I’ve been an audiophile for a while and a massive PC gamer, so I know the value of a great pair of open-back headphones while playing video games. Compared to other gaming headsets on the market, a good pair of headphones can be the perfect companion for gaming and listening to music in your spare time.
Even if you aren’t a gamer, spending a good amount on a pair of headphones can be a real game-changer—which is why I’m looking forward to the new Sennheiser HD550, which are now available to pre-order. If you have been shopping around for gaming headsets, you can always try cheaper alternatives like the Logitech G Pro X for £74.99 at Amazon, or there’s always the Audeze Maxwell for £299.99.
The open-back design of the new Sennheiser pair comes with a custom 38mm transducer made at Sennheiser’s audiophile production facility in Tullamore, Ireland. At 150 ohms, it’s an ideal match for a wide variety of hi-fi gear, scaling with ease when paired with premium audio gear such as Sennheiser’s own HDV 820.
For gamers – like myself – who have a fairly competent set-up on their PC, it might be the perfect companion for gaming for the likes of CounterStrike 2, Call of Duty and other FPS games where you need to listen out for the enemy.
Open-back headphones can produce a wide soundstage and better imaging than other gaming headsets may struggle with and they are great for mixed usage.
The biggest downside is that they can be expensive, and sometimes they may not be as compatible with your PC setup, meaning you’ll have to invest in an AMP or DAC alongside the headphones to get the most out of them – and the HD550 might be no exception.
Sennheiser claims that gamers will experience superb, lag-free spatial awareness and immersion for both competitive and casual sessions. True to the Sennheiser brand’s heritage, the HD 550 delivers punchy bass, crystal-clear transients, and neutral mids without straying from the truthful voicing that audiophiles prefer.
Sennheiser claims that gamers will experience superb, lag-free spatial awareness and immersion for both competitive and casual sessions. True to the Sennheiser brand’s heritage, the HD 550 delivers punchy bass, crystal-clear transients, and neutral mids without straying from the truthful voicing that audiophiles prefer.