How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a hands-free wireless intercom headset that keeps one ear open to the job site around you, choose Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR; if you need wired, open-back headphones for critical music listening at home, choose Philips SHP9500CY. These two share the words "open" and "over-ear," but they solve completely different problems — one is crew communication gear, the other is a home hi-fi listening tool.
• Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR — biggest strength: Wireless full-duplex RF communication with a single-ear open design, a flip-up boom mic that auto-mutes, and a 10-hour battery.
• Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR — biggest trade-off: It is strictly an add-on or replacement headset. It only pairs with other PRO16 headsets and needs an existing system to work at all.
• Philips SHP9500CY — biggest strength: Open-back acoustic structure with large 50mm drivers, breathable over-ear cushions and a detachable cable for natural, spacious sound.
• Philips SHP9500CY — biggest trade-off: Wired only, with no microphone and no noise control — it is a listening headphone, not a communication device.
• Who each pick is for: Choose the PRO16-SR if you are adding a user to an existing Eartec PRO16 crew; choose the SHP9500CY if you want open-back headphones for music, films and gaming at home.
The PRO16-SR is a single-ear remote headset built to slot into an existing Eartec PRO16 wireless intercom system. It connects over RF — no headphone jack, no base unit, no hub — and it pairs directly with the PRO16 Main and other PRO16 Remotes. The whole point is hands-free, full-duplex talk: you speak and listen at the same time without pressing anything, and the system can link up to 16 users total, with two channels so separate groups can talk privately.
Who should buy it: someone who already runs a PRO16 system and wants to add a user up to 16, or replace a damaged headset of the same configuration. Who should skip it: anyone buying for the first time. This is not a starter kit — without an existing PRO16 Main plus at least one other Remote, it has nothing to talk to. It also will not connect to Eartec UltraLITE Classic or UltraLITE HD systems, so check which family you own before ordering. And if you want music, look elsewhere — this is communication gear.
Philips SHP9500CY: Who It's For
The SHP9500CY is an open-back, over-ear headphone for listening, not talking. Its open-back acoustic structure is the headline feature: instead of sealing your ears off, it lets air move behind the drivers, which produces a naturally wide, spacious soundstage. Instruments feel spread out rather than crammed into your head, and details stay easy to pick out across music, films and games.
The 50mm neodymium dynamic drivers do the heavy lifting — crisp highs, detailed mids and controlled bass rather than a boomy low end. Impedance is 32 ohm and sensitivity is 101 dB, which tells you it is easy to drive from typical home gear. The frame is lightweight with breathable over-ear cushions and low clamping force, so long sessions stay comfortable. Build quality leans premium for home use: a sturdy headband, a steel enclosure and a refined finish. The cable is detachable, which makes replacement and storage simple, and the box includes a 3.5–6.3 mm adapter plug for home systems.
Who should buy it: home listeners who want open, airy, detail-forward sound for music and media, and who value all-day comfort. Who should skip it: anyone who needs a microphone, wireless freedom or noise isolation. There is no noise control here, and because it is wired, you are tethered to your source. Open-back also means sound leaks both ways — great for a quiet room, less ideal in a noisy shared space.
• Best for crew communication → Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR. Full-duplex RF talk, up to 16 users, no hub needed.
• Best for music and critical listening → Philips SHP9500CY. Open-back soundstage with 50mm drivers and a detachable cable.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR. The single-ear open design leaves one ear free to monitor the environment.
• Best for all-day comfort while listening → Philips SHP9500CY. Lightweight frame, breathable cushions and low clamping force.
• Best for wireless freedom → Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR. No jack, no cable, roughly 10 hours per charge.
• Best for easy cable replacement and storage → Philips SHP9500CY. The detachable cable is the practical pick here.
• Best if you already own a PRO16 system → Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR. It pairs straight in; just confirm you have a Main and another Remote.
• Best if you are starting fresh with no existing gear → Philips SHP9500CY. It works out of the box with standard audio devices.
In my opinion, these two should not really be weighed against each other — they answer different questions. If your goal is a working crew that stays in constant voice contact, I would buy the Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR, but only if you already run a PRO16 system. If your goal is open, spacious sound for music and movies at home, I would buy the Philips SHP9500CY. For most readers landing on this page, the deciding line is simple: do you need to talk to people, or listen to audio?
FAQ
how to open back headphones work
what is open back studio headphones
It is a headphone design where the rear of the driver is open to the air rather than enclosed in a sealed cup. The result is a more spacious, detailed presentation that suits critical listening and mixing. The SHP9500CY follows this approach with its open-back acoustic structure and 50mm drivers, but note it is a wired home-listening headphone with no microphone.
what are the best open back headphones
"Best" depends on your use. For wireless crew communication with one ear open to your surroundings, the Solid Signal Eartec Ultralite PRO16-SR fits that niche — though it requires an existing PRO16 system. For wired home listening with a wide soundstage, the Philips SHP9500CY is the open-back pick in this comparison. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
are open back headphones better
They are better for spacious, natural sound and long, comfortable listening sessions, which is exactly what the SHP9500CY is built for. They are worse for isolation and for noisy environments, since they leak sound both ways. If you need to block out noise or talk hands-free on a job site, an open-back listening headphone is the wrong tool — the PRO16-SR is a communication headset, not a music headphone.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Kensington H1000 vs Yunsailing 30, Symphonized ALN vs SIMOLIO Manyshare Series, Superlux HD661 vs Cerwin Vega Mobile CV Headphones 50mm, Final Audio E1000C vs Linsoul KZ ZSN PRO