Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Sennheiser HD 598 is the better pick: it ranks #193 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.6/5), against #411 (rated 1.6/5) for the Sennheiser HD 559. If you want one new, the Dan Clark Audio E3 ranks #1 at $2,299.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 559: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. Watch for: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The Sennheiser HD 598 is the better-sounding option. 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 598 only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, start with the Dan Clark Audio E3 instead.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 559 | Sennheiser HD 598 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Ranked | #411 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #193 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz | 12Hz - 38.5kHz |
| Weight | 9.9 oz | 0.6 lbs (270 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 27 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.40 dB standard deviation | 2.69 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-8.2 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Sensitivity | - | 112 dB/Vrms |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Sennheiser HD 598:
- Sennheiser HD 550 vs Sennheiser HD 598
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 600
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 598
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 800
Prices on this page were last checked October 13, 2026 at 3:17 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
Sennheiser HD 559 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. It uses 1 x 38mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Presence sits about 3 dB low with a 14.7 dB dip near 9.7 kHz, so vocals and instruments lose some bite. Sub-bass is 5.7 dB short at 30 Hz, so deep bass lacks rumble. A Harman score of 27 places it in the lower part of the over-ear rankings.
Full Sennheiser HD 559 review and specifications →
| Released | 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 4.40 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 14Hz - 26kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 27 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 28 Hz (-5.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 9.9 oz |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -7.1 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 | +16.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 57 Hz | -15.5 dB | 0.29 |
| Peak | 8,586 Hz | +6.4 dB | 1.38 |
| Peak | 1,333 Hz | +5.9 dB | 1.86 |
| Peak | 1,855 Hz | +4.2 dB | 3.75 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +1.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 2,971 Hz | -3.3 dB | 4.77 |
| Peak | 3,736 Hz | +2.6 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 5,108 Hz | -1.3 dB | 5.23 |
| Peak | 2,286 Hz | +1.1 dB | 5.82 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Sennheiser HD 559 vs Sennheiser HD 569
- Sennheiser HD 559 vs Sennheiser HD 820
- Sennheiser HD 559 vs Sennheiser HD 515
- Sennheiser HD 559 vs Sennheiser HD 579
- Sennheiser HD 559 vs Sennheiser HD 518
- Sennheiser HD 559 vs Sennheiser HD 555
- Sennheiser HD 559 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 559 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- See all 12 comparisons
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
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 518
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 800
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 579
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 515
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 650
- Sennheiser HD 598 vs Sennheiser HD 820
- See all 12 comparisons