I loved my Janomes and the 9500 is a very nice machine.
It does have a 5x7 hoop which is nice.
My first Janome was a 350e which also has the 5x7 hoop.
The 9500 to my understanding does not transfer designs by usb thumb drive which to me is very important. I think the 9500 only does the cards?? That is a negative to me - and a deal breaker.