Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 550. It ranks #7 of 382 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 4.5/5) at $199.95 and is still sold new; the Sennheiser HD 598 ranks #193 (rated 3.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Sennheiser HD 550 is the better-sounding choice. A preference score of 94 in oratory1990’s measurement, with only 1.63 dB of deviation and an almost perfectly neutral tilt, means voices, instruments and mixes sound natural and accurate. Watch for: Sub-bass averages 6 dB below target and falls 6 dB under by 34 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 598: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 73 with a 2.69 dB spread. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 550. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Sennheiser HD 598 is discontinued.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 550 | Sennheiser HD 598 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.95 | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #7 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #193 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.63 dB standard deviation | 2.69 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-8.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 150 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106.7 dB/mW | 112 dB/Vrms |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 g) | 0.6 lbs (270 g) |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 12Hz - 38.5kHz |
| Built-in Microphone | No | - |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sennheiser HD 550 compares with other leading options:
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 560S
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 550
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 650
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 550: $199.95 B&H Photo Video $199.95 eBay
Pros: A preference score of 94 in oratory1990’s measurement, with only 1.63 dB of deviation and an almost perfectly neutral tilt, means voices, instruments and mixes sound natural and accurate. Midrange and presence stay within about 1 dB of target, so vocals are clear without any harshness. At 237 g it is light, and 106.7 dB/mW sensitivity lets it reach normal levels from most sources despite its 150 ohm impedance.
Cons: Sub-bass averages 6 dB below target and falls 6 dB under by 34 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble. A 5.9 dB dip near 9.5 kHz slightly softens cymbal shimmer, and the open back leaks sound and offers no isolation. The Philips Fidelio X2HR earns the same rating for less money.
Full Sennheiser HD 550 review and specifications →
| Released | Mar 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.63 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 6Hz - 39.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 150 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106.7 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 34 Hz (-6.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.01 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.5 lbs (237 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 | +8.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 67 Hz | -3.4 dB | 0.34 |
| Peak | 9,968 Hz | +3.2 dB | 1.23 |
| Peak | 1,280 Hz | -2.1 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 2,040 Hz | +2.2 dB | 1.90 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -4.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,135 Hz | +2.3 dB | 5.98 |
| Peak | 5,001 Hz | -1.7 dB | 5.47 |
| Peak | 56 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.46 |
| Peak | 83 Hz | +0.6 dB | 3.02 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 560S
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs HIFIMAN Edition XS
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 505
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 555
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Sennheiser HD 598 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Measured response gives it a solid Harman preference score of 73 with a 2.69 dB spread.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Sub-bass is 8.2 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble. Treble sits about 4.2 dB low, so it sounds a little dark.
Full Sennheiser HD 598 review and specifications →
| Released | 2010 (16 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.69 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/Vrms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-8.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (270 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 | +6.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 133 Hz | -4.1 dB | 0.48 |
| Peak | 9,039 Hz | +5.9 dB | 1.59 |
| Peak | 1,721 Hz | +3.6 dB | 1.95 |
| Peak | 5,447 Hz | -3.8 dB | 4.67 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -1.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,293 Hz | -2.1 dB | 5.08 |
| Peak | 66 Hz | -0.8 dB | 2.52 |
| Peak | 728 Hz | +1.5 dB | 5.53 |
| Peak | 98 Hz | +1.1 dB | 4.37 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 555
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- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 800
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