Headphones
Products
In The Lab
Forums
Newsletters
Join now
Best
Headphones Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds Noise Cancelling Earbuds Gaming Over-Ear Wireless Apple PC Gaming Wireless Gaming Running Bone Conduction And Open-Ear Wired Xbox Series X/S In-Ears On-Ear Wireless Earbuds For Android PS5/PS5 Pro Music Over-Ears For Working Out
Tools
Compare Results Table Tool Review List Review Index Graph Review Pipeline Vote Custom Ratings
Popular
Sony WF-1000XM6 Sony WH-1000XM6 Audeze Maxwell 2 Razer BlackShark V3 Pro Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) JBL Live 780NC Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless SteelSeries Arctis Nova 7 Wireless [7, 7P, 7X] Sennheiser HDB 630 Anker Soundcore P31i Technics EAH-AZ100 Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro Apple AirPods Pro 3 Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Sennheiser HD 800 S Bose Ultra Open Earbuds Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
921 Headphones bought and tested
Supported by you via membership, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  1. Home
  2. Headphones
  3. Reviews
  4. Sennheiser
  5. HD 550
  6. Review

Sennheiser HD 550  Headphones Review

Notice: Below are the preliminary measurements for the Sennheiser HD 550. Members have early access to the test results, and some measurements may be updated before publication.

The full review will be published in a few days.
Tested using Methodology v2.3 
Sennheiser HD 550

Track

Bass Amount
Locked
Treble Amount
Locked
Sound Signature
Locked
TypeLocked
EnclosureLocked
WirelessLocked
Noise CancellingLocked
MicLocked

Track

GIFT THIS REVIEW

 21

Changelog

  1.  Updated Oct 05, 2026: Early access published.
  2.  Updated Sep 28, 2026: Our testers have started testing this product.
  3.  Updated Sep 16, 2026: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  4.  Updated Sep 14, 2026: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Check Price

BlackHD 550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
BlackHD 550
SEE PRICE
B&H
BlackHD 550
SEARCH
Amazon
BlackHD 550
SEARCH
Sennheiser
BlackHD 550
SEARCH
Walmart.com
How We Test Headphones: Over 900 And Counting!
How We Test Headphones: Over 900 And Counting!

Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.

You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.

