Short answer: the Capra Audio Satyr 4. It ranks #123 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $79.90; the Philips SHP9500 ranks #126, rated 3.9/5, and costs $84.98, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Capra Audio Satyr 4 does well: Tuned close to the Harman target that most listeners prefer in blind tests (preference score 81). Watch for: Treble about 3 dB below target from 3 to 10 kHz, which can sound dull or veiled next to brighter headphones.
Why pick 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 tradeoff: Sub-bass is about 9 dB below target under 60 Hz, so electronic and cinematic bass lacks rumble and slam.
Buy the Capra Audio Satyr 4. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Philips SHP9500 and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Tuned close to the Harman target that most listeners prefer in blind tests (preference score 81).
West3D $79.90 eBay
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.
Amazon $84.98 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Specifications Side By Side
| Capra Audio Satyr 4 | Philips SHP9500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.90 | $84.98 |
| Ranked | #123 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #126 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 81 (median of 4 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.69 dB standard deviation | 2.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.68 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-10.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 2 x 50mm dynamic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | - | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 101 dB |
| Weight | - | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
| Frequency Response | - | 12Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Frequency Response Compared
Both headphones’ measurements overlaid on the Harman target. Above the target sounds louder in that range, below it quieter. Each curve is the median of several independent measurements, shifted so its 500 Hz to 2 kHz average sits at 0 dB, so only the tuning is compared.
Measurement data: the Capra Audio Satyr 4 from aden, cammyfi, capraaudio and daemonxar; the Philips SHP9500 from auricularesargentina, boizoff, cammyfi, gadgetrytech, superreview and therollo9, all via squig.link.
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Capra Audio Satyr 4: