Sennheiser HD 560S509144 · Black · wired- Nominal impedance
- 120 ohmThis one: 150 ohm
- Weight
- 240 gThis one: 237 g
HEADPHONES
Sennheiser HD 550
Black · wired · Sennheiser part 700455
- Acoustic design
- Open-back
- Wearing style
- Over-ear, open-back dynamic headphones
- Nominal impedance
- 150 ohm
The HD 550 (article 700455) is a passive, open-back over-ear headphone built on Sennheiser's HD 500 chassis, with a 150-ohm dynamic transducer, high-grade metal mesh earcup covers, a synthetic leather headband, a 1.8 m cable ending in a 3.5 mm plug, and a stated weight of 237 g. Sennheiser describes a neutral balance that extends further into sub-bass than the HD 599.
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THE ACTUAL PRODUCT
Compare with Sennheiser HD 560S
Specifications checked 26 Sept 2026Manufacturer specifications, not a hands-on test.
The nearest checked headphones by key specifications, with what differs from the Sennheiser HD 550. The first matches the Compare button above.
Sennheiser HD 560S509144 · Black · wired
Sennheiser HD 505700453 · Copper Edition (black with copper/bronze accents) · wired- Wearing style
- Over-ear (circumaural), open-back dynamic headphonesThis one: Over-ear, open-back dynamic headphones
- Nominal impedance
- 120 ohmThis one: 150 ohm
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO700286 · HD 490 PRO (standard, not PRO Plus) · wired- Wearing style
- Over-ear (circumaural), open-back wired studio headphonesThis one: Over-ear, open-back dynamic headphones
- Nominal impedance
- 130 ohmThis one: 150 ohm
Key strengths
Sennheiser describes a direct analogue signal path from source to ear and says no charging is required.
Sennheiser publishes both the 150-ohm impedance and a 106.7 dB at 1 V rating, which helps estimate how much output a source needs to drive it.
Replacement ear pads are offered, HD 500-range accessories are stated to be compatible, and Sennheiser says the headphones accept balanced cables.
Before you buy
It is an open-back design, and Sennheiser publishes no ambient-noise attenuation figure for it.
Sennheiser calls the design microphone-ready but does not identify a supplied microphone in the package list.
Sennheiser does not say whether the 237 g figure includes the cable, and no balanced cable is included in the box.
Every specification. With its source.
Full specifications
Exact configuration: 700455 · Black · wired
19 specifications in 5 groups. Values are manufacturer specifications unless a row says “Measured result” or “Calculated from cited specifications”.
Design & fit
6 items
- Acoustic design
- Open-backSource
- Wearing style
- Over-ear, open-back dynamic headphonesSource
- Weight
- 237 g
Stated in the feature copy; Sennheiser does not say whether the figure includes the cable.
Source - Ear pads
- Synthetic velourSource
- Construction
- High-grade metal mesh earcup covers; synthetic leather headband
- Serviceability
- Replacement parts such as ear pads are offered; HD 500-range accessories are compatibleSource
Connections & battery
3 items
- Wired / wireless connections
- Wired analogue; 1.8 m cable with 3.5 mm plug and supplied 3.5-to-6.35 mm screw-on adapter; accepts balanced cables
Sennheiser's UK and US store product descriptions state 'Accepts balanced cables'; no balanced cable is in the box list. The product page states HD 500-range accessories are compatible and sells HD 500-series replacement cables; it does not state in the specification table whether the cable detaches.
- Battery life
- Not required: passive wired headphones powered by the audio source
Passive headphones with no battery or charging.
Source - Cable length
- 1.8 mSource
Audio specifications
7 items
- Nominal impedance
- 150 ohmSource
- Rated sensitivity
- 106.7 dB SPL (1 V RMS)
Voltage reference (dB/V), not dB/mW; the test frequency is not stated.
Source - Driver construction
- 150-ohm dynamic transducer made by Sennheiser in IrelandSource
- Rated frequency range
- 6 Hz – 39.5 kHz
No tolerance is stated.
Source - Frequency tuning
- Neutral balance; response described as very close to what is considered ideal for headphones
Sennheiser's description ('Punchy bass, brilliant treble extension, and natural, lifelike mids' in the store description); not a measurement by this site.
- Manufacturer sub-bass claim
- Extends further into sub-bass than the HD 599Source
- Rated total harmonic distortion
- <0.2% (1 kHz / 90 dB SPL)
Rated at 1 kHz and 90 dB SPL; other models use different test levels, so compare with care.
Source
Calls & noise control
2 items
- Active noise cancellation
- Not listed by the manufacturer
Sennheiser explicitly describes a direct analogue signal path without sound-shaping electronics, but does not explicitly name an active noise cancellation absence. Preserve that operating claim separately; ANC remains unknown pending exact scope resolution.
Source - Microphone
- Not listed by the manufacturer
Sennheiser advertises a microphone-ready design but does not identify a supplied microphone in the package list. Presence or absence of a microphone remains unresolved for this exact configuration.
Source
In the box
1 item
- In the box
- Headphones, 1.80 m cable with 3.5 mm plug, 3.5-to-6.35 mm screw-on adapter, drawstring bagSource
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