Sennheiser HD 550 Review — Headfonics

As we speak, Louis opinions the Sennheiser HD 550, a brand new set of 150Ω open-back dynamic driver headphones with a microphone-ready design. They’re presently priced at $349.95.

Disclaimer: This pattern was despatched to me in change for my sincere opinion. Headfonics is an impartial web site with no affiliate hyperlinks or providers. I thank Sennheiser for this chance.

Click on right here to be taught extra concerning the Sennheiser merchandise we’ve got beforehand reviewed on Headfonics.

Be aware that this characteristic follows our newest scoring guidelines, which you’ll be able to learn in additional element right here.

Sennheiser HD 550 Assessment

Abstract

Having heard virtually each HD 500 sequence headphone, I can say that the Sennheiser HD 550 is the perfect sounding one of many sequence. The bass and treble had been improved, with a small degree of refinement within the sonic signature that deserves that declare.

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8.4

Execs

Refined bass and treble areas in comparison with predecessors.

Very comfy to put on for lengthy durations.

Cons

Inventory cable is subpar.

Underwhelming unboxing expertise.

When Sennheiser launched the brand new HD 550 priced at $349.95, some sniped at the truth that Sennheiser launched it too near the debut of the HD 505.

Nevertheless, I urge to vary because of the patterns of the five hundred sequence and the way in which Sennheiser rolled out every sequence. The five hundred sequence has develop into an enormous labyrinth of fashions that almost all time have been launched in units of threes.

For instance, the HD 515, HD 555, and HD 595. Then Sennheiser launched the HD 518, HD 558, and HD 598. Then, they launched the HD 599, the HD 579, the HD 559, and a few different fashions.

Lately, the sequence produced the HD 560S, the HD 505, and at this time’s topic, which is the HD 550.

Being the costliest mannequin but within the sequence, it has to provide the best-in-series sonics as a result of, on the skin, it seems to be to be essentially the most easy mannequin provided to this point, and nothing new is underneath the solar, as they are saying.

Options

The Sennheiser HD 550 hasn’t veered away from the unique idea a lot in any respect, and it stays a recognizable providing, however it does veer on simplicity. The primary attraction right here is the open body design mounted driver that may be seen finest on the ear pad aspect of the oval cups.

The Sennheiser HD 550 makes use of a customized angle-mounted 38mm transducer designed and crafted in Sennheiser’s Tullamore, Eire, audiophile facility. This 150Ω transducer is able to producing a frequency spectrum of 6Hz to 39.5kHz and an SPL of 106.7 dB at 1mW.

The HD 550 is geared toward audiophiles, sure. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of speak about this headphone being a great candidate for gaming as effectively, and on the whole, that could be a true declare for many of Sennheiser’s headphones at any tier degree, and it’s due to their refined soundstage. However I additionally really feel they’re good for monitoring work as effectively.

The HD 550 is an oval cup, open-back headphone, however the rear grill seems to be as if breathability was not a part of the design goal.

The balancing act to attain right here is to stay true to the open again idea, whereas managing to guard the motive force, its optimum positioning, and the appropriate acoustic impedance.

Design

The general design on the whole is minimalistic this time round, however it’s my choice over ornate designs from the previous. I may level on the beige PC, Noctua-themed HD 598, for instance, however that’s historical historical past now, and let’s look ahead.

The Sennheiser identify was solely positioned on the left aspect as a visible cue for the left channel alignment, with the appropriate aspect utterly black with braille marking under for visually impaired (or low-light) listening.

I do just like the all-black coloration scheme Sennheiser used this time round. The one main coloration break within the black coloration theme is a silver ring across the cup that breaks issues up, supplying only a contact of distinction and distinction to the all-black theme.

One factor I did notice is that for those who evaluate the HD 550 to earlier fashions, the meeting elements appeared heftier on previous fashions, which might be a con. I’ve by no means had any points with any of the beforehand talked about fashions, and solely time will inform if this mannequin will observe go well with.

