Sennheiser HD 550 – Over Ear Open Back Headphones

Sennheiser HD 550 – Over Ear Open Back Headphones

The Sennheiser HD 550 reveals sonic details in music, movies, and games that mainstream headphones miss—faint background vocals, subtle instrument textures, and precise spatial positioning. This open-back design delivers audiophile-quality sound without requiring expensive amplification equipment, making high-fidelity listening accessible for critical listening, content creation, and gaming.

• Open-back design with 150-ohm dynamic transducers (6 Hz – 39.5 kHz)
• Lightweight construction at 237g with low clamping force for extended comfort
• Angled transducers create wide soundstage and 3D imaging
• Velour ear cushions and padded synthetic leather headband
• Detachable 1.8m cable with 3.5mm plug (6.35mm adapter included)
• Compatible with HD 500 BAM microphone enabling gaming headset configuration
• 2 Year Warranty

Highlights & Key Technologies

A New World of Detail and Precision
Hear details you'd never noticed before. Feel like you're right in the middle of the action. That's what the HD 550 sound gives you in a light, comfy, accessible package. Lots of mainstream audio products give you "bathtub" sound, where you're drowning in bass and treble while vocals are weak and certain frequencies resonate too loudly. The HD 550 is the opposite—no gaps or peaks here. That means instruments don't get "lost in the mix". You can hear everything, and clearly. Deep sub bass reproduces frequencies you feel more than hear. Treble extends far beyond human hearing. Then there's "soundstage". High-end headphones make it feel like each sound is coming from a specific location—not just left, right, or center, but also near and far, in front or behind you. Your ears do this 3D thing in real life, too. And with the right headphones, it works with recordings, games, and soundtracks.

Acoustic Engineering Excellence
Getting a headphone design just right is a balancing act. It helps if you've been on this tightrope before. Many modern headphones rely on electronics to achieve the desired sound. The HD 550, however, provides a direct analog signal path from source to ear—pure, unadulterated sound without additional noise or artifacts. This meant the headphones had to be acoustically flawless. Sennheiser started with their excellent 150-ohm transducer inside the proven HD 500 chassis. The transducer is manufactured in-house in Ireland, ensuring outstanding quality and perfect channel matching. To create that 3D sound and wide soundstage, the transducers angle back towards the ears, mimicking real-life hearing. The dust cover is acoustically transparent. Even the ear cushion materials were selected for their acoustic properties. And a strategic bit of foam ensures smooth treble integration and controlled bass. The result is a neutral balance even the most demanding audiophiles will appreciate. Open and airy, but never harsh, the HD 550 headphones are smooth enough to be anyone's daily driver.

Lightweight Comfort That Disappears
At just 237g, the HD 550 is about as unobtrusive as possible. The design is heavily influenced by feedback from real users who said, "make it light, make it comfy, and make it sound great." Sennheiser revised the headband, using high-quality synthetic leather and softer foam. With such a low total weight, less clamping force was required, which allowed for soft, comfy earpads with plush velour. You get a fit that's stable but so unobtrusive that even long sessions are no problem. Work, play games, or listen for as long as you like—without pinching, pressure, charging, or pairing.

Built to Last Decades
Sennheiser headphones produced in the 1960s are still in use today. How? German engineering and quality materials. From the mechanics to the steel covers, these headphones are designed to withstand daily use or give collectors something to treasure for decades. You can get replacement parts like earpads for these headphones and many other Sennheiser products now—and years from now. All the accessories from the HD 500 range are compatible with your new HD 550 headphones.

Details & Specifications

MODEL INFORMATION
Model: HD 550
Article No.: 700455
Warranty: 24-month warranty

TRANSDUCER SPECIFICATIONS
Transducer principle: Dynamic, open-back
Frequency response: 6 Hz – 39.5 kHz
Nominal impedance: 150 Ω
Sound pressure level (SPL): 106.7 dB / 1 V RMS
THD (total harmonic distortion): <0.2% (1 kHz / 90 dB SPL)
Transducer manufacturing: Ireland

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Ear coupling: Over-ear, circumaural
Ear pad material: Synthetic velour
Headband material: High-quality synthetic leather with foam padding
Earcup covers: High-grade metal mesh
Transducer angle: Angled towards ears for natural soundstage
Weight: 237 g / 8.4 oz

CABLE & CONNECTIVITY
Cable design: Detachable, single-sided
Cable length: 1.8 m / 5.9 ft
Connector type: 3.5 mm (1/8") jack plug
Adapter included: 3.5 mm to 6.35 mm (1/4") screw-on jack adapter

COMPATIBILITY
Compatible accessories:
HD 500 BAM Boom Arm Microphone
CH 660 P balanced cable (4.4mm Pentaconn, 3.0m)
Balanced audio cable (4.4mm Pentaconn, 1.8m)
HD 500 series replacement cables and parts

ACOUSTIC DESIGN
Open-back design: Allows natural soundstage and air flow
Dust cover: Acoustically transparent
Internal damping: Strategic foam placement for treble integration and bass control

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
HD 550 open-back headphones
1.8 m cable with 3.5 mm plug
3.5 mm to 6.35 mm screw-on jack adapter
Drawstring bag
Safety guide
Regulatory information