Replacing broken a SHP9500, have three options. Recommendations?

[Noirgheos]

SHP9500 is available for $125, and for what it's worth, I did enjoy them, so rebuying them isn't a terrible thing imo.

SHP9600 is $110, and the HD559 is also $125. Mostly going to use these for competitive gaming. Recommendations?

[johnt]

Philips X2hr or X3

 

the X2hr frequently drops down to $100 USD

[Noirgheos]

Just now, johnt said:

Philips X2hr or X3

 

the X2hr frequently drops down to $100 USD

Not in Canada. They go for well over $200 normally here, and according to price history it's not common to see them go below $150 CAD. Guessing the three I mentioned aren't too good?

[Tan3l6]

I'd recommend those: https://hifiman.com/products/detail/310

But if you have to choose only between those 3 mentioned in 1st post then no help I guess..

[johnt]

10 minutes ago, Noirgheos said:

Not in Canada. They go for well over $200 normally here, and according to price history it's not common to see them go below $150 CAD. Guessing the three I mentioned aren't too good?

They are fine. I thought you were comparing in USD... sorry. For the prices you mentioned, the X2hr (in USD) is a better purchase. I am not a big Sennheiser fan so of the ones you mentioned, I would go with the 9500 or 9600.

[Psittac]

shp9600 over shp9500 for sure.  I had the 9500 for a while and it's the only headphone I've owned that was to bright, it was just fatiguing to my ears.  Granted this was only with onboard audio and when I switched to a schiit fulla the treble was tamed enough to enjoy them.  But the 9600 is supposed to have fixed this issue.

 

I was about to say that $125 is way to much until I read that it's in Canadian.  If you can spring for the X2HR it will be worth it depending on price.  The third one I have no personal experience with though so I can't help on that front.

[Noirgheos]

Just now, Psittac said:

shp9600 over shp9500 for sure.  I had the 9500 for a while and it's the only headphone I've owned that was to bright, it was just fatiguing to my ears.  Granted this was only with onboard audio and when I switched to a schiit fulla the treble was tamed enough to enjoy them.  But the 9600 is supposed to have fixed this issue.

 

I was about to say that $125 is way to much until I read that it's in Canadian.  If you can spring for the X2HR it will be worth it depending on price.  The third one I have no personal experience with though so I can't help on that front.

Yeah I'll likely get the 9600. It's also $110 so it's the cheapest of the bunch.

[CTR640]

4 hours ago, johnt said:

Philips X2hr or X3

 

the X2hr frequently drops down to $100 USD

Last week the X2HR was €89 on Amazon EU which is an absolute steal! I couldn't resist so I bought another pair. One pair as reserve and other for playing with like trying the X2HR earpads on my Amiron Home for example. But damn, the OEM X2HR earpads are the best ever made! So beautiful velours, so soft an comfy. 

 

To the topic creator, i'm not a fan of Sennheiser either but you'll likely rebuy the 9600. That's what I would do if my current headphones will break. 

[person123456789]

On 4/2/2023 at 1:14 PM, Noirgheos said:

SHP9500 is available for $125, and for what it's worth, I did enjoy them, so rebuying them isn't a terrible thing imo.

SHP9600 is $110, and the HD559 is also $125. Mostly going to use these for competitive gaming. Recommendations?

Just rebuy the SHP9500 as it's better for competitive gaming.