Short answer: the Apple AirPods Max. It ranks #331 of 481 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.1/5, at $479; the Sennheiser HD 598 CS ranks #353, rated 2.9/5, and costs $489, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
Why pick the Apple AirPods Max: Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat. The catch: Presence sits about 4.5 dB low with an 8.9 dB dip near 7.3 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 598 CS: A low 23 ohm impedance and very high 115 dB sensitivity let it play loudly from a phone or laptop with no headphone amp. The tradeoff: Treble is the weak point, running about 6 dB below target from 6 kHz up and dropping into a 13.5 dB dip near 9.9 kHz, so cymbals, air and detail sound dull and closed in.
Buy the Apple AirPods Max. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sennheiser HD 598 CS and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
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Bass sits close to target and holds down to 20 Hz, so low end sounds full without bloat.
Amazon $479.00 eBay
A low 23 ohm impedance and very high 115 dB sensitivity let it play loudly from a phone or laptop with no headphone amp.
Amazon $489.00 eBayPrices on this page were last checked October 16, 2026 at 5:46 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Apple AirPods Max | Sennheiser HD 598 CS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $479.00 | $489.00 |
| Ranked | #331 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones | #353 of 481 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Connection | Bluetooth | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | - |
| Weight | 0.8 lbs (384.8 g) | - |
| Harman Preference Score | 62 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.53 dB standard deviation | 2.84 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.35 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Impedance | - | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 115 dB |
| Frequency Response | - | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
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