Customer Ratings & Reviews

The Sennheiser HD 550 Over Ear Open Back Wired Headphones deliver exceptional audio fidelity and clarity, true to the brand’s reputation for premium sound engineering. Unboxing is refreshingly simple: inside, you'll find the headphones neatly tucked into a drawstring carrying pouch. Remove them from the pouch and you are ready to go—no excess packaging or unnecessary accessories. Build & Comfort Right out of the box, the build quality stands out. Sennheiser’s craftsmanship is clear in the sturdy frame and refined finish. The plush earcups offer a snug, comfortable fit, creating a solid seal that passively reduces ambient noise. Whether you are diving into extended gaming sessions or immersing yourself in high-resolution audio, these headphones stay comfortable for hours. Connectivity & Versatility Included are a 3.5mm and a 6.3mm screw-on adapter, making the headphones compatible with a wide range of devices—from portable mp3 players to high-impedance stereo decks. This versatility is a major plus for audiophiles and gamers alike. Audio Performance Once you connect the headphones, this is where they really shine. Expect crisp highs, rich mids, and deep, bassy lows that you can feel. The open-back design enhances the soundstage, delivering a more natural and immersive listening experience. Whether you're checking studio tracks or enjoying cinematic gameplay, these headphones are sure to not disappoint. Pros • Premium build quality designed for durability. • Dual adapters (3.5mm + screw-on 6.3mm) for flexible connectivity • Plush earcups ensure comfort during long listening or gaming sessions. • Drawstring carrying pouch adds portability and protection. Cons • Not wireless – strictly wired connectivity. • No companion app for audio customization

With everything trying to switch to wireless nowadays, I am more than relieved to see one of my favorite audiophile brands continue to support wires. In my opinion, no matter how the tech is, it simply won't match the sounds direct connections can produce. Everything from sound quality to comfort, Sennheiser delivers in every aspect. Included is the headset itself with a generous ~6ft of cable, screw on 6.3mm adapter and a nice carrying bag (can't really call it a case). Literal plug n play. I have been using mine generally for 2 uses, my PC and my AV Onkyo Receiver. Sound quality just blows me away on how crystal clear it sounds. Bass, mids and highs are *chefs kiss* as to be expected. Comfort for the over ear headset is another major plus. I wore them through a 6 hour game session with my friends and NOT once did they ever feel uncomfortable. I think also because of it's light weight, I totally forgot I was even wearing headphones. My ears never felt hot as some brands do and personally I love how they chose not to go with leather and stayed with a super comfy cloth. In all I just want to say you get what you pay for and the 550s are 100% worth it. I made the switch from my old daily drivers and haven't even bothered looking back once. I would high recommend Sennheiser's in a heartbeat.

If you're a bit of an audiophile, you've probably heard of Sennheiser. They have created some of the best audio equipment for the past decades. I have owned my fair share of headphones and earbuds from them and I was always amazed by the excellent quality of their devices. Are the HD 550 good? Bad? First, let's establish a couple of things. The first would be that no matter how far advanced wireless audio has come, I will never entirely surrender wires. Sure, earbuds, gaming headsets, that's all fine, but for music and movies or audio production, there is only the way of the cables. Second, nothing comes close to over-the-ear headphones. You can argue as much as you want, but to achieve the best results, you have to cover the ears entirely. The unboxing was pleasant, with the headphones wrapped in a soft carry/protective bag. Note that the 3.5mm to 6.3mm is already attached to the cable's plug. Simply unscrew and pull it off and you're good to go. Now, to test the headphones, I have used several sources. most of them devices you probably have in your home: An Onkyo Amp with optical source, a gaming laptop, a content creator laptop, a mixing console in my small home studio and last but not least, a guitar amp. I also have very eclectic taste in music, so I was able to test the 550 HD with classical, pop, EDM, rock, metal and more genres of music. The results were incredible. Not only can you hear *everthing*, but it's clean and clear, with full and round basses, punchy mids and delightful highs. Raw sound, without a pre-amp or an amp directly from the source brings out the best of these babies. I fail to find something bad to say about the quality of the sound. It's simply excellent. The design team did a great job as well. The headphones are sturdy, yet very comfortable to wear, the soft suede type ear covers are wide enough that they don't cause any discomfort to the ears (i.e. chaffing). Since the 550 HD are wired, there's no batteries inside which chops off a bit of weight as well (and you don't have to remember to charge the darn things). I can't express how incredible the sound is. I own headphones that are way more expensive, yet most of them don't even come close to the Sennheiser HD 550. Sure, it's a chunk of change to spend on headphones, but the thing is, you really get what you pay for, and in this case, you absolutely do. You get excellence and decades of R&D and engineering with the goal of offering the best sound possible, a pure sound.

