Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone: Comfortable Open-Back Headphones with Audiophile Sound
Published on May 11, 2023, 4:29 p.m.
As the flagship of Sennheiser’s 500 series, the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone aim to deliver audiophile sound quality and exceptional comfort for hours of listening enjoyment. But do they live up to expectations? Let’s dig in.
Overview
Sporting Sennheiser’s proprietary transducer technology, the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone promise excellent dynamics and low distortion. The open-back, velour-padded earcups are designed for long listening sessions without fatigue.
Features
- Open-back design provides natural and spacious sound
- Plush velour earpads for exceptional wearing comfort
- Two detachable cables for flexibility
- Audiophile-grade acoustic performance
- Timeless and lightweight design
Design & Build Quality
An ivory and brown color scheme gives the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone a classy aesthetic. The construction feels solid, with metal hinges and sliders. The earcups and headband padding are generously sized for comfort. The headphones are relatively lightweight at 8.8 oz.
Sound Quality & Performance
The Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone produce a warm, smooth sound signature with a slight bass bump. The soundstage is quite spacious for an open-back headphone. Vocals sound natural and instruments have excellent separation. The mid-range is slightly forwarded which adds intimacy.
The 50 ohm impedance means the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone perform well even without a dedicated headphone amp. However, they scale up nicely when paired with more powerful amplification.
Comfort & Ergonomics
The soft velour earpads surround the ears providing sublime comfort. Clamping force is moderate and the weight stays off your head thanks to the suspension-style headband. Most users can wear the headphones for hours without fatigue.
Connectivity & Cables
The Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone come with both long and short detachable cables. One has a 3.5mm plug, the other a 6.3mm plug with a 3.5mm adapter. This versatility makes them easy to use with a wide variety of devices.
Drawbacks
As open-back headphones, the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone don’t isolate noise. The sound leakage may disturb others around you. They’re best used in quieter environments.
Some users report connectivity issues with select audio sources, resulting in static or distortion. This seems to depend on the amplifier pairing.
Use Cases
The Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone are ideal for long music listening sessions at home. Their open-back design gives an immersive listening experience without isolating you from your environment. They are great for chilling out to your favorite tunes or having an all-day jam session. The lightweight and comfortable design also makes them suitable for extended use. Just don’t use them in noisy places where you want to block out the ambient noise.
User Feedback
The Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone are overwhelmingly praised by audiophiles for their lush sonic presentation and plush wearing comfort. Most users find the sound quality highly impressive for the reasonable price point.
According to enthusiastic reviewers, the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone engulf you in silky smooth audio that feels like “swimming in sound.” The expansive soundstage provides an immersive listening experience where you can pinpoint the positioning of individual instruments. Vocals sound intimate yet crystalline. Acoustic instruments like guitars and pianos dazzle with their natural timbre and realistic resonance. One user describes the mids as “warm cocoa for the ears.”
Bass is revered for its articulate punch and texture. The low end has polite yet controlled boom rather than muddy throbbing. Cymbals shimmer brightly with nuanced decay. Treble has welcome sparkle but avoids harsh sibilance. imaging is spectacular thanks to the open-back design. The headphones disappear sonically to fully transport you into the music.
Comfort-wise, users gush over the velvety memory foam earpads that feel like pillows for your ears. The headband is praised for its feathery light clamping force that never squeezes. Reviewers call the fit “heavenly” and “like a fluffy cloud.” Most listeners forget they are even wearing headphones. The Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone allow fatigue-free listening for 6+ hours at a time.
Constructive criticism from users focuses on the lack of a detachable audio cable. Some report connectivity issues with select amplifiers leading to minor static or distortion. A few note that the bass lacks visceral sub-bass rumble compared to closed-back models. However, the vast majority of owners are extremely satisfied with their purchase. For the attractive price, most agree the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone are an incredible value.
Pros
- Superb comfort for long listening sessions
- Spacious and inviting sound
- Good sound isolation for an open-back headphone
- Removable cables add convenience
- Great value for the performance
Cons
- Sound leakage due to open-back design
- Potential for static noise with improper amplifier pairing
- Not ideal for portable use
Value
At around $150, the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone deliver an amazing listening experience for the money. The combination of lush sound and long-wearing comfort is hard to beat at this price point. For those seeking affordable audiophile-quality open-back headphones, the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone should be at the top of the list.
Conclusion
With their luscious sound, plush comfort and flexible connectivity, the Sennheiser HD 599 Open Back Headphone offer an immensely enjoyable listening experience. For the attractive price, they are hard to beat and easy to recommend to budding audiophiles.
Specifications
- Transducer principle: Dynamic, open
- Frequency response: 12–38,500 Hz
- Sound pressure level: 106 dB
- Impedance: 50 Ω
- Total harmonic distortion: Less than 0.1%
- Ear coupling: Circumaural
- Jack plug: 3.5mm and 6.3mm
- Cable length: 9.8 ft and 5 ft
- Weight: 8.8 oz
Box Contains
- 1 x Sennheiser HD 599 Headphones
- 2 x Detachable Cables (3m and 1.2m)
- 6.3mm Jack Plug Adapter
- Manual
How to Use
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Connect the HD 599 to your audio source using the supplied cables. Select the 3.5mm cable for portable devices or the 6.3mm cable for home stereo equipment.
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Wear the headphones so the headband sits comfortably on your head and the earcups completely surround your ears.
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Play your favorite tunes and enjoy the immersive open-back sound. Adjust volume to a safe level.
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After use, disconnect the cable and store the headphones in a safe place.
