Sennheiser HD-555 Audiophile Headphones Reviews

• Audophile's report on this MASTER piece !

  
  By AT83NO7G0CR43 on 2004-09-30
  I'm just amazed by these headhpones !
  These babies are definetly the "best-for-money" deal you get from Sennheiser today. I'm an absoloute audiophile and I've tried loads of other headphones ( I currently own the 212-Pro, 280-Pro, couple of Sony's ( 600, 700 ) and Pioneer ) ... so I know what I'm talking about when I say these babies ROCK !!
  Of course they're open so it MAY bother some people which have people around them which need privacy so if you're dealing with that, go with the 280-Pro CLOSED cannons...
  The best thing with the HD-555 in my opinion is when you listen to ACOUSTIC music ( e.g. the new Sevendust Acoustic CD, Godsmack's EP, Incubus live on MTV etc ... ) you really get the feeling you're ON THE SPOT listening experience. These babies lack only one thing and that's handling really heavy music ( e.g. Pantera, Soulfly, Sepultura etc ... ) - But they manage ok, so don't worry.
  I highly recommend these soft cannons, they're extremely confortable and you can ware them for days without even noticing.
  
  
  

• FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS!!!!!

  
  By A249ECZ06R4A0I on 2005-02-13
  After reading the other reviews here, and exploring my options with other products, I got these babies.
  
  OH MY GOD!!!
  
  I plugged them into a Panasonic SL-SV573J PORTABLE CD ( Crappy product that has NO VOLUME POWER AT ALL ) and put in an opera CD that was remastered from a 1962 live broadcast from Salzburg (MONO no Less) Ok it was DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHONE...but MY GOD! I never expected what came out of these babies.
  I am listening now to that Opera with Leontyne Price. I have had the thrill to be on stage with her at at MET ( OK, I was an extra body, but I did get close enough to hear her Beautiful, Powerful voice)
  These 555 Puppies bring back all the realism to the live performance I remembered then.
  
  So what about a STUDIO RECORDING?
  FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS...these babies are going to blow you away.
  I Plugged them into my new SONY D-NE 10 with "Josh Groban" on board and I was unable to make a fist for 2 hours. It left me LIMP!! and USLESS!
  WORTH EVERY PENNY...I would not take time to type lies..
  
  TRUST ME... BUY THESE!!!
  
  
  
  
  

• But of course, it's Sennheiser!

  
  By A17N08CM439GLX on 2005-06-10
  For anyone new to audiophile headphones, you may be surprised to learn that Sennheiser is THE name in the audiophile headphone business, and have been for some time now.
  
  In case evidence would help you:
  
  1)Ask the pros - HD600s are popular in serious studio recording, where sound quality is all-important.
  2)More expensive is not necessarily better - other companies use their names or unnecessary and expensive materials to bump up the price....
  3)Sennheiser is interested in "true sound", and, accordingly, puts into their products the right materials and excellent acoustical engineering. Everything in the 555s is for sound quality and comfort and durability. (Some headphones use wooden shells, fancy materials, and other such gimmicky things...that's just plain stupidity if you consider the sound, but it gets buyers that don't know audiophile headphones.)
  4)Open vs closed - sound is vibrations. The air needs to vibrate if you want good sound. Closed headphones may help cut out noise in some situations, but it will dampen the sound in all situations. (Sennheiser's audiophile line are all open.)
  5)Look at the stats! - the stats alone are better than most...the 555s are, essentially, standard for audiophile headphones...595s, 600s, and 650s are better, but other brands have a tough time matching even some of the lower ones, such as the 515s.
  6)Noise cancelling vs pure quality - I have tried Bose noise cancelling headphones, which attempt to advertise good quality, but in fact, the noise-cancelling mechanism calls for the "closed" type and, furthermore, functions by running a sort of noise-dampening frequency, which, sadly but inevitably, dampens the sound (and puts pressure on your ears). Nice feature for noisy situations. However, audiophiles typically seek out a quiet place to listen. (Although in my experience, 555s sound so much better I prefer not having noise-cancelling over lesser quality.)
  7)Great entry level - as above, these are the standard within Sennheiser's line of audiophile headphones. Even so, if you are just moving up to this quality level, you would be surprised how clear the music is, how suddenly you can hear the details you have been missing...in comparison, ordinary headphones or other companies' headphones simply sound trashy - the pitches may be there and the general sound is there, but no tones, no flavor, no character, no spirit. You'll be surprised how much you have been missing.
  8)Sound reflection - just as Bose uses sound reflection in its speaker systems, Sennheiser uses such technology to create a more real experience...thus, they work great for movies too. Instead of having half the orchestra on one ear and the other half on the other, it will seem more like you are actually in a concert hall. (Although, at this price level it still won't be perfect...still, it will be better than the vast majority.)
  9)Sennheiser is legendary - Do you know what the world's best headphones are called? Try Sennheiser Orpheus. They were a limited edition, only 300 were made, and are reportedly absolutely surreal. (The Orpheus, being so rare, is not very available...the best price I have seen is $12,000, and that is IF they are for sale.) The 555s follow in grand footsteps.
  
