The Sennheiser PXC 550-II are incredible headphones with ANC. They miss out on a full-throated advice solely due to the energy of rival models from Sony, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins. Boasting a clear, grown-up sound with comparatively correct bass plus efficient noise cancellation, these headphones are undoubtedly value a glance
Professionals
- Clear and clear sound
- Massive, comfy pads
- Efficient noise cancellation
Cons
- Bose and Sony ANC is best
- Energy slider clicks throughout runs
- Slight BT lag
- Gentle treble sibilance, and fewer wealthy mids than some
Availability
- UKRRP: £299
- USARRP: $349
- EuropeRRP: €349
- CanadaRRP: CA$549
- AustraliaRRP: AU$549
Key Options
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aptX, SBC, AAC
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Energetic noise cancellation
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Bluetooth 5.0
Introduction
The PXC 550-II Wi-fi are the Sennheiser various to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Coming with energetic noise cancellation, these headphones additionally supply super-luxurious ear pads that look to vow consolation over lengthy durations of damage.
I reviewed the unique PXC 550 again in 2016. This new model sees an improve to Bluetooth 5.0, with low-latency aptX, and assist to your telephone’s digital assistant.
Nevertheless, this sequence’ noise cancellation wasn’t one of the best round in 2016 – and it doesn’t seem to have radically improved within the Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi. These headphones are excellent, however not fairly as compelling because the Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bose QuietComfort QC35 II.
Value and availability
The Sennheiser PCX 550-II Wi-fi have been launched in 2019. On the time of overview they have been £249, and have since fallen to £199.
Design
- Thick, cushiony ear pads
- Appropriate for all day put on
- Foldable design
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi are elegant full-sized headphones. They sport all-black colouring, and till you get super-close, you wouldn’t even know they have been Sennheiser models. All logos listed below are small and neat, which ought to attraction to those that want extra laid-back styling. Their look is extra grown-up.
These headphones additionally seem to have been constructed with lengthy transatlantic flights in thoughts. They characteristic thick, cushiony ear pads which might be lined with high-quality artificial leather-based. The area to your ears inside them is unusually giant.
That is particularly essential for put on over lengthy durations. Any strain put in your ear cartilage may end up in ache after an hour or so. I did expertise a level of this with the Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi, however this was in giant right down to the truth that I hadn’t adjusted the match properly sufficient. Just like the QuietComfort 35 II, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi are suitably for all-day put on.
Construct high quality, too, is spectacular. The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi do characteristic any outer aluminium components, however the cups’ soft-touch plastic feels good and there’s no creaking as you stroll round with them in place.
The game a foldable design, too, which they comfortably match contained in the small case included. In addition they include an airplane adapter, ought to you end up travelling in a really historic airplane, and a cable for listening when the battery runs out.
I don’t suggest the Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi for operating, nonetheless – and for an uncommon motive. These headphones are in fact comfy, and stay glued to your head simply wonderful with motion. Nevertheless, the movement causes the management slider on the precise cup to click on evenly with every stride. It feels like a few cube clacking into one another. And whereas the sound isn’t loud, it’s a bit distracting.
Options
- Frustration free contact controls
- Adaptive noise cancellation
- 20 hours battery (when used wirelessly)
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi have a traditionalist sensibility subsequent to the Sony WH-1000XM3, however not of their use of tech. They embody contact controls reasonably than buttons: the outer panel of the precise cup is touch-sensitive and, fortunately, makes use of acquainted gestures.
You swipe up and down to alter the amount, faucet as soon as to play/pause. Left and proper swipes change tracks and a fast double-tap toggles the ambient mode. This makes use of the exterior mics to let in exterior sound, so you may hear what’s happening round you. It’s excellent for bulletins on planes and trains.
Gesture controls might be annoying, and aren’t as dependable as traditional buttons. Nevertheless, the controls that characteristic listed below are largely frustration-free.
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi aren’t fully devoid of bodily controls, although. There’s an influence button, and it doubles as a technique to join with Amazon Alexa.
Set up the Alexa app in your telephone and you may speak to this assistant as you’d an Amazon Echo speaker. Plus, it avoids you having to say “Alexa” whereas wandering across the grocery store.
There’s additionally a three-way change for energetic noise cancellation. You flick it up one notch and it makes use of an Adaptive mode, altering the energy of ANC to go well with the surroundings. The max setting removes extra noise in most conditions, with a barely elevated (however nonetheless solely very slight) noise mattress.