One other factor, I can use the HD 599 for example on this one. Being a high-tier mannequin within the sequence, the HD 550 trim is minuscule this time round.

Earlier fashions displayed nicer, deluxe trim, they usually felt heftier construction-wise as effectively. Then once more, weight reduction is without doubt one of the apparent advantages, simply hopefully it’s not a trade-off for longevity.

Consolation

Evidently Sennheiser tried to lose a couple of grams right here and there as a result of the construct is thinner than different fashions within the sequence, particularly across the headband adjustment space.

The general weight of the HD 550 is 237 grams, which makes it the lightest mannequin throughout the HD 500 line, and a attract weight with the HD 505.

I’ve by no means had consolation points with Sennheiser headphones, this one included. Sennheiser managed to scale back the clamping power over the previous HD500 sequence fashions to a degree the place you don’t really feel the pad stress as a lot.

The scarf cushion has simply the correct quantity to really feel comfy, however not lose sufficient that they really feel like they’ll come off simply.

I might have most popular a V-shaped cutout just like the HD 560S has on the top-center, which alleviates that middle stress level on high of the pinnacle.

I don’t know why Sennheiser didn’t hold that implementation going, which is a straightforward implementation; that could be a profit to the consumer and is an inexpensive repair.

Inventory Pads

The oval-shaped pads stay, they usually’re additionally a carryover from the HD 505. They’re a bit stiff, however being conversant in these pads, they’ll flatten over time earlier than coming aside, which is able to convey the ear nearer to the transducer and improve sonic depth.

They’re straightforward to take away and change, and for those who’ve ever eliminated any of the HD 500 sequence pads, these will probably be acquainted to you.

You need to pull them laborious from the within to unclip them, and to exchange them, you press them in place. Pull firmly outward and upward concurrently to take away them. Simply be aware of the motive force.

On a aspect notice. In my expertise, aftermarket pads change the sonic traits of Sennheiser headphones, and for those who ever want to exchange these, attempt to change them with authentic variants to retain the unique sonic tuning.

These HD 550 inventory pads are produced from a velvet-like material with a fast-reacting, medium-stiffness foam. The ear pad border is skinny, and this helps reduce stress on the cheeks and jawline.

The pads are mounted on the now-common Sennheiser ring system, which hasn’t modified all through the sequence.

Inventory Cable

The inventory cable appears to be an identical to the one included with the HD 505. It’s a rubber-insulated black cable that appears to be OFC with a 3.5mm termination. Sennheiser features a step-up screw-on converter from the three.5mm connector to a 6.35mm variant.

The opposite finish is supplied with a relatively lengthy 2.5mm twist-on plug that has some execs and cons. The professional side is that it’s a stable connector. The con side is that solely that sort of plug would be the just one that may match on there, and that limits cable selections.

Being a headphone that is a wonderful selection for gaming, this limits you to an exterior microphone, and you’ll’t use a V-MODA Growth Professional or a Meze Audio Growth microphone set. Maybe Sennheiser can supply one sooner or later.

Sennheiser does supply an in-line mic possibility, half quantity 572281, however it doesn’t include a growth possibility.

Packaging & Equipment

The HD 550 comes with a minimal variety of equipment. Sennheiser features a black spandex drawstring bag, the cable with the adapter, and a small product instruction pamphlet.

I used to be extremely unimpressed with the HD 505 packaging, however this time round, the HD 550 comes inside a correctly laminated field and never only a plain brown field.

It reveals effort on behalf of Sennheiser to get issues proper, however the inside is simply as unimpressive because the earlier HD 505 brown field expertise.

The headphones are positioned inside a cardboard body that retains them from shifting contained in the packaging.

Sennheiser is just not impressing me with fancy packaging, and simply offers you the product. That’s wonderful so long as the product will get residence safely and the packaging is ample for that goal.

Sound Impressions

My testbed consists of a number of elements, beginning with the Rose Technics RT-5000, and the SMSL stack consisting of the SU-X and the SH-X. These elements and the iFi audio iDSD NEO 2 had been additionally used.

