OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Headphones Methodology v1.0

Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£95Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 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 O Neill SHO9561 28
5.8/10

Overall score

Score
5.8/ 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 77% of models
Score components

80%

5.7

Technical score

20%

6.1

User score

â–¼Worse than 77% of headphones
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 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 73% of models
Score components

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 73%
5.7

Technical score

Technical score
5.7/ 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 64% of models
Score components

52%

6.3

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.8

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 64%
6.1

User score

User score
6.1/ 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 97% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

User ratings

30%

4.4

Number of reviews

â–¼Worse than 97%
  • philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
  • philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
  • philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
  • philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
  • philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
philips-o-neill-sho9561-28
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.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Philips O Neill SHO9561 28

Technical score
Technical score
5.7/ 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 64% of models
Score components:

52%

6.3

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

7.8

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

5.7
User score
User score
6.1/ 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 97% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

User ratings

30%

4.4

Number of reviews

6.1
Popularity
Popularity
4.4/ 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–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Popularity:
Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 has a popularity score of 4.4 points, which is lower than that of 63.4% of products in this category.
4.4
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 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 73% of models
Score components:

70%

5.8

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.0
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
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
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% 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
N/A
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
160 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 160 g, lighter than 67% of headphones and equal to 0.9% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 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.
  • 26.6% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (160 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    160 g vs 218 g
  • 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
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 26.6% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (160 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    160 g vs 218 g
  • 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
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 3 dB/mW higher sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a higher sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    105 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 31.5% lower user score
    User score
    6.1/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Philips O Neill SHO9561 28
    the average pair of headphones
    Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.08 vs 8).
    6.08 vs 8
  • 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.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 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.
  • 3.5% worse value for money
    Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.02 vs 7.3).
    7.02 vs 7.27
  • 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
  • 31.5% lower user score
    User score
    6.1/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Philips O Neill SHO9561 28
    the average pair of headphones
    Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.08 vs 8).
    6.08 vs 8
  • 3.5% worse value for money
    Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (7.02 vs 7.3).
    7.02 vs 7.27
  • 33% less popular
    Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (4.41 vs 5.9).
    4.41 vs 5.87
  • 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.
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 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.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 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.
    May 2012
    2012 vs 2016

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

C
cnet.com
14/05/2012
Summary of the review
Philips O'Neill The Stretch Headband Headset review
headfonics.com
28/06/2011
Hands-on test · Portable headphones
Verdict
The Philips The Stretch is a tough, fun portable that's a bargain at discounted prices, but its vocals sound muffled unless you use an amp.
expertreviews.co.uk
27/10/2010
Hands-on test · Rugged headphones
Verdict
The Philips The Stretch is a durable, comfortable pair for commutes and extreme sports, and its warm sound justifies its price.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Philips O Neill SHO9561 28

  • Extremely durable and flexible frame made of TR55LX nylon
  • Superior comfort for long listening sessions due to a self-adjusting stretchy headband
  • Effective passive noise isolation that blocks out external environmental sounds
  • Tangle-free, fabric-sheathed cable designed for rugged use
  • Detachable cable with a breakaway point to prevent damage from snagging
  • Accurate and punchy bass performance, especially for electronic and rock music
  • Affordable price point offering high value for the build quality

What customers don't like about Philips O Neill SHO9561 28

  • Soundstage can feel small and lacks a sense of airiness or spaciousness
  • High-end frequencies may lack precision and detail on more complex tracks
  • Mid-range sound can sometimes be described as 'muddy' or 'muffled'
  • The 1.2m (approx. 4ft) cable is considered too short by some desk users
  • Ear cups can cause ears to get warm or sweaty during extended outdoor use
  • Lack of a protective carrying case included in the box
  • Non-folding design makes them less compact for travel

Verdict

The Philips O'Neill SHO9561/28 headphones, known as "The Stretch," are built for durability with a wetsuit-inspired super-stretch headband and a lightweight 160g frame. They feature 40mm neodymium drivers delivering a frequency response of 12Hz to 24,000Hz and a sensitivity of 105 dB, ensuring powerful bass and clear highs. Main pros include their extreme ruggedness, a tangle-free detachable cable that prevents breakage by popping out under tension, and effective passive noise isolation. However, cons include a relatively narrow soundstage and the potential for the stretchable headband material to lose its elasticity over long-term use.

Compare Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 with other products in the Headphones category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Philips O Neill SHO9561 28 and other products in the Headphones category

No results found