Aside from my car, I generally don’t listen to music unless I have headphones on. I don’t know why this is. I think I’m embarrassed by my strange taste in music. Since earbuds are uncomfortable to me, I decided to take a look at the Samson SR550 Over-Ear Studio Headphones.
- Over-ear studio headphones
- Dynamic, detailed audio
- Closed-back design for enhanced sound isolation
- Premium 40mm drivers with rare earth magnets
- Wide frequency range
- Cushioned ear cups
- Adjustable padded headband
- 1/8″ to 1/4″ adapter included
I didn’t see any other specs online, so I consulted the manual:
In the box you get the headphones, a manual, and a 1/4″ adapter plug. That’s it. No carrying case, no coupons, no bloatware, no images of rappers. Good.
The headband has SAMSON embossed on the top.
Both the headband and ear cups are nicely padded with a very soft leather like material.
The outside of the cups feature a solitary “S” for Samson.
Remember, I don’t like ear buds. I also don’t like ON-ear headphones. I prefer those that fit AROUND my ear. The SR550 is designed for just that. I measured the inside of the ear cushions at 42.9mm wide by 56.6mm tall.
The 1/8″ plug is slightly tapered to fit into your smartphone case. If your opening is 5.6mm or wider, you’re in luck.
So how do they sound? Here goes yet another headphone review that starts with “I’m not an audiophile, but…”
They sound fine. You’re not going to get gut-busting bass. They also won’t tickle your ear canal with crystalline, dulcet tones. What you’ll get are a comfortable pair of headphones that don’t scream “LOOK AT ME I’M WEARING SOMETHING TRENDY”.
No seriously, these are comfortable. At just over 6 ounces, they feel almost TOO light, and therefore, cheap. I’ll be honest: They DO feel cheap. But doggone it, they’re so comfortable, I may not care. The Samson SR550‘s have found a new home at my desk at work as my go-to comfy headphones that I won’t cry over if they go missing. And if they do? They’re affordable at $39.99 MSRP, so I’ll just get another pair.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Samson company. Please visit http://www.samsontech.com for more info.
Product Information
| Price: | $39.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Samson |
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| Cons: |
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Andy,
I’ve never seen any difference between ON-ear earphones and OVER-the-ear earphones?
I always thought it was just a difference in comfort and a little difference in blocking noise from the outside.
What are the differences you’ve experienced?
Over-the-ear headphones cup the outside of your ear (larger overall diameter), while on-ear headphones rest ON your ear (smaller overall diameter). I wear glasses, so over-the-ear are usually more comfortable for me.
That confuses me. I would have thought that On-ear would be more comfortable because it wouldn’t touch the glasses.
But are there are sound differences?
If they’re on-ear, the pressure can sometimes wedge your ear against the frames of your glasses. Any difference in sound is probably more dependent on the headphone design, although there are probably plenty of those who swear over or on-ear designs are better/worse.
Thanks.
I noticed that the materials that Samson used on their headphones might be dangerous, as it mentioned about causing of birth defects and reproductive issues, so what do you think of that?
You can blame us Californians. https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/about-proposition-65
So is the headphone hazardous to use?
Nearly everything in California has that label. Everything! Use your own judgement.