Sennheiser HD 550

[amogus]

https://sg.sennheiser-hearing.com/products/hd-550

 

[amogus]

google result :

sennheiser hd 550 - Google Search

sennheiser said :
x50 and x00 will lean towards neutral tuning (example: HD 800S)
xx5 will, in most cases, indicate a retailer limited release in your market (example: HD 505)

so this probably be the normal edition of hd 505... i guess. (hd 500 and hd 555 is already exists)

 

[Mr Swing King]

I’ve tried following the links but end up none the wiser.
The fact that it is supposed to use the 120 ohm drivers of the 560/400/505 has me excited and makes me think they’re not merely making a new HD559…but then again the info on this headphone still feels like whispers and rumors more than an actual release…so maybe Sennheiser is waiting a bit with this or are my Google powers just that bad?
Any release date on the horizon?

 

[mlsstl]

I can't help but wonder if Sennheiser doesn't chase off more than a few customers with their rather confusing multitude of different models and the rather non-intuitive model numbering system. HiFiMan has the same issue. While perhaps appealing to the dedicated headphone enthusiast who may be attracted to the subtle differences between multiple options, most buyers just want to feel they've bought the right model for their budget. Too many options at the same price points creates uncertainty and sometimes that turns a buyer to a different brand for what seems like a more clear-cut choice. (And having said this, I have a set of HD-569s....)

 

[Mr Swing King]

I absolutely adore the new HD505SE and hear it as an upgraded HD600…which really has set up my expectations high for this HD550.
There doesn’t seem to be any info on it though…even the first link here that brought me to a pic of the headphone from Sennheiser Singapore - even that doesn’t work today.
There was a French online article yesterday that mentioned the drivers being 120 ohm just like the 560/505..yet today it doesn’t seem to exist.
Has Sennheiser gotten cold feet with regards to this headphone? Seems a little odd tbh.

 

[solderdude]

Drivers for HD560S and HD505 differ.
The HD560S has a 'bass port' in the middle of the driver magnet where the HD505 driver does not have this.
This affects bass extension and the 5kHz peak (a little).
The 'open' netting used in the HD620S is used on the HD505 giving the HD505 more sparkle.
Indeed closer to HD600 but with a different 'brightness'.

So... HD505 has different driver and different front damping and thus is a bit leaner and more 'detailed' sounding and a different headband.
It is exclusively made for Amazon.

I know Sennheiser struggled with naming this one.

The '550' was probably a rendering in the development phase that got leaked ?
I like the HD660S2 'alike' color scheme of the HD505 more than that all black/grey HD550 image.

 

[amogus]

https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/photo_audio_video/2941325415

I found the box image, there's more images at link

 

[sai]

Drivers for HD560S and HD505 differ.
The HD560S has a 'bass port' in the middle of the driver magnet where the HD505 driver does not have this.
This affects bass extension and the 5kHz peak (a little).
The 'open' netting used in the HD620S is used on the HD505 giving the HD505 more sparkle.
Indeed closer to HD600 but with a different 'brightness'.

Do you have any plans to review them? I’m curious to see how they measure on your flat-plate coupler. To my ears, the 7-9kHz region is somewhat boosted compared to the HD560S, but on GRAS/B&K pinna rigs, that range is prone to measurement artifacts. Differences in measurement methodology especially placement can make direct comparisons tricky.

 

[solderdude]

Do you have any plans to review them? I’m curious to see how they measure on your flat-plate coupler. To my ears, the 7-9kHz region is somewhat boosted compared to the HD560S, but on GRAS/B&K pinna rigs, that range is prone to measurement artifacts. Differences in measurement methodology especially placement can make direct comparisons tricky.

No plans for review as my contact at Sennheiser does not work there anymore.
So HD505 and HD550 are not in the cards to be measured unless someone sends one in for measurements.

 

[audiofromaustria]

View attachment 428200

https://sg.sennheiser-hearing.com/products/hd-550

I own HD 600, HD 650, HD 490 Pro plus - would HD 550 really be an improvement on those?

 

[hifiearspeakers]

These are the best-tuned Sennheiser to date at any price to my ears. The tuning is really, really good and they stage fairly wide as well. I’d say these are the best bang for your buck and you’d have to spend more than double their price to get anything better. I’d say these drastically amplify the concept of diminishing returns.

I’ve heard the 600, 650, 6XX, 700, 800, 800S, 660S, 660S2, 598, 599, 569, 560S, Neumann NDH30, and 490 PRO, and I’d take these over all of them due to their comfort, staging, tonality/tuning, and PRICE. These sound clearer than the 6x0 line but are somehow even smoother to my ears. And I’ve always been more of a 650 over the 600 kind of guy.

I’m not saying I haven’t heard better, but these make me feel like I overpaid for them…

Very nice job Sennheiser

I may buy a second pair just for backup. These need some more love!

 

[thewas]

I still need to hear the updated version though.

Which one do you mean was updated?

 

[Grobbelboy]

Yeah sorry, I already deleted my comment. I thought I was posting in the HD560S thread

 

[Count Arthur]

A review with some wiggly lines:

Sennheiser HD 550 Review: A Legitimate Gamechanger

Sennheiser has indicated that new headphones named “HD x50” should be neutral, but does HD 550 live up to that standard? Join listener as they break it down!

headphones.com

Looks pretty good.