Learn more

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Sort:
RATINGS
Category:
All
Sound
Sound Profile
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Sound Profile Sample
Normalization Frequency
LockedLock Hz
Bass Amount
LockedLocked
Treble Amount
LockedLocked
Sound Signature
LockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT SOUND PROFILE 
0.0
Frequency Response Consistency
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Consistency L Sample
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Consistency R Sample
Std. Deviation
LockedLock dB
LEARN ABOUT FREQUENCY RESPONSE CONSISTENCY 
Raw Frequency Response
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Raw FR L Sample
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Raw FR R Sample
LEARN ABOUT RAW FREQUENCY RESPONSE 
0.0
Bass Profile: Target Compliance
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample
RMS Deviation From Target
LockedLock dB
Low-Frequency Extension
LockedLock Hz
Low Bass
LockedLock dB
Mid Bass
LockedLock dB
High Bass
LockedLock dB
LEARN ABOUT BASS PROFILE: TARGET COMPLIANCE 
0.0
Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample
RMS Deviation From Target
LockedLock dB
Low Mid
LockedLock dB
Mid-Mid
LockedLock dB
High Mid
LockedLock dB
LEARN ABOUT MID-RANGE PROFILE: TARGET COMPLIANCE 
0.0
Treble Profile: Target Compliance
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample
RMS Deviation From Target
LockedLock dB
Low Treble
LockedLock dB
Mid Treble
LockedLock dB
High Treble
LockedLock dB
LEARN ABOUT TREBLE PROFILE: TARGET COMPLIANCE 
0.0
Peaks/Dips
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample
Peaks
LockedLock dB
Dips
LockedLock dB
LEARN ABOUT PEAKS/DIPS 
0.0
Stereo Mismatch
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Frequency Response Mismatch Sample
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Phase Response Mismatch Sample
Weighted Amplitude Mismatch
LockedLock dB
Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch
LockedLock dB
Weighted Phase Mismatch
LockedLock°
LEARN ABOUT STEREO MISMATCH 
0.0
PRTF
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 PRTF Sample
PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)
LockedLock dB
PRTF Size (Avg.)
LockedLock dB
PRTF Distance
LockedLock dB
LEARN ABOUT PRTF 
0.0
Harmonic Distortion
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Harmonics Levels Sample
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 THD Ratio Sample
WHD @ 94 dB SPL
LockedLock%
WHD @ 104 dB SPL
LockedLock%
LEARN ABOUT HARMONIC DISTORTION 
Electrical Aspects
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Impedance Sample
Sensitivity @1kHz-1V
LockedLock dB SPL
Bluetooth Max SPL
LockedN/A
Test Settings
Firmware
LockedLocked
Power
LockedLocked
Connection
LockedLocked
Codec
LockedLocked
Test InstrumentLockedLocked
EQ
LockedLocked
ANC
LockedLocked
Tip/Pad
LockedLocked
Microphone
LockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT TEST SETTINGS 
Design
Style
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Design Picture 2 Sample
TypeLockedLocked
EnclosureLockedLocked
WirelessLockedLocked
TransducerLockedLocked
0.0
Comfort
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Comfort Picture Sample
WeightLockedLock lbs
Clamping Force
LockedLock lbs
LEARN ABOUT COMFORT 
0.0
Controls
OS Compatibility
LockedLocked
Ease Of UseLockedLocked
FeedbackLockedLocked
Call/Music ControlLockedLocked
Volume ControlLockedLocked
Microphone ControlLockedLocked
Channel Mixing
LockedLocked
Noise Cancelling ControlLockedLocked
Talk-Through
LockedLocked
Additional ControlsLockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT CONTROLS 
0.0
Portability
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Portability Picture Sample
LLockedLock" (Lock cm)
WLockedLock" (Lock cm)
HLockedLock" (Lock cm)
VolumeLockedLock in³ (Lock cm³)
Transmitter RequiredLockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT PORTABILITY 
0.0
Case
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Case Picture Sample
TypeLockedLocked
LLockedN/A
WLockedN/A
HLockedN/A
VolumeLockedN/A
LEARN ABOUT CASE 
0.0
Build Quality
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Build Quality Picture Sample
LEARN ABOUT BUILD QUALITY 
0.0
Stability
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Stability Picture Sample
LEARN ABOUT STABILITY 
Headshots 1
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Angled Picture Sample
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Side Picture Sample
Headshots 2
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Front Picture Sample
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Rear Picture Sample
Top
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Top Picture Sample
In The Box
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 In The Box Picture Sample
Isolation
0.0
Noise Isolation - Full Range
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample
Noise CancellingLockedLocked
Overall Attenuation
LockedLock dB
Bass
LockedLock dB
Mid
LockedLock dB
Treble
LockedLock dB
LEARN ABOUT NOISE ISOLATION - FULL RANGE 
0.0
Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample
Airplane Noise Attenuation
LockedLock dB
Airplane Noise Isolation Audio
Join Nowto hear audio samples
Office Noise Attenuation
LockedLock dB
Office Noise Isolation Audio
Join Nowto hear audio samples
Street Noise Attenuation
LockedLock dB
Street Noise Isolation Audio
Join Nowto hear audio samples
Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
Female Voice 1
Join Nowto hear audio samples
Male Voice 1
Join Nowto hear audio samples
Female Voice 2
Join Nowto hear audio samples
Male Voice 2
Join Nowto hear audio samples
ANC Wind Handling
ANC Wind Noise
N/A
0.0
Leakage
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Leakage Sample
Leakage Audio
Join Nowto hear audio samples
Overall Leakage @ 1ft
LockedLock dB
LEARN ABOUT LEAKAGE 
Microphone
Microphone Style
Integrated
LockedLocked
In-Line
LockedLocked
Boom
LockedLocked
Detachable Boom
LockedLocked
MicLockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT MICROPHONE STYLE 
0.0
Recording Quality
Recorded Speech
N/A
LFE
LockedN/A
FR Std. Dev.
LockedN/A
HFE
LockedN/A
Weighted THD
LockedN/A
Gain
LockedN/A
LEARN ABOUT RECORDING QUALITY 
0.0
Noise Handling
SpNR
LockedN/A
Noise Gate
LockedLocked
Speech + Pink Noise Handling
LockedN/A
Speech + Pink Noise Audio SampleN/A
Speech + Subway Noise Handling
LockedN/A
Speech + Subway Noise Audio SampleN/A
LEARN ABOUT NOISE HANDLING 
Active Features
0.0
Battery
Battery Type
LockedLocked
Continuous Battery Life
LockedN/A
Additional Charges
LockedN/A
Total Battery Life
LockedN/A
Charge Time
LockedN/A
Power-Saving Feature
LockedLocked
Audio While Charging
LockedLocked
Passive Playback
LockedLocked
Charging PortLockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT BATTERY 
0.0
App Support
App NameLockedLocked
iOSLockedLocked
AndroidLockedLocked
macOSLockedLocked
WindowsLockedLocked
Equalizer
LockedLocked
ANC Control
LockedLocked
Mic ControlLockedLocked
Playback Control
LockedLocked
Button MappingLockedLocked
Virtual Surround
LockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT APP SUPPORT 
Connectivity
0.0
Wired Connection
SAMPLE
Join Now

for pictures & test results

Sennheiser HD 550 Cable Picture Sample
Analog Audio
LockedLocked
USB Audio
LockedLocked
Detachable
LockedLocked
Length
LockedLock ft (Lock m)
Connector
LockedLocked
Latency - Analog
LockedLock ms
Latency - USB
LockedN/A
Recorded Latency
Join Nowto hear audio samples
Recorded Latency ConnectionLockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT WIRED CONNECTION 
0.0
Bluetooth Connection
Bluetooth Version
LockedLocked
Multi-Device Pairing
LockedLocked
Quick Pair (Android)
LockedLocked
Quick Pair (iOS)
LockedLocked
Latency - SBC
LockedN/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)
LockedN/A
Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)
LockedN/A
Latency - LDAC
LockedN/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
Recorded Latency CodecLockedLocked
AAC Support
LockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT BLUETOOTH CONNECTION 
0.0
Wireless Connection (Dongle)
Line Of Sight Range
LockedN/A
Latency - Dongle
LockedN/A
Recorded Latency
N/A
LEARN ABOUT WIRELESS CONNECTION (DONGLE) 
PC Compatibility
Analog
LockedLocked
Wired USB
LockedLocked
Non-BT Wireless
LockedLocked
PlayStation Compatibility
PS5 Analog
LockedLocked
PS5 Wired USB
LockedLocked
PS5 Non-BT Wireless
LockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT PLAYSTATION COMPATIBILITY 
Xbox Compatibility
Xbox Series X|S Analog
LockedLocked
Xbox Series X|S Wired USB
LockedLocked
Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless
LockedLocked
LEARN ABOUT XBOX COMPATIBILITY 
Missing something for your decision? Tell us!
We make money directly from you via Membership (which gives you access to extra features), when you buy RTINGS.com Merch, and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. See what products we currently have for sale.
© 2026 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved.