[demzy]

For more than 60 years the name Sennheiser has stood for the highest quality products and customised solutions across all areas of sound recording, transmission and reproduction. As one of the world's leading providers of integrated solutions for electro-acoustic products, systems and services they're constantly setting themselves the challenge of developing creative answers which satisfy the requests and requirements of our customers. Now its time to put their skills to the test as we unravel the Sennheiser HD558 headphones.

Technical Data
Transducer principle - Dynamic, open
Ear coupling - Circumaural
Frequency response - 15 – 28000 Hz
THD (total harmonic distortion) - < 0.2 % (1 kHz/100 dB SPL)
Sound pressure level (SPL) - 112 dB
Impedance - 50 Ω(Ohms)
Cable length - 3 m OFC single -sided, exchangeable
Jack plug - 6.3 mm
Weight - 260 g

Features
High-end open circumaural headphones with E.A.R. technology for outstanding bass and vocal projection
Sennheiser's innovative "Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement" (E.A.R.) design channels audio signals directly into your ears
State-of-the-art, advanced Duofol diaphragms for transparency and minimal distortion
Highly optimised, field-strengthened neodymium ferrous magnet systems for an excellent dynamic response
Surround reflector for extended spatial sound field
Lightweight aluminium voice coils for high efficiency and excellent dynamics
Elegantly layered honeycomb finish on ear cup casings
Extremely comfortable velour ear pads and headband
Excellent connectivity, also with home Hifi equipment
2-year warranty

Delivery Includes
1 x Sennheiser HD 558 audiophile headphones
1 x 3.5 mm adapter (normal size for iPod, PC (default))

Price
249.00 New Zealand dollars = 196.032049 Australian dollars
Available from: http://www.computerlounge.co.nz - FREE SHIPPING - $249
Available from: http://www.scorptec.com.au - SHIPPING NOT INCL. - $199

First impressions of Sennheiser's HD558 headphones were: it's shape was different to any other pair of headphones I had ever purchased, the padding was to the extreme and the strengthened area around the cord. These all are innovative moves by Sennheiser to maximise the comfort of their users and enhance the durability of their products. I will talk more about these aspects later on, as for the visual appearance I believe it is appealing and showcases the Sennheiser brand very well.

Tick Box:
Visual Appearance: Yes
Left & Right speakers labelled: Yes
Brand noticeable: Yes
Interchangeable sizes: Yes
Strong cord: Yes
Strong jack: Yes - and gold plated
Different jack sizes (applicable to expensive/professional audio headphones): Yes

Once I put Sennheiser's HD558 headphones on, I noticed the reasons why it's shape was made in such a funny, unique way. As soon as you adjust the size to your liking, your head is completely immersed within the HD558. The headphones sit in the most comfortable position for your head and the ear pads surround your ear perfectly. This means that the speakers project directly parallel with your ear providing you with the optimum experience possible. The extreme padding completed every gap between your skull and the base of Sennheiser's HD558, wasn't rough on your skin and was quite comfortable. Although, it may be quite overwhelming at first as Sennheiser's HD558 does put quite a bit of pressure on your head, within a day your head will have adjusted accordingly.

The first test I put Sennheiser's HD558 headphones through was the vigorous test of producing my favourite genre of music - post-hardcore, coupled with my favourite artists this proved to be the most important test to decide whether or not it survives. Of course, Sennheiser's HD558 delivers. The sound was crystal clear, I could hear every beat without any static or distortion. I was very impressed as a lot of headphones fail to provide a high quality experience when listening to music. Tripled with a Sennheiser soundcard Sennheiser's HD558 headphones could be lethal to any rival brand's products out on the market.

Sennheiser's HD558 headphones included Sennheiser's, "innovative E.A.R. technology which ensures accurate channeling of audio signals into your ears, as well as sophisticated Duofol diaphragms which reduce unwanted resonances to an absolute minimum." As I have previous mentioned the sound produced from the HD558 was crystal clear, no unwanted resonances occurred. E.A.R stands for Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement which is the reason why Sennheiser's headphones have a different shape to regular headphones. They have diversified from the "norm" shape of headphones into a dynamic, new shape which allows accurate channeling of audio into your ear. This changes the way your ears receive audio for the better, providing the optimum experience. I believe this enhanced the way I was able to receive sound from the HD558 and it added to the immerse experience Sennheiser was providing me (the user).

From a gaming perspective, you can hear footsteps perfectly which is a pinnacle part of first person shooters. The HD558 provides great directional sound and due to Sennheiser's innovative Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement technology, the audio is channeled accurately into your ear allowing you to pinpoint your enemy and shut him down before he even realises it. For every other sound, it performs like every other decent pair of headphones which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The HD558 has now tested for both personal sound and gaming sound, I don't feel as though I was hindered by the HD558 and I felt as though I was in control with the sound I was hearing. I believe it can survive till the finish line of this review.

I would recommend Sennheiser's HD558 headphones for both professional audio uses and gaming uses. It provides great comfort whilst giving the user a unique audiophile experience. Sennheiser is still one of the world's leading providers of integrated solutions for electro-acoustic products, systems and services and now in my mind too. I couldn't point out any fault in the design of the HD558, all of its "joints" were strengthened and had all the requirements of a professional use or gaming use. Sennheiser have provided a creative answer to comfort for day-long-use gamers and their E.A.R technology has satisfied the needs of my audiophile obsession.


One thing I would change?
Transducer principle - Dynamic, open to noise-cancelling to further immerse the user and provide better focus on subtle sounds (especially for a gamer).

Overall Score:
9.8/10 - A cheesy high score but nonetheless it is value for money, one of the best audio experiences I have ever felt over the years.

Thank you for reading,

Steven "demzy' Watson

If you would like your brand's products to be reviewed by Steven send an email to: steven@team-supremacy.net
I take all constructive criticism on board, it helps me review products a lot better and I would appreciate any tips, advice or changes I should make to how I review hardware.

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