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REVIEWS
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Philips Citiscape Uptown Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Philips Citiscape Uptown 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 Uptown
5.9/10

Overall score

Score
5.9/ 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 69% of models
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

7.5

User score

â–¼Worse than 69% of headphones
7.1

Value for money

Value for money
7.1/ 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 67% of models
Score components

70%

5.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 67%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 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 74% of models
Score components

52%

6.3

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

4.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.9

Battery

4%

7.6

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 74%
7.5

User score

User score
7.5/ 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–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

User ratings

30%

7.7

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 75%
  • philips-citiscape-uptown
philips-citiscape-uptown
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 Uptown

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 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 74% of models
Score components:

52%

6.3

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

4.5

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.9

Battery

4%

7.6

Calls & Controls

5.5
User score
User score
7.5/ 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–¼ Worse than 75% of models
Score components

70%

7.4

User ratings

30%

7.7

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.5
Popularity
Popularity
7.7/ 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 73% of models
Popularity:
Philips Citiscape Uptown has a popularity score of 7.7 points, which is higher than that of 72.9% of products in this category.
7.7
Value for money
Value for money
7.1/ 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 67% of models
Score components:

70%

5.9

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.1
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
12 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 12 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 64.9% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
yes
This pair of headphones supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% 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
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% 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
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% 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
over-ear
Weight
248 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 248 g, heavier than 61.1% 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 Uptown vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 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.
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 3,500 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (23,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    23,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 3,500 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (23,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    23,500 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.
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 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.
  • 13.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (248 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    248 g vs 218 g
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • 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.
  • 7% lower user score
    User score
    7.5/ 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
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Philips Citiscape Uptown
    the average pair of headphones
    Philips Citiscape Uptown has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.47 vs 8).
    7.47 vs 8
  • 7% lower user score
    User score
    7.5/ 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
    ▼▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Philips Citiscape Uptown
    the average pair of headphones
    Philips Citiscape Uptown has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (7.47 vs 8).
    7.47 vs 8
  • 2% worse value for money
    Philips Citiscape Uptown has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.12 vs 7.3).
    7.12 vs 7.27
  • 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.
  • 13.8% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (248 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    248 g vs 218 g
  • 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
  • 3 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (57 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    57 mm vs 60 mm
  • 0.2 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (0.5 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    0.5 % vs 0.3 %
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 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.
    June 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Video reviews

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

9.5
Snazzy Labs
≈ estimated
26/04/2012
Hands-on review · sound, isolation and build tests
Verdict
Philips Citiscape Uptown is far better than expected, an outstanding pick in its price range and worth trying.
9.0
Matt Gonzalez
≈ estimated
30/08/2013
Hands-on review · comfort, isolation and sound test
Verdict
Philips Citiscape Uptown is a cheaper alternative to a popular pro headphone, with great comfort and sound.
Not graded
Not graded yet

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

H
head-fi.org
01/06/2012
Summary of the review
Review: Philips CitiScape Uptown
uk.pcmag.com
27/06/2012
Expert review · Retro over-ear headphones
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Uptown suits listeners who like crisp treble, though its volume slider is poor and its bass is light.
headfonics.com
14/10/2012
Enthusiast review · Closed over-ear
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Uptown is a comfortable, airy closed headphone that sounds richest with a good amp, though its cable and inline controls are weak points.
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com
24/12/2014
Measurement test · Modifiable closed headphones
Verdict
The Philips SHL5905 CitiScape Uptown suits low-bitrate popular music and becomes much better once modified, but its stock bass and volume control are weak.
stadt-bremerhaven.de
11/08/2013
Short test · Budget headphones
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Uptown is a comfortable over-ear pair that works with iOS and many Android phones, but its loose remote and quiet top volume let it down.
imaedia.de
07/08/2013
Weeks-long test · Urban over-ear
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Uptown is a stylish, comfortable over-ear pair with good sound for its price, but its cheap-feeling remote and weak top volume hold it back.
android-user.de
11/02/2024
Hands-on test · Over-ear with calls
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Uptown is a comfortable, balanced over-ear pair that keeps music private, but its fixed, rather short cable feels weak.
lesnumeriques.com
28/06/2012
Lab test · Urban closed headphones
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Uptown is a comfortable, well-built closed headphone for city use, an affordable alternative to luxury travel models, though highs hiss slightly.
fwdmagazine.be
20/12/2013
Lifestyle review · Over-ear headphones
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Uptown is a solid, well-built over-ear pair with punchy bass and good sound on the go, though it blocks little outside noise.
L
lesnumeriques.com
28/06/2012
Summary of the review
Nokia Purity HD, Philips Citiscape Uptown and Shibuya
(Translated)Show original
fwdmagazine.be
20/12/2013
Lifestyle review · Over-ear headphones
Verdict
The Philips CitiScape Uptown is a solid, well-built over-ear pair with punchy bass and good sound on the go, though it blocks little outside noise.

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 Uptown

  • Excellent comfort during long listening sessions thanks to memory foam ear pads.
  • Stylish design featuring premium-looking materials like faux leather and aluminum.
  • Impressively wide soundstage for a closed-back headphone model.
  • Clear, well-balanced sound profile across the high-mids and treble frequencies.
  • Good passive noise isolation and minimal sound leakage.
  • Flat, linguini-style cable that actively resists tangling.

What customers don't like about Philips Citiscape Uptown

  • The built-in analog sliding volume control is flimsy, short-ranged, and prone to channel imbalance or static.
  • Lack of portability as the large ear cups do not fold down for storage.
  • The audio cable is permanently attached and cannot be replaced if damaged.
  • Can sound overly bright, thin, or lacking in deep sub-bass on certain musical genres like classical.
  • Does not include a protective carrying pouch or travel case in the box.

Verdict

The Philips CitiScape Uptown (SHL5905) is a closed-back, over-ear headphone featuring 40mm premium neodymium drivers with a frequency response of 12 Hz – 23.5 kHz, an impedance of 32 Ohms, and a sensitivity of 103 dB. Its core characteristics include MusicSeal technology for passive noise isolation and a retro-inspired design with memory foam ear cushions and an air-quilted headband for long-term comfort. Key pros are its clear audio performance, premium build quality, and a 1.2m flat anti-tangle cable with a built-in microphone for mobile calls. However, some cons include an ineffective analog volume slider that can cause channel imbalance, a non-detachable cable, and a sound signature that can feel thin or overly bright for certain genres like classical music.

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