Sennheiser is know for their great audio equipment and they continue that with their headphone line in the HD 550 open back headphones. The HD 550’s are what I would expect from Sennheiser at this price point. In The Box In the box for the HD 550 is the headphones, a carry bag with cinch cord, and a screw on 3.5mm to 1/4” screw on adapter. The cable for the headphones is about 6 feet long. Plenty long enough for me, but even if it wasn’t, I would just connect one of the many extension cables that I have accumulated over the years. Construction The HD 550’s have a plastic headband with a leather wrap that has padding in it. There are also 3 raised dots on the outer part of the left ear piece. There aren’t any on the right, so I know which side is which just by touch. A nice though on Sennheiser’s part to keep users from having to look on the inside of the headband to see which side is which. The ear pieces have a metal mesh outside. On the inside it has padding that is soft and gives added comfort. The detachable that comes with them is very flexible and is long enough for me to sit back and little from my computer when playing through audio recordings. The cable is straight unlike my Sennheiser HD 280 Pro’s. The 280’s have a very heavy coiled cable, but the 550’s cable is light weight. The construction of the 550’s is geared towards low weight unlike my 280’s which are heavy and aren’t quite as comfortable when wearing for long periods of time. Use Of The HD 550’s These headphones are surprisingly lightweight. I expected them to weigh more, but Sennheiser has done a great job at keeping the weight low. I was wearing these for hours at a time while editing videos and listening to music and it was as if they weren’t there. The audio from these sounds really good. They are very clear and produce a rich sound. Final Thoughts I’m very happy with the HD 550’s. I’m surprised at the weight while still having a rich sound quality. I’ve always liked the quality and performance of Sennheiser products. They don’t disappoint with the HD 550 Open Back Headphones. If you are looking for open back headphones, then definitely consider the HD 550 headphones as possible option.

The Sennheiser HD 550 headphones have amazing bass, detail, and soundstage - I usually use a similar pair of headphones (the HD 600) to assist with final mixes in audio editing but sometimes it can be a little lacking in the lower frequencies. With the HD 550, the bass is more prominent - helping the mix feel more filled out and making it easier to hear where the bass sits within the track. I do have to say that while there is additional bass, it doesn’t really deliver a sub-shaking experience (which is perfectly fine for me), and on occasion, the lower mids might seem slightly covered by it. However, the overall clarity on the HD 550 remains fantastic without overemphasized high frequencies and is just warm enough to create a very enjoyable listening experience. I also tried it in FPS gaming in which it also did an amazing job. I was worried that footsteps, explosions, etc might be excessively saturated in bass, but it was not thankfully, and I felt like the HD 550’s soundstage made the gaming experience feel more “open” and immersive. In addition, the headphones are very light and comfortable to wear. I usually avoid headphones for long listening sessions as they tend to feel too hot and tight on my head, but due to the HD 550’s weight, I feel like I can use this much longer than other headphones I’ve come across. In the end, the Sennheiser HD 550 provides an immersive and enjoyable listening experience not only for music but even for gaming as well. In my opinion, the tuning feels balanced without any frequencies excessively poking out or being distracting. Paired with a light build, these are comfortable, all around fantastic-sounding headphones.

