What we liked
- The comfort
- The ingenious ear cup adjustment system
- The clear vocals
- The low price
We would have liked
- A less plastic design
- Finer details
- A more nuanced sound
- A storage case
- A second, shorter cable
Our expert’s opinion
The Philips The Freddie are perfectly in tune with the spirit of the brand's centenary range. They are simple, honest headphones that remain faithful to the manufacturer's hi-fi philosophy. Without trying to impress, these Philips 2025 headphones seduce with their transparency and remarkable comfort, all at a particularly reasonable price. Their open-back design and neutral signature make them an excellent companion for those who want to a natural reproduction of their music at home.
Of course, not everything is perfect. The Freddie headphones have an analytical character, which is sometimes a little cold, and their restraint means that they lose some musical emotion when compared to higher-end or more expressive models. But at this price, it's hard to hold this against them. They offer a coherent, controlled reproduction, clean, firm bass and a wide soundstage, without excess.
The Philips Century The Freddie headphones (SHP9500CY) celebrate 100 years of Philips history. This limited edition takes the acoustic architecture and sonic DNA of the hugely popular Philips SHP9500 and dresses it up in a retro design designed for the Century collection. Priced at less than €100, these new hi-fi headphones promise a sound reproduction worthy of much more ambitious models, with an extended frequency response from 12Hz to 35kHz and large 50mm transducers. But beyond their vintage looks and affordable price, do these anniversary headphones really deliver on the promise of true hi-fi sound?
Presentation
A vintage limited edition
The Philips The Freddie headphones are part of the new anniversary range launched by the brand to celebrate 100 years in the world of sound. This collection, called Century, revisits vintage aesthetics (evocative model names, clean lines, textured materials) and injects modern technologies, as well as eco-responsible design with certified recycled plastics and cardboard packaging. The Philips Century The Freddie headphones are one of the products in this family, alongside the Philips Stevie and Philips Tina all-in-one retro turntables and the Philips Ringo Bluetooth headphones. This vintage range will progressively receive new additions until late 2027.
Visually, Philips The Freddie Century headphones have the familiar silhouette of the Philips SHP9500, with large oval earcups, visible external grilles and a double headband. The main difference is cosmetic, with a more classic finish. The black fabric covering of the earcups and headband is now brown, adding a warm retro touch in keeping with the spirit of the Century collection. The overall look is more minimalist, with the brand name discreetly engraved on the top of the headband. The finish is nothing ostentatious, with fabric that doesn’t perfectly hug the shape of the ear cups and a structure made primarily from recycled plastic. This is in keeping with the affordable spirit of the headphones and reduces their weight to just 296g.
Ergonomic features include large, breathable ear pads. As they aren’t very thick, your ears touch the inside of the ear cups, without being uncomfortable. The second headband, also padded, hugs the head without any marked pressure points. The headphones are very lightweight, both in the hand and on the head, allowing for long listening sessions without fatigue or discomfort.
One of the most ingenious details of the Philips Freddie is the headband adjustment system. Rather than opting for the usual mechanical notches or slides, Philips has devised a graduated adjustment system of millimetric precision, enabling the height of the earpieces to be adjusted with perfect symmetry. Each position remains firmly in place, without moving at all, offering a feeling of rigor and quality rarely encountered in this price range. It’s a brilliant idea that deserves to be replicated on much more expensive models, as it makes adjustment both precise and intuitive.
50mm transducers
The Philips SHP9500CY headphones continue the open acoustic architecture of the Philips SHP9500, one of the brand’s best-selling models. Each ear cup houses a 50mm dynamic transducer with a neodymium magnet. The transducers are angled forward by 15° to match the shape of the ear. This technical choice improves spatial coherence while avoiding the frontal projection effect frequently found in some headphones. What’s more, the open-back structure with large metal grilles on the backs of the cups lets the transducers breathe, producing a wider sound field. On the other hand, the Freddie doesn’t isolate the listener from ambient sounds, and lets the music leak out. It’s impossible to use these headphones in a noisy environment without bothering someone or getting distracted. They are therefore intended for sedentary use in a quiet environment. Their non-folding design, lack of carrying case and 3 meter-long cable confirm this domestic vocation.
