Short answer: the Austrian Audio Hi-X55, though neither ranks well in its class. Both are rated 2.9/5 for sound quality (#178 and #175 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Austrian Audio Hi-X55 costs $315.71 against $449 for the Sennheiser HD 598 CS, with sound quality a draw, the lower price decides it. Both are rated below 3.0/5 among the 216 over-ear headphones, and the HIFIMAN Ananda Nano, ranked #4 at $319, is a better place to start if sound quality matters.
The case for the Austrian Audio Hi-X55: The closed back blocks outside noise and keeps sound from leaking, so it works in shared rooms and studios. The catch: oratory1990’s measurement shows a deep 9.9 dB dip near 2.3 kHz and presence about 3.9 dB below target, so vocals and guitars sound recessed and distant.
What the Sennheiser HD 598 CS does well: 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 catch: 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 Austrian Audio Hi-X55. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $133.29 less than the Sennheiser HD 598 CS.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Austrian Audio Hi-X55 | Sennheiser HD 598 CS | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $315.71 | $449.00 |
| Ranked | #178 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #175 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.63 dB standard deviation | 2.84 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 25 ohms | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB SPL/V | 115 dB |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (305 g) | - |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Sennheiser HD 598 CS:
- Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 vs Sennheiser HD 598 CS
- Focal Listen Professional vs Sennheiser HD 598 CS
- Sennheiser HD 598 CS vs Beats Studio3 Wireless
- Sennheiser HD 598 CS vs Neumann NDH20
- Austrian Audio Hi-X55 vs Focal Listen Professional
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Austrian Audio Hi-X55: $315.71 Amazon eBay
Pros: The closed back blocks outside noise and keeps sound from leaking, so it works in shared rooms and studios. A 25 ohm load and 118 dB/V sensitivity let it run loudly from a phone or laptop, and it weighs a moderate 305 g. Bass sits about 1.1 dB above target with sub-bass still within 6 dB down to 20 Hz, which suits listeners after a warm, bass-leaning balance.
Cons: oratory1990’s measurement shows a deep 9.9 dB dip near 2.3 kHz and presence about 3.9 dB below target, so vocals and guitars sound recessed and distant. Sub-bass averages 4.1 dB below target, so the deepest rumble is lighter than the midbass suggests. Its preference score of 56 sits far from the Harman target.
Full Austrian Audio Hi-X55 review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.63 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 44mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 56 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 25 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-2.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (305 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.7 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 | +1.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 138 Hz | -7.0 dB | 1.32 |
| Peak | 2,373 Hz | +7.7 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 1,284 Hz | -7.8 dB | 2.01 |
| Peak | 53 Hz | +2.7 dB | 0.80 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 472 Hz | +2.6 dB | 1.22 |
| Peak | 234 Hz | -1.7 dB | 2.33 |
| Peak | 946 Hz | -1.7 dB | 3.22 |
| Peak | 6,612 Hz | -1.8 dB | 6.00 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 598 CS: $449.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: 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 closed-back build keeps sound in and outside noise down, which is useful for shared spaces. Bass is close to target, only about 1 dB above it, so the low end is warm without being boomy.
Cons: 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. Presence between 3 and 6 kHz is also about 4 dB low, which pushes voices back. The Sony MDR-M1ST has a higher rating at a lower price.
Full Sennheiser HD 598 CS review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.84 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 58 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -4.8 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 | -2.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +6.1 dB | 0.40 |
| Peak | 1,121 Hz | -2.7 dB | 0.57 |
| Peak | 178 Hz | -3.9 dB | 1.12 |
| Peak | 297 Hz | +4.2 dB | 1.74 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,480 Hz | -3.3 dB | 5.91 |
| Peak | 4,410 Hz | +1.7 dB | 4.27 |
| Peak | 2,845 Hz | +1.7 dB | 5.08 |
| Peak | 55 Hz | -0.4 dB | 1.59 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons