Latest news with #HD500
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Sennheiser HD 550 open-back headphones: Pure audio for music, movies and games
The Sennheiser HD 550 are open-back headphones designed for listeners who prefer wired audio and value sound quality above features like active noise cancellation or virtual surround sound. They cater to purists seeking a more natural, spacious listening experience without the distractions of digital enhancements. Design Like the HD 505 I reviewed recently, the Sennheiser HD 550 comes in a plain brown box. All you get in the box is a detachable 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable and a screw-on 6.3mm adapter—useful if you plug it into an amp or audio interface. Visually, the design aligns with Sennheiser's HD 500 series — simple, functional, and purpose-built rather than showy. The large oval earcups are wrapped in soft velour padding and connect to the headband through a pivoting mechanism for a flexible fit. The headband itself is made of plastic with medium padding. The HD 550's light 237g weight helps reduce pressure on the top of your head, although I did find the clamping force to be a little strong, which, to be fair, is preferable to it feeling too loose. Build-wise, while the plastic shell won't win any luxury design awards, it feels solid and durable. The open-back design is immediately evident thanks to the visible grilles covering the drivers — a signature touch for Sennheiser's open-back headphones. Comfort The HD 550 is comfortable. The earcups are roomy, and the weight distribution is well-balanced, meaning I could wear them for hours without ear fatigue. A surprising bonus is that the HD 550 works quite well with glasses. The velour ear pads are soft enough to accommodate the arms of my specs without creating hotspots or excessive pressure. Features and practical use What really stands out in the HD 550 is its custom 38mm driver, made at Sennheiser's audiophile factory in Ireland. When I started listening, I noticed how clearly and detailed everything sounded — even at low or high frequencies. Its 150-ohm impedance worked great with all my hi-fi gear without needing a separate amp – it worked surprisingly well using Apple's DAC dongle. The HD 550 has an impedance of 150 ohms and a sensitivity of 106.7 dB (1 Vrms), meaning it's relatively easy to drive—no powerful amp is required, though decent audio hardware will still get the best results. The detachable cable is a practical inclusion. It connects via 2.5mm at the headphone end and terminates in a standard 3.5mm jack, with a screw-on 6.3mm adapter. I always appreciate when manufacturers use detachable cables for convenience and longevity. Sound performance Subjectively, the HD 550 stands out for its clean, balanced sound signature and impressively wide soundstage. These headphones are tuned for naturalism — no excessive bass, no sharp treble, just clear and authentic audio reproduction. This will definitely appeal to audio purists, though those who prefer a more bass-heavy or treble-boosted sound might find them a little less colourful or exciting. The bass is tight and well-extended without being overpowering. It doesn't have the thump of some closed-back models, but it's articulate and controlled. It remained refined in bass-heavy tracks and didn't muddy the mix. The midrange was particularly appealing for the type of music I enjoy. Vocals come through with excellent presence and clarity. Everything sounded rich, warm, and lifelike, whether it was acoustic guitar or layered vocal harmonies. This midrange quality alone significantly enhances the listening experience, especially for vocal-driven or instrumental music fans. The treble is smooth and non-fatiguing, striking a nice balance between detail and comfort. There's enough clarity to pick up subtle nuances in recordings, like the shimmer of a cymbal or the breath of a vocalist, without any harshness or overly bright tones. Overall, I found it to have neutral yet lively tuning, which makes the HD 550 a pleasure to use across various musical genres. Gaming and spatial awareness The HD 550 delivers excellent spatial awareness because it is open-back. During my tests, the soundstage felt expansive, with a clear sense of direction and distance. Footsteps, gunshots, and ambient cues were precisely located. What impressed me most was how immersive the experience felt. Everyday Listening and Noise Isolation The HD 550 continues to deliver when it comes to everyday use. Music listening is dynamic and engaging, and films feel more cinematic thanks to the expansive soundstage and crisp dialogue reproduction. However, as with all open-back headphones, there's a trade-off: they don't block out ambient noise. You'll likely need to look elsewhere if you're in a noisy environment or want to use them on public transport. But they're a joy to use in a quiet home or studio setting. Verdict The Sennheiser HD 550 is an excellent pair of open-back headphones that offers a natural, immersive audio experience. It excels in midrange detail and spatial accuracy, making it ideal for music lovers and a compelling choice for gamers seeking an edge in directional sound. If you're looking for a pair of open-back headphones with balanced, accurate sound and great versatility across music, movies, and gaming, the HD 550 is well worth considering. €300 Sennheiser
