Short answer: the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#121 and #114 of 216 over-ear headphones), and the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition costs $229.99 against $239.95 for the Sennheiser HD 599, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition: Oratory1990’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and sub-bass is lifted about 4 dB with a boost of 5 dB at 30 Hz, so electronic and hip hop tracks hit with real rumble. Watch for: An 8.5 dB peak near 6.4 kHz and treble about 4 dB high from 6 to 10 kHz can make sibilance and cymbals sound sharp, while a 5 dB dip near 3 kHz pulls vocals back.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 599: 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 Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $9.96 less than the Sennheiser HD 599.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition | Sennheiser HD 599 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.99 | $239.95 |
| Ranked | #121 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #114 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.31 dB standard deviation | 2.74 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.42 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+5.3 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 48 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW | 106 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (305 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
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The Two Headphones In Full
Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition: $229.99 Audio46 eBay
Pros: Oratory1990’s measurement gives it a preference score of 72, and sub-bass is lifted about 4 dB with a boost of 5 dB at 30 Hz, so electronic and hip hop tracks hit with real rumble. The closed back isolates well for recording or noisy rooms. At 48 ohms and 98 dB/mW it plays loudly enough from most phones and interfaces, and it weighs 305 g.
Cons: An 8.5 dB peak near 6.4 kHz and treble about 4 dB high from 6 to 10 kHz can make sibilance and cymbals sound sharp, while a 5 dB dip near 3 kHz pulls vocals back. The 3.3 dB standard deviation marks it as a less even response, and the AKG K240 MKII is rated higher for less money.
Full Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro X Limited Edition review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.31 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 45mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 72 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 48 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+5.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.05 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (305 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 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 | -3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 6,299 Hz | -7.5 dB | 1.45 |
| Peak | 255 Hz | +6.8 dB | 1.74 |
| Peak | 145 Hz | -5.9 dB | 2.39 |
| Peak | 3,454 Hz | +6.3 dB | 2.55 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | +3.2 dB | 2.91 |
| Peak | 2,268 Hz | -2.1 dB | 4.62 |
| Peak | 46 Hz | -1.0 dB | 1.61 |
| Peak | 112 Hz | -1.9 dB | 3.99 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| 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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