On this article we assessment the Sennheiser HD 550 headphone. It’s promoting for $349,95 USD and €299,99 Euro.
Disclaimer: The Sennheiser HD 550 was despatched to us by the native Sennheiser press company in change for this assessment. Sennheiser will not be associated to Headfonia in any means.
Sennheiser
Sennheiser has been round ceaselessly they usually’re one of the crucial revered corporations in audio. Up to now, Sennheiser has impressed us with lots of top-quality merchandise just like the HD800, the HD 800S and plenty of 5XX and 6xx sequence headphones.
Sennheiser has additionally upped their IEM sport they usually have efficiently launched the IE 200, IE 300, IE 600 and IE 900 inear screens. It’s very nice to see Sennheiser’s renewed power after the Sonova takeover.
Sennheiser solely needs to convey out merchandise that basically make a distinction or supply a giant enchancment on what they already supply, so don’t count on fast updates. However who is aware of, we simply may get to see the true HD 800 successor over the following years.
We’ve after all featured and reviewed many Sennheiser merchandise on a number of events and you will discover all of our Sennheiser critiques right here.
In right now’s assessment we’ll be taking a better take a look at their newest HD 550. It’s their latest, full sized, open-back headphone within the mid-fi audiophile section. It’s located proper underneath the HD 560(S), promoting for $279.95 USD, which is a bit unusual.
Let’s take a better take a look at the HD 550 and discover out what it’s all about!
Sennheiser HD 550
The HD 550 is an over-ear, open-back headphone with high-grade steel mesh earcup covers. It in accordance with Sennheiser includes a driver that in idea is simple to energy. Extra on that later.
Sennheiser is critically advertising and marketing this inexpensive mid-fi headphone as a do-it -all, constructed to final set of headphones, with replaceable elements and a microphone-ready design.
The HD 550 sports activities a dynamic 150-ohm transducer (made in Eire) for open, pure sound from 6 Hz to 39.5 kHz. Once I join the Sennheiser HD 550 to Luxsin X9, the impedance additionally properly will get set to 150Ohm.
The HD 550’s devoted webpage could be discovered right here. It may also be instantly purchased from Sennheiser there.
Specs
Article quantity (SKU): 700455
Cable size: 1.8 m
Ear coupling: Over ear
Ear pad materials: Artificial velour
Frequency response: 6 Hz – 39.5 kHz
Nominal impedance: 150 Ω
Sound strain stage (SPL): 106.7 dB / 1 V RMS
THD, complete harmonic distortion: <0.2% (1 kHz / 90 dB SPL)
Transducer precept (headphones): dynamic, open
The Field, Equipment & Value
The Sennheiser HD 550 is promoting for $349,95 USD and €299,99 Euro, however I’ve seen it accessible on-line for less than $249,95 USD.
The HD 550 is available in Sennheiser’s typical low profile field, which we’ve got seen earlier than. The images right here present precisely what you’re getting.
On the within of the field you’ll discover the next:
- HD 550 open-back headphones
- 1.80 m cable with 3.5 mm plug
- 3.5 to six.35 mm screw-on jack adapter
- Drawstring bag
It’s a easy package deal, however you do get every part you want. Because the cable is detachable, I might have liked to see a second cable possibility although. A shorter 4.4mm terminated cable would have been a particular win.
Design, Construct High quality, Consolation
The HD 550 seems like Sennheiser’s typical HD 5-series, which I fairly like. It’s a recognizable, fashionable design that not solely seems good however works nice as effectively.
I just like the element of the silver coloured band on the fringe of the interior facet of the earcup, it simply advertisements that little further to the design.
The 550 with solely 237g is gentle in weight, and which means you’re getting lots of plastic. Aside from the steel mesh earcup covers, I doubt there are another bigger steel elements used on this design
This does make the HD 550 very comfortable although. The headphone completely distributes the load excessive of your head and the clamping power is excellent.
Aspect-pressure clever the HD 550 is comfortably tight. Comfortable, however sturdy sufficient to maintain the headphone in place always. The smooth ear cushions (Artificial velour) and headband (high-quality artificial leather-based) add to the consolation, making it a headphone you possibly can simply use for lengthy listening or gaming classes.
Due to its gentle weight, the HD 550 does really feel just a little flimsy and it doesn’t actually appear like it might take a beating. That stated, Sennheiser states that the 550 is constructed to final they usually have spare elements accessible in case you do want a restore.
Isolation & Usability
Because the headphone is so gentle, it is vitally simple to make use of. With the superb headband, padding and ear cushions the HD 550 disappears in your head.
The one annoying factor right here is the overly lengthy cable which will get to tousled on the ground with my workplace chair.
For the remainder this can be a nice headphone to make use of. It’s not simply good for listening to audiophile grade recordings, it additionally does positive with Spotify, Youtube and enjoying video games. It’s an actual do-it-all headphone.
From a driving viewpoint, I’ve to say the HD 550 is sort of simple. That stated, the amp’s signature will replicate in the long run sound. On the identical time the HD 550 is quite forgiving.
Taking a look at isolation, we after all right here have an open again driver. Music will leak out and sound will crawl in. Open again headphones ship essentially the most open and ethereal expertise, however they’re for use in quiet environments.
Sound – Introduction
On this chapter we all the time first take a look at how the bands are describing their unit’s sound signature. Within the case of this HD 550, Sennheiser has lots to say, so in case you don’t care, simply head to the following chapter.
Your media is conserving secrets and techniques. No, not an encoded bitcoin key or Banksy’s actual identify — sonic secrets and techniques: the faint inhale of a singer, a fretboard squeak, whispered background vocals buried deep within the combine, faraway footsteps in a web-based sport.
The HD 550 headphones are your cheat code to listen to all of them — in sensible element and lifelike presence. And also you don’t want a roomful of costly tools to entry the expertise. It’s your gateway to a brand new world of detailed, audiophile sound
Supreme for essential music listening, watching films, distant work, and gaming — with microphone-ready design
A number of mainstream audio merchandise offer you “bathtub” sound. They name it that as a result of the frequency response curve is formed like a bath. We like a pleasant soak as a lot as the following individual, however with bathtub sound you’re drowning in bass and treble, vocals are weak, and sure frequencies resonate too loudly.
The HD 550 is the alternative — no gaps, peaks, or loofahs right here. Meaning devices don’t get “misplaced within the combine”. You’ll be able to hear every part, and clearly. Deep sub bass reproduces frequencies you are feeling greater than hear. Treble extends far past human listening to. Then there’s “soundstage”. Principally, high-end headphones make it really feel like every sound is coming from a particular location. Not simply left, proper, or heart, but additionally close to and much, in entrance or behind you. Your ears do that 3D factor in actual life, too. And with the correct headphones, it really works with recordings, video games, and soundtracks.
To create that 3D sound and huge soundstage, the transducers angle again in the direction of the ears, mimicking real-life listening to. The mud cowl is acoustically clear. Even the ear cushion supplies have been chosen for his or her acoustic properties. And a strategic bit of froth ensures easy treble integration and managed bass. The result’s a impartial stability even our most demanding followers will recognize. Open and ethereal, however by no means harsh, the HD 550 headphones are easy sufficient to be anybody’s day by day driver.
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