India Today
23-04-2025
- Business
- India Today
Sennheiser HD 505 launched in India, price starts at Rs 27,990
After the US launch in February, the Sennheiser HD 505 headphones has finally made it to India. Launched at Rs 27,990, the headphones feature an open-back design with a synthetic leather headband. The HD 505 builds on the trusted foundation of the HD 500 series, featuring a specially engineered 120-ohm transducer for enhanced audio the launch, Klaus Hanselmann, Sennheiser Audiophile Product Manager said, 'The HD 505 is for anyone ready to experience the audio awakening a great set of Sennheiser headphones is known for. There is something truly special in here that puts serious listening within arm's reach of the emerging audiophile or gamer.' advertisementSennheiser HD 505 headphones: Price and availability The Sennheiser HD 505 Copper Edition has officially launched in India, priced at Rs 27,990. It is available for purchase via Sennheiser's official website as well as Amazon India. Sennheiser HD 505 headphones: Key features The Sennheiser HD 505 is equipped with a specially engineered 120-ohm transducer, housed within open-back earcups. Its frequency range spanning from 12Hz to 38,500Hz, Sennheiser promises a listening experience that retains the full nuance and authenticity of your HD 505 builds upon the reliable HD 500 series platform. It features a synthetic leather headband with durable metal mesh over the earcups, weighing only 237 grams. According to Sennheiser, the headphones are engineered for comfort, making them well-suited for extended use. advertisementThe Sennheiser HD 505 is designed to deliver "a politely balanced sound signature, with the punchy bass, effortless mids, and non-fatiguing treble the audiophile brand is lauded for. The angled transducers replicate the triangular positioning of a set of nearfield loudspeakers, resulting in an expansive soundstage that enables listeners to sit in the front row of their favorite music, movies, and games," as described by the company. Apart from the headphones, the box includes a 1.8-metre detachable cable with a standard 3.5mm plug and a 6.3mm adapter, ensuring compatibility with a wide variety of audio gear such as amps, sound cards, and home theatre receivers. Like other models in the 500 series, the HD 505 supports a wide selection of user-replaceable cables and ear cushions—catering to different lengths, plug types, and listening scenarios—all of which can be swapped out with ease, no tools required.
Hindustan Times
23-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Sennheiser HD 505 Copper Edition headphones launched in India: Check features, price and more
Sennheiser has launched the HD 505 Copper Edition headphones in India, aiming to deliver high-quality audio to a wide range of listeners, from music lovers to gamers. The headphones promise to offer an engaging audio experience with a focus on comfort and simplicity, and are designed to meet the needs of both casual listeners and audiophiles. Sennheiser Launches HD 505 Headphones: Key Features The Sennheiser HD 505 features a 120-ohm transducer, specially designed to deliver clear and natural sound. The open-back earcups help provide a natural listening experience with a frequency range from 12Hz to 38,500Hz. This ensures that users can enjoy detailed and immersive audio across a wide spectrum of sound. Also read: Redmi Watch Move launched at ₹ 1999, Xiaomi's first made-in-India smartwatch Furthermore, the Sennheiser HD 505 builds on the robust framework of the HD 500 series, featuring a synthetic leather headband and metal mesh earcups, all while weighing only 237 grams. These design choices have been made to enhance the comfort of the headphones, making them suitable for long periods of listening. Also read: Vivo T4 5G launched with Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC in India at Rs.21999- All details Sennheiser claims that the HD 505 headphones have a well-balanced sound profile, with deep bass, smooth mids, and treble that is easy on the ears. Additionally, the angled transducers help create a wide soundstage, offering users a more expansive and detailed audio experience, whether they are listening to music, watching movies, or playing games. Also read: AirTag 2: Apple might launch the upgraded tracker by early summer 2025 Moreover, the HD 505's box includes a 1.8-meter detachable cable with a 3.5mm socket and a 6.3mm adaptor, which is compatible with a wide range of audio devices, including amplifiers and home theatre systems. The headphones also offer the flexibility of replaceable cables and ear cushions, which will allow users to customise their setup for different uses. Sennheiser HD 505 Headphones: Price and Availability The Sennheiser HD 505 headphones are available for Rs. 27,990 and can be purchased through Sennheiser's official website and Amazon India, respectively. The headphones come in a Black-Copper colour combination. First Published Date: 23 Apr, 16:08 IST
