Home > Consumer Reviews > Philips SHE9850 In-Ear Headphones with Advanced Acoustics

These headphones deliver great sound. I'm allowed to wear headphones on my current job, so I decided to invest in a higher priced pair of headphones (but not too expensive). They are comfortable to wear (4+ hours/day). Good job isolating sound, I've been able to lower the volume when I listen, giving greater battery life. Sturdy cable and overall nice design (nice carrying case, but who needs it?). I'm no sound expert, but I would know garbage when I hear it, and these ARE NOT the case. Bass is okay, but not impressive. I'm pleased with my buy.

These are really great ear buds, especially for less than $100. Terrific sound quality. I've been shopping for something that would allow me to enjoy music during my noisy commute on Chicago's L Train system, but I didn't want to walk around wearing big over-ear Bose phones. I just tried the Philips yesterday for the first time and the little foam sleeves included with the ear buds worked amazingly well. They make a very comfortable, but tight seal inside the ear canal which blocks out a lot of external noise. I could hear my music perfectly and even noticed a lot of tiny, little sounds I hadn't noticed before on recordings that I've heard many times and know very well. All this while surrounded by clanking train sounds, door-closing warning bells, conductor announcements, etc. I am very happy to have found the Philips SHE9850.

Ipods and cell phones have created an aftermarket unlike anything I have ever seen. I researched for several days the best in-ear headphones for the price. After considering the options, I purchased the Philips 9850, I believe I made the best available choice. Here's why:
1. The provided earbuds fit much better than the Shure's:
2. The wire has enough thickness that I am able to keep the headphones unknotted and not worry about shorting or breaking in the short-term;
3. The sound is more to my taste focusing on the mid to higher ranges (I have played with EQ on my Ipod Touch and can tell a difference with the headphones);
5. Although not advertised as noise cancelling, they are; and
6. The case, while somewhat confusing, is eyecatching and secure.

For the price, these headphones seem to be a great choice.

I've used various in-ear 'phones over the years, starting with Shure E2C's, then Etymotic ER-6i, and my current pair of choice are the Shure SE210 with triple flange sleeves for best isolation (the main reason I use these types of headphones.)

Upon first opening the package of these Philips 'phones, they look a bit cheap. Despite the fair amount of included accessories, they don't match what Shure or Etymotic has to offer at this price range in terms of sound quality or isolation/comfort.

To begin with the earpieces/drivers themselves for these canalbuds are small, perhaps a bit too small to provide the deep bass that other brands can. There is a fair variety of silicone ear cushion sizes as well as one foam ear cushion type. In my case, I always get the best seal/isolation with foam or triple flange cushions (the latter not compatible/included with this package.) Once in my ears though, everything is generally comfortable and the sound is definitely passable.

The carrying case is also a pain to use, being so small and requiring the user to wind up the cords perfectly inside. I won't be using this. One positive note regarding size -- the cable fits the iPhone 2G recessed headphone jack.

I'm actually using these in a medium noise office environment with the occasional ringing phone and constant conversation. I'm satisfied, though for future headphones, I'll definitely look for something a bit more heavy duty if I'm looking in this price range.

I've been using the Etymotic Research ER6i Isolator In-Ear Earphones (White) for quite a while and have been very happy with them, but in a side by side test, these Philips earphones are much better. They are much much louder. For my test I listened to a CD at normal volume through the ER6i phones, then switched to the Philips SHE9850. Wow. It was blasting loud. I had to turn the volume way way down. (Remember kids, headphones and earphones can ruin your hearing, turn that volume down. I now return you to my review, already in progress). My only complaint is the Philips earphones take a little more work to get them to stay in your ear, while it would take an elephant to pull the ER61 phones out of your ears once they're in there. That said, the sound quality of the Philips earphones was superior in every respect, including clarity and volume. They are both good products, but this one really shines.