The Sennheiser HD 550 headphones are an excellent pair of headphones that offer high-quality sound at a good value. They are perfect for anyone looking for crisp audio with clear sounds and are suitable for long listening sessions. They are incredibly lightweight, weighing 237 grams, and feature a comfortable build that allows you to wear them for extended periods without discomfort. The headphones have two drivers that produce detailed and balanced audio, making them an excellent option for your music listening needs. They are designed to deliver a rich sound and enhance the user's music experience, regardless of the type of music you listen to. The sound isn't too heavy or too bright, allowing for clarity. Alongside being built great for music, they work pretty well whilst watching movies or videos, and are decent for gaming. The analog output provides a direct and reliable connection to the device of your choosing. The fact that they are wired might be a downside for some, but it is a requirement for high-quality listening; they allow the sound to lose no quality due to compression. The headphones' open-back design provides a more natural and open sound, making it feel as if the music is coming from the room rather than your head. Two downsides of the open-back design are that sound leaks out from the headphones and that they have little to no noise cancellation, making them less ideal for public spaces and loud areas. The Sennheiser HD 550s are a pair of headphones that offer a high-end listening experience.

The Sennheiser HD 550 open-back headphones deliver a standout listening experience, combining neutral, balanced sound with impressive comfort. What I like the most about these are the lightweight build and plush earcups, allowing for hours of fatigue-free use. Coming from a pair of headphones that have a very heavy headband that almost feels like a vise and are uncomfortable after prolonged use, these Sennheisers are a refreshing change with just how lightweight they are. The earcups also don’t get hot and sweaty after hours of use thanks to the open-back design. The sound signature is natural and uncolored, with articulate mids, smooth highs, and bass that is tight and accurate. I’ve particularly enjoyed them while watching the countless Youtube videos that I watch as part of my work flow. I also used them while playing games like Cyberpunk 2077 and found the sound was just right. However, there are some drawbacks. One, there is no active noise cancellation (ANC). This might be important to you if you live in a noisy area. Second, these are power hungry, high impedance (150-ohm) headphones. I am fortunate that my Mac Studio’s 3.5 mm headphone jack has advanced support for high impedance headphones with features like impedance detection and adaptive voltage output that ensure optimal sound quality. In summary, I highly recommended these headphones for those seeking reliable performance, comfort, and a truly open, spacious sound.

Sennheiser - HD 550 Over-Ear Open-Back Wired Headphones - Black. It’s happened to me several times, maybe once a decade. On these rare occasions, I’ll acquire a piece of audio or video gear that, even though I expect it to be excellent, still surprises me with exceptional performance that has me looking around, offering the nearest person a chance to share my discovery. Sennheiser’s open-back headphones have done this rare thing. I keep offering a quick listen to friends and family. The PACKAGE: There is a nice, black carry sack, but these are headphones that deserve a hard case, if only for display. The 6.5mm jack plug at the end of the cord hides another, 3.5mm, for flexible connectivity. This is a detachable cable (I needed to twist and pull) on the LEFT side headphone shell, and both the flexible cord and its attachments appear up to the task of providing a lifetime of use. The headphones themselves are a slim, elegant design that presents a 150-ohm load to your electronics, whether that is a phone, tablet, computer, portable digital audio players, or AV equipment. [See note under performance.] Earpads are very soft and replaceable. PERFORMANCE: The first music selection, after I received these wonderful headphones, began with deep bass guitar notes, the kind you know you’d feel come up from the floor. And, no, they couldn’t shake the floor, but this intro dispelled any notion that this design will be bass-shy. Not shy at all. A female voice layered over the top of the electric piano and a chorus in the background all demonstrated how balanced these headphones are. My next selection took the presentation up an octave (or two) with both voice and backing violins. The solid bass underpinnings illustrated how high-quality headphones can combine power and delicacy and resist being overdriven. R&B was especially tuneful, from 60s hits to modern performances. Even dense music from a Broadway musical and then a classical recording with massed female voices and violins along with woodwinds was wonderful to listen to, and might change minds about what types of music you like. Everything I listened to was enjoyable, often surprising with both details and depth of sound. The Sennheiser’s 150-ohm resistance is a fairly easy load to achieve maximum performance from most electronics with embedded amplifiers or Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs). However, it can be a less ideal match for many phones and some computers with inexpensive audio amplifiers. This is one reason why people seek accessory DACs or even headphone amplifiers to achieve best performance from this headphone. COMFORT: Yet another unusual, and critically important, aspect of the HD550s was the immediate disappearing act they performed as they sat over my ears, perched on top of my balding head. They are very light, with only the minimally necessary clamping of my head. The soft ear cups allowed me to enjoy a lengthy listening session, showing no tendency to trap heat around my ears. These are headphones that invite extended listening sessions. I could forget they were on my head. SUMMARY: Open-back (or Open Air) headphones offer a different way to listen to your favorite music. And, yes, you are correct that you don’t want to play loud music or games while sitting in a library, because in a quiet space they will entertain a nearby neighbor. The rewards this pair of Sennheiser HD550 headphones bring to the party are a very authentic openness, lots of detail, and a fast, musical sound profile. I would be surprised if anyone could find an aural problem with these. Some listeners might be surprised by the level of upper treble detail that, in inferior headphones, could become harsh. That is definitely not the case here. The Sennheisers stay smooth and entertaining with their revealing sound. These are easy to recommend. I bet you’ll also be pulling people over to share some listening experiences with your new headphones.

