Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 599. It ranks #188 of 429 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.6/5) at $189.95 and is still sold new; the Sennheiser HD 559 ranks #411 (rated 1.6/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 559: Lower mids sit within about 0.5 dB of target, keeping voices and guitars natural. The tradeoff: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
The Sennheiser HD 599 is the better-sounding option. 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 Sennheiser HD 599. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Sennheiser HD 559 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 559 | Sennheiser HD 599 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $189.95 |
| Ranked | #411 of 429 in Over-Ear Headphones | #188 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 (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 9.9 oz | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 27 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 4.40 dB standard deviation | 2.74 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.07 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.42 (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 45 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Sensitivity | - | 106 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) |
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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 |
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Sennheiser HD 599: $189.95 Amazon $189.95 eBay
Same family: the Sennheiser HD 569 (lower-end model, ranked lower, rated 1.6/5).
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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