Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Philips SHP9500

Short answer: the Philips SHP9500. Both are rated 3.9/5 for sound quality (#53 and #55 of 134 over-ear headphones), and the Philips SHP9500 costs $94.99 against $109 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.

What the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x does well: The closed back keeps outside noise down and sound in, and at 0.5 lbs (240 g) it is the lightest closed back in this group. The tradeoff: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 2 dB hot and the top octave 4.5 dB above target, with a 5.5 dB peak near 8.3 kHz, so cymbals and sibilants can sound sharp and splashy.

The case for the Philips SHP9500: A preference score of 80 and a deviation of only 2.2 dB make the open back response smooth for the money, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the lower mids within half a dB of target. The catch: Sub-bass is about 9 dB below target under 60 Hz, so electronic and cinematic bass lacks rumble and slam.

Buy the Philips SHP9500. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $14.01 less than the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x.

Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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The Two Headphones In Full

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: $109.00 Amazon eBay

Pros: The closed back keeps outside noise down and sound in, and at 240 g it is the lightest closed back in this group. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 3 dB above target while sub-bass is nearly on target, giving punchy, full low end with a preference score of 79. At 35 ohms and 98 dB sensitivity a phone drives it without an amp, and it ties the Philips SHP9500 on rating at a slightly higher street price.

Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 2 dB hot and the top octave 4.5 dB above target, with a 5.5 dB peak near 8.3 kHz, so cymbals and sibilants can sound sharp and splashy. A 3 dB dip near 5 kHz can blur vocal detail slightly. The bass emphasis is too much for listeners who want a neutral balance.

Full Audio-Technica ATH-M40x review and specifications →

Released	Feb 2014 (12 years ago)
Back	Closed
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.14 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	15Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	79 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	35 ohms
Sensitivity	98 dB
Tonal Tilt	-0.57 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.5 lbs (240 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -5.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+17.6 dB	0.70
Peak	48 Hz	-16.9 dB	0.29
Peak	348 Hz	+6.0 dB	0.87
Peak	5,150 Hz	+3.3 dB	4.10
Peak	2,979 Hz	+1.8 dB	1.99
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-6.9 dB	0.70
Peak	1,378 Hz	-1.4 dB	2.13
Peak	796 Hz	+0.6 dB	1.67
Peak	6,306 Hz	+1.6 dB	5.10
Peak	2,225 Hz	+0.8 dB	3.70

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Philips SHP9500: $94.99 Amazon eBay

Pros: A preference score of 80 and a deviation of only 2.2 dB make the open back response smooth for the money, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the lower mids within half a dB of target. It is very easy to drive at 32 ohms and 101 dB sensitivity, so a phone runs it fine, and it weighs just 320 g. It costs far less than most headphones with a comparable score.

Cons: Sub-bass is about 9 dB below target under 60 Hz, so electronic and cinematic bass lacks rumble and slam. Presence is lifted about 2.3 dB, and a 6.7 dB peak near 6.2 kHz followed by a 4 dB dip near 7.7 kHz adds some edge to vocals and cymbals. The open back leaks sound and gives no isolation.

Full Philips SHP9500 review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	2.17 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 50mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	12Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	32 ohms
Sensitivity	101 dB
Tonal Tilt	+0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.7 lbs (320 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+6.5 dB	0.70
Peak	5,734 Hz	-5.7 dB	2.84
Peak	110 Hz	-3.0 dB	0.81
Peak	2,130 Hz	+3.7 dB	2.76
Peak	412 Hz	+1.0 dB	1.39
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-2.4 dB	0.70
Peak	1,113 Hz	-0.6 dB	2.07
Peak	7,370 Hz	+2.1 dB	5.98
Peak	4,477 Hz	-1.7 dB	6.00
Peak	3,566 Hz	+1.3 dB	6.00

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Philips SHP9500 (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Philips SHP9500 vs Audio-Technica ATH-M50x