I had a project involving a mix of live audio recording and pre-recorded that I wanted to get a better headset for, specifically one that could plug into both 3.5mm and 6.35mm to use for recording and monitoring. I needed the best audio I could get, which is why I picked the Sennheiser HD 550 as it’s the headset all my Audiophile’s swoon over. My only concern was the high MSRP going in, but these came with a high recommendation! Pros: - Amazing Sound. - Comfortable. - Simple Plug-&-Play. - Easy Cleaning & Repair. Cons: - High MSRP. Out-of-the-Box: In the box you will find the Sennheiser HD 550 Over-Ear headphones in a fabric storage bag, which is convenient for storing and traveling with the headset. Sennheiser makes it very simple, you cannot get any more Plug-&-Play then just plugging in a headphone jack for perfect sound. The HD 550 comes with a screw on 6.35mm adapter installed, that can be unscrewed to expose the 3.5mm jack. I really liked how easy it was open the box and get to using the headset without any software or needed compatibility concerns beyond a jack to plug into. Feel: The HD 550 are super comfortable and lightweight. The headset, with cable and 6.35mm adapter weight ~0.61lbs. It’s almost like wearing nothing. One of the best parts is how well the HD 550 stays on your head, without clamping too hard. If you tend to get headaches from headsets that put pressure on your head, this is one to consider as it applies just enough pressure to stay in place without unnecessary extra force. The Ear Cushions are made of a super soft material called Synthetic Velour, that is soft to the touch and easy to clean. The cushion firmness is just right, soft enough to reduce any pressure from the clamping of the headband while being firm enough to hold the headphones in-place. Sound: Sennheiser focuses on what is important, the sound. No unnecessary RBG, Buttons, or other features that distract from the pure best sound experience. I was surprised by how amazing just normal things sounded with the HD 550, but even more amazed when listening to high quality audio! It’s like night and day compared to other headphones. Being able to hear the full range of sound and all little differences was super important for this project, so I was glad the HD 550’s performed as I expected! The sound was so much fuller than what I was used to, it almost felt like I was listening to the sound in a venue or show. I was blown away to say the least, not to mention the difference these made in determining differences in sound. With a standard set of plug-in wired ear buds, the kind you’d get with your phone, I could just barely tell the differences I was looking for but with the HD 550’s even the smallest sound could be heard. Another great part of the HD 550’s is that you can hear around you even with the headphones on. This might not be the ideal for those who like noise canceling, but for my use, it worked perfectly as I needed to hear a few ques that weren’t plugged into the audio source. With noise cancelling, that would have needed to be a visual que only. Cleaning & Repair: The HD 550 are easy to clean or even repair! The parts for the headphones can be purchased from the Sennheiser site and repaired at home with a little YouTube and confidence. I was able to pop off the ear cushions and pop them back with a little effort, which will make the cleaning down the road quick and easy. Conclusion: Hands down, if you need the best audio for a work or fun, go with Sennheiser. Depending on what your needs and preferences are, the HD 550 Over-Ear Wired headphones might be a perfect pick! I was blown away by the sound quality and comfort and will be recommending these just like my Audiophile friends did!

