Ok sorry i was off a bit, let me explain. While they are different, one, the k550 easily fits into his price range while the other, the k702 is a fair bit out of it. So while the comparrison might be a little off as the k702 is open and will have a better soundstage and the k550 is closed and will have much less of a soundstage, but still a good soundstage for a closed back headphone. Furthermore the k702 has a crisper tigher treble, less bass and an overall flatter sound than the k550 but it still offers a somewhat, i say somewhat very loosely, similar sound at a cheaper price and in an isolated headphone. Also im assuming he might want to use the headphones in an area where there might be other people and he might want isolation. Sorry for my incorrect statement i was just trying to give a decent option in his price range that offered a good soundstage in a closed back headphone.