Ultrasone HFI 550's

[funkysurfer]

Does anybody own this model? I tried out the HFI 650's the other day and fell in love with them. However the $230 price tag was way out of budget. I found a decent deal on the 550's but can't sample them.

How do the 550's compare to the 650's?

Do they drive well enough when plugged into a digital recorder or computer?

The 650's were clear & clean with no coloring. Are the 550's the same?

Thanks,
FS

 

[TL5]

Yes. I compared them when I purchased, but I've had my 550's for a couple years now.

The 550's have a lower impedence allowing for more SPL. I think the 550s have more isolation. The highend frequency repsonse is a little better on the 650's (650= 10Hz - 25 kHz, 550's= 10Hz - 22kHz)
Otherwise they are very similar.

Ultrasone linkage

 

[funkysurfer]

The 550's have a lower impedence allowing for more SPL. I think the 550s have more isolation. The highend frequency repsonse is a little better on the 650's (650= 10Hz - 25 kHz, 550's= 10Hz - 22kHz)
Otherwise they are very similar.

TL5,

Thanks for the feedback.

I tried the 650's side by side with the Sony 7506's, AKG's and the Senn's everybody here recommends in the $100 range as well as some others. To me the 650's sounded best while listening to the sample music which was playing.

However, I do not plan on using them for general listening. I would like to use them for practicing/monitoring/mixing at home.

Do the 550's reproduce an accurate representation of what's coming out of my basses/ amps?

Thanks again,
FS

 

[TL5]

My 550's are by far the best headphones I've ever used. I used tro work full-time in radio and radio production so I've used a lot of headphones, Sennheisers, AKG's etc.

Currently, my 550's stay at my computer/recording station. I have a pair of Sony 7506's that are in my gig bag.

My favorite old standby's were an early 80s Fostex T-20s. They were literally falling apart. To me, the 550s compare to those very well frequency response wise. The 550's are louder (lower impedence) and have the added benefit of the Ultrasone 'spacial imaging'.

I don't know if that was explained to you, but what they do is very simple. Most headphone drivers are mounted so that they point straight into the ear. Ultrasone tilts the drivers so that the image hits the upper portion of your ear first - more like what you'd hear if the sound was in front of you. It's not really that noticable unless you compare side by side - but you grow to get used to it and I happen to really like it - YMMV.

 

[funkysurfer]

Currently, my 550's stay at my computer/recording station. I have a pair of Sony 7506's that are in my gig bag.

After reading so many posts here, I actually went to the store with the intention of buying either the 7506's or the Sennheiser 280's. Many people here seem to praise the Sony's, but to me the bass sounded a bit hyped.

The Ultrasones sounded the most natural & clear to me. The Senn's were clear too, but like what others have said here before, they really do hurt your head! Way to tight.

Thanks again for all your feedback.

 

[TL5]

Many people here seem to praise the Sony's, but to me the bass sounded a bit hyped..

I bought my 550's and 7506's the same weekend. I keep the 7506's in the gig bag to limit wear and tear on the 550's.

You're welcome.