Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 599. It ranks #188 of 417 over-ear headphones by sound quality (rated 3.6/5) at $189.95 and is still sold new; the Sennheiser HD 579 ranks #243 (rated 3.4/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 579: Its tonal tilt of -0.60 sits close to the target, so the overall balance is neither dark nor bright. The catch: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used.
What the Sennheiser HD 599 does well: 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 tradeoff: 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; the Sennheiser HD 579 is no longer sold new.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 579 | Sennheiser HD 599 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $189.95 |
| Ranked | #243 of 417 in Over-Ear Headphones | #188 of 417 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 | 15Hz - 28kHz | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation | 2.74 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.42 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | - | 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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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.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Sennheiser HD 579 Discontinued eBay
Pros: Its tonal tilt of -0.60 sits close to the target, so the overall balance is neither dark nor bright. It uses 1 x 38mm dynamic.
Cons: Discontinued, so it is mainly found used. Its 2.94 dB spread is less even than the best measured sets.
Full Sennheiser HD 579 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2016 (10 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.94 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 28kHz |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (measured by crinacle, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.60 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250g) |
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 | +6.3 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 135 Hz | -4.4 dB | 0.45 |
| Peak | 1,680 Hz | +4.0 dB | 1.08 |
| Peak | 2,973 Hz | -4.4 dB | 4.33 |
| Peak | 33 Hz | +1.0 dB | 3.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.5 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 9,202 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 5,676 Hz | -3.1 dB | 2.19 |
| Peak | 6,705 Hz | +2.2 dB | 5.29 |
| Peak | 630 Hz | +0.8 dB | 3.85 |
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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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