  Now, a few points of advice if you get serious with audiophile headphones and get 555s or better:
  
  1)To use them to their fullest, try to use them through good hardware... (iPods and mp3 players are pretty good, but if you want to go all out you could get amps, etc.)
  2)Healthy volume is 70 decibels or less (about 70% of the max volume on 555s)...and, sound quality is generally better if you don't force them all the way up. (Finding a quiet environment helps.)
  3)enjoy
  
  

• The best choice for the money

  
  By A34CRHS629BTSA on 2004-06-20
  This phone is the cheaper version of the Sennheiser 595s which are some of the best phones you can buy(at least under the 500 mark). The are remarkably similar to the 595s both quality wise and sonic signature. The 595s have slightly cleaner treble and bass but for a good bit more money.

  THe 555s have slightly warm and foward sound with a natural soundstage, with excellent detail... though not quite as good as the high end level phones. They are efficient phones, in that they can be driven by sources without an amplifier. A lot of people don't know that phones have to burn in to reach the sound to which they were intended. So give em a good 100 hours of burn in at least before making conclusions.

  For this price though, these phones blow away everything in it's class. I'm coming from the HD 497s and and if you thought those were impressive you have to try these...these are in a different class altogether. The 497s sound like garbage compared to these bad boys. Plus they are very very comforable. If your coming from those crappy basshead sony phones...I dare say you'll think your ears are decieving you... they are that good.

  555s>500 dollar speakers...that simple. Highly recommended.
  
  

• Great For Classical Music Too

  
  By A3N3GNVHFZZ6N1 on 2006-07-07
  This is an excellent pair of headphones for those (few) of us who like classical music. I've used these headphones with a player that has no bass/treble controls, and found that the headphone sound is well balanced throughout the spectrum. The bass does not boom, something that you don't want in classical music. It is there, but balanced as it should be.
  
  I've noted that when playing something like Haydn's Cello Concerto, the solo instrument hits you right in the middle of your head -which is where it shoud be -, and the orchestra surrounds it from far left to right.
  
  Other reviewers have mentioned that the open format of these headphones results in large sound leakage into the air around you. I've found that the leakage is quite small, and not noticeable a couple feet away. Then again I don't crank the sound up to 100 decibels.
  
  As for the complaint about the plug, I've had no problems in this regard. It fits snugly into phone jack, and seems well made.
  
  My only very trivial complaint is that I sometimes use these on my portable DVD player while lying in bed, in which case the very long cord is a bit of a nuisance. My personal preference would have been a short cord plus a detachable cord extension.
  
  These headphones are great for just about any kind of music.
  
  
• BUYER BEWARE; CONSUMER ALERT!
  By A32RX109J2TRYG on 2008-04-24
  WARNING: After mailing my headphones to Sennheiser for repair, I was called and told there was a problem because they were not purchased from an authorized dealer. I purchased them "brand new" here at Amazon from ELECTRONICA DIRECT, a seller often featured by Amazon right on the product page. Sennheiser told me that I probably purchased stolen headphones. Shoppers who want the warranty honored SHOULD NOT BUY FROM ELECTRONICA DIRECT or any unauthorized dealer. Verify that the seller you are buying from is recognized by Sennheiser.
  
  
• Holy crap!!
  By A20WS8TZ5840ND on 2005-01-25
  I've written maybe three reviews online before, and they're all about things I've hated and felt the need to denounce. This will be my first positive review. I've wanted a pair of Sennheiser headphones since I was little and I put them on in an Audio King. They were so comfortable. Unfortunately, if I were to have one complaint about the 555s, it'd be that they could be less tight (although I haven't had them that long, so there may be a way to adjust that).
  
  I write music as a hobby and have an okay set up, but my headphones were not very good. I did get a pair of the Bose Noise Cancelling headphones and although the noise was nearly eliminated, I didn't think the sound quality was much better than the $30 pair of Philips over-ear regular headphones I'd had for years. They weren't as comfortable either. I rarely listen to music through headphones where it isn't silent, except on the street (while walking), which is somewhere I'd prefer not to be hearing-impaired (car noises are important indicators in the city). So for me, noise-cancelling wasn't the right choice. If you want an amazing pair of monitors, these absolutely are just that.
  
  You can feel the music, and I don't mean that in the way you can feel a stereo turned up too loud. It feels like you're there. The first thing I did with these was listen to an arrangement of mine to look for problems I might've missed while using my iPod headphones (I've had to use those while finding a replacement for the Bose, which I sold on eBay for the same price I bought them for!). When the bass drum hits it's clearer and more real than when I played it in my junior high band. Everything is very crisp and clear, and they do block out a little bit of noise.
  
  These headphones are worth every penny. Words can't express the quality of the sound, so you really have to try it out if you're unsure. I think they're getting more comfortable too.
  
