Back to Back: Introducing the HD 550

[kjjones1211]

I've briefly compared them on my Topping DX5. I use 490 Pro with producer pads and dust filter from 600 series earpads that I've cut to the same shape as 490 Pros stock dust cover, I didn't notice any sound difference from this, maybe it made them 5% cleaner, but it's most likely placebo. I did this only because L and R on stock dust cover annoyed my ears.

Comfort - 490 Pro with producer pads and 600 dust cover are noticeably more comfortable, but 550 are pretty good too, reduced clamp force is definitely an improvement compared to how I remember 560s, but headband padding was better on 560s because of that middle cutout. But anyway both 490 and 550 disappear on your head after a couple of minutes.

Sound - I think they sound pretty similar, I don't think I would be able to notice any differences without A/B comparisons and I would be happy with either of them.

So the differences are quite subtle for me, but here is what I've noticed so far:
1. Lows on 490 feel a bit stronger, maybe by 8-10%(nowhere near the difference that graphs would suggest), but on 550 lows are more controlled, precise and defined.
2. Stage seems better on 490, on some tracks it was pretty noticeable and on others I didn't notice at all.
3. Vocals seem moved forward a bit on 550, on 490 vocals seem to be on the same distance or level as other instruments.
4. Overall 550 seems a bit more detailed and clean

My overall impressions without trying to nitpick the small differences - are that I liked a couple of songs less on 550 and multiple songs I've enjoyed surprisingly more than I usually do on 490. So based on that alone - I think 550 is slightly better for music, but I still plan to keep 490 for gaming because of insane comfort and better stage.

If I'm not too lazy - I'll do another comparison again in 5-10 days, once I've listened to 550 more and got more used to it.

Thanks for the details and review. I'm also trying to decide which one to buy, and this was great! I have the 560s and really like them, except the clamp force is too strong.

 

[SchwizzelKick66]

Noticed the price on the Sennheiser site is now $349.99. Is this the new price?

 

[PopZeus]

Sucks about the price going up. Tariffs are ruining everything, not solving anything.

This headphone sounds awesome through a laid back tube amp. Personally I'm using a hybrid, but it seems well paired with this rig.

 

[chirsu]

Noticed the price on the Sennheiser site is now $349.99. Is this the new price?

Same on amazon, I guess I am lucky to have it for 300

 

[Luckyleo]

Yeah unfortunately that's probably the case. What worries me is that I have no proof its not me swapping the headphones (which is why its such a messed up thing to do, you're putting the next person in line into a crappy situation). I took pictures of everything but still. Hopefully they end up giving me the refund but in the event they refuse it I'm not sure what my recourse would be. Sigh.

If you paid by credit card, you have 7 months to file a formal request for a refund. BB will have 30 days to respond after they are notified by the credit card company that you are requesting a refund. If they don't respond you get your $$. If they do respond, the credit card co. will show it to you and you have 30 days to respond in turn ....

 

[SchwizzelKick66]

If you paid by credit card, you have 7 months to file a formal request for a refund. BB will have 30 days to respond after they are notified by the credit card company that you are requesting a refund. If they don't respond you get your $$. If they do respond, the credit card co. will show it to you and you have 30 days to respond in turn ....

I did a "pay in 4" through PayPal, with 4 equal payments to from my credit card. Apparently you can't dispute this type of payment through PayPal (I contacted them), just an FYI for everyone.

I guess I could pay the full amount off then go to my credit card company. This whole thing is nuts.

 

[JonM78]

Noticed the price on the Sennheiser site is now $349.99. Is this the new price?

The Sennheiser HD 560S is now $279 MSRP. I don't know what's up with that. Trying to price it out of existence? They are not $279 headphones.

 

[chirsu]

The Sennheiser HD 560S is now $279 MSRP. I don't know what's up with that. Trying to price it out of existence? They are not $279 headphones.

Probably tariffs in USA?

 

[SchwizzelKick66]

The 5 series models are made in China, so looks like the idiotic tariffs are to blame.

 

[JonM78]

Probably tariffs in USA?

The 5 series models are made in China, so looks like the idiotic tariffs are to blame.

Both of you are probably correct as the HD 550 is up to $349 although the HD 505 is still the original MSRP of $279. Hoping it's just the tariffs and not Sennheiser trying to milk the 5 series up to the $300 range, as these are in no way $300-ish headphones.

Fortunately there seems to be some sort of trade deal now so the tariffs should be going away (or at least some percentage of them).

 

[chirsu]

Both of you are probably correct as the HD 550 is up to $349 although the HD 505 is still the original MSRP of $279. Hoping it's just the tariffs and not Sennheiser trying to milk the 5 series up to the $300 range, as these are in no way $300-ish headphones.

Fortunately there seems to be some sort of trade deal now so the tariffs should be going away (or at least some percentage of them).

I think HD 505 is still $279 because amazon hasn’t adjusted the pricing yet, since HD 560s is still $229 there. If the reason is tariffs - it will also get more expensive

 

[JonM78]

I think HD 505 is still $279 because amazon hasn’t adjusted the pricing yet, since HD 560s is still $229 there. If the reason is tariffs - it will also get more expensive

The HD 505 is $279 on Sennheiser's website as well. So it's not Amazon. Sennheiser adjusted the HD 560S and HD 550 on their website but not the HD 505.

 

[chirsu]

The HD 505 is $279 on Sennheiser's website as well. So it's not Amazon. Sennheiser adjusted the HD 560S and HD 550 on their website but not the HD 505.

Oh, interesting

 

[zilax002]

RE: price increases

Looks like accessory prices have increased in the U.S. as well.

The HD 800/S pads are $100 now. I believe they were around $80 before, which is affirmed by seeing some retailers listing them for around that price.

So much for waiting to buy pads till they had everything I wanted in stock.