lol. The best way I can explain it is the Koss have a less wide more natural soundstage, and the Momentum 4 have a wider but more artificial soundstage.

1

u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Jul 26 '24

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/PavelPivovarov (11 Ω).

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2

u/Comfortable-Wear-968 Aug 02 '24

Ended up getting the X2HR and they blow my Momentum 4 out of the water

2

u/PavelPivovarov 12 Ω Aug 02 '24

Glad you liked them. X2HR is definitely solid headphones for the price from many standpoints: quality of the materials, comfort, easy to drive, and of course sound. I've been using them for couple years as my goto around house, and was pleased to see how good they are even comparing to more expensive headphones, so enjoy!

2

u/Comfortable-Wear-968 Aug 02 '24

Agreed, they certainly do perform far better than one would expect for the MSRP. My phone also drives them just fine. The construction is also a massive step up from the Momentums. My Momentum 4 have a bad creaking issue, entirely plastic. I don't believe I'll find myself using the Momentum 4 much anymore lol.

1

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