Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 599. It ranks #71 of 134 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $239.95. The Sennheiser HD 569 ranks #130, rated 1.6/5, at $129.95, $110 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
The Sennheiser HD 599 is the better-sounding pick. 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.
The case for the Sennheiser HD 569: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. The tradeoff: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low and presence is down 4 dB, with an 11.7 dB dip near 10 kHz, so the sound is dull and veiled.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 599. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $110 saving on the Sennheiser HD 569 is not enough to make up the difference.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 599 | Sennheiser HD 569 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.95 | $129.95 |
| Ranked | #71 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #130 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 73 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.74 dB standard deviation | 3.97 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.42 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 50 ohms | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) | 115 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (250 g) | 0.7 lbs (300 g) |
| Frequency Response | 12Hz - 38.5kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sennheiser HD 599 compares with other leading options:
- Sennheiser HD 600 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 505 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 650 vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Audio-Technica ATH-M60x vs Sennheiser HD 599
- Sennheiser HD 599 vs Cooler Master MH752
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 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 599: $239.95 Amazon eBay
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) |
| 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 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Sennheiser HD 569: $129.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: A wired closed-back headphone with a built-in microphone. A 23 ohm impedance and 115 dB sensitivity make it very easy to drive from a phone. A bass lift of about 5 dB suits listeners who prefer a warm, bassy sound.
Cons: Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB low and presence is down 4 dB, with an 11.7 dB dip near 10 kHz, so the sound is dull and veiled. The warm tilt and bass emphasis can make mixes sound heavy. At 300 g, wired only, it is rated below the Logitech G Pro X and the Jabra Evolve 40.
Full Sennheiser HD 569 review and specifications →
| Back | Closed |
|---|---|
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.97 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 28 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 23 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 115 dB SPL/V |
| Tonal Tilt | -2.31 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (300 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 | -0.4 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 79 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.60 |
| Peak | 10,000 Hz | +4.2 dB | 0.26 |
| Peak | 4,676 Hz | +3.2 dB | 5.65 |
| Peak | 818 Hz | -1.9 dB | 1.41 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 280 Hz | +1.7 dB | 2.28 |
| Peak | 2,195 Hz | +2.0 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 3,255 Hz | -3.5 dB | 4.88 |
| Peak | 154 Hz | -1.1 dB | 2.14 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons