Philips HP550 Full Size Foldable Headphones

by Philips

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000056SJU
• Item model number: HP550
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 10, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Think you have to shell out big bucks for quality headphones? Think again. This set from Philips offers comfort for long listening sessions, a closed-ear design that keeps unwanted noise from interfering with your music, pivoting earcups that help the headset fold to coat-pocket size, and--happiest of all--clear, well-balanced sound with surprisingly good bass.

Sure, you'll get better sound with more expensive headphones: cleaner bass, more refined treble, less fatiguing midrange. But to get that, you'd have to pay several times what these puppies will run you; we dare say they're the best headphones out there for under $100.

And the fact is, even headphones that give you some of the more "expensive" qualities mentioned above don't do so with the same innate sense of rightness imparted by the HP550s. With this set, the spirit of the music came across from every disc we played, from the nuanced Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack to Oregon's delicate acoustic textures and U2's hard-hitting All That You Can't Leave Behind.

The padded earcups are comfortable and well suited for either home or portable listening. They don't block all noise, so you may still want to consider a noise-canceling headphone for airplane travel. But the HP550's combination of comfort, convenience, sound quality, and affordability is unrivaled in our experience. Personally cherished and highly recommended. --Michael Mikesell

Pros:

• Amazingly good sound for the price
• Clear, tight bass response
• Closed-ear design superb for portable use
• Comfortable ear cushions
• Compact size
• Lightweight
• Fluorescent, high-tech sheen

Cons:

• Limited high-frequency extension (despite a strong HF measurement)
• They make you look like one of the Jetsons

From the Manufacturer

Modern, foldable design and exceptional sound performance
The SBC HP550 offers exceptionally high sound quality and wearing comfort, and its foldable characteristics enable it to be enjoyed wherever you go.

Powerful 40 mm Neodymium speakers
for exceptionally high sound performance

Soft, full-size ear-cushions
ensure minimum sound leakage and maximum comfort

Comfortable lightweight design
ensures hours of wearing comfort

Foldable design
enables easy storage and portability

Sturdy hinges
for frequent use and long life

3.5-6.3mm stereo adapter
provides a reliable connection to all (Portable) Audio and TV systems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Headphones for..., June 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Philips HP550 Full Size Foldable Headphones (Electronics)

These headphones deliver some serious quality. The bass and treble are great, with exceptional sound. They work well from heavy metal to Stravinsky. They are well designed and are so light you barely know that you're wearing them. The hinges are durable, and the blue pegs are for winding the cord around. They are very convenient and portable, they fold right up into themselves. I definatly recommend these to anyone that wants an awesome pair of headphones, but doesn't want to shell out major mula.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific budget headphones, January 4, 2003

By 

Sirishkumar Raghuram "sirishkr" (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Philips HP550 Full Size Foldable Headphones (Electronics)

I think this is a terrific set of headphones for the budget minded buyer, I've not come across a better one at this price range. I would readily recommend it to anyone looking for budget headphones.

LIKES:
1. Price

2. Sound
Sound quality is an extremely subjective issue. I think the best sound system I've come across is a 11 speaker Bose system in a rented SUV. If I were to give that 10 for sound quality, I would put this somewhere around 7.5. The treble is crisp, and the bass is to my liking. I'm fairly certain bass fans may want a little more, but even they likely will find this above average (at the budget end of headphones).
And if you're the one who likes your music LOUD, this one absolutely delivers!

3. Ergonomics
A. Cable length of 1.5 feet gives me a little more room to maneuver around my desk without having to take these off (many headphones have cables 1.2 feet long)
B. Fold up well
C. Extend/Retract well to accomodate your head size

4. Look good and feel sturdy, though some other reviews here indicate otherwise

5. Blocking external noise
While I was looking for headphones that would block a fair amount of ambient noise, I use these headphones at my work desk too and would like to take the call if the telephone rings ;) I think they do a good job. Listening to music at an average volumes, I can just hear the phone ring.

DISLIKES:
1. Potentially uncomfortable for long usage
It took me a couple of days to figure out a position where my ear lobes don't hurt because of wearing these. Since then, I've used them for upto about 2 hours at a time, without really feeling uncomfortable. These are my 4th set of headphones in a year, and I think they are reasonably comfortable. But the shape of the phone's pad is such that people could potentially find it uncomfortable if not worn correctly

Overall, a great budget headphone!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply incredible!, June 27, 2001

By 

"aneurysm9" (Niagara Falls, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips HP550 Full Size Foldable Headphones (Electronics)

I picked up a pair of these headphones at Sears simply because they were the only ones there that had a halfway decent range and I needed something cheap for my portable MD. I was blown away when I plugged them in and put them on. Never have I had a pair of headphones this comfortable. They're so light and well fitting that I sometimes forget that I'm wearing them. But in the end it's all about the sound, and these babies put up like no other in their price range. Clean, clear, crisp bass like I've never heard in a pair of headphones. The clarity extends through the entire range. Simply put, buy them! they're the best deal available.