TLDR: Sennheiser set out to develop an open, airy, natural sounding set of headphones and they succeeded. PROS Audio reproduction beyond human hearing range Less than .2% Total Harmonic Distortion Low tension headband is extremely comfortable Fits 1/4" and 1/8" (3.5mm) headphone ports CONS No Active Noise Cancellation Power Hungry DAC quality greatly affects audio quality USE The new HD550 from Sennheiser is an excellent alternative to many of today's, now traditional, gaming headsets. They unapologetically are designed for one purpose, to deliver the best music reproduction of any similarly priced headphones. The 50mm drivers angle slightly rearward in the cups, more naturally mimicking the way sound is captured by our ears. Sennheiser's new drivers are aimed at balancing all three octave bands, lows, mids, and highs. For the most part, Sennheiser nailed it with the 550's. Mid and high frequency reproduction is exceptionally clear. There is a light, open, and airy feeling to the headphones that you don't get with a lot of products on today's market. The spaciousness of the audio is refreshing. Clear and detailed without feeling bloated and heavy. The 550's are quite power hungry. The more power you can feed them, the better they sound. Yes, you can use a cheap DAC and your cell phone to listen to them, but a quality DAC and headphone amplifier will bring out the best in them. The Sennheiser's performed fine using my cheap Anker 3.5mm to USB-C DAC adapter and my HMD Skyline phone. However, once I hooked them up to a quality amp and DAC, the sound came much more alive. They had a totally different feel and the added power brought out the best in them. I've really come to appreciate the 550's low tension strap. It is far more comfortable than ordinary gaming headphones that seem like a set of vice grips squeezing your head. Even with the low tension strap, the super soft microfiber earcups provide a very good seal against your head, minimizing outside audio from getting in. Unlike other products, the 550's seem designed just right for the shape of my head and ears, sealing much better, with less tension and stiffness, than many other headphones on the market. The 550's support a frequency response rated from 6Hz - 39.5kHz. Far beyond the normal range of human hearing which is limited to 20Hz - 20kHz. Buyers will not have to worry about missing out on details in either the upper or lower limits of the audio spectrum. This is something that can't be said about other headphones on the market. However, while the 550's are rated down to a low 6Hz, there is a very sharp drop off under 50Hz, especially when you use a cheap DAC and a weak amp. FINAL THOUGHTS If you haven't already guessed, I'm extremely pleased with the audio quality of the Sennheiser 550's. I'm a huge fan of the low-tension headband. It is so much more comfortable to use for extended periods of time. The difference is hard to put into words. Sennheiser should be commended for their ability to make such a comfortable set of cans that seal out the outside world so well. I usually don't recommend headphones that aren't "jack of all trades". You know, ones that don't perform decently at all tasks; movies, music, and games. But the 550's aren't billed at being those headphones. They are meant primarily for music. While they do game, they don't include any form of spatial audio (Dolby Atmos / DTS:X) enhancements out of the box, so their value in gaming is limited. But for a good, comfortable set of music headphones, these are hard to beat. RECOMMENDED

