Sennheiser HD 550 Audiophile Open Headphone
We think the HD 550 slots neatly between the HD 599 and HD 560S, it's not a rich sounding headphone, and the mid-bass in particular is quite flat, but it avoids sounding overly bright or harsh for a lean tuning. We think its clear, intelligible sound makes it a really good choice for gaming, and if you're just starting out in the hobby and want one neutral headphone, the HD 550 is a safe choice, even if it's not the most exciting.
Discover Deeper Details
Hear details you’d never noticed before. Feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. That’s what the HD 550 sound gives you in a light, comfy, accessible package.
The HD 550 is designed with a neutral, extended frequency response so that instruments don’t get “lost in the mix”. You can hear everything, and clearly. Deep sub bass reproduces frequencies you feel more than hear. Treble extends far beyond human hearing. Then there’s “soundstage”. Basically, high-end headphones make it feel like each sound is coming from a specific location. Not just left, right, or center, but also near and far, in front or behind you. Your ears do this 3D thing in real life, too. And with the right headphones, it works with recordings, games, and soundtracks.
Pure Analog, Pure Audio
Many modern headphones rely on electronics to achieve the desired sound. The HD 550, however, will have none of this: you get a direct analog signal path from source to ear. That means pure, unadulterated sound without additional noise or artifacts. This did put Sennheiser's engineers on the spot though: it meant the headphones had to be acoustically flawless.
They started with the excellent 150-ohm transducer inside the proven HD 500 chassis. Sennheiser manufactures the transducer in Ireland, by the way, so you get outstanding quality and perfect channel matching. To create that 3D sound and wide soundstage, the transducers angle back towards the ears, mimicking real-life hearing. The dust cover is acoustically transparent. Even the ear cushion materials were selected for their acoustic properties. And a strategic bit of foam ensures smooth treble integration and controlled bass. The result is a neutral balance even Sennheiser's most demanding fans will appreciate. Open and airy, but never harsh, the HD 550 headphones are smooth enough to be anyone’s daily.
So Comfortable They Practically Disappear
Has there been a contest for “most performance per gram”? If so, the HD 550 probably won. At just 237 g, they’re about as unobtrusive as possible.
The HD 550 design is heavily influenced by feedback from people like you. And you said, “make it light, make it comfy, and make it sound great.” So Sennheiser revised the headband, using high-quality synthetic leather and softer foam. With such a low total weight, less clamping force was required. Which in turn allowed Sennheiser to use soft, comfy earpads with plush velour. You get a fit that’s stable but so unobtrusive that even long sessions are no problem. Work, play games, or listen for as long as you like — without pinching, pressure, charging, or pairing.
Diving Deeper
Headphone frequency response graphs look very different from those for loudspeakers, which are ideally very flat. Here you can see a big rise on the right (treble) side and then it falls off a cliff. But this is in fact very close to what’s considered ideal for headphones. Because leading manufacturers base their goals on extensive psychoacoustic research about listeners’ subjective preferences.
For instance, it turns out that headphones negate the function of the outer ear, which otherwise amplifies sounds in the 3 kHz region. So, the ideal response for headphones is much higher there. Resonances in the inner ear also make sounds between 7 and 10 kHz louder, which is why the graph dips abruptly around 8-9 kHz. We can see here that the HD 550 builds on the already excellent characteristics of the HD 599, extending even further into subbass territory while still offering strong, analytic mids and brilliant treble without sibilance or harshness. The graph reflects the HD 550’s solid, satisfying bass response, balanced midrange, and precise and airy treble.
- Ideal for critical music listening, watching movies, remote work, and gaming. Detachable cable with optional in-line microphone cable available.
- 150-ohm transducer (made by us in Ireland) for open, natural sound from 6 Hz to 39.5 kHz
- Enjoy extra comfort from gently soft ear cushions and headband
- Built to last, with replacement parts available
- Drawstring bag and 1.8 m cable included
- Open-back headphones with high-grade metal mesh earcup covers
- HD 550 open-back headphones
- 1.80 m cable with 3.5 mm plug
- 3.5 to 6.35 mm screw-on jack adapter
- Drawstring bag
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Sennheiser HD 550 Audiophile Open Headphone
The HD 550 headphones let you hear music, movies and games with brilliant detail and lifelike presence.
The HD 550 headphones let you hear music, movies and games with brilliant detail and lifelike presence.
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Found a lower price?
Please complete the form below.
Price found at another internet retailer or their store:
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This is a request only. We have the right to refuse any request at our discretion. We only accept requests from stores that have brand new stock and are authorized dealers. We do not accept requests from auction sites and marketplaces.
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