Sennheiser HD 599 SE Special Edition Open-Back Wired Over-Ear Headphones - Black

I have a couple of pairs of Sennheiser Momentum on-ears headphones which are decent enough, but not particularly comfortable. As other reviews of this type have noted, the headband leaves a dent in the top of my head, and they squeeze at the sides, which can be uncomfortable if you wear glasses.

Having tried a pair of B&W P9s, which a colleague of mine lent me one weekend, I was looking for a pair of over-the-ears headphone. I’d also done a search for headphones that were recommended for listening to classical music and found Sennheiser’s HD 5 series were recommended. I’ve had these for not quite a month at the time of writing and think th...view more I have a couple of pairs of Sennheiser Momentum on-ears headphones which are decent enough, but not particularly comfortable. As other reviews of this type have noted, the headband leaves a dent in the top of my head, and they squeeze at the sides, which can be uncomfortable if you wear glasses.

Having tried a pair of B&W P9s, which a colleague of mine lent me one weekend, I was looking for a pair of over-the-ears headphone. I’d also done a search for headphones that were recommended for listening to classical music and found Sennheiser’s HD 5 series were recommended. I’ve had these for not quite a month at the time of writing and think that these are not about to be superseded any time soon.

With respect to the first issue, the HD 599s have turned out to be even better than I thought. They’re not just comfortable with their kind-on-the-head cups and their well-padded headband, but light as well. Nice though the B&W P9s were, they were too heavy. They were like having a couple of desktop speakers strapped to the side of your head. The cups are quite large, but that’s a good thing and contributes to their comfort. My Sony MDR-1aDACs may be over-the-ears phones, but they feel tight in comparison with these.

As Sennheiser says, the sound is spacious, and it’s clear. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 played by the Dunedin Consort starts out in a rather parpy vein, but doesn’t end up aurally sludgy even if I think Bach was perhaps overdoing it a bit, and the result sounds a bit chaotic. The HD 599s also handle the lower sound of the cello in Bach’s Cello Suites (Tunnicliffe or Watkins; both are good) with aplomb, and this is about as bass as most of my music ever gets.

They also seem to do something for the quality of Couperin’s Pièces de Clavecin by Alan Cuckston, whose choice of harpsichord on the first album in the series I’ve never been fond of. In comparison, the instruments Richard Egarr or Mahan Esfahani or other harpsichordists use on other albums sound much better. However, the sound on this album still remains a little too treble and metallic for my tastes, but that’s not the fault of the headphones.

I think it’s the recording of Telemann’s Recorder Duets by Clas Pehrsson and Dan Laurin that is the problem. I find it to be a little too shrill-to-reverb, and there are times when the higher notes start sounding like static, which may also be a consequence of the recording location (Wik Castle in Sweden). The same goes for Finger’s Complete music for viola da gamba solo – too much reverb –, but probably no pair of headphones can quite rescue these albums.

The HD 599s separate out the different instruments on La Reverdie’s Laude Novella (on the album Speculum Amoris) very distinctly.

Overall, whether it’s near CD-quality MP3s, CD-quality FLAC or 24-bit tracks, or whether it’s instrumental or vocal music, there are no issues with the quality of the sound which the HD 599s produce.

I’d say that these are best with an amp. I tried them attached directly to my FiiO X5 MkII and then through my Oppo HA2-SE, which definitely helped. I felt that the X5 didn’t quite have the oomph by itself. Ditto with my Walkman and PHA-1A. Most of the time I have these plugged into my FiiO K5 + E17K, and the result is most satisfying.

The nature of open back headphones makes them leaky in both directions, but for home listening in a quiet environment, this isn’t a problem.

The extras in the box are two cables (1.2m 3.5mm jack and 3m 6.3mm jack) and an adaptor (6.3-to-3.5mm). What? No carry case? Even my Momentums came with a carry case. On the other hand, these aren’t meant to be portable.

My final judgement is five stars for sound, but a star off for a lack of something more in the box than a couple of cables and an adaptor. But in all, I have no hesitation recommending these, which I judge to be good value for money.

