Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 599, if you are buying new. The Sennheiser HD 598 measures as well as it (#193 vs #188 of 382 over-ear headphones, 3.6/5 vs 3.6/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sennheiser HD 599 is still sold new at $189.95.
What the Sennheiser HD 598 does well: 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.
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. Watch for: 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, since the Sennheiser HD 598 is discontinued and only worth hunting down used.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 598 | Sennheiser HD 599 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Discontinued | $189.95 |
| Ranked | #193 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones | #188 of 382 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 112 dB/Vrms | 106 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (270 g) | 0.6 lbs (250 g) |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.69 dB standard deviation | 2.74 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.49 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.42 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 40 Hz (-8.2 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-9.3 dB at 30 Hz) |
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How Sennheiser HD 599 compares with other leading options:
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- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Sennheiser HD 800
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The Two Headphones In Full
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 |
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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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