  
• Less than perfect
  By AXIXRZZGUHM91 on 2007-04-11
  Pros-
  Amazingly clear sound. I've never had a better sounding pair of headphones in my life. I can't give an audiophile description of the sound quality, but to me everything seems to be in place for an open pair of headphones.
  Extremely comfortable. The velour, over-the-ear design is great and I've literally worn them for hours without even noticing them. On the package and in several reviews I've seen a comment on how you can even wear them with glasses on... I didn't know that that was a big deal, but I was blown away at how this pair of headphones didn't shove the frame of my glasses into my skin like every other pair I've ever worn.
  Sturdy construction- They're a teency bit heavy, but the construction is perfect. Right down to the little rubber tabs behind the cups and flexibility of the cups themselves, I can tell these are going to last a long time.
  Nice design. Aesthetically, these are really pleasing. Even the placement of the reflector cups within the phones that adds to the sound quality is ingenius.
  
  Cons-
  Not a lot of bass. I bought them knowing they wouldn't be bass heavy because they're of the open design. They're not exactly weak on the bass, but if you like bass, the only way you're going to get it is to put your hands on the back of the phones themselves as you listen to it. Then you just look silly and have defeated the purpose of purchasing open-designed headphones.
  No ambient noise reduction. Again, I bought them knowing they weren't designed to keep sound out. If I had to say how much sound they eliminate, I'd go with 0.00%. Even cranked all the way up, there was a gathering at school in the quad and I could still hear conversations around me.
  Sound leakage. I also knew of this before buying them. Good lord it's like you have stereo speakers on your head when you wear these, so if you want to listen to music in a library, or in line at the bank, or in your dorm room, or anywhere where other people are, you're going to get dirty looks unless you have it at a very low level. And you're going to be able to hear people talking smack about you and your obnoxious headphones because, well... refer back to the sound leakage issue. It's so weird! I was at Taco Bell, and this baby was screaming across the dining room, and I cranked these up and I could still hear it. Only now, people around me were looking at me like I was a jerk because they could hear every note of my music.
  
  
  FLAW OF THE CENTURY THAT I HAVEN'T READ IN ANY REVIEW-
  The plug-in is a quarter inch, and it comes with a gigantic quarter-to-eighth-inch adapter. This is simply retarded. The other way around (1/8" to 1/4") is always a nice feature, but this isn't the case with these headphones. When you plug into the adapter, you've got about three inches of garbage hanging out from whatever you're plugging into. So if you have an iPod in your back pocket, you might as well have a satellite sticking out. The other thing about the stupid eighth-inch adapter is that the actual gold plated plug sticks out of a really huge piece of plastic, so unless the input you're plugging into is out in the open, you can't plug in all the way. So if you have an extremely popular silicone iPod cover, for your extremely popular iPod, you're going to have to take it off before using these headphones, defeating the purpose of buying that cover. That adapter is also a hassle when plugging into my laptop. It just doesn't go in and stay in. Either it pops out, or it isn't secure enough to stay in place, and this causes sound to go in and out of the right phone while making the left one crackle and pop.
  
  The bottom line is that these aren't really for portable audio. And according to reviews I read after the fact, these headphones are pretty much designed for stereo receivers and either watching DVD's or gaming. I can't even see them for computer gaming considering they don't properly connect to the eighth inch headphone input PCs have. I would say that if you're prepared to make a few sacrifices and get some dirty looks when you take these out into public, the Pros will outweigh the Cons. And if all you're doing is plugging into a quarter inch stereo receiver to watch DVD's... you're set for life, girl... 'cause these are insanely comfortable and rugged.
  
  
• Superb IF you like the Senn sound... Otherwise check out the Grados or others...
  By A3GPWAE297RB4D on 2006-01-03
  Pros:
  1) Clean, detailed, open soundstage - perfect for classical, jazz music forms.
  
  2) Velour pads - quite comfortable... although not as comfortable as sound say (my Sony MDR4000s are more comfortable) - still very comfortable
  
  3) Quality - seems to be of very high quality to me.
  
  4) Portable player compatible - 50 ohms works with my iPod 5G. It can put out a good deal of sound. I listened umamped but I do believe these could benefit from an amplifier.
  
  5) Plays well on a number of music genres.
  
  Cons:
  1) Not exciting or makes any song explode - it is a VERY good all around headphone - if this is your purchasing goal then spend away... if you are looking for something in this price range to blow you away then I would have to mark a contrast with the other esteemed reviewers. (FYI - this may have to do more with my like for the Grado sound signature vs. the Senn sound signature)...
  
  2) Big headphones - not for outside, portable use.
  
  3) Does leak - not as much as Grado (which leaks the most) but more than the Senn HD 497s.
  
  4) Probably needs an amplifier to work - this is not a CON per se but if you buying for your iPod you may not get all you can out of the headphones.
  
  Summary
  Great quality, clear, very open soundstage with good bass extension (again not bassy)
  
  Sound signature is definitely Sennheiser - not as exciting as I thought it would be
  
  Some intangibles (see below)...
  
  I really wanted to keep these headphones but the sound signature, and other minor issues (I was using an iPod and the 3.5mm adapter weighed against the iPod headphone jack).
  
