Ultrasone HFI-550
Manufacturer: Ultrasone Part number: HFI-550
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Ultrasone's superb HFI-550 headphones offer BMW-level performance with rock and roll and home theater.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 11/07/2009 |
CNET editors' review
Ultrasone HFI-550 price range: $90.00
- Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
- Edited by: John P. Falcone
- Reviewed on: 07/06/2004
- Released on: 02/15/2004
The good: Comfy closed-earcup headphones; rock-solid bass; unique S-Logic design.
The bad: Treble range is a trifle sizzly; rather pricey.
The bottom line: Ultrasone's superb HFI-550 headphones offer BMW-level performance with rock and roll and home theater.
Editor's note: The Ultrasone's HFI-550 has since been discontinued and replaced by the Ultrasone HFI-780.
Ultrasone's HFI-550 headphones employ an interesting new feature called S-Logic technology that's designed to minimize the stuck-inside-your-head sound common to most headphones. The process uses decentralized transducer positioning to spread the sound over your outer ears; conventional headphones direct most of their sound to your inner ear.Made in Germany, these $189 headphones have a professional heritage that's evident in their rugged build quality and pure, detailed sound. The HFI-550s weigh 9.3 ounces, and they fold down for convenient storage. They're fitted with a 10-foot cable terminated with a stereo 1/8-inch minijack (a screw-on 1/4-inch adapter is also included). The closed-earcup design blocks out ambient noise and prevents the headphones' sound from disturbing other people. Also, their highly efficient 50mm Mylar drivers are capable of extremely high volume levels. For $50 more, the HFI-550 Proline model is available; it's slightly heavier, and Ultrasone claims the beefier design reduces electromagnetic radiation by up to 98 percent.
We started rocking out to the beat of Aerosmith's Honkin' On Bobo CD, and the sound was wonderfully exciting and alive. Bass definition and power were excellent, easily surpassing our old Sennheiser HD 475 headphones. The HD 475s sounded cloudy and muddled next to the vivid HFI-550s.
Next up: our Grado SR125s. We immediately noted the 550s' bass was more muscular, but the SR125s' midrange and treble were smoother and less fatiguing. Ultrasone's slightly pricier HFI-650 headphones almost equaled the SR 125s' refinement and clobbered them in the bass department. If you're into bass, you'll love the HFI-650s.
But back to the HFI-550s: their big sound and freewheeling dynamic range added immensely to our enjoyment of the Goldmember DVD. The S-Logic's effort to make us forget we were listening to headphones wasn't completely successful, but the sound was definitely more open than with our reference Grado SR 125s. Finally, the HFI-550s sounded magical on our iPod, where the headphones' sound was alive and clear.
User reviews
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Good cans, if you listen to rock/pop
by Yavrey on March 8, 2007
Pros: Rugged, good lower end
Cons: Midrange deficiency
Summary: I am not currently in a market for headphones; however I was curious about the Ultrasone brand. So I picked up Jethro Tull's 'Thick as a Brick' CD and ...
Summary: I am not currently in a market for headphones; however I was curious about the Ultrasone brand. So I picked up Jethro Tull's 'Thick as a Brick' CD and auditioned $200 HFI-550 together with Bose' $140 Triport (and, yes, I heard all that Bose-bashing). This little review therefore applies to both HFI-550 and Triport.
Headphones were connected to NAD C542 CD player without an amplifier --- don't really think you need one with either pair of cans.
Both HFI-550 and Triport are apparently marketed to younger, non-audiophile consumers. You can tell this based on the styling/design. Both pairs delivered accordingly --- lots of bass, lots of (a bit harsh) highs. A significant feature of HFI's is their rugged build; Triport are decidedly more delicate a thing. On the other hand, my impression was that Triport had a bit better midrange. With HFI's, Anderson's flute sounded a bit metallic; the sound didn't have this taste to it with Triport. Overall, I found both pairs to be inferior in the midrange to my AKG K601 ($280). I got to mention, though, that (a) K601 is an open-back design, and (b) its highs and bass are rather unimpressive.
