That’s it. The specs listed on the box have changed a little bit. But I can’t find any reports that this is a new driver. The differences between the two models are akin to those between the Sony MDR-V6 and the 7506; they’re basically cosmetic. Sound I would recommend these headphones to anyone who listens to a variety of music, wants to wear headphones for hours on end, or for someone who wants extremely great value out of headphones. These headphones have no glaring issues or flaws. They do many things well, and I suspect people on a budget would have no complaints with these as their daily drivers. I'm quite impressed with them regardless of how much I paid for them, and I only appreciate them more because of their price.

The only thing Fidelio X2 is better than SHP9500 is in bass department..personally i think X2 need proper amp to shine while SHP9500 doesn't need an amp. A curious thing these! Not quite a “giant-killer” audio-wise, but certainly more than worth their price if you need an open over-ear headphone. Their comfort and removable cable option stand toe-to-toe with anything at any price. Subject to “grainy” treble mostly, if not exclusively, on the sparkle (or “splash”) range of hi-hats. This is excessively present at times, and while I didn’t find it to ruin anything, at times, it sounds almost compounded. I didn’t manage to notice it in any other treble oriented genre, like classical music though, I think these headphones just don’t like hi-hats. (Additional note: One time have I heard this on the S’s of a rap song as of now, but this does not seem to be a frequent case at all.) The term my brother used was "dull". His superlux 668b had more "sharpness and bass" to him (and I agree).

Can trust me wont go wrong except for a few flaws. Comfort, clarity and such awesomeness could have been costed more. Now in a gaming environment like Read Dead 2, it gives me nice environmental expansion to make the sound is open. Effects come through well and have good definition when it comes to raindrops, mosquitoes in the forest, layering of the wind, footsteps and speech. The mid range could be slightly more forward to give you even more definition in the entire spectrum, but this thing is fantastic for competitive genres. The imaging is excellent. As well as depth of soundstage. Almost to the point of seeming artificially wide on some recordings. However, on well mastered/recorded material, they are dead ringers for immersion. Convincing keeps coming to mind. The only other headphones i've tried that pull "convincing" off in the same way are some old Stax that you have to power with a loudspeaker amplifier, sound uneven and veiled, and are so uncomfortable I can only keep them on my head for 20 minutes or so. The headband, Its obviously performs well with no issue. the headband is plastic and foam underneath it foam for the comfort of longer listening. Who has bigger head will have no problem as it allows to extend to 1-6 notch.

I am approaching my 50’s. I have owned many ear phones / head phones over the years. I studied and worked a bit in the recording biz, but these days are long gone and I mostly now just enjoy a lot listening to music, mostly during daily activities, and in some too rare moments just listening and enjoying blissfully. I have owned many HP over the years, including some pretty decent AKG for studio work that I remember fondly. I presently own the Fostex TE-05 in ear, the RHA MA-750 (recently deceased by cat, but I still have access to them as my wife has the same), some non descript Sony in ear, some cheap Philips in ear and a pair of Monster Clarity Bluetooth in ear… My stable of gear is obviously a bit sub par. I am probably quite tolerant to many sound, but certainly not all sound. I find quality enough in the above gear to keep using them in certain circonstance, but a quality can be that I can wear a given set in bed or outside without the fear of breaking them because they’re so cheep and readily available. But in any scenario a hp has to have a minimally pleasing sound to me. HD7's bass is less in amount but tight and ready to smash with force. thats why it shines in bass department. OTOH SHP blows it away with its majestic clarity of mid and highs. and SHP is more comfortable too.So, I didn't have much budget, but I wanted to try an open HP for when working at the computer or otherwise fairly idle, or even for quiet walks through the woods (I live in a very quiet 400 souls place). I believe I’ve never owned an open HP. I was looking into many models, including the AD series from Audio Technica, some Sennheiser, Beyer…. The price for the 9500, and the overall good impressions I could find on them decided me. The thread on these at Head-fi also played a good part in my decision. They have the immediacy I like about the M50x, but have actual imaging, and aren't forward or fatiguing