Sennheiser HD 599 Review - The Audiophile Gateway Drug

Summary

The Sennheiser HD 599 headphones offer a refreshed take on the classic HD 598 design, boasting an open-back experience with impressive bass extension and controlled roll-off. Despite a predominantly plastic build, the headphones are comfortable with easy-to-replace velour earpads. The sound profile is warm with slightly forward mids and treble peaks, providing a pleasant listening experience that can be further tailored with EQ adjustments. The HD 599 excels in soundstage and imaging, making it ideal for gaming and genres like rock music. Sensitivity to output impedance is noted, with the recommendation to pair with a properly designed amplifier for optimal performance.

Takeaways

• 🎧 The Sennheiser HD 599 is an open-back headphone with dynamic drivers and a 50-ohm impedance.
• 🔨 The build quality is solid with a predominantly plastic construction, featuring a leather-like headband and velour earpads.
• 🔍 The headphones are easy to repair with replaceable parts readily available from Sennheiser, especially the earpads.
• 👂 The HD 599 offers impressive comfort with lightweight design and minimal clamping force, making it suitable for long listening sessions.
• 📉 The bass performance is notable for an open-back headphone, with better control and extension compared to the HD 598.
• 🎶 The mid-range is slightly aggressive, which some listeners may find appealing, but it can be adjusted with EQ for a more neutral sound.
• 🔊 The treble has a peak around 8-10 kHz, contributing to a 'glistening' sound that is characteristic of Sennheiser's house sound.
• 🎮 The soundstage is wider than the HD 600, with good imaging, making the HD 599 ideal for gaming and other immersive experiences.
• 🚫 Due to its open-back design, the HD 599 is not suitable for use in public spaces or where noise isolation is required.
• 🔌 The headphones are sensitive to output impedance from amplifiers, which can affect bass performance if connected to a source with high impedance.
• 💰 The HD 599 offers good value for money under $200, especially for those looking to start with open-back headphones, but the price may vary.

Q & A

What is the Sennheiser HD 599 headphone's primary driver type?

The Sennheiser HD 599 uses dynamic drivers.

What is the impedance of the Sennheiser HD 599 headphones?

The impedance of the Sennheiser HD 599 is 50 ohms.

How is the build quality of the Sennheiser HD 599 described in the script?

The build quality is described as solid and plastic-heavy, but still good, with a headband that might be made of metal or hard plastic and leather or pleather on the headband.

Are replacement parts for the Sennheiser HD 599 easily available?

Yes, replacement parts, especially the pads, are easily available through Sennheiser.

How easy is it to replace the earpads on the Sennheiser HD 599?

It is very easy; the earpads can be pulled off and snapped back in place within seconds.

What is the comfort level of the Sennheiser HD 599 headphones?

The comfort level is described as amazing, with velour pads, low weight, and low clamp force, making them easy to wear for extended periods.

How does the bass performance of the Sennheiser HD 599 compare to its predecessors?

The bass performance is described as impressive, with better roll-off control and extension than the HD 598 or 558.

What is the soundstage like on the Sennheiser HD 599 headphones?

The soundstage is described as wider than the HD 600, with very good imaging, making it great for gaming.

What are the Sennheiser HD 599's amping requirements?

The HD 599 is sensitive to output impedance from the amplifier; high output impedance can cause the bass to become out of control.

What are the included accessories with the Sennheiser HD 599 headphones?

The accessories include a locking cable with a quarter-inch end, a portable cable with a three-and-a-half-millimeter ending, and a quarter-inch to three-and-a-half-millimeter adapter.

What is the reviewer's overall recommendation for the Sennheiser HD 599?

The reviewer recommends the HD 599 as a great option for those looking to get into the hobby, especially as an open-back headphone under $200, and suggests it could be an instant buy if the price comes down.