Noise cancelling headphones- cheap Sennheiser PXC 550s

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Cynicor

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Hi all,

The PXC550 and cheap don't normally go together, but I just wanted to share that addicted to audio, a store in MEL and SYD apparently, have them for $468, a massive $200+ off the nearest local price, and cheaper than anything I could find in the USA, even before shipping ($400USD).

I've just ordered a set and they seem to have shipped immediately.
 
Thanks for the tip! I also have my eye on a set of these as my trusty old MM-550X are on their last legs (well sort of, that's what I tell my better half, 'cause I want a new set). Is this a short term sale, or ongoing? I know the new Aelia duty free in CNS now stock them and I was going to check the prices there as well (on Thursday).
 
Hey. It's a short term sale, my bet is you won't be able to find AU stock for less than $600 so I'd give them a call quickly tomorrow and buy now if you want them. It's rare that much is cheaper than the USD base price, let alone after shipping.

Thanks for the tip! I also have my eye on a set of these as my trusty old MM-550X are on their last legs (well sort of, that's what I tell my better half, 'cause I want a new set). Is this a short term sale, or ongoing? I know the new Aelia duty free in CNS now stock them and I was going to check the prices there as well (on Thursday).
 
Hey. It's a short term sale, my bet is you won't be able to find AU stock for less than $600 so I'd give them a call quickly tomorrow.
What's the difference between the 550 and the Momentum wireless? The duty free guy suggested the Momentum is more heavy duty and aimed at pilots and uses real leather. I don't know where the controls would be on the Momentum. Any thoughts?

Apart from that, your prices are heaps better!IMG_20170427_050841_resized_20170427_055349521.jpg
 
What's the difference between the 550 and the Momentum wireless?

The Momentum are an older model and IMO not as good as the 550 for both NC and comfort.

For me the Bose QC35 are still king when it comes to long haul comfort and NC, and using an iPhone music is also very good via AAC. The QC35 can be picked up for $399-$430 if you bargain/price match.

These 550s are a good price and if you miss out just wait for the next 20% off sale at JB...

PS. Those duty free prices are a joke!!!
 
PS. Those duty free prices are a joke!!!

Hence why they're still sitting on the shelf! ;)

Thanks for the advice. I have a few friends with the Bose and they're having distortion/clipping/clamping/feedback (or something) issues in the twin otters (where you really need NC). I'm thinking it's something to do with the mic's/electronics and the resonant frequency of those engines/props. A few (but not all) are having the issue and it's really annoying them.

I have no such dramas with my MM550's so I'm more swayed by that than anything else. Funny thing ... after saying my MM550's were on their last legs (sort of) on this mornings flight I went to put them on and they broke in the middle :(. They're 4 years old and have had plenty of use so $100 a year I guess is OK and ... I now have a genuine excuse to replace them :mrgreen:
 
Momentum are older, wireless and have noisegard 1.0 I believe. The 550s have a larger earcup I think, and have newer NC tech that makes them on par or better than the QCs, but with significantly better sound reproduction. I still have a working pair of PXC450s but couldn't pass up this price. Will need to sell them now!

Hence why they're still sitting on the shelf! ;)

Thanks for the advice. I have a few friends with the Bose and they're having distortion/clipping/clamping/feedback (or something) issues in the twin otters (where you really need NC). I'm thinking it's something to do with the mic's/electronics and the resonant frequency of those engines/props. A few (but not all) are having the issue and it's really annoying them.

I have no such dramas with my MM550's so I'm more swayed by that than anything else. Funny thing ... after saying my MM550's were on their last legs (sort of) on this mornings flight I went to put them on and they broke in the middle :(. They're 4 years old and have had plenty of use so $100 a year I guess is OK and ... I now have a genuine excuse to replace them :mrgreen:
 
I grabbed a pair as well ... along with a turntable I couldn't pass up!

Arrived home to find my set waiting for me. I must say, they are better than my last and are very comfortable and very good sound. Yet to try the NC .

I'm a bass fan and the bass seems exceptional so far. The passive NC is great. I'm looking forward to giving them a run in a twotter!
 
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The PXC550 and cheap don't normally go together, but I just wanted to share that addicted to audio, a store in MEL and SYD apparently, have them for $468, a massive $200+ off the nearest local price, and cheaper than anything I could find in the USA, even before shipping ($400USD).

25 May update: The PXC550s are now selling online at A to A for AUD $448, including express shipping.
 
That is crazy!!

I had a decent listen to mine last night and I was very impressed. I was so used to the controls of my last pair, I thought the swipe controls may be a bit annoying, but they are fantastic. They're comfortable, even after 3 + hours of wearing them and the sound quality is impeccable compared to other headphones I've tried (remembering that we're all pretty much listening to compressed cough off our phones/laptops/tablets, so no matter what the headphone qualities may be, we'll never have truly mind blowing high fidelity). The only downside I've noticed is they do have a tendency to be just a little bit warm around the ears after a while. It certainly didn't bother me, but it was noticeable.

That price is well and truly worth it. I'll try and get one of my Bose mates to swap during a flight and we'll both give our comments about each brands' pros and cons. I haven't yet tried the Bose for any length of time, but I'd wager the Bose have some stiff competition with these new Sennheisers. I'd certainly put the Sennheisers ahead on sound quality, it's just the NC that I can't comment on as of yet. Thanks to both Cynicor and tallboy for the heads up on these spectacular prices.
 
I have the PXC550's - I still wonder whether I should have gone Bose, but I do love the 'tap through' option on them - when the FA comes to talk to you, you simply tap the right ear twice and rather than noise cancelling, it focuses it's mic's on the person speaking and makes it crystal clear - even if they whisper.

One problem is SWMBO worked this out, and enjoyed tapping them while I was asleep, when we were on a long haul flight.

she thought it was funny....
 
I got mine on sale from JB-HIFI for $500 flat - I had a couple of hundred dollars in vouchers so ended up $200 out of pocket.
 
it's just the NC that I can't comment on as of yet.

I just realised I hadn't yet reported in on how my new PXC 550's went in flight, so here it is ... bloody excellent!

All round, a very enjoyable experience. sound quality is great, Bluetooth worked impeccably and the active noise cancelling is superb, even on the noisy Twin Otters! I can honestly say they are considerably better than my old Sennheiser MM550-X (which I really liked).

I'm a happy flyer!

PS - Thanks to Simsy85 for the heads up on the talk through function. I loved that with the MM550 but thought they missed it with the PXC's until I read that post. Once again I'm happy!
 
Agreed. My new ones are a significant step up from the PXC450s, which were my go-to for about 5/6 years.

I just realised I hadn't yet reported in on how my new PXC 550's went in flight, so here it is ... bloody excellent!

All round, a very enjoyable experience. sound quality is great, Bluetooth worked impeccably and the active noise cancelling is superb, even on the noisy Twin Otters! I can honestly say they are considerably better than my old Sennheiser MM550-X (which I really liked).

I'm a happy flyer!
 
If anyone didn't want to pay the $450, I see Qantas Store has them on a 40% sale at 64280 points. Not too flash, returning 0.7c per point, but possibly an option for anyone with a stack of points.
 
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