I bought these Philips SHB9001 headphones in June 2011, back when Bluetooth earsets were more associated with people in suits taking loud phone calls. These were the only “budget” option (around the £85 mark), and I have semi-fond memories of walking to work with them on, while we were on-the-road with a baby, waiting for a house sale to complete. A guy on a bus pointed out the blue flashing light to his kid, like I was out of some crazy cyberpunk film.
Over the years, the pads have been replaced at least a couple of times, and I’ve tested out various types of tape to hold the broken arms together. The battery lasts maybe an hour. My sharp hair fills with black flakes as the comfort rubs off. They’ve seen pretty daily use, but now it’s time to retire them. A new set are turning up later today with fancy options like “ANC” and “Transparency”.
I’m excited. But it won’t be the old, taped up, crumbling padded Philips set that one reviewer calls “disappointing” and that score a solidly central 3.8 stars on Amazon.
Add on another star for old times’ sake, and let’s have one last listen before the delivery person turns up, ey?
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