Short answer: the Sony MDR-ZX310. It ranks #65 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 4.0/5, at $76.97; the Philips SHP9500 ranks #80, rated 3.9/5, and costs $94.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Sony MDR-ZX310: A preference score of 82 is strong for a budget headphone, and the response stays within 2.4 dB of the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement. The catch: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 17.5 dB under target, so deep bass is effectively missing, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is also 2.2 dB low.
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 catch: Sub-bass is about 9 dB below target under 60 Hz, so electronic and cinematic bass lacks rumble and slam.
Buy the Sony MDR-ZX310. 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.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sony MDR-ZX310 | Philips SHP9500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $76.97 | $94.99 |
| Ranked | #65 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #80 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 80 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation | 2.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.47 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-21.0 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 30mm dynamic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 24 ohms | 32 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW | 101 dB |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (125 g) | 0.7 lbs (320 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 35kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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- Sony MDR-ZX310 vs Yamaha RH5Ma
- Yamaha RH5Ma vs Philips SHP9500
- Mackie MC-250 vs Philips SHP9500
- Philips SHP9500 vs Tanchjim Rita
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sony MDR-ZX310: $76.97 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 82 is strong for a budget headphone, and the response stays within 2.4 dB of the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement. Midrange tracks target closely, within about 1 dB, for natural vocals. At 125 g with 24 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity, it is light and runs loud from any phone, and the closed back blocks some noise.
Cons: Sub-bass below 60 Hz is about 17.5 dB under target, so deep bass is effectively missing, and bass from 60 to 200 Hz is also 2.2 dB low. A dip of nearly 11 dB near 11 kHz and weak treble make music sound dull and closed in. Choose the Sony MDR-7506 for a similar rating with a brighter, more detailed sound.
Full Sony MDR-ZX310 review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.35 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 30mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 24kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 82 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 24 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 63 Hz (-21.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.20 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.3 lbs (125 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 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 | +6.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 724 Hz | -2.8 dB | 1.72 |
| Peak | 96 Hz | -3.6 dB | 1.74 |
| Peak | 6,049 Hz | +3.8 dB | 4.85 |
| Peak | 8,517 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.24 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,404 Hz | +2.7 dB | 4.42 |
| Peak | 1,831 Hz | -2.5 dB | 4.16 |
| Peak | 3,462 Hz | -1.9 dB | 4.76 |
| Peak | 4,584 Hz | +1.8 dB | 5.09 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons