Sennheiser HD 555

Sure, we love to sell crazy-expensive headphones and amplifiers to the audiophile lunatic fringe (hey, that's me! -ed.), but we also recognize that for many music lovers who just want great sound there needs to be some way to get it at a really good price. Well, here we go: these cans sound terrific for the money! The HD555 headphone has a smooth & warm tonal presentation but without overwhelmingly dramatic loss of treble range sonic detail. The HD555 remain decently punchy in the bottom-end with plenty of clear mid-range presence and a slightly rolled-off extension in the uppermost highs. The headphones rate fairly efficiently at 50-ohms impedance and should be OK to power decently from most computers, iPods, Mp3 players, and portable DiscMan/WalkMan players. But partner these cans with any HeadRoom headphone amp and - WHOA NELLY! - these headphones transform into an impressive and lively listening experience. The HD555's possess an even tonal signature we believe will be pleasing to a wide range of listeners; they certainly brought a wry little smile to our faces! All in all, a killer entry-level or 'beginning audiophile' headphone.

This full-sized headphone is a circumaural style with comfy velour earcups and plush headband pads. It features a highly effective design that places the headphone driver elements in a naturally angled position almost parallel with the ear for maximized clarity and soundstage imaging ability. It is also extremely comfortable to wear and might be one of the most comfortable Sennheiser headphones on the market. The nearly 10ft non-"quick-detach" headphone cord exits from the left earpiece and comes terminated to a full-sized ¼ headphone plug; a ¼ inch-to-1/8" inch 'mini-plug' adaptor is included, but we highly recommend using the excellent Grado Labs ¼-to-1/8" short cable-flex adaptor (available under our "Cables & Adaptors" link) which places much less strain on small 1/8" [3.5mm] headphone jacks. Moreover, the fit & cosmetic finish of these cans is also excellent as is typical for Sennheiser build quality. A 2-year product warranty is provided by the manufacturer.