Philips SHB8750nc Review | 93 Data compared

The Philips SHB9850NC over-ear wireless headphones offer a budget-friendly alternative for buyers who want active noise cancellation (ANC) and wireless functionality without paying premium prices for brands like Bose or Sony. Weighing in at a lightweight 230g due to its plastic build, the headphones feature a comfortable faux leather headband and large ear pads that fold down compactly for easy transport, though no carrying case is included. The right ear cup integrates a physical power button, a Bluetooth 4.0 connection that can link to two devices simultaneously, and a touch control pad meant for swiping volume and tracking changes. For wired listening, a 3.5mm headphone jack is also built in, providing better overall audio performance than the wireless mode. In terms of performance, the headphones deliver a rich, warm sound driven by 40mm neodymium drivers, which is heavily lopsided toward a prominent bass end well-suited for pop and dance music. However, a major con is the active noise cancellation, which is unimpressive and barely makes a difference in noisy office environments where the closed-back design's passive isolation already handles most...

The Philips SHB9850NC headphones are lightweight, compact over-ear Bluetooth wireless headphones designed to offer premium noise-cancelling features at an affordable mid-range price point of £130. They feature a subtle design with well-cushioned earcups that fold flat for easy storage, an excellent battery life of up to 15 hours, and a highly stable Bluetooth connection that can seamlessly link to two devices at once. In terms of performance, the sound quality delivers a balanced output without overpowering bass, and the active noise-cancellation is highly effective at blocking out low-frequency background hums and commuting drones. However, the headphones are held back by several notable drawbacks, including a persistent and highly irritating electrical background whine that becomes noticeable when music is paused or during quiet audio sections. The physical design also features uncomfortable hard plastic lumps underneath the speaker fabric that can rub against the user's ears, and the exterior glossy plastic material is prone to scratching easily. Furthermore, the touch-based playback controls are finickity and slow to respond—particularly when trying to tap to pause—and the passive sound isolation fails to adequately block...

The Philips SHB8750NC wireless noise-cancelling headphones closely mirror the brand's award-winning SHB8850NC model in design and features, but they fail to match their sibling's audio performance. On the positive side, these headphones deliver clear vocals with an impressive level of detail, a spacious soundstage that accurately portrays distance between singers, and a decent amount of bass relative to their price point. They feature standard controls, a micro-USB charging port, and a 3.5mm jack for wired listening when the battery runs low. However, the headphones suffer from notable sonic drawbacks that keep them from earning a full recommendation. The primary cons include a thick bass response that lacks tautness, punch, and precise articulation, alongside a general lack of dynamism across the midrange and treble. High-pitched instruments can sound strained, and the headphones struggle with organization when handling complex, distorted tracks. Ultimately, while the SHB8750NC provides solid value for a casual listener, the SHB8850NC remains the superior choice for overall balance and sound quality.