Even for a scarcity of devoted microphone, software program, or lighting, the most recent addition to Sennheiser’s headset lineup is trying fairly tasty for players. Sennheiser simply must get the pricing proper.
Becoming a member of the likes of the HD 650, HD 800 S, and HD 599, the brand new HD 550 sit within the ‘entry-level’ class for Sennheiser. That is to not say they’re low-cost, although. At $300/£250/€300, these shall be a major funding in comparison with many gaming headsets. However, they do look promising.
That includes an analogous driver bundle to fellow 500-series headphones, I am instructed these have been tailor-made to supply prolonged bass and treble response on the slight price of decrease mids. Rated with a 6 – 39,500 Hz frequency response, they simply blow some drivers out of the water, however the proof of the pudding shall be within the… listening?
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As I write this, a set has turned up on my desk. I am going to depart the evaluation of the audio high quality for a forthcoming evaluate, although they are a good high quality set. The earcups are made with plastic and a steel mesh cowl throughout the cavernous earcup holes. Sure, these are open-backed headphones. Not nice for loud areas however I often desire open-back headphones for his or her ethereal really feel and broad soundstage.
They weigh in at solely 237 grams, and I’ve plonked them on my head they usually do really feel extraordinarily light-weight and breathable. That is good in case you’re planning on sporting all of them evening.
Sennheiser particularly calls these out for players, although does counter that by saying it is going to definitively ‘not grow to be a gaming model’. It did strive that after with headphones just like the Sport One, and later EPOS, which is unfortunately no extra. So I suppose it is sensible. Follow what and all that.
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The impedance on these is 150 Ω, which is fairly excessive, although Sennheiser says they need to nonetheless run fairly properly with out an amp.
These headphones sit beneath the HD 650s, that are nominally priced at €499, and which I’ve been utilizing as my headphones of selection for a few years now. The factor is, I did not pay wherever close to that form of cash for these. In reality, you could find a pair of HD 650 for sub-£250. They’re common, however not graphics card common, as they’ve additionally been round for a very long time now. What meaning is whereas the HD 550s are technically cheaper by the use of MSRP, in actuality, they could find yourself costing greater than the mid-range set they’re supposed to sit down beneath.
I can ponder that slightly extra as soon as I’ve acquired the HD 550 on my head and in contrast the 2. One factor I do like about Sennheiser’s headphones is you could purchase spares and elements which can be broadly appropriate with the lot, reminiscent of a brand new cable (or balanced cable). So in case your cat chews via your headphone cable, no hassle.
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