There was an element of throwback pleasure in opening the Sennheiser HD 550 headphones. Inside the box sat the headphones, ensconced in a drawstring bag, with the included cord. There were no USB-C or -A cables, no charger, no instructions imploring me to download an app. I would not be making yet another account, or fighting with finicky Bluetooth pairing. I would not have to delay experiencing what kind of audio was on tap while doing all of those things, because I didn’t have to. All I had to do was plug them in…and listen. And what a treat they are to listen to and, almost importantly, to wear. Could I have used just a *little* more padding across the headband? Perhaps, but I feel it almost churlish to complain, given the comfortable ear cups and just-right amount of clamping force. I don’t know that I’ve ever had such a comfortable set to wear. The HD 500 includes a 1.8 meter cord with a 3.5mm connector and ¼” adapter fitted over it. Specs wise, these over ear headphones have a frequency range (as reported by Sennheiser) of 6Hz to 39.5kHz. Sonically, they are gorgeous. In a variety of genres, and from a variety of sources (PC, smartphone, AV receiver, and digital piano), I was awed at how detailed and full they sounded. There’s plenty of bass here, but it’s not in an artificial, pumped up way. I just loved the way I could hear *everything*. I was absolutely delighted when connecting it to my Roland digital piano. I know what that piano tone is supposed to sound like, but so many headphones very obviously “color” the sound–it’s not the same. The piano sounded glorious through these, with thundering bass tones up through crystal-clear trebles, but above all, it sounded *right*. And this extended to music listening, from hard rock to Mozart, from country to synth pop, I just felt like I was being presented with the recordings clearly, cleanly, and without a false manipulation of the sound. To use an analogy, one of the key things I look for in a TV is color accuracy, because I want to see images as they were intended. These Sennheiser headphones give me the same feel, except for sound: this is what this recording is *supposed* to sound like. I had no disappointments at all in listening through the PC or receiver, but my Samsung S23 Ultra, via a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, couldn’t seem to push these with a ton of volume. The quality seemed there, and the volume was acceptable, but I suspect something is lost in that transition from digital to analog through the adapter. Directly connecting to my receiver via ¼” or my PC via 3.5mm, there were no issues at all with pushing higher volume, so I’m inclined to blame my USB-C to 3.5mm adapter here. If you want an app and noise canceling and all those sorts of things, these don’t provide that. But if you prize top tier sound and comfort, and a quality build, these are simply outstanding. They are one of the very best sounding pieces of audio equipment I’ve ever used. Just an absolute delight that I highly recommend to anyone.

My first experience with Sennheiser was some great earbuds that I was pleased with so I wanted to see how much better the 550 model headphones would sound. When I received them, I was glad that they were boxed neatly with a nice carrying bag and the cords to use on amps, sound equipment, or even computers. I decided to purchase a cheap USB 3 adapter so I could experiment with the sound on my smartphones, iPad and laptops. I liked that the materials used on the headphones were lightweight yet durable to provide comfort for long sessions of wearing them without feeling the need to take a break. The open back design was a surprise at first since I did not realize that my friends could hear the music, I was listening to so loved the surround sound effect of the headphones but made sure I was alone when listening to them. I decided to try them out on my turntable to see how rich the sound would be they did not disappoint. I liked that it had plenty of focus on the mid-range and vocals, yet the bass was punchy but not overwhelming. The Sennheiser 550s stood out on my turntable and it brought out the fullness of the music a little more than from other brands I have used. It even sounded clearer via a Bluetooth dongle I was given to try with them once again making the vocals stand out to me as being very crisp. I then wanted to see how they would perform with Apple’s spatial music, and I was pleased with how clean and clear they sounded on most genres that I tried out. I wanted to be able to have more control over the sound settings but was limited to the music app default on my iPhone without having another app that would work with the headphones. I decided to move on and use them on my laptops and was more impressed since I had audio software on two of them that gave me a little more freedom in the sound settings so I could in a sense have a way to mimic an equalizer while watching videos, movies, or listening to music. I did not find any drawbacks while using them with the laptops and started using them the most while working on a laptop. I am really pleased with these headphones, and it is nice to have something a little more comfortable than my other name brand headphones.

