Sennheiser MX 500/550 question

fish99 · 13 Feb 2006 at 13:45

Hi, just a quick question about MX550 (and MX500). I want to know about the case and built-in volume control - do you have the option of using the headphones without the case, or is the wire built into the case?

That carry case is as big as my MP3 player, and I'd much rather not have to carry it around with me. I don't need the volume control btw.

Thanks in advance,
Simon.

grahamjenks · 13 Feb 2006 at 15:55

I have these - the case is not required all the time - just for storage really (very similar to the kind that comes with the cheap sony in ear headphones).

Good cheap buds.

fish99 · 13 Feb 2006 at 15:59

Cheers

Sparky191 · 13 Feb 2006 at 21:09

Most people prefer the 400/500 over the 450/550's and the 400/450 are meant to be the same as the 500/550 respectively just without the vol control. Dunno how true that is. Personally I like the vol control. I had a 550 and a 500 and I hated the 550's. But everyones different.

fish99 · 13 Feb 2006 at 21:43

What was the problem with the 550s? I'm not too fussed about the extra bass the 550 supposedly do since I'll just turn bass up on my NW if it seems lacking. It'd be far easier for me to just buy 500s since they're on sale locally.

Sparky191 · 14 Feb 2006 at 00:21

I found them too shrill and unmusical. I don't find the MX500's too bassy though, I'm not a fan of massive bass. I think a lot of people have got use to the bass lite sound of the older iPods or low bitrate MP3's then get a shock when then hear something with bass and proper midrange again.

Of course it depends what you are using them with. I use a Zen Micro and iPod Shuffle. Usually with no EQ adn usually high bitrates. I have other Sony earphones which have a lot more bass but i don't like them.

fish99 · 16 Feb 2006 at 22:33

Got the MX500s and they're really good, not just good for the money, but they offer a genuinely nice sound - well balanced, good detail and they pick out all the elements of the music well. So much better than those terrible Sony EX71s I had last, and much better than the cheap Sony phones that came with my NW.

Of course they're not as good as my Grado cans or my hi-fi, but they're perfect for out and about, and hard to beat at £15. Sorted :cool: