What You Need to Know
Sennheiser positions the Sennheiser HD 550 Open-Back Headphones as a flagship-tier open back headphones, asking $249.95. After 28 customer reviews on Amazon, the verdict is a outstanding 4.6 stars. We've ranked it #44 out of 46 in this category. It's not a top pick - there are higher-rated and better-value options in the category - but specific shoppers may still find it fits their needs.
On the Head
Headsets live or die on long-session comfort. The high rating suggests the clamp force and ear cushion design work for most heads.
Specs at a Glance
- Brand: Sennheiser
- Price: $249.95 (well above the $169.00 category average)
- Amazon rating: 4.6 of 5.0
- Reviews: 28
- Category rank: #44 of 46 in open back headphones
- Cheaper in category: 36 products
- Higher-rated in category: 0 products
- More-reviewed in category: 43 products
Real-World Feedback
With only 28 reviews, this is a small sample. The 4.6-star average could move significantly as more buyers chime in. Treat the rating as a starting point rather than a verdict.
The Field Around It
At $249.95, the Sennheiser HD 550 Open-Back Headphones sits well above the $169.00 category average. 36 options are cheaper and 9 are more expensive.
The category leader is the OneOdio Hi-Res Studio Monitor Headphones ($37.99, 4.4★, 73,430 reviews). It's $211.96 more expensive than the top pick despite ranking lower, which is a hard combination to justify unless a specific feature swings the decision.
Cheaper alternatives worth a look:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50X Studio Headphones - $159.00, 4.6★ (33,300 reviews) · Cheaper
- beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Headphones - $199.99, 4.6★ (19,824 reviews) · Cheaper
- beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 Ohm - $179.99, 4.6★ (19,824 reviews) · Cheaper If pure price is the filter, the cheapest is the Eigsupia Open Ear Bluetooth Headphones at $14.99.
Who Should Get This
Only if you specifically want what makes it expensive. The rating is excellent but the price premium is meaningful. There are cheaper highly-rated options in this category - make sure the extra money is buying a feature you'll actually use.
Best fit for:
- Quality-first buyers who prioritize a track record of satisfaction over saving a few dollars
The Verdict
6.9/10
Functional, mid-pack option. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing pushing it above the better-ranked alternatives either.