Head to head
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs Philips SHP9500
Both scored on the same six factors, priced on what you actually pay including delivery, and each claim linked to the source it came from. Prototype data — prices and retailer stock are a fixed demo snapshot from 28 July 2026, not a live feed.
Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x wins on both score and price.
Across these 2 headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x has both the highest Worth Score (7.1) and the best score per euro at 49,00 €. That is unusual — normally you trade one for the other. Its weak point is fixed cable — a break ends the headphone.
Best overallAudio-Technica ATH-M20x — Highest Worth Score here at 7.1, 0.1 ahead of the Philips SHP9500. Best for a first pair on a tight budget.
Skip this onePhilips SHP9500 — Lowest Worth Score here at 7.0, 0.1 lower against the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x and no cheaper. Bass is thin and rolls off early
Side by side
Add a third product →The value of a comparison is the differences.
| What matters | Audio-Technica ATH-M20xAudio-TechnicaMedium confidence | Philips SHP9500PhilipsMedium confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Worth Score | 7.1 (best in this comparison) | 7.0 |
| Best price | 49,00 € (best in this comparison) | 79,00 € |
| Price fairness | 9.4 | 9.6 (best in this comparison) |
| Build quality | 6.2 (best in this comparison) | 5.8 |
| Performance | 6.8 | 7.8 (best in this comparison) |
| Longevity | 7.2 (best in this comparison) | 6.6 |
| Repairability | 4.4 | 5.4 (best in this comparison) |
| Support & warranty | 7.6 (best in this comparison) | 5.2 |
| Noise cancelling | None — passive closed back | None — open back |
| Weight | 190 g | 320 g |
| Connection | Fixed cable, 3.5 mm + 6.3 mm adapter | Detachable cable, 3.5 mm |
| Replaceable pads | Pads only — cable is not serviceable | Pads only — third party, not from Philips |
| Best for | A first pair on a tight budget · Podcast and voice monitoring · A knockabout spare for the studio | Gaming — the stage and imaging are the point · Comfort over long sessions · Spending under €100 and not feeling it |
| Avoid if | You want detail · You need a detachable cable | You want bass · You need isolation |
| Main drawback | Fixed cable — a break ends the headphone | Bass is thin and rolls off early |
2 identical rows hidden. They are the same for every product here, so they cannot help you choose.
What each score is based on
3 published sources between themAudio-Technica ATH-M20x
Philips SHP9500
Confidence is computed from those lists, not asserted: Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is medium on 2, Philips SHP9500 is medium on 1. A factor with nothing behind it says so on the product page rather than borrowing a citation that does not speak to it.
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Prototype. Prototype data — prices and retailer stock are a fixed demo snapshot from 28 July 2026, not a live feed. Prices are the cheapest delivered price we recorded — 49,00 € and 79,00 € — not a live quote. How we score products.