The FiiO M11 Pro was used to produce a portability perspective, together with the ONIX Alpha XI1, and the FiiO KA17 working off my each day cell system, which is a Motorola  Edge.

Abstract

I do know some individuals don’t imagine in break-in;  My stance is that it applies to sure units, and right here’s one in every of them.

At first, the treble response was a bit shy and splashy, plus the bass response was additionally timid, till I ran them for just some hours. Then I observed enhancements, even within the midrange.

The HD 550’s total tonality is impartial and well-extended, with a balanced character, typical of Sennheiser cans. They shine with a vivid midrange and a well-proounced bottom-to-top illustration.

One sonic space that was fastened on this mannequin is the bass response, which appears extra ample in comparison with different fashions within the HD 500 sequence.

The bass on this mannequin is extra consistent with the remainder of the frequency response, and it veers the HD 550 away from the brilliant and bass-light presentation of earlier fashions.

Bass

Luckily, the HD 550 produces bass that’s free from a few of the resonant anomalies that previous HD500 sequence headphones had been plagued with, and managed to maintain issues clear. Sennheiser has paid shut consideration to eliminating resonances within the bass space.

Within the bass division, the Sennheiser HD 550 occurs to be one of the vital potent within the sequence. It stays what I contemplate to be flat, and Sennheiser’s measurements present that. Which means that the standard dip is much less pronounced on this set.

The HD 550 doesn’t take the gradual bass dip in comparison with the remainder of the sequence and generates bass that, though I might have most popular a bit extra punch and dynamism. No matter that, the bass does really feel extra satisfying in comparison with different  HD 500 sequence headphones.

The bass response is ineffective under 28Hz. Above that, the bass response stays efficient till the 55Hz mark. Above that, the bass is produced in full bloom and properly transitions into the midrange area with no midbass peaks or bleed.

Midrange

Someway, Sennheiser managed to convey forth the midrange and vocals, however stored them underneath management. The vocals do appear heat, particularly feminine vocals. You possibly can say that the midrange is a bit thick across the waist.

That thick attribute offers the mids some physique and however some may complain that it veers the vocals from sounding natural. I interpret it as added character and physique, which retains issues attention-grabbing.

The Sennheiser frequency graph factors at a major 200Hz dip, which I’m certain is just not the supply of heat, however the supply of a lack of presence within the decrease midrange area. What this does is it makes vocals appear extra relaxed and well mannered.

The HD 550 excels within the midrange space, similar to most Sennheiser headphones. They provide an natural expertise and readability with a balanced, well-presented midrange profile with numerous element, sufficient to do some essential listening.

Treble

It’s not that the Sennheiser HD 550 is a brilliant headphone, however the excessive frequencies, on the whole, are extra ahead, and maybe, once more, the uncovering of the motive force, I guess, is the supply of that attribute.

The treble, though effectively accentuated, is non-fatiguing, and the HD 550 produces excessive frequencies which can be harshness-free and effectively outlined.

The HD 550 produces excessive frequencies that lack a little bit of sparkle and shimmer however really feel extra consistent with good classic highs which can be weighty and meaty, however they don’t hit the very best of notes.

The excessive frequencies stay solidly represented as much as 14k; at that time, they take a tough dive.

Staging & Dynamics

For a headphone with a small transducer, the HD 550 absolutely produces a big, lifelike sonic panorama of sound that’s massive and immersive. These headphones sound bigger than one would anticipate them to. However they’re extra productive at producing top over some other spatial component.

There’s a decent quantity of all the mandatory components of a soundstage, however typically issues can get congregated, particularly across the midrange part. Sidelines are produced with a well-defined placement and good high-frequency micro-placement.

Vocals and a few devices are well-centered and sound vast. Though sonically the HD 550 can get complicated, one may distinguish all of the elements in a recording with a excessive degree of perceived placement when conglomeration doesn’t happen.

Click on page 2 below for my recommended pairings and selected comparisons.

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