Set up the Sennheiser Good Management app in your telephone and you may as well use an anti-wind ANC mode. All noise cancellation headphones undergo from wind noise to some extent, as air blows across the pinhole mics; this mode makes an attempt to minimise it.
So how good is the energetic noise cancellation right here? It’s nice, significantly if you happen to haven’t tried any of Bose’s prime pairs or the Sony WH-1000XM sequence headphones from the previous few years. Engine noise is essentially eliminated; immediately, passing petrol automobiles sound extra like electrical fashions.
Nevertheless, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II and Sony WH-1000XM3 are higher, eradicating extra noise. They isolate you from the sonic stress of loud places of work and pubs extra successfully. The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi do sufficient to fulfill, however their ANC falls wanting being best-in-class.
I additionally heard a number of anomalies throughout testing. On the bus, some very low-frequency noise phased out and in – like water lapping over a dam. On a number of events I heard pops by way of one aspect of the headphones, presumably attributable to makes an attempt to offset footfall vibration. Sennheiser’s ANC might be overwhelmed by sudden will increase in low-frequency noise.
The battery on these headphones lasts for as much as 20 hours used wirelessly, or 30 hours while you plug within the cable. Charging is pretty gradual, nonetheless. An emergency cost doesn’t appear to get you all that a lot playtime. A full cost takes three hours. The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi lag behind rivals on this regard; fast charging is now pretty frequent. In addition they use a dated micro-USB connector. The vast majority of new headphones have made the change to USB-C.
As well as, Bluetooth transmission suffers slight lag. You’ll discover it if watching Netflix, with lip actions simply barely off. The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi do assist aptX Low Latency (LL), designed to repair this difficulty, however it isn’t sometimes accessible in telephones.
Sound high quality
- Clear and clear sound
- Brighter than the typical headphone
- Good mid-range element
The PXC 550-II sound is totally totally different to that of Sennheiser’s cousins: the Momentum sequence. These headphones are recognized for his or her highly effective, enjoyable sub-bass and wealthy mid-range. The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi sound is lighter.
Bass is deep and warranted, however doesn’t show the burden of the flagship Momentum pair. Some will interpret this as “much less enjoyable”, however the method is nearer to impartial. Whereas there’s no probability of the low-end getting in the way in which, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi aren’t bass-light in consequence.
These headphones sound clear and clear – which isn’t an undesirable defining character to have. These headphones arguably don’t want the burden of the non-ANC Momentum fashions. Among the finest excuses for including supplementary bass and low-mid weight to a road headphone is to assist them cope with ambient noise. Good ANC takes that out of the equation.
Hearken to the Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi in a quiet room alongside the Momentums or different barely weightier-sounding headphones and also you’ll respect what a bit extra mid-range substance presents, although. The Sennheiser PXC 550-II Wi-fi aren’t class-leaders at delivering low-register male vocals with weight and gravitas. Nevertheless, in contrast to much less succesful headphones, they don’t lack mid-range element.
Somewhat, pronounced treble shifts the textural focus greater up. These are, for Sennheiser, brighter than common headphones. The treble does invite mild sibilance and might make splashy cymbals barely tougher than you’d hear by way of the Momentums, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II or Sony WH-1000XM3.
Nevertheless, I haven’t observed this hardening of the upper-end of the sound as a lot as I did with the 2016 authentic. Sennheiser could have tweaked the tuning to enhance this, or it might merely be the results of optimised noise cancellation, which might have all kinds of results on tone.
Must you purchase it?
You’re after a pair for journey From the big earcups to the general good consolation ranges, these Sennheisers mark themselves out as a pair for journey.
Higher noise cancellation Their noise cancellation is efficient, however not one of the best round. And there are some minor points akin to ANC footfall pops and controller clicks throughout runs.
Verdict
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II are incredible headphones with ANC. They miss out on a full-throated advice solely due to the energy of rival models from Sony, Bose and Bowers & Wilkins. Boasting a clear, grown-up sound with comparatively correct bass plus efficient noise cancellation, these headphones are undoubtedly value a glance.
Trusted Rating
How we check
FAQs
Do they assist noise-cancelling?
Sure, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II assist energetic noise cancellation.
How lengthy does the battery final?
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II have a complete battery lifetime of 20 hours with Bluetooth, or 30 hours wired.
Do they assist voice assistants?
The Sennheiser PXC 550-II might be managed utilizing your smartphone’s voice assistant. The headphones additionally assist Amazon’s Alexa utilizing the Alexa app.
