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Philips SHP8000 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price: ~£110
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wired
Battery life: N/A hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Philips SHP8000 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.3

Good

4.9

Poor

7.0

Very good

2.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
0.0
Audio latency
25.0%
0.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
0.0
Battery life
1.0
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
0.0
Battery life
18.0%
4.0
Weight
16.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
14.0%
0.0
Ambient sound mode
2.7
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
0.0
Multipoint support
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
14.0%
0.0
Companion app
3.4
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
4.0
Weight
24.0%
1.0
Water resistance
20.0%
4.0
IP rating
16.0%
0.0
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

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Verdict

The Philips SHP8000 is a pair of semi-open, over-ear hi-fi headphones featuring acoustically tuned 40mm neodymium drivers that deliver a balanced sound profile with a wide frequency response of 7Hz to 40,000Hz. Designed for comfort during extended listening, they incorporate memory foam 'FloatingCushions,' a self-adjusting 3D inner headband, and a durable steel outer band, while offering a sensitivity of 104dB and 32-ohm impedance for easy driving. Main advantages include its high-resolution audio certification, excellent build quality with premium metal accents, and a generous 3-meter total cable reach via a 1.6m extension. However, notable drawbacks include a non-removable cable, a soundstage that can feel intimate for a semi-open design, and ear cups that may be slightly small for users with larger ears.

Technical Specifications of Philips SHP8000

Overall score

5.3

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Popularity

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.

Sound

6.0

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

2.8

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

N/A

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Connectivity

6.2

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

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Features

2.7

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

1.0

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A

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Design

5.7

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Philips

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

semi-open

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Philips SHP8000 vs the average headphone

Why is Philips SHP8000 better than the average headphone?

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Hi-Res Audio certification
Philips SHP8000 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
What it is: Certified for high-resolution audio playback
When it matters: When official support for high-resolution playback matters to you.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHP8000 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
20,000 Hz higher treble extension
Philips SHP8000 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=24000 Hz
Philips SHP8000 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.40000 Hz vs 20000 Hz
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Philips SHP8000 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
What it is: Shows whether the headphones end in a built-in 3.5 mm male plug instead of relying on a separate detachable cable.
When it matters: When direct wired compatibility with older devices or adapters matters.
Importance: MEDIUM
Philips SHP8000 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
Foldable design
Philips SHP8000 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
What it is: Earcups or headband can fold for compact storage
When it matters: When you travel often and want easier storage in a bag.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHP8000 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
1.8 m more useful cable length
Philips SHP8000 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
What it is: Length of the supplied audio cable
When it matters: When your desk, TV, or audio setup needs more or less movement range.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHP8000 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.3 m vs 1.2 m
3 Hz lower bass extension
Philips SHP8000 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Philips SHP8000 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.15 Hz vs 18 Hz
2 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Philips SHP8000 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
What it is: Sound pressure output level per unit of input power
When it matters: When you plan to use weaker sources like phones, handhelds, or entry-level dongles and still want enough volume.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=106 dB/mW
Philips SHP8000 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
14 dB higher max SPL
Philips SHP8000 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (124 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
What it is: Maximum safe sound pressure level
When it matters: When high-volume headroom is part of your use case.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=116 dB
Philips SHP8000 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (124 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.124 dB vs 110 dB
Foldable design
Philips SHP8000 has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
1.8 m more useful cable length
Philips SHP8000 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
Hi-Res Audio certification
Philips SHP8000 has Hi-Res Audio certification, the average headphone does not. 22.9% of headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified.
20,000 Hz higher treble extension
Philips SHP8000 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (40,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
3 Hz lower bass extension
Philips SHP8000 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
2 dB/mW higher sensitivity
Philips SHP8000 has a higher sensitivity than the average headphone (104 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
14 dB higher max SPL
Philips SHP8000 has a higher max SPL than the average headphone (124 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
Direct 3.5 mm plug
Philips SHP8000 includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average headphone does not. 38.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.

Why is Philips SHP8000 worse than the average headphone?

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Fixed cable
Philips SHP8000 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
22.9% higher weight
Philips SHP8000 is heavier than the average headphone (268 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
Tangle-prone cable
Philips SHP8000 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
No travel bag
Philips SHP8000 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
1 fewer microphones
Philips SHP8000 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
No voice assistant support
Philips SHP8000 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
6 years older release date
Philips SHP8000 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
August 2011
No voice assistant support
Philips SHP8000 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHP8000 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
Fixed cable
Philips SHP8000 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
What it is: Cable can be removed or replaced
When it matters: When you care about easier cable replacement, simpler storage, or the option to swap to shorter, longer, or upgraded leads.
Importance: MEDIUM
Philips SHP8000 has a fixed cable, while the average headphone has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
22.9% higher weight
Philips SHP8000 is heavier than the average headphone (268 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Philips SHP8000 is heavier than the average headphone (268 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.268 g vs 218 g
1 fewer microphones
Philips SHP8000 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2
Philips SHP8000 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.0 vs 1
Tangle-prone cable
Philips SHP8000 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHP8000 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
No travel bag
Philips SHP8000 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
What it is: Comes with a protective carrying case or pouch
When it matters: When protection in transit matters right out of the box.
Importance: LOW
Philips SHP8000 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
6 years older release date
Philips SHP8000 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
August 2011
What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2020
Philips SHP8000 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,011 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2011 vs 2017
13.6% lower user score
Philips SHP8000 has a lower user score than the average headphone (7.05 vs 8.000).
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.
Philips SHP8000 has a lower user score than the average headphone (7.05 vs 8.000).7.05 vs 8

Calls & Controls

Graphic comparison of Philips SHP8000 and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Philips SHP8000?

Thumping, meaty bass performance ideal for EDM and electronic music
Excellent build quality for the price, utilizing metal and durable plastics
Self-adjusting 3D inner headband provides a secure and comfortable fit
Memory foam 'FloatingCushions' offer good comfort for long listening sessions
Effective passive noise isolation due to the over-ear, closed-back design
Includes a 1.6m extension cable and a 3.5mm-6.3mm adapter for versatility

What customers dislike about Philips SHP8000?

Non-detachable cable makes it difficult to replace if damaged
Intimate soundstage that lacks the spaciousness of open-back models
Sound signature is not 100% neutral, which may not suit critical listening
Ear cups may be slightly small for users with larger ears
Does not fold into a compact form for easier travel
The included 1.6m extension cable has been reported by some to degrade signal quality

Expert reviews

head-fi.org

11/04/2010

Headphone Notes - Head-Fi

The review highlights the AKG K240 DF for its exceptionally neutral sound, which smooths harsh recordings, but notes it requires significant amplification power to avoid sounding tame. Conversely, the 10R is described as a highly analytical "precision instrument" that excels in detail, yet is hindered by excessive clamping force, a cold, unforgiving sound, and a demanding 35-ohm...Read more

head-fi.org

18/02/2013

Philips Shp8000/10 Hi-Fi Headphones - Black - Reviews

The Philips SHP8000/10 headphones are characterized by a V-shaped sound signature with heavily boosted bass, making them a specialized, budget-friendly option for electronic dance music. They feature a lightweight design with aluminum cups, resulting in high comfort for long listening sessions, and are easy to drive from mobile devices. However, the headphones are limited by...Read more

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