While other headphones have more volume in the mid frequency range, which is ideal for listening to Katy Perry, these headphones have a frequency curve that allows a wider range of sound. This means that music is clearer across all frequencies and not drowned out by mid range. The benefit is that the experience for pure musicians, creators, and enthusiasts is vastly superior to those using more more common brand, high production volume, headphones. ...view more While other headphones have more volume in the mid frequency range, which is ideal for listening to Katy Perry, these headphones have a frequency curve that allows a wider range of sound. This means that music is clearer across all frequencies and not drowned out by mid range. The benefit is that the experience for pure musicians, creators, and enthusiasts is vastly superior to those using more more common brand, high production volume, headphones.
The cable is plugged into the headphones meaning that it can be replaced when worn out and starts breaking. This is ideal for high use people and saves discarding the whole headphones when the cable becomes damaged.

I have never found a pair of headphones I can comfortably wear for 8 hours without any issues. I forget they are on my head half the time as well as the sound quality with the open back makes if feel like you are listening to stereo music coming from the whole room. Solid purchase. Would reccommend for anyone who takes their music quality, and comfort seriously. I have never found a pair of headphones I can comfortably wear for 8 hours without any issues. I forget they are on my head half the time as well as the sound quality with the open back makes if feel like you are listening to stereo music coming from the whole room. Solid purchase. Would reccommend for anyone who takes their music quality, and comfort seriously.

I just love these headphones. If you want a comfortable pair of headphones for long listening hours look no further, they deliver amazing bass and really kick with crisp and clear sound. The ear-cups are amazingly comfortable and don't get uncomfortable easily. I have used these headphones for the last 2 weeks and its hard to take them off they are so nice. 10/10 I just love these headphones. If you want a comfortable pair of headphones for long listening hours look no further, they deliver amazing bass and really kick with crisp and clear sound. The ear-cups are amazingly comfortable and don't get uncomfortable easily. I have used these headphones for the last 2 weeks and its hard to take them off they are so nice. 10/10

Really enjoy and am happy with these headphones. Good value for money. Clean sound and ideal length chord without the worry of blue tooth. Really enjoy and am happy with these headphones. Good value for money. Clean sound and ideal length chord without the worry of blue tooth.

Perfect to plug into my camera to make sure the sound is clear while recording. Just what I needed. Perfect to plug into my camera to make sure the sound is clear while recording. Just what I needed.

I bought these to replace a set of HD555 Sennheiser headphones that lasted 20 years. Same great quality sound and comfortable fit and were a great bargain on sale I bought these to replace a set of HD555 Sennheiser headphones that lasted 20 years. Same great quality sound and comfortable fit and were a great bargain on sale

If you have big ears go for something else, because this will press on your ears and make them sore, other than that its a great choice. If you have big ears go for something else, because this will press on your ears and make them sore, other than that its a great choice.

Best headphones I have used so far. Probably not the best of the best (as they are an older model) for today's standards, but they are still amazing. Best headphones I have used so far. Probably not the best of the best (as they are an older model) for today's standards, but they are still amazing.

These are perfect if you're looking for a pair of mid-budget audiophile headphones. Excellent sound and extremely comfortable. Highly recommend A+ These are perfect if you're looking for a pair of mid-budget audiophile headphones. Excellent sound and extremely comfortable. Highly recommend A+

I have been having a great time using this paired up with my soundblaster Z SE soundcard but I do think that 350+ dollars is fairly steep. I picked this one up at 200 and can't see any negatives at that price.

Worth 200-250 in my opinion. sound range is great, open back means that air pressure wont give you headaches, if that's something that bothers you, great build quality, broad sound range.

good stuff I have been having a great time using this paired up with my soundblaster Z SE soundcard but I do think that 350+ dollars is fairly steep. I picked this one up at 200 and can't see any negatives at that price.

Worth 200-250 in my opinion. sound range is great, open back means that air pressure wont give you headaches, if that's something that bothers you, great build quality, broad sound range.

good stuff

Honestly! This pair is to die for. Perfect for my Nord and they look sexy hanging next to it! Definitely recommend! Honestly! This pair is to die for. Perfect for my Nord and they look sexy hanging next to it! Definitely recommend!