With an impedance of 32 ohms and a sensitivity of 101 dB, the Philips Freddie headphones are very easy to use, requiring only a few milliwatts to work properly. This means they can be paired with a modest power source such as a computer, smartphone or small portable USB DAC. To maximize compatibility, they come with a 3.5mm jack cable and a 6.35mm jack adapter. With a length of 3 meters, this cable is practical for sedentary use with a headphone amplifier, a DAC or a hi-fi source placed at a distance. However, it can quickly become cumbersome for listening sessions on a computer or smartphone, where the cable tends to get tangled up or drag along the floor. A second, shorter model, around one meter, would have been a welcome addition. Fortunately, Philips has had the good sense to adopt a detachable cable and a standard 3.5mm stereo mini-jack connector on the left ear cup, making the headphones fully compatible with any universal audio cable. Users can therefore choose a shorter, braided, balanced or microphone-equipped cord, depending on their needs and preferences.
Test conditions
We tested Philips The Freddie Century headphones with the FiiO KA17 USB DAC connected to a Mac computer to play locally stored Hi-Res files and to stream tracks from Qobuz. The headphones were also tested with the Hiby R1 DAP, its 101mW power output proving more than sufficient to power the headphones properly.
Listening impressions
Listening to Philips The Freddie headphones, we were impressed by the clarity of voices, which they reproduce naturally and transparently. Admittedly, they lacked the surgical clarity of more high-end headphones, with some articulation and mouth sounds seeming slightly muffled, but overall they maintained excellent tonal consistency. The soundstage expanded without trying to impress; it remained realistic and well-structured, and didn’t collapse when the music became dense.
We were pleasantly surprised by the bass reproduction of these headphones. The lows were present and powerful, without ever becoming overpowering. Hits were clean and the sustain exemplary, although we would have liked a hint of extra texture to get a better feel for the instruments. With electronic music or hip-hop, some listeners may find the infra-bass a little timid, but a slight bell equalization curve around 60 to 80Hz will restore substance without distorting the balance.
The midrange was slightly recessed, without creating any disturbing hollows. It sometimes lacked a little texture to flesh out male voices and instruments. In the highs, the Freddie displayed consistent brightness and excellent clarity. Cymbals and instrumental harmonics had room to breathe, but the sound sometimes lacked impact and fullness, slightly compressing the vertical stage. At this price, this is easy to forgive: above all, these are affordable, honest and musical headphones, true to the Philips spirit.
Philips Century The Freddie vs FiiO JT1
Compared with the FiiO JT1, the Philips Freddie take a calmer, more neutral approach. Where the FiiO headphones rely on a warmer reproduction, with full-bodied bass and a dense midrange, the Philips Freddie retain a straight, analytical signature. The JT1 offer more engaging vocals and acoustic instruments, while the Freddie impress with their clarity and absence of coloration, but can sound a little cold in comparison. In terms of comfort, the Freddie have the upper hand thanks to their lighter headband and precise fit, ideal for long, fatigue-free listening sessions. The JT1, with their closed-back design, are better suited to those seeking superior isolation or versatile use, even in noisy environments.
Who are these headphones designed for?
The Philips SHP9500CY headphones offer an honest, balanced sound signature, perfectly suited to those seeking a faithful, unadorned reproduction. They are not designed for the critical ear in search of the slightest micro-detail or a three-dimensional soundstage, but rather for the listener who wants to enjoy a quality, smooth and neutral listening experience at an affordable price. They are coherent, measured headphones, more analytical than emotional, but always musical.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Yes, but it’s important to remember that these headphones are open, which means they let sound pass through in both directions. They don’t block out ambient noise, but let the music flow around you. They are therefore intended for sedentary use in a quiet environment.
Yes, the headphones use a standard 3.5mm mini-jack connector on the left ear cup. This means you can plug in any universal audio cable, for example one that is shorter or has a microphone, as required.
Not necessarily. With their 32-ohm impedance and sensitivity of around 101 dB, the Freddie can be used directly with the headphone output of a computer, smartphone or small DAC. However, a dedicated headphone amplifier will bring a little more dynamism and substance to the bass.
No, the Freddie headphones don’t fold or come with a case. Philips designed them primarily for use at home.
Yes, that’s one of its strong points. Its precision-adjustable headband, large breathable earpads and featherweight of 296g ensure long-lasting comfort. It can be used for hours on end without fatigue or overheating.