If you’re looking for serious quality listening and great gaming sessions in full comfort, the Sennheiser HD550 headphones come close to the ideal choice. Its simple and sleek modern look hides an impressive dynamic range that will wet the appetite of any audiophiles. The high quality build, combining hard plastic and metal mesh earcups, is to be expected from Sennheiser. Let’s take a closer look. The first thing to know is that the Sennheiser HD550 are wired open-back headphones with a 6-foot cord for ample movements and no electronic noise reduction technology. The natural connection is through a 3.5 mm plug and it comes with a 6.3 mm adapter. The weight is on the light side but average for headsets. The comfort however is first rate; The soft earpads provide the right pressure for hours of comfortable and secure wear. Sennheiser claims a frequency response from a very low 6 Hz to a high 39.5 kHz. Connected directly to my gaming PC, the sound did not disappoint. The lows were solid and noticeable and the mids and highs sounded strong but not overwhelming. For a quality music session, I connect the HD550 to my Hi-Fi music streamer amplifier to enjoy the true dynamic range. At 150 Ohm impedance, I noticed that playing it directly through a phone or tablet is limiting in terms of sound level and dynamic range, especially the lows. A headphone amplifier will do the trick as well. The sound is very natural and well balanced within the whole range. The bass is never boomy but rather tight and punchy while the mids and highs are crystal clear. I listened to everything from classical, instrumental, rock, latin and heavy bass music and those headphones kept reproducing premium quality sound with top comfort level. In conclusion, the Sennheiser HD 550 headphones are about delivering a natural premium audio experience with exceptional comfort. The open-back design is not for a noisy environment unless you want situational awareness. For an immersive gaming experience or a fresh appreciation of music in a quiet setting, the HD 550 with the appropriate equipment is a highly recommended option.

WOW these wired over-ear, open-back headphones are beyond being impressive! They arrived nicely packed with a soft black cloth case and 2 size adapters in input into your devices. There is no need for an app, which Sennheiser does not offer for this model, which makes them so easy to operate. You simply plug them in and adjust the sound on your device. They have no Bluetooth or Noise Canceling but since my recording room is totally silent I wasn't interested in those features anyway. I have been using earbuds to record my singing but wanted to try a headset for better sound. So happy I chose these to try! I was very pleased with the soft velour earcups and being so lightweight. When I do record it can last hours. Indeed my last session was about 4.5 hours and then wearing them to review afterwards turned out even longer and I never felt like I couldn't wait to get them off my head. They are adjustable and I did pull them down just a small amount to fit over my ears properly. The sound is outstanding ~ especially using a mixer when I record. They plugged right in and unlike some of my other headsets I could hear the music to record loud and clear with hardly any adjustments needed. The lows, mids and highs were right on the money. It's nice that the bass is not overly emphasized and doesn't leave me listening to a muddy sound in my ears. My vocals were clean and clear. I also played various genres of music, but no games, and honestly everything won me over for the perfection I heard! These Sennheiser HD 550's are high quality, well made, very comfortable and with superb sound! I have nothing negative to note about them and therefore can highly and happily recommend their purchase!

I would like to say I have a bit of experience in the world of headphones, granted it hasn't exactly been a priority in recent years. With Sennheiser specifically, I've used most popular stuff dating back to around HD555 which was released in 2007~ My copy was purchased in 2008. I also have experience with certain stuff such as the more recent HD6XX (HD650 clone) and GAME ONE (2012), both in which I used interchangeably with music and gaming. My favorite gaming headphone all around was actually from a competitor ODM (fostex), but that was more so for overall comfort rather than pure sound. 2oz lower weight than the Sennheiser competition. UNBOXING AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Straight forward. It's certainly a Sennheiser HD5XX physical design. Looks/feels closest to the HD555 I have that's over 15 years old. Comes with a basic bag and 1/4th adapter. Main differences between HD555? It's actually slightly lighter and doesn't have a fabric top band.. which I tend to prefer, but its not too big of a deal. Sound wise.. Very emphasized "V" sound. Which is honestly a nice combination. It's not super "bassy", but has clear highs and enough bass that isn't exactly muddy either. This is a nice change from the legacy Sennheiser models that I still own. Headphone itself is 150ohm. I would recommend at least 2 VRMS amperage, but it can be driven off 1 VRMS. This headphone has high db SPL, so it technically doesn't require the best amp, but it's more of a nice to have to clear all detail at higher volumes. I'm using a truther SHIO DAC in combination with the HD555 for testing. Versus legacy HD555 and HD6XX and Game one? A nice combination of sound while remaining lighter than each of them. PROS: -Lighter weight than legacy Sennheiser headphone. -Comfortable, not super heavy clamping force. -Great V shaped sound signature, but not over emphasized on bass. CONS: -Expensive relative to legacy designs and or custom versions released as a collab IE: HD6XX. OVERALL: I think these are quite nice. My only real concern is the price point. It's well worth the money for someone looking to check every single box, but there's a lack of value proposition if that makes sense. You can find competitive sound signature in other brands, but they might not offer the overall comfort and end up trading off in different areas. Or end up super comfortable, but not offer the sound. These kind of do both for me subjectively.. But the price point makes it hard to recommend at the end.. Especially true versus recent options like Sennheiser HD560.. which might be similar to the HD550 for most people These are great, but I think you really have to be looking for something that checks every box for me to recommend them.

