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Sennheiser HD 550

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amogus

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Jul 29, 2024
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google result :

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)
 
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?
 
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....)
 
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.
 
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.
 
solderdude said:
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'.
Click to expand...

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.
 
sai said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
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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!
 
Yeah sorry, I already deleted my comment. I thought I was posting in the HD560S thread :facepalm:
 
Bought the HD 550 as I was curious.
It is a more comfortable and very good sounding alternative to a HD 560S.
When one already has a HD 560S and is fine with the clamping force I see little reason of replacing it with the HD 550.

When you don't own the HD 560S but was always wanting to buy one and is not hindered by the price than the HD 550 is the better option.
Is the increase in comfort worth twice the price of HD 560S one has to determine themselves.

The Sennheiser HD 550 is a very good headphone in this highly competitive price segment (€ 300.-).
It is not completely flawless but does come close to it, even without EQ.
when looking for an excellent and realistic sound reproduction with a wide stereo image, detail the HD 550 is a headphone that should definitely be on your list.

Lower clamping force (better comfort), slightly (and I mean barely) 'warmer/fuller' sound than HD 560 with a bit more 'sparkle' up top.

My review is here:
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

HD550

back to Sennheiserback to measurementshome published: July-11-2025 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and …
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com
 
Last edited:
solderdude said:
Bought the HD 550 as I was curious.
It is a more comfortable and very good sounding alternative to a HD 560S.
When one already has a HD 560S and is fine with the clamping force I see little reason of replacing it with the HD 550.

When you don't own the HD 560S but was always wanting to buy one and is not hindered by the price than the HD 550 is the better option.
Is the increase in comfort worth twice the price of HD 560S one has to determine themselves.

The Sennheiser HD 550 is a very good headphone in this highly competitive price segment (€ 300.-).
It is not completely flawless but does come close to it, even without EQ.
when looking for an excellent and realistic sound reproduction with a wide stereo image, detail the HD 550 is a headphone that should definitely be on your list.

Lower clamping force (better comfort), slightly (and I mean barely) 'warmer/fuller' sound than HD 560 with a bit more 'sparkle' up top.

My review is here:
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

HD550

back to Sennheiserback to measurementshome published: July-11-2025 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and …
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com
Click to expand...
In your opinion, if I already have the HD 560S, am I missing out much compared to the HD 550 if my main priority is "sound as neutral as possible"?

I'm quite happy with my 560S and I actually like the high clamping force because I tend to move my head quite a bit while playing and recording my guitar or keyboard, so the high clamping help them stay in place. The only reason I'm interested in the HD 550 (or maybe 505) is if they are more neutral, but being almost double the price for maybe just a very small difference in sound makes me hesitate.

If the difference in sound is so small, as the measurements suggest, I may get the Audio Technica R50x instead just for the sake of having more variety (and also because I love the way they look).
Thanks in advance. I love your website and the effort you make.
 
solderdude said:
Bought the HD 550 as I was curious.
It is a more comfortable and very good sounding alternative to a HD 560S.
When one already has a HD 560S and is fine with the clamping force I see little reason of replacing it with the HD 550.

When you don't own the HD 560S but was always wanting to buy one and is not hindered by the price than the HD 550 is the better option.
Is the increase in comfort worth twice the price of HD 560S one has to determine themselves.

The Sennheiser HD 550 is a very good headphone in this highly competitive price segment (€ 300.-).
It is not completely flawless but does come close to it, even without EQ.
when looking for an excellent and realistic sound reproduction with a wide stereo image, detail the HD 550 is a headphone that should definitely be on your list.

Lower clamping force (better comfort), slightly (and I mean barely) 'warmer/fuller' sound than HD 560 with a bit more 'sparkle' up top.

My review is here:
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com

HD550

back to Sennheiserback to measurementshome published: July-11-2025 NO SMOOTHING is applied to the shown plots. Most measurement sites have some smoothing applied which ‘irons flat’ sharp peaks and …
diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com
Click to expand...

I'm surprised there's a difference in comfort between the 560s and 550.

Sennheiser appear to use the same "chassis" for quite a few of their models. The HD5xx and HD6xx line-ups in particular, all look pretty much alike, albeit with different finishes and bits of trim.
 
LuckyDinosaur said:
In your opinion, if I already have the HD 560S, am I missing out much compared to the HD 550 if my main priority is "sound as neutral as possible"?

I'm quite happy with my 560S and I actually like the high clamping force because I tend to move my head quite a bit while playing and recording my guitar or keyboard, so the high clamping help them stay in place. The only reason I'm interested in the HD 550 (or maybe 505) is if they are more neutral, but being almost double the price for maybe just a very small difference in sound makes me hesitate.

If the difference in sound is so small, as the measurements suggest, I may get the Audio Technica R50x instead just for the sake of having more variety (and also because I love the way they look).
Thanks in advance. I love your website and the effort you make.
Click to expand...
If it weren't for the clamping force I would have a hard time telling them apart other than the HD550 having a bit more 'sparkle'.

If one already has a HD560S I see little reason to buy a HD550.
When one does not have a HD560S and is torn between HD550 and HD560S and don't mind paying double the price for a lower clamping force and a bit more 'sparkle' then the budget should probably be a deciding factor.

ATH-R50x is more comfortable than both Sennheisers (even lower clamping force) but comparatively a bit more 'boomy' and 'sharper'.

Count Arthur said:
I'm surprised there's a difference in comfort between the 560s and 550.

Sennheiser appear to use the same "chassis" for quite a few of their models. The HD5xx and HD6xx line-ups in particular, all look pretty much alike, albeit with different finishes and bits of trim.
Click to expand...
Clamping force is lower, headband padding differs.
I was kinda surprised as well about the difference and have them side-by-side.
 
Last edited:
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