The alleged "Stinker" ...
Either some people grossly exaggerate, or AKG has now responded, at least in my copy only smelled the packing something to compare to "chemistry", about a freshly printed book .... the handset itself but does not smell unpleasant.
What look and "feel" is concerned, I have - yet kept no better KH in his hands - no exaggeration. Even a Beyerdynamic DT880 comes as MMN not. That's really great what AKG has since created with the 550. Even three or four times as expensive handsets are not so well made. Simply a good mix of aluminum and high quality plastic.
Comfort I feel also very good. Better than the AKG K 701 and miles better than a Shure 840/940. But not quite as comfortable as a Beyerdynamic. Since the listeners from Heilbronn nobody still makes what before. :-)
The setting of the bracket 550 is completely sufficient for absolute stubbornness.
However, one must also say that the handset is only good sounds when it all around "seals", ie partly have to help with your hands slightly so that the mussels get the right "Seal".
The ear cushions are very soft and the inner diameter is not quite as great as that of the K-701. FIG. In addition, they are made of synthetic leather, but in my experience not necessarily have to be negative. Although velor upholstery may be "skin-friendly", among them but you may sweat as much, and they are not as hygienic as those from "Pleather" that you have to wipe only briefly moist and ready.
A small drawback I see is that the pad can the 550 not so easily removed by "bayonet connection", the outside will have to deduct the edge as the 701, but with a bit of fumbling, but how often do you change the already ....: - )
For sound:
From the dissolution of her AKG 550 is MMN even higher than the K-701, although this comparison is not entirely fair, because it is indeed the 550 to a "closed" model is where you will be sensitized more for the smallest details, as in an "open" the handset. With well-produced pieces are details emerged that I have not seen with other headphones in this price range hardly up. That's quite an experience. Voices are reproduced very present and, of course, and without hissing sibilants.
The AKG K-550 You can also submit outstanding "quiet" listening without missing volume. On the other hand, certain frequencies in the middle layers (eg guitar solos) are then sometimes even annoying quickly at high levels. One thing that the 701 can in turn better.
Bass are enough present to my mind. Perhaps not quite as dry and contoured like a Audio Technica Beyer or 880, but with enough pressure. They adapt easily to the excellent "musically balanced overall picture" a. The sound is very tidy, full and relaxed. He goes slightly towards Shure-840, but is not quite as "mushy", as the Americans. In addition to the excellent resolution, the separation of individual instruments succeed very well and the AKG manages it all together into a "whole round" ... something that I have partly missed the K-701.
All in all, there is no reason for me, the AKG deduct even one point. As I said, in the individual disciplines, there are certain listeners who better to one or the other, but the 550 has for me simply a superior "overall package". A very good all-rounder for classical music to rock / metal, which technically makes no serious mistakes and simply about hours provides a lot of listening pleasure. :-)
