Sennheiser HD598 vs. HD600

HD598 MORE FUN

HD600 LESS FUN

You'd probably like the HD600, it's just a pain to drive.

haven't heard either one, so i cant comment, but this guy...

http://www.headfonia.com/hd600-and-hd598-comparison/

I've heard the 598's, and own the 600s. 600s are more detailed, 598s were pretty unimpressive to me. But I didn't have much time with them so...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BotByte 

HD598 MORE FUN

HD600 LESS FUN

I have BOTH.  This is a good explanation.  The HD600 is also more neutral.  

To me the HD-598 is just more fun to listen to and not as relaxed with it's signature (but still smooth sounding). Sure the HD-600 has better and more bass (to some), but I'd rather take the mids of the HD-598 over that. I also felt the HD-598 had much more treble than the HD-600 with stock cable. The HD-600 is good, but it just tends to put me to sleep.

I don't agree that the HD-600 has more detail with stock cable. Heck the HD-600 can barely even pick up recording hiss and is MUCH more forgiving of source quality. HD-600 certainly is no detail monster and I don't think it was ever meant to be by Sennheiser.

Soundstage of the HD-600 is probably more accurate compared to the HD-598, but it's larger on the HD-598. Not even close.

Ok, this is where it gets strange. The HD-598 could be a tad more clear, but at the same time it's not as muffled sounding as the HD-600. HD-600 was very, very slightly muffled sounding. I don't know why. For me, it took specific music to tell the difference in the sound clarity. The HD-600 does improve with better (cheap) DIY cables.

Neither of all 3 are better than the others. Just need to find the one that's best for your preferences and music.

I find the HD-650 far better than the HD-600 for vocals, but I do prefer the more neutral sounding HD-600. Not over the HD-598 though.

A recabled HD-598 really makes it pointless to own the HD-600 for ME. Wasn't worth the extra $125 to me. HD-600 is a good headphone though.

BTW I could never EVER EVER describe the HD-598, HD-600 or HD-650 as being "crystal clear". Don't think they're meant to be. That's more like AKGs/Beyers area.

HD-598 makes me believe that the old Sennheiser "veil" is now a thing of the past. Sennheiser should really work on the sound clarity thing.

Despite loving the HD-598 it could be a lot more clear sounding for the price. It does clear up with better cables. I use Belden 1192A on mine.

u guys forgot to mention that HD598 looks beautiful compared to dark engineer kinda look on HD600.

i was thinkin of selling my HD600 and getting something else as its very hard to drive and i dont have budget for amps anymore.

To my experience, HD 598 sound more enjoyable for general listening, especially long session. Wider sound stage and nice trebles. Way easier to drive, even with a E7, which surprised me greatly. Been listening to it every time i go to a headphone store to test out new toys. Agree on the problem that HD 600 is hard to be driven. Definitely got for HD 598 as there is still changes to go for a good amp. 

This thread makes me curious to listen to the HD 598 again. Shall prior this and listen to it on my next visit to the stores! 
 

I just recently got the 600's and was surprise by how well the sound upgrades with amp from portable to the Matrix. Still a great sound, perfect for working conditions, but who has a 600 dollar amp for a two hundred dollar pair of headphones? If you've got six to smack down for an amp, go spend some money on better headphones. Curious myself now to hear the 598. Other reviews I've seen favor the 600's for neutrality and clarity.