Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x. It ranks #65 of 134 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $239; the Sennheiser HD 599 ranks #71, rated 3.6/5, and costs $239.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the upper mids sit within about 0.3 dB of the Harman target, so the core of the sound is well balanced. The catch: Treble is rolled off, about 2.7 dB under target from 6 to 10 kHz and 3 dB under above that, with a deep 10.9 dB dip near 10.6 kHz that dulls cymbal shimmer and air.
What the Sennheiser HD 599 does well: A preference score of 73 and a modest 2.74 dB deviation from the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement make this a fairly smooth open back. The catch: Sub-bass falls about 6 dB under target below 60 Hz, so the extra warmth sits higher up and the deepest rumble is missing.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sennheiser HD 599 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-M60x | Sennheiser HD 599 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.00 | $239.95 |
| Ranked | #65 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #71 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation | 2.74 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.42 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW | 106 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (220 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Audio-Technica ATH-M60x:
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- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Cooler Master MH752
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Sennheiser HD 569
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-M60x: $239.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the upper mids sit within about 0.3 dB of the Harman target, so the core of the sound is well balanced. At 38 ohms, 102 dB/mW and 220 g it is easy to drive from a phone and light to wear. The closed back keeps outside noise down for monitoring and commuting.
Cons: Treble is rolled off, about 2.7 dB under target from 6 to 10 kHz and 3 dB under above that, with a deep 10.9 dB dip near 10.6 kHz that dulls cymbal shimmer and air. Sub-bass is about 3.8 dB light and the low mids about 2.3 dB light, which thins the lowest notes and vocal warmth. The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x holds a higher rating for far less money.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-M60x review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 76 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 38 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.28 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (220 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 76 Hz | -5.5 dB | 0.37 |
| Peak | 413 Hz | +7.7 dB | 2.02 |
| Peak | 1,291 Hz | -3.3 dB | 1.36 |
| Peak | 3,293 Hz | +3.5 dB | 4.84 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,147 Hz | -2.8 dB | 5.09 |
| Peak | 2,517 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.32 |
| Peak | 4,312 Hz | -1.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 234 Hz | -0.6 dB | 4.42 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
Sennheiser HD 599: $239.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A preference score of 73 and a modest 2.74 dB deviation from the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement make this a fairly smooth open back. Bass runs about 2 dB above target and the lows through the low mids are about 2.7 dB up, which gives vocals and guitars a full, warm body. At 50 ohms and 106 dB sensitivity it is easy to drive, and at 250 g it is light.
Cons: Sub-bass falls about 6 dB under target below 60 Hz, so the extra warmth sits higher up and the deepest rumble is missing. A 9.6 dB dip near 9.8 kHz and about 3.5 dB less air above 10 kHz take the sparkle off cymbals, while a 3.7 dB peak near 5.7 kHz can add some edge to vocals. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Sennheiser HD 599 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.74 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.42 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.2 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 152 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.59 |
| Peak | 1,751 Hz | +4.4 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 4,485 Hz | -1.9 dB | 2.72 |
| Peak | 40 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.06 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,629 Hz | +6.0 dB | 1.71 |
| Peak | 5,771 Hz | -2.8 dB | 5.56 |
| Peak | 3,175 Hz | -2.0 dB | 4.70 |
| Peak | 3,690 Hz | +0.7 dB | 4.38 |
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