  
  
• EXCELLENT HEADPHONES FOR THE PRICE
  By A33MCX0KT5M2QH on 2004-12-28
  The Sennheiser 555 headphones are EXCELLENT headphones in their price range. The have very good clarity and can be driven by my old Sony portable cd player without any problems or an external amplifier. They sound very good with all types of music, be it classical, jazz, and good old rock and roll. Very clear instrumentals, up front vocals and exceptional clarity. They are vey comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. My only advice is that if you can afford the extra few dollars upgrade to the 595 Sennheiser headphones for a truly GREAT HIGH END HEADPHONE. Either headphones will give you the satisfaction you desire from your recordings but the 595 headphones will just AMAZE YOU. Buy the 555 or the 595, which ever the budget will allow, and enjoy your music like you never have before. Also see my review of the 595 Sennheiser headphones.
  
  
• Good but not as good as HD-570
  By A2HOYLB0HXLLJJ on 2006-02-16
  I am a fan of Sennheiser. I bought a number of Sennheiser for myself and my kids over years. I own a HD-280 Pro, HD-570, PX-100, and MX-400, in addition to HD-555.
  
  HD-555 is supposed to be the next generation for HD-570, but falls short of the standard HD-570 established. First, the sound quality. They are similar but HD-570 is slightly more efficient. They are both open air by design. So not being able to isolate environment noise is not a flaw but by your own choice. HD-280 Pro seals up better but you don't get the quality of openess. The resolution of different music instruments and voices is amazing. You can hear new sounds from a familiar recording. Second comfort. It is comfortable in general but becomes too warm over your ears after longer wearing. HD-570 is definitely more comfortable. The ear cups are smaller than those of the HD-570 too. Third, build quality. It is very durable after two years of use. But I whish it also had the removable cord as HD-570. Lastly, the appearance. It is subjective but in my opinion HD-555 wins in the coolness department.
  
  I am not regreting buying HD-555. But I am a little disappointed at the lack of improvement over HD-570, and the hype on it.
  
  
• i'm in heaven...
  By A84BR569A4RSC on 2004-07-22
  these are the best headphones that i have ever owned. i was a bit skeptical about purchasing the sennheiser hd-555 because of the price. i was used to the under $40.00 types of headphones. but, after putting it on i'm never going back to those cheap styles ever again! the sound quality is superb. even when listening to the radio these headphones bring the songs to life. i highly recomend them.
  
  
• Could Be the Best $150 I've Spent
  By A3K0DANLRCL1UV on 2006-01-14
  I recieved my backordered Sennheiser HD-555's today and was EXTREMELY eager to give them a listen. I put them on over an hour ago, and I'm afraid that I won't be able to take them off for several more hours. Yanni, Soil, Floyd, Ted Nugent, they all sound nothing short of unbelievable with the triple-nickels.
  
  I (possibly like more people) had to decide between the Bose Triport headphones and the Sennheiser HD-555 headphones. I was fortunate to test out the Bose Triports a few times and was impressed with the sound. Highs were clear and crisp, but not overly loud. Bass was quite impressive, and the midrange suffered few faults. I was also reccommended the HD-555 headphones, which were at the same price as the Triports. I was never able to give them a test listen, for no dealer around me had a display pair, or even a pair in stock. Because I was spending big money on headphones, I wanted a pair that not only sounded remarkable, but also would last.
  
  After perusing these reviews and the reviews for the Triports, there was an overwhelming reponse that these were it, and Bose were total sh*t. Many people remarked that the Triports were not well built, and after testing them myself, I could tell that those remarks were no lies. Construction appeared flimsy; the total opposite of the HD-555s. The headband connecting the cups is flexible, but in the correct sense. These headphones FEEL as well-built as my Koss phones, and as if they could last at least 7-10 years. (The last pair of phones I had were Koss UR-20s - they're 5 years old, and I haven't purchased ANY audio/video equipment of that quality for under $20 EVER.)
  
  Don't let me forget to mention the comfort-sitting here and writing this review, it's hard to remember they're on my head. The velour earcups are extremely soft and are a great method to suspend the phones on the head.
  
  After less than a few hours of use, I have a warm, fuzzy feeling that the Sennheiser HD-555's were the right choice.
  
  
• Extremely comfortable
  By A2C3LN3XJ68B1Y on 2006-10-20
  Sennheiser definitely makes quality headphones, and prior to buying this, I owned Sennheiser HD-202, which seem to be the most popular Sennheiser model on Amazon. The only complaint I had with the 202's was that they hurt my ears after a while. Plus, I had some extra cash to burn and I wanted awesome headphones that would last me a very, very long time. Here s where the 555 comes in.
  
  Simply put, this is the best audio investment I have ever made. These will definitely last at least 10-15 years. I'm sure you've all read about the awesome sound, so I won't waste your time with that. The comfort level, however, is incredible! I can wear these all day (really!) without even noticing them.
  
  I live in the dorms at school, so I bought these headphones to give my roommates privacy. Don't worry about the sounds leaking. The only leak slightly more than other headphones. Also, the sound only leaks within your immediate space. So my roommate on the other side of the room doesn't even hear my music even at a relatively loud volume.
  
