Short answer: the Mackie MC-250. It ranks #54 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.1/5, at $89.99; the Philips SHP9500 ranks #80, rated 3.9/5, and costs $94.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
Why pick the Mackie MC-250: A preference score of 83 for a closed-back headphone is strong, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 1 dB above target for a slightly warm, full low end. The catch: A 5 dB dip near 4.8 kHz and presence about 2.5 dB under target make vocals and snare snap sound a little recessed.
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. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 9 dB below target under 60 Hz, so electronic and cinematic bass lacks rumble and slam.
Buy the Mackie MC-250. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Philips SHP9500 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie MC-250 | Philips SHP9500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89.99 | $94.99 |
| Ranked | #54 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #80 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.95 dB standard deviation | 2.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-10.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB | 101 dB |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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
Mackie MC-250: $89.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 83 for a closed-back headphone is strong, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is about 1 dB above target for a slightly warm, full low end. Treble from 6 to 16 kHz is within 0.1 dB of target. At 38 ohms and 100 dB sensitivity it runs fine from a phone, and the closed back keeps leakage down. It is a wired design at 265 g.
Cons: A 5 dB dip near 4.8 kHz and presence about 2.5 dB under target make vocals and snare snap sound a little recessed. Sub-bass is about 4 dB under target under 60 Hz. The warm tilt of minus 0.45 may sound dull for listeners who prefer a brighter sound.
Full Mackie MC-250 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.95 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 83 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.45 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (265 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.7 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 | +15.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 50 Hz | -14.8 dB | 0.42 |
| Peak | 419 Hz | +5.7 dB | 1.71 |
| Peak | 905 Hz | -2.0 dB | 1.42 |
| Peak | 4,207 Hz | +4.5 dB | 4.10 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +0.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 8,939 Hz | -1.7 dB | 3.53 |
| Peak | 5,862 Hz | -2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 1,892 Hz | +1.7 dB | 4.71 |
| Peak | 1,370 Hz | -0.7 dB | 3.02 |
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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 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 47 Hz (-10.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| 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 |
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