OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
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Philips Citiscape Downtown Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£45Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Philips Citiscape Downtown Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Philips Citiscape Downtown
6.0/10

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 62% of models
Score components

80%

5.4

Technical score

20%

8.3

User score

â–¼Worse than 62% of headphones
7.2

Value for money

Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 59%
5.4

Technical score

Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components

52%

6.1

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

4.9

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.5

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 78%
8.3

User score

User score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

9.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–²Better than 77%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Philips Citiscape Downtown

Technical score
Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 78% of models
Score components:

52%

6.1

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

4.9

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

6.5

Calls & Controls

5.4
User score
User score
8.3/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 77% of models
Score components

70%

8.0

User ratings

30%

9.1

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
8.3
Popularity
Popularity
9.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 86% of models
Popularity:
Philips Citiscape Downtown has a popularity score of 9.1 points, which is higher than that of 86.2% of products in this category.
9.1
Value for money
Value for money
7.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 59% of models
Score components:

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.2
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
18 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 18 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 49.6% of headphones and equal to 3.6% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
?
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Philips
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
174 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 174 g, lighter than 63.3% of headphones and equal to 0.2% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
5
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 5, higher clamp force than 68.4% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more

Philips Citiscape Downtown vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • 20.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (174 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    174 g vs 218 g
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 54.8% more popular
    Philips Citiscape Downtown is more popular than the average pair of headphones (9.09 vs 5.9).
    9.09 vs 5.87
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 54.8% more popular
    Philips Citiscape Downtown is more popular than the average pair of headphones (9.09 vs 5.9).
    9.09 vs 5.87
  • 20.2% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (174 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    174 g vs 218 g
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 27 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (33 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    33 mm vs 60 mm
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 0.7 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    5 vs 4.3
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    May 2012
    2012 vs 2016
  • Non-replaceable earpads
    This pair of headphones has non-replaceable earpads, while the average pair of headphones has replaceable ones. 75.6% of headphones have replaceable earpads.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 27 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (33 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    33 mm vs 60 mm
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 0.7 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (5 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    5 vs 4.3
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 4 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2012 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    May 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Stine
≈ estimated
12/06/2013
Hands-on review · comfort, sound and leakage tests
Verdict
Philips Citiscape Downtown offers elegant, well-made portable headphones with clear sound, best suited to relaxed listening on the go.
8.0
Joon Lee
≈ estimated
07/08/2012
Full review · comfort, noise isolation and sound
Verdict
Philips Citiscape Downtown has warm, fun, punchy sound for everyday listening, but it's not for monitoring and the ears get hot.
9.5
InnerFidelity
≈ estimated
14/02/2012
Hands-on review · isolation, build and sound tests
Verdict
Philips Citiscape Downtown is an excellent walking-around headphone with strong isolation, good sound and an attractive, well-built design.
Not graded yet

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

cnet.com
14/03/2012
Hands-on review · On-ear headphones
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Downtown is a comfortable on-ear pair with robust, balanced sound for music lovers, though it doesn't fold flat.
S
stereophile.com
08/05/2012
Summary of the review
Philips CitiScape Downtown | Stereophile.com
headfonics.com
27/07/2012
Written review · Budget on-ear
Verdict
The Philips Citiscape Downtown is a mid-focused, musical on-ear pair that suits acoustic music and female vocals, though it needs a small amp for best sound.
trustedreviews.com
26/09/2012
Written review · Style on-ear
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Downtown is one of the most comfortable on-ear pairs at its price, with balanced sound, though bass lovers should look elsewhere.
creativebloq.com
23/10/2012
Written review · Retro on-ear
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Downtown is a retro-styled pair whose sound is excellent for the money, though its remote can't change volume.
reviewed.com
12/04/2013
Lab test · Budget on-ear
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Downtown is an average on-ear pair that casual listeners may enjoy, but weak high notes and uneven channels disappoint careful listeners.
stereophile.com
13/02/2012
Hands-on review · Design and build
Verdict
The Philips Citiscape Downtown is a handsome, light on-ear pair that isolates well and is well built, though it doesn't fold flat.
T
techguide.com.au
23/11/2012
Summary of the review
Philips CitiScape Downtown headphone review | Tech Guide
lesnumeriques.com
01/11/2012
Lab test · Budget on-ear
Verdict
The Philips Citiscape Downtown is a light, well-finished on-ear pair with neutral sound and good isolation, suited to buyers who don't want to spend much.
L
lesnumeriques.com
01/11/2012
Summary of the review
Philips Citiscape Downtown: best price - Les Numériques
(Translated)Show original
F
forum.lesnumeriques.com
01/11/2012
Summary of the review
Headphone Review: Philips Citiscape Downtown
(Translated)Show original
S
stylecowboys.nl
24/04/2012
Summary of the review
Philips CitiScape headphones – Stylecowboys
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Philips Citiscape Downtown

  • Exceptional comfort due to pillowy memory foam ear cushions and lightweight design
  • Effective 'MusicSeal' technology that significantly reduces sound leakage in public
  • Stylish and understated 'urban' aesthetic that avoids the bulky look of typical headphones
  • Tangle-free flat 'linguini-style' cable that is durable and easy to manage
  • Clear and balanced sound profile with a warm midrange, ideal for acoustic and vocal-heavy music
  • Excellent value for money, often punching above its price class in build quality

What customers don't like about Philips Citiscape Downtown

  • Non-removable/fixed cable makes the entire unit useless if the cord breaks
  • Ear pads are non-replaceable and the coating can peel over time if exposed to moisture
  • Lack of portability as the headphones do not fold flat or come with a carrying case
  • Heat buildup during long listening sessions due to the tight air seal of the synthetic leather
  • Single-button remote lacks volume control, which may be inconvenient for some mobile users
  • Bass may feel underwhelming for 'bass-heads' or fans of high-energy electronic and hip-hop music

Verdict

The Philips CitiScape Downtown is a stylish on-ear headphone featuring 40mm neodymium drivers, a 32-ohm impedance, and a frequency response of 18Hz–22kHz. It is characterized by its MusicSeal technology for excellent passive noise isolation and a 1.2-meter flat, anti-tangle cable with an integrated microphone and one-button remote. Its main pros include supreme comfort from soft memory foam cushions, a lightweight 174g design, and a balanced, natural sound profile that punches above its price point. However, notable cons include a non-detachable cable, earcups that lack a folding mechanism for portability, and a tendency for the synthetic leather pads to cause heat buildup during extended use.

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