We recently received a pair of Sennheiser HD 550 open-back headphones for review at our SoundGale studio. Today, we'll take an in-depth look at the features and characteristics of this "audiophile" headphone model and share our impressions of its sound quality. The Sennheiser HD 550s were an unexpected addition to the Sennheiser headphone lineup, which already includes similar models. But that's only at first glance. Owners of previous models will immediately notice the similarities, and they may think it's just a more expensive clone of HD 560S. However, we assure you that there are significant differences. Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the company conducted market research and understands its customers' needs.
Therefore, without spoilers, we invite you to continue reading our Sennheiser HD 550 review. We are confident that you will find some rather unexpected information that will immediately clarify the importance and uniqueness of this model. As usual, let's start with the headphone's specifications to better understand the subject of our review.
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Best Price on Sennheiser HD 550
The Sennheiser HD 550 is a wired, open-back headphone with a balanced, cohesive audio signature that emphasizes transparency and soundstage depth. |
Classic Package
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There isn't much to say about the package. It's a minimalist set that includes the headphones, a detachable cable with a 2.5-mm proprietary connector, a 3.5-to-6.3-mm adapter, a modest drawstring bag for protecting the headphones from dust, instructions, and a simple cardboard box. All the money goes into the sound! Sennheiser has pleased customers with this approach, knowing their demands.
The 500 series is a more budget-friendly solution, but the quality of the materials is undeniable. All parts of the frame, ear cups, and headband are made of plastic, but it's high quality. The headband clicks clearly when adjusted, and the ear pads are soft and comfortable. They're made from the brand's usual velour, which doesn't get as hot as leatherette. The headband is covered with high-quality leatherette. However, we don't understand the decision to make the upper part non-detachable from the lower part that comes into contact with the head. If the lower part wears out over time, the entire element will have to be replaced. Whether this is possible is questionable.
The cable has a slight memory effect, but that's not a problem at this price point. The main thing is that it does not cause microphoning and has a comfortable, medium length. It won't catch on clothing, and it does its job well. Thanks to the detachable cable, the headphones are easy to transport. You can also use your own 4.4 mm cables from other Sennheiser headphones for a balanced connection.
Ergonomically, everything seems to be correct, but after testing for just an hour – or even less – some members of our SoundGale editorial team reported headaches. This is most likely a physiological peculiarity because these people have experienced the same thing from wearing glasses and caps. The clamping force of the HD 550 is not adjustable, and the plastic parts cannot be bent like the 600 or 650 models. The clamping force is noticeable and may be uncomfortable for some. The compression force may also be less for smaller heads. Therefore, we cannot confirm that the reduced compression force claimed by the manufacturer will suit everyone. This may not be an important factor for you, but keep it in mind.
As for comfort when in contact with materials, it is undoubtedly positive. The ear pads do not overheat, and they feel quite pleasant against your head. You won't notice the headband, which means the material was carefully and accurately selected. The 237-gram weight is not noticeable at all. The headphones are easy and pleasant to use.
The headphones themselves are not difficult to store, as they are compact enough for their form factor, and we suspect that they can easily withstand a trip in a suitcase without an additional hard case. Yes, some competitors include a hard case in this price range, but here you will have to (and we recommend) buy one separately.
So, we've come to the most important section of our Sennheiser HD 550 review, and the most interesting thing about this headphone model is, of course, everything related to sound. Sennheiser has gone all out with 38 mm drivers. These drivers can be found in both budget and flagship models, including those from Neumann, which is part of the Sennheiser company. There are no arguments against this because what we hear is perfection and an understanding of technology. Sennheiser knows what they're doing, and you can tell when you put on the HD 550s and start listening to your favorite tracks.
It may be hard to believe, but the days of open-back headphones lacking bass are long gone. The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro, HD 660S2, and HD 560S have proven this. These models, along with the new release, deliver excellent bass and a wide soundstage. This recognizable sound signature is the result of a dynamic driver, which we are all accustomed to hearing. This is not surprising because the company has extensive experience realizing all its low-frequency fantasies. However, all the aforementioned models share a very similar approach to sound reproduction – we would even say they are identical. There are no highlights; everything is as honest as possible, providing an analytical listening experience and a true picture of the recording. Only after that can you work with the equalizer, if you wish or need to.
In other words, the HD 550, HD 560S, HD 490 Pro, and 660S2 models have similar frequency responses. These models use drivers of similar size and acoustic design. Do the more expensive models offer more detail in the lower frequencies? Yes, the second-generation of 660S has higher impedance and can simply reproduce the signal more accurately without distortion. However, this difference is difficult to discern. Regardless, there's no reason to overpay for the low frequencies among the aforementioned models – they're all equally well-implemented. The Sennheiser HD 550, like all the other models, has perfectly equalized low frequencies and accepts tube amplifiers.
