Sennheiser HD 558 Review
Sennheiser does not need to be presented separately, it is one of the largest and most influential headphones manufacturers for over half a century. Their product range is extremely broad in both product types and prices. Most good sound lovers have met their headphones at some point. 
The Sennheiser HD 588 belongs to the higher-end of the Sennheiser’s headphones that incorporate a multitude of patented technologies that make Sennheiser what it is. Within their product division, the HD 588 are audiophile headphones for home use. The headphones are large and completely cover the ear and sit very comfortably on the head. The sponges above the units are coated with a very soft cloth that does not interfere with after hours of listening. The headphones are made of hard plastic and don’t give the impression of which product category they are. They are open type, which means that they do not isolate the sound of the environment, so their purpose is to listen to music at home and not on public transport. Open type headphones often have advantages in playing space versus a closed type. The headphones come with 50ohm impedance units and a sensitivity of 112dB, which is slightly higher than usual, so they carry more load for the average mp3 player. The weight of the headphones is a pleasant 294g, low enough for long comfortable listening. The built-in cable is quite long (3.2m) and comes with a 6.3mm stereo jack, but comes with a 3.5mm adapter as well.
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Audiophile grade over ear, open back headphones
- Twist and lock single sided cable eliminates tangles and simplifies...
- Gold-plated 1/4 inch plug with 1/8 inch adapter
- Highly optimized, field strengthened neodymium ferrous magnet system
What is The Sound of Sennheiser HD 558?
The first thing that came to the fore on the hearing test is the big stage that these headphones play. The HD558, in addition to playing a large stage, gives the impression that it is distant from the listener, thus enhancing the concert atmosphere. When listening to jazz pianist and vocalist, Diane Krall, the sound was slightly darker with a more pronounced middle part of the spectrum that made the voice sound fuller and of a slightly larger volume. The information is slightly higher in the middle of the spectrum than in the high compared to some competing headphones.
The following test material, Tricky’s album False Idols, featured a deep bass area that was characteristically aligned with the rest of the spectrum. The beats were played warm and very deep. The end of the test was a recording of the symphony orchestra. The Sennheiser HD 558 did very well with this material, primarily because of the large stage that these headphones are capable of playing. The amount of detail in the middle of the spectrum is excellent and the high in the spectrum is good. Depending on the timpani’s stroke, the depth is good, but a little more solidity would be helpful.
- Connectivity Technology: Wired
- Audiophile grade over ear, open back headphones
- Twist and lock single sided cable eliminates tangles and simplifies...
- Gold-plated 1/4 inch plug with 1/8 inch adapter
- Highly optimized, field strengthened neodymium ferrous magnet system
Sennheiser HD 558 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 optimized, field-strengthened neodymium ferrous magnet systems for an excellent dynamic response
- Surround reflector for extended spatial sound field
- Lightweight aluminum voice coils for high efficiency and excellent dynamics
- Elegantly layered honeycomb finish on-ear cup casings
- Extremely comfortable velour earpads and headband
- Excellent connectivity, also with home Hifi equipment
- 2-year warranty
Sennheiser HD 558 Specifications
- Type: Wired Headphone
- Available Colors: Black, Brown
- Wearing Style: Over-Ear
- Magnet Type: Neodymium
- Impedance: 50 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 112 dB/mW
- Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 28,000Hz
- Noise Cancelling: N/A
- Connector: 3.5 mm Gold Plated Plug
- Cable Length: 3.2 m
- Weight: 294 g
- Accessories: 3.5 mm adapter, 6.3 mm stereo jack
Our Verdict
They trade aggression for smoothness, but these headphones are comfortable and pleasant to listen to.
Sennheiser HD 558 manual can be found here: Sennheiser HD 558 User Manual
PRO
- Smooth, rich sound
- Punchy and dynamic
- Forgiving and easy-going character
- Expressive vocals
- Soft and comfortable to wear
- Sleek, compact design
CONS
- Need more attack and excitement
- Not as agile, subtle or open as rivals
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Conclusion
The Sennheiser HD 558 are headphones that provide entry into the world of serious sound for a reasonable price. If they are paired with a slightly more powerful sound source, then any device that has their own power supply can get a lot out of them. Also, their character of sound and their physical workmanship make them comfortable to listen to in the long run. Their build quality gives the impression that they can be used for years.