  
• I didn't like the HD-555's at all...
  By A2VXVRFEG4AMW6 on 2006-09-26
  I bought these after seeing the rave reviews here. Upon trying them I noticed immediately that the highs are lacking, and the mid-bass seems very exaggerated. Did some googling for more reviews, and found frequency response plots showing frequencies above ~8KHz are severely attenuated, like in the neighborhood of -10db to -20db, confirming what I hear. Even Sennheiser's optimistic frequency response spec uses -10db. Bah.
  
  Incidentally, I'm driving the 'phones with a real amplifier, not an MP3 player.
  
  On the good side, they do play LOUD. They just aren't accurate.
  
  It's costing me 25% restocking fee plus shipping to return them, but that's better than being stuck with headphones I can't use.
  
  
• Audiophile Sound - Great if you like heavy bass
  By A3T1S9ZTHNLVJY on 2007-02-20
  These Sennheiser 555s are indeed audiophile grade headphones. I turn the bass on my stereo up a bit on my Rotel Stereo with Dali floor standing speakers and like it like that. (The 555 & 280s to me outperform the wonderful Dalis - these headphones then are a relatively low cost way to high end audiophile sound). However, to me the bass on these headphones slightly overshadowes the rest of the sound spectrum. In other words, for my taste the bass is a bit too heavy. Although not muddy, the lower mid bass was at a level that I would ordinarily want it when drunk listening to Fleetwood Mac at full volume but not ideal for everyday listening. The bass is on the 555s is apparently optimized for young adults and others who ordinarily like their bass nice and extra heavy. The rest of the spectrum is beautiful.
  
  However, the HD280s to me sounded better with great sound throughout the frequency spectrum with full yet proportionally correct bass. Its an apples and oranges thing. If you normally turn your bass way up on your stereo buy the HD 555s, If you turn the bass up so that it sounds nice and full but not overbearing, then buy the HD 228s. The 228s are not too tight by me and I have a large head. You could put them around a bunched up pillow over night if that is a problem. The 555s seem a little lighter and they don't have the annoying coiled stretch cord like the 228s. Both are comfortable and produce great sound with the edge in comfort going to the lighter 228s and the edge in sound going to the cans with the level of bass you prefer.
  
  
• Great all round Hi-end headphone!
  By AWHWNMY5CL9WC on 2006-08-07
  This is a very good sounding headphone for it's price. It can be run straight out of your portable player or laptop without need of amplification to sound it's best.
  This headphone has a warm, full yet clear sound to it. I listen to jazz and rock and the headphone handles both the genres very well. These headphones have nice impact and good tight bass. They deliver good detail and at the same time are quite forgiving of poor recorings or low bitrate compressed music (128Kbps). Compared to other phones like the Koss KSC75 which I have, the highs seem to be rolled off a bit (i.e the cymbal sounds and other high frequency sounds are not as bright and prominent) which gives this headphone a nice laid back character allowing hours of listening without ear fatigue.
  All and all a great starter hi-end phone for new audiophiles. For people with a more flexible bugdet I would recommend the HD595 for a more refined sound, a step up from the HD555.
  
  
• 4.5 stars - Great entry level audiophile headphones
  By A27CWKVF47ILJC on 2007-07-08
  If you have an 'o.k.' pair of headphones but want more and are looking for a really good set for extended listening in your home, the HD555's are a perfect choice.
  
  There really isn't much to complain about. They live up to their price tag, and then some. If you were to compare these headphones to others in the price range, these would come out on top.
  
  Comfort: 4/5 - They are quite comfortable. Some people say they are tight, but I haven't noticed that. I wouldn't want them any looser really. My only complaint is that the velor pads can be slightly itchy, but nothing major.
  
  Quality: 4.5/5 - The construction is fairly solid, and seems like it will last a long time. The headband is made of a rubber-plastic composite with a velor pad. The headphones have a plastic casing with velor pads and a metal grate on the backside of them. They may not be the most attractive to look at, but they aren't bad.
  
  Sound: 4.5/5 - They have excellent sound which is very well balanced. Bass, treble, and mids are all at an even level. Bass lovers should note that there isn't tons of bass, just enough. The real place where these shine is that you can make out all the details of the music, and it really immerses you in it. The 555 lives up to the 'audiophile' tag Sennheiser puts on it.
  
  iPod Use: 3/5 - They can be used on an iPod, they go loud enough, however I wouldn't really recommend it for a few reasons. These headphones are an open design, which means sound get into them and escapes from them. So people around you can hear your music, which might be bothersome to others. Plus they are pretty bulky to carry around with you. The final problem is that the cable connector for connecting to an iPod is quite large and will stick out of your iPod about 2.5 inches.
  So for iPod use, I'd say at home in your room is no problem, but for portable use they aren't practical.
  
  In conclusion, these are excellent headphones and should satisfy even demanding listeners. Recommended.
  
  
• Great headphones for the blues
  By A3MCX2YLQ6TZ0R on 2004-11-24
  These Sennheiser HD-555 headphones are the best I have ever listened to the blues with.They have excellent response in the midrange and also give a very full and deep feeling for the bottom end of the music without giving away the great highend mix you get in the harmonica and piano.I listen to a lot of old time delta and chicago style blues along with some of the newer blues artists and for the money you cannot go wrong with these great headphones.I will be telling all my friends about the quality of these headphones for this type of music.
  
