Ultrasone PROline 550

The Ultrasone Proline 550 are considered the 'entry-level' to their ProLine series of headphones. The lower frequencies are particularly accentuated in the ProLine 550 making them faves with recording bass players and studio drummers. The highs tend to lean towards sounding slightly veiled combined with a peaky discontinuity in the midranges that we hear with some Ultrasones. So expect acceptable textural clarity and sonic detail in the 550's bottom-end response but perhaps not the greatest extension or musical resolution in the treble side of the spectrum. Their seal from ambient noise is solid but not total, so the design might be suitable for applications where you still want to hear a little what's going on around you. Typically well-made German sealed headphone candidate suitable for growing recording studios or musicians seriously working the bass clef.

A feature of all Ultrasone headphones is the proprietary "S-Logic" technology marketed as a surround-sound simulacrum which we, frankly, don't really hear much. Although the soundstage image does seem to get pushed up a bit 'higher' in the head with somewhat more spatiality, it doesn't quite duplicate sound coming from an external source meters away as claimed -- Actually, that's a hard feat for any headphone that's not truly surround-sound enabled!

The headband of these full-size cans is constructed of the new-fangled Ultrasone plastic polymer and fitted with hinged earpieces and swiveling earpads so you can fold the headphones into a smallish lump for tidy storage or transit. The headband can be gently bent (slightly!) to better accommodate different heads. The fairly large-size circular earpads are covered in a cushy black pleather-type material that is also used on the underside of the headband for maximum comfort. A handy carry pouch is included. The cord exits from the left earpiece and is terminated with a full-size 1/4" stereo plug. As with all of the 'ProLine' Ultrasone headphones, the killer package includes two detachable headphone cables, one coiled & one straight, an extra pair of speed-switch earpads, plus a useful 1/4" to 1/8" mini-plug adapter. A 2yr product warranty is standard with all Ultrasone products from Ultrasone-USA.