The bottom line: (a) HFI-550 seem to be a good choice for rock/pop listening; (b) Triport performed equally well, even little bit better. -
Good Cans For your money
by SuperReviewer on October 31, 2005
Pros: Rich Sounding Bass, crisp mids, and snug fit
Cons: Highs tend to have some scratching at loud volumes and there are times when higher frequencies arent represented accurately
Summary: All and all these are excellent head phones. They give you plenty of bass and the cover the treble where its needed. Like I said in the con section the ...
Summary: All and all these are excellent head phones. They give you plenty of bass and the cover the treble where its needed. Like I said in the con section the higher notes do experience distortion usually at high volumes though. The design of the headphones is another highlight. They fit your ears sungly (with a little hardness due to the semi-plush cups). This creates an excellent seal and usually cancels out most ambient noise, even on planes. I listened to Grado headphones and these far surpass them in sound quality but unfortunatly in price. But keep in mind that like everything you get what you pay for so if you buy these headphones you wont be disappointed...unless your an audio snob.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Ultrasone
- Part number: HFI-550
- Description: Its robustness in addition to the Natural Surround Sound System makes the HFI-550 one of the most demanded headphones in the consumer sector. Customers appreciate its dynamic and power spectrum. With its particularly efficient 50 mm Mylar-electro acoustical transducer these headphones produce an impressive sound pressure even with a high environmental sound intensity. Furthermore it is made for high power input. Due to customer enquiries and requests, Ultrasone implemented an additional function which enables you to fold back and up the individual earpiece without removing these headphones from your head in order to be connected immediately with the "outside world" again. Because of this folding mechanism, these headphones can be compactly stored and easily transported in a suitcase. Thanks to its closed construction, external noise is suppressed. You can thereby concentrate exclusively on the transferred music or spoken language you are listening to. Through the S-Logic Natural Surround Sound the usual headphone sound will be moved out of the head in the room around you. The sound is no longer locked in, but appears broad and detached. Directions and distances can be heard and perceived - it's just like being in a live concert. For this new technology additional equipment is not required. A pair of Ultrasone headphones plus a simple CD player and you will be ready for the 3-dimensional music enjoyment! In addition, the HFI-550 is easy on the ears: The S-Logic Natural Surround Sound System allows an up to 40% lower dB output (3-4 dB) for the same loudness sensation, thereby the risk of hearing defects may be reduced enormously. Like all Ultrasone products, the HFI-550 has a strongly reduced radiation. The standard version LE (= low emission) offers a reduction of approx. 50% in comparison with ordinary headphones. It is certified and recommended by Technical Surveillance Organizations and Consumer Advice Centers with certified lowest magnetic field emissions.
General
- Recommended Use The noise canceling feature keeps out ambient sounds on buses and airplanes. Plus, they are portable for easy transport.
- Product Type Headphones
- Weight 9.3 oz
- Additional Features Foldable, Gold-plated plug
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Ear-cup
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wired
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Response Bandwidth 15 - 22000 Hz
- Sensitivity 100 dB
- Impedance 64 Ohm
- Diaphragm Mylar - 2 in
Remote Control
- Type None
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headphones ( Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm )
Miscellaneous
- Cables Included Headphones cable - 10 ft
- Included Accessories Carrying case, 6.3 mm (1/4") stereo adapter
Power
- Power Device None
- Battery None
Product series
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Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 9.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Gold-plated plug
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Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 9.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Gold-plated plug
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Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 8.1 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
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Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Semi-open, 3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
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Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 10.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, S-Logic Natural Surround Sound
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Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 9.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, S-Logic Natural Surround Sound
-
Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 10.1 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Gold-plated plug, S-Logic Natural Surround Sound
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Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 9.3 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, S-Logic Natural Surround Sound
-
Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 10.1 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Gold-plated plug, S-Logic Natural Surround Sound
-
Manufacturer: Ultrasone
Specs: Headphones, Ear-cup, 10.1 oz, Stereo, Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Foldable, Gold-plated plug, S-Logic Natural Surround Sound
Manufacturer info
- Ultrasone
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Ultrasone products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.ultrasone.de/
- Address:
Im Thal 9 - Phone: +49 8856 - 93 66-0
- Fax: +49 8856 - 93 66-99