  
• Great headphones...Got them on right now.
  By AG54SKDLNK9R5 on 2005-10-14
  I have worn these headphones for hours straight and I hardly know they are even on. They are light and comfortable. They sound incredible. The cord is super long, at first I was unsure of my feelings until I plugged them into the tv and could sit in my recliner, nice. The open air style phones allow some background noise in but if you cover the sides with your hands you can hear the effect it has. They create a great spacial sound as if the sound is coming from across the room, but accurately diverting every sound into your ear.
  
  I can't comment on durability since I just got them a few days ago but I can say, they seem to be built to handle everyday use. I bought them mostly based on price and the reviews I read here on Amazon. Price meaning I couldn't spend a fortune on headphones, a man's gotta eat, but I will keep looking for a pile of money in my backyard so I can get some HD-600 or 650's. These will do for now.
  
  On a special note, before you judge these headphones check your equalizer settings or examine the source of sound and use a quality music. First I put them in my laptop (which has no problem powering them) and they sounded normal (by normal I mean like inexpensive phones). This was my fault. I tweaked my settings and tried to find a few quality mp3's. Good, but not good enough. I can do better. To enjoy them put them in a reciever with great environments and even more settings. Whoa. I am now running all over the house trying to find music to listen to in a futile attempt to unleash their true potential. Beware! You will hear every pop and snap, get better quality music not poor quality headphones to hide it.
  
  I added this special note because of a review I read where someone had a terrible experience with the HD600 I believe it was. That got me thinking. Don't blame these phones first, be sure you're trying your best to truly hear them and you wont be disappointed.
  
  
• The most comfortable and great sounding cans
  By A3F9710KIUVDGC on 2006-01-02
  These are the most comfy headphones I've ever owned (or tried anywhere). They sound great too. In some cases they create a little too much ambiance. That's apparently due to the Sennheiser's desire to create a surround sound effect without a surround sound processor. Also, the headphones lack that perfect, precision clarity in high frequencies, which is common to most higher-priced headphones. Well, this one is not a very pricey unit, and worth every penny of its price.
  
  To conclude, the Pros are: lightweight and very comfortable, produce very high quality sound. Being an open-type, they never trap soundwaves inside the cups, to cause any audible distortion. Seem sturdy, well-built. The Cons: a little "muddy" highs. Not suitable for studio monitoring, as they are "trying" to make music sound better, more spacious, than what it really is. Overall great product, if it meets your listening needs.
  
  
• The closest you'll get to audiophile headphones for 100 dollars or less.
  By AU8XR7NFMD6YT on 2008-07-04
  Almost everything that can be said about these headphones, has been said, so I'll keep this mostly to physical pros and cons
  
  Pros:
  The most accurate sound you can get for 100 dollars. Not up to par with my Beyerdynamic DT880's, but at one third the cost, you are getting atleast 3/4th's the sound (if that makes sense) so they are an excellent bargain. These are easily the best headphones you can buy at 100 dollars.
  
  The velour ear cups mean that the pressure applied to your head is very minimal, and these are indeed the second most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, next to the DT880's (I've had Grado's, AKG's, other Sennheisers etc) and the inclusion of a velour (I believe) head cushion means that the top of your head won't hurt even after hours of use.
  
  These cans are also very easy to drive from a PC soundcard, and even on my integrated sound card, they'll go to ear splitting volumes if I am so inclined. I bought these specifically because my beyer's can't be driven by my computer, and I got sick of having to move my headphone amp between devices (Between Ipod, computer, etc).
  
  The Bad:
  
  An all plastic frame makes me think that one good drop might be the end of these headphones. The ear pieces are attached to a swivel joint (for comfort, which does help) but the joint is plastic as well, so it's not hard to imagine it popping off. I may just be worrying too much though, because I have a pair of all purpose koss headphones that are entirely plastic, and they've lasted atleast 10 years (though they sound terrible in comparison)
  
  I said these were the second most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, and while that is true, there is one caveat; Even though they are comfortable, my ears are too large for the space provided (the velour sits around the ear, with your ear inside) so my ear presses against the outside of the ear pad. Not a huge deal, and not nearly as severe as with other headphones, but still an issue if you have big ears.
  
  The biggest complaint I have is probably how much sound leaks in and out. I realize that these are open headphones, but even at low volumes, everything you are playing is easily heard by anyone in the same room (so these aren't good for dorm rooms, planes, trains, etc). I was expecting that, but I wasn't quite expecting how much sound is let in. My DT880's are also open, but they don't let nearly as much sound in or out as these Sennheiser cans. The sound of my computer fan is easily heard through the headphones if I don't up the volume a little louder than would otherwise be necessary (meaning others will hear it even more).
  
  There is also a lack of bass with these cans. Others have said it is balanced, but I would almost go so far as to say it's a little bit diffused. Using equalization though, this problem is quickly fixed (if you see it as a problem).
  