But you'll be surprised when you start comparing the mid frequencies of all these headphones! The midrange presentation is in the finest tradition of the Sennheiser HD 650. You'll hear natural timbres, prominent vocals and guitars, piercing drum kits, and rich bass guitars. In electronic music, this translates to greater synthesizer expressiveness and more natural hi-hat attacks. We can't say that the 550s are inferior to more expensive models in this regard. They have an identical presentation with extraordinary detail. For this price, it's the best. The only difference is the slightly raised upper midrange at 2–3 kHz on the HD 560S/650. On the new model, this range is slightly attenuated so as not to tire the listener, similar to the HD 490 Pro and 660S2.
What sets these models apart is their high-frequency performance. While the HD 490 Pro and HD 550 have very similar high frequencies, the only significant difference is a noticeable peak at 8 kHz in the HD 550s. We are quite sensitive to this peak. The HD 560S also noticeably boosts the critical 4 kHz range, which is why these headphones did not suit many listeners. This sharpness is not so much a design feature as it is a result of the price range; the presence of such inaccuracies cannot provide the best listening experience. The 560S model has the same noticeable 8 kHz peak near the sibilants, but its overall resolution in the midrange and high frequencies is inferior to that of the new model. However, the emphasized 2–3 kHz range is what unites the HD 560S with the legendary HD 600/650 models.
The HD 490 PRO, HD 550, and HD 660S2 models are quite similar. The new Sennheiser model occupies an intermediate position between its more expensive counterparts. The 660 is slightly darker after 4 kHz, while the 490 is more informative. The HD 550s strike a balance between analyticality, detail, and sound comfort. They strike the golden mean in terms of balance. Unfortunately for the HD 560S model, the new model's higher price is more than justified. There's no doubt which model is superior in terms of sound quality.
So why pay almost twice as much for the HD 660S2 or quite a bit more for the HD 490 Pro? This answers the question, "Why does the new model exist at all?"
If you're on a tight budget, you can essentially get the same sound quality as the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro without the premium features, such as a metal headband and multiple cable and earpad options. The difference in the earpads' design may affect the frequency response. If you don't need compactness, mobility, or versatility but want the best sound possible, the Sennheiser HD 550 is for you. The HD 490 Pro offers almost the same sound quality and soundstage width but is a more versatile platform for modifications or replacement parts. Note that we are talking about the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro with mixing ear pads. In our opinion, the velour ear pads should be removed and put back in the box immediately after unpacking.
The Sennheiser HD 660S2 is harder to justify if you haven't listened to them. These headphones were designed to redeem the unsuccessful launch of the first S-series. You don't need this model for listening to or playing music or for gaming. For these purposes, a more affordable solution, such as the HD 550, HD 560S, or HD 490 Pro, makes more sense. However, if you have a good stationary amplifier at home, that's a different story! In this scenario, you need the 300-ohm impedance when your sound source has solid output potential and you already own more than one or two pairs of fairly expensive headphones. Or maybe you want to listen to your tube amplifier for all it's worth – the HD 660S2 are very well suited for this.
Finally, we've reached the end of our Sennheiser HD 550 review, so it's time to summarize the results. The positioning in the model range is quite obvious, and the fit in the segment is precise. Sennheiser finally decided to take a risk and release a model that combines several of its successful solutions. While the headphones are attractive, it cannot be said that this is a premium product in terms of design. There are no premium features, rich accessories, or unusual materials. It's like a pump-action shotgun in that all resources are devoted to efficiency. The idea behind this new product is sound, and the HD 550's capabilities are impressive! Gaming, listening to music, and even professional tasks in various fields are within their capabilities. Yes, this model will compete with its brand mates, but they are not really competitors and can coexist.
We have noticed a real trend in the industry toward reducing headphone impedance. Everyone benefits from this trend – those who don't need amplifiers and those who already have them – because the most important thing is the final product quality, sound, and user experience. There is no ambiguity with the Sennheiser HD 550; they are excellent headphones that are a pleasure to use. Yes, our editorial team had to adjust to the ergonomics slightly, but who among us is perfect?
We hope you enjoyed our review of the Sennheiser HD 550 open-back headphones. Please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to answer them all as soon as possible. If you already own HD 550's and have used it for a while, don't forget to share your impressions and tell us what you liked or disliked about these headphones.
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