I’ve listened to a lot of different headphones and gaming headsets, generally of the wireless variety, from the low-end to the top-end. I wouldn’t take anything away from those and the experiences and what they offer, but the listening experience on the HD 550’s is on a whole other level. You don’t get a lot of the modern conveniences, but what you do get is a pair of headphones that can deliver some serious sound if paired with the right source. The box includes headphones, a detachable 6ft cable with 3.5mm connection, a 6.5mm adapter, and a basic drawstring bag. The detachable cable has grooves on the side that connects to the headphones that allows you to lock it in place and the 6.5mm adapter threads right onto the 3.5mm connector. The drawstring bag is fine and holds all everything okay, but it’s pretty basic and doesn’t really offer any protection for the headphones. In terms of build quality, I was initially underwhelmed. I think what turned me off in the beginning was how light they were, and for me I often equate lightweight to ‘cheap’. But the more I’ve used them the more I’ve grown to appreciate them and just how well put together they are. They are very lightweight and plastic throughout, but the actual build quality is fantastic. Every everything from the adjustment band to the hinges the ear cups swivel on to just the general durability is extremely solid. And being so lightweight I can wear them on my head for hours with no discomfort at all. The headband is made of a faux-leather and the earcups are a faux-velour and they both feel great on my head. The headphones are easy to adjust and flex and swivel just enough to get a comfortable fit on my head, though the earcups don’t lay flat. My only minor complaint is the plastic does tend to pick up smudges and fingerprints more easily than I’d like. The HD 550’s have a 150 ohm nominal impedance, which means they do require some power to drive them at their full potential. Connecting them to various devices I had was hit or miss. Running them through my iPhone with the 3.5mm adapter I had to turn them all the way up and even then they weren’t loud enough. It was a similar experience on my desktop PC, but surprisingly my Dell work laptop was able to run them well, as was my Asus gaming laptop. I did most of my listening using a SoundBlasterX G6 DAC/amp and with that I was able to easily drive these headphones and never turned the volume up past 40/100. Once these are connected to a good source that can run them, they sound fantastic. It feels less like listening to headphones and more like listening to speakers. Everything that I listened came through with a clean, balanced sound. I was able to pick out details throughout the range and no part of the sound felt like it was overpowering the other. Since they’re open-back headphones, you get a really nice spacious sound too, though the downside of that is you don’t get much isolation from the outside environment and people nearby you will be able to hear what you are listening to if they are nearby. Not much that can be done about that really other than going with a closed-back headphone, which has its own drawbacks. Besides the sound and the fit, there isn’t much more to say about these headphones. They just sound really great and I could wear them forever.

Excellent headphones, very comfortable with very pleasing sound. I have tried a few different Sennheiser's but these have been my favorite thus far no real complaints to be had.

Very comfortable and light, sounds similar to hd 560s but less shouty, I use it for gaming and it’s perfect

If you're looking for an open back headphones around this price. This is the headphones for you. The sound quality and stage is just amazing. Sennheiser always deliver!

Sound quality is out of this world. Can hear everything around you