  One last con; These headphones come with a large (1/8th inch I believe) plug, with a very rigid 1/4th adaptor (the plug on your computer, compared to the plug on your stereo). This doesn't seem like a huge deal, but this type of adaptor is very prone to snapping and damaging your headphone cord. I'd suggest spending an extra 5 or so dollars and getting a flexible adaptor.
  
  As with all headphones in the quasi-audiophile range (audiophiles will tell you that these cans aren't neutral enough to be audiophile quality. They are close enough at 100 dollars though) you first need to evaluate your own hearing before you spend any amount of money. I have friends that can't tell the difference between my 300 dollar Beyerdynamic headphones, and my old 30 dollar Koss headphones. If you don't have really sensitive ears, you are better off buying the cheaper Sennheisers and saving yourself some money (the 202's, the 212's, etc). I'd suggest going to a local audio store and trying these headphones side by side with a much cheaper pair, and seeing if you truly can tell the difference between the two (and then coming back to buy from Amazon, of course). Also, if you don't buy a whole lot of CD's, and most of your music is compressed MP3's you bought off the net, or songs from youtube/myspace/whatever, these headphones won't help you and they may actually make that type of music sound worse because they will expose flaws in the recording that you wouldn't have been able to hear otherwise.
  
  In conclusion, these are the best headphones you can buy at 100 dollars, and unless you need complete isolation (if you do, I suggest the HD-280's for the same price), or you really love bass, or you have really big ears, these headphones are exactly what you are looking for.
  
  
  
  
  
• I don't write reviews,
  By A2INJ1UKKN8PCV on 2005-08-23
  But oh my, this really is an exception. I'm a pretty big music fan, and like a diverse type of music. I'm mostly into digital hardcore, industrial, experimental, and some pop. So far, these headphones make every song I listen to sound even more amazing.
  
  I really don't have much to say, I'm just very happy that I spent the money, it was WELL worth it.
  
  UPDATE [11/25/06]: I'd just like to add that I'm still using the HD-555s on a daily basis, and still love them to death.
  
  
• For the price they're an excellent set of headphones
  By A3U282TBAL40C5 on 2006-04-01
  Admittedly I haven't listened to too many decent headphones, but prior to owning these I tried some Koss UR-20, and since owning these I've purchased the Sennheiser HD-201, so I have some ability to compare. The HD-555 definitely sounds better than either of the other two. Nice, crisp highs and well defined, but not overbearing bass.
  
  At first the earpieces felt a little tight on my head, but after a few minutes I hardly noticed them. The soft material of the earpieces is very comfortable against your ears.
  
  These phones are not designed for portable music. Being "open" they leak sound, so they work best plugged into the amp or receiver of a home stereo or theater system. I use them to listen to my CDs and LPs (for those who know what they are) and it's a pleasure. I'm sure that if you spend more money you'll get better sound, but it may be diminishing returns. I think for me, at least, this is the ideal price/performance value point, and I'd highly recommend them.
  
  
• Great Headphones for Digital Audio
  By AIHTV7QOJQMXA on 2006-09-23
  I've had these headphones for a few days now and have to say that I'm really impressed by their beautiful sound and superb comfort. The sound from these headphones really brings alive your jazz, rock and hip-hop favorites... if you don't already have nice headphones you'll be hearing things in your music you've never heard before. A great example for me was listening to Ornette Coleman's "The Shape of Jazz to Come" followed by the Roots "Do You Want More?!!!??!" played through iTunes at 128 kbps / 44.100 kHz - not exactly a range advocated by audiophiles, but the music sounds full, rich, complex and beautiful... very nice response from deep bass to high end.
  
  If you are going to be listening to CD's or audio through an iPod or computer at home, these headphones are perfect. Any better headphones are going to be a waste of money unless you are going to be listening to vinyl through a nice amp. NOTE: The impedance of these headphones is 50 ohms, NOT 120 ohms as listed on Amazon. This makes these headphones perfect for listening to portable electronics / computers, rather than more expensive headphones like the HD-595's which will really require a separate headphone amp to bring out their best.
  
  An additional note for first-time headphone buyers - these are "dynamic, open" style headphones, which means that these are best for home use. The open style means that some audio is going to pass from the outside of the headphones (would drive officemates in a quiet office crazy), and external sounds are not going to be well attenuated - meaning that they are perfect for a quiet home or office, but will be poor for subway / airplane / noisy street use.
  
  Overall a GREAT set of headphones for their purpose - home audio / portable electronics.
  
  
• Great buy for newbie who wants to have a great listening experience with out breaking the bank
  By A1AR40N94JCI4E on 2006-10-12
  I owned a few pairs of headphones, from in-ear to sports to full size, this one is the best by far. I am not a music major, I can't tell the difference between how many dB and so on... and I honestly care less about those. If the headphone doesn't sound good to you, the spec is useless.
  
  cons:
  1. I was hoping for a seal/closed headphone, but this is not(It looks like a seal headphone from the picture. :/) To fully experience the sound, I have to turn the volume much higher then my other headphones. But becareful, other people can heard what you are listening to.
  2. The headphone uses a full size headphone plug and includes an adapter for the standard output jack in computer and mp3 player, it can be annoying sometimes
  
  pros:
  1. Very comfortable. I wear glasses and my previous full size headphone was uncomfortable to wear. I was wearing this one for hours while studying, and I hardly felt anything.
  2. Excellent sound details, I can actually tell the difference between a song I encoded in Apple Loseless and 192kbps mp3
  3. Great value, you can't beat the price.
  
  Bottom line, if you think your ears can tell the difference between this headphone and 595 or any other high-end headphones, and you have the money to burn, then get the more expensive one. If you have the money and you don't care about the music, get the expensive one. If you don't have a lot of money but want to listen to great music, GET THIS ONE. If you don't have money and don't care, my friend, good for you, you can save some money and get a pair of headphone from Radioshack for $10.
  
  
• Sit Back, Close Your Eyes and Enjoy!!!!
  By A2ZYL8J1LAX26Y on 2006-11-27
  These headphones are unbelievable! An incredible product at a reasonable price. You would be hard pressed to find another pair of phones with the clarity and spatial characteristics of these gorgeous phones. You can hear total separation of all the instruments and voices with these headphones. I'm powering these babies with a Harman/Kardan AVR240 receiver and the Sony SCD-CE595 Super Audio CD Player. The sound is pure silk coming out of these phones. Bass is distinct and tight without being overbearing, mid ranges are spacious and the highs are clear without any hint of harshness. I've also tested them with my Creative Zen Vision mp3 player. They passed with flying colors. They are extremely comfortable to wear, you even forget you have them on at times. My Bose Quiet Comfort headphones can't touch these in terms of sound. These headphones are open air phones so they're not really made for outside use. Sound leaks out and outside noise creeps in. But that wasn't an issue for me because I'll be using them solely at home. I can't wait to try them on my LP collection. Yes I'm one of the few remaining people that owns a record player. Get these headphones. You won't be sorry.
  
  
• All I Need
  By A8XB7XCD7EB7S on 2006-12-07
  I'm not an audiophile, but I spend much time at the computer where I listen to streaming jazz music. I've recently gone through stages of headphone upgrades and I can see no reason to try to buy any "better" headphones than these for computer use.
  
  I just did a direct comparision: My Radio Shack Pro 35A ($20 or less)(a Koss Pro-1 relabeled) headphones are good but "bright" and are a touch harsh. My Koss UR-40's ($40 or less) are bright, too, but with a "bigger" and slightly more "rounded" sound than the Shack "rest on the ear" ones. Both are worthwhile but both distort on some songs if the bass is boosted.
  
  The Senn's provide a refined sound much more like a live performance than the "inside the head" Koss models. They don't distort at normal listening volume dispite the pouring on of a lot of bass boost. I think I hear more detail in the Senn's. They just sound more "quality."
  
  The Senn's cover your ears but the backs are open to surroundings. This is good for hearing the phone ring, etc. and the open design, I read, is favored by many true audiophiles -- its tough to make closed "phones" sound natural.
  
  The Senn's are comfortable. The moleskin on the cups feels better than immitation leather. For some reason my ears stay cooler than with the Koss UR-40's. Although heavier, the Senn's are "wear, play, and forget." The Senn's quality of construction is obvious; they will serve alongside fine stereo equipment without embarrassment and they should last a long time.
  
  Altogether, a happy purchase in all ways. I recommend the HD 555.
  
  
• These are what Jesus would listen to! Get these ear barrels!
  By A27IXKD4OAVIZ on 2007-01-12
  I heard about these on a Web site, and found a great deal on them at another site. Just like the imprevious previous music expert said, "OH MY GOD!!!!!"
  
  These are like listening to a teenage girl swooning. (Or teenage boy, or fortysomething-or-blubber, considering your.) You don't know how comfortable they are until you pitch forward and
  they fly off your head.
  
  I ripped some CDs years ago at 128KBPS, and they sound freaking awful on the Sony Boingo headphones that make my ears feel like they've got cotton in them or something. They sound MUCH better on these. I feel like reripping my CDs at a higher rate. And I can't wait to hear a CD straight from the home computer's math. Maybe "Parkening Plays Bach"
  
  I work with my ears (I don't do the "ear barrel polka") -- I have two part-time jobs, one as a transcriptionist, the other as a studio musician.
  My girlfriend works with me on the transcription end, and I run lordly rings around her with these. She says, "How in the 13 hubs of Helvetica did you hear that word?"
  
  They won't replace a stellar set of speakers and stellar amp, and a CD player, and rosebud ears, but they is one FIHNE set of canolas.
  
  
• Anorexic sound
  By A24TTMQD3ON1NT on 2007-11-26
  Highly disappointing. I bought these to replace a pair of worn-out Grado SR-60 cans, and was immediately appalled by their brightness and lack of body. The much cheaper Grados were superior, as were Sennheiser's own 'entry-level' HD580.
  
  Before sending the HD555's back, I compared them to my super.fi 5Pro earphones (driven by a HeadRoom Total BitHead headphone amp) at work. If anything, the HD555's suffered even more by comparison.
  
  I ended up purchasing the Grado SR-80 headphones instead, and am fairly happy with those.
  
  

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