Sennheiser HD 598

Chiek

New Head-Fier
Pros: So well balanced. No overpowering bass. So real and so natural is the sound. Pads are so comfortable. Stylish look
Cons: None I can think of.
I am a headphones aficionado and I enjoy collecting good headphones Just got this pair of incredible headphones today after biking for more than 10 km. Was going to buy another make but when I set my eyes on this one and it's the only one in the store, I seized it because I read such good reviews it has. I put them on immediately and rode home on my bike. It was probably the most enjoyable 10km bike ride I ever had with John Mayer crooning away while I push those pedals.
 
I am enjoying Beethoven sonatas just as I am writing this now. Music is so rich and exuberant that it is giving me immense enjoyment and happiness.
Pros: Smooths my older, rougher recordings.
Cons: Makes all my music sound like it's been recorded in the same venue, on the same day.
For relaxing with a nice glass of wine while reading a good book, the wash of music from the HD598 is very soothing.
Sadly, its mid bass bloom makes my delicate lute music sound like guitars. In fact, everything seems to have the same over-weighty mid-tone about it, however it was recorded. Deep and full, politely sweet but never exciting. It's as if my CDs are camouflaged in a Sennheiser soundscape, with a feeling that there was a Sennheiser engineer present at every recording session, insisting on the exact same feel, no matter whether the music was classical, rock or jazz. 
wrightanswer@ear
wrightanswer@ear
Apogee Duet, latest version. No such problems with the Duet when used with the Shure 840 and 940, or AKG K550, or even the old Sennheiser HD580.
Wildstar
Wildstar
A low impedance source is crucial for the 598s because not only do they have a "lowish" nominal impedance (60 ohm), but their impedance spike is 6 times the nominal impedance (300 ohm at 100 Hz)!
You will have a 100 Hz boost unless your source's impedance is in the single digits, which isn't the case of the Duet (which is around 30 ohm). The Duet will not play nice with any of the HD5x5 ou HD5x8 series.
wrightanswer@ear
wrightanswer@ear
Thanks. Sounds like a good enough reason for Duet users to steer clear of Sennheiser then. But as I said, I used the old HD580 (300 Ohm) with the Duet for a good period of time and that was better than the 598 in that respect. I've also auditioned the DT880 Pro (200 or 250 Ohm, can't recall) with the Duet and while I didn't like the highs, the lows and mids seemed tight enough.

rew850

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Good Sound, Price, Look, Comfortability,
Cons: Not too much bass
This headphone is really good for its price and is comfortable and looking good. The sound is clear but need more bass, this is not a bad thing for everybody but on certain songs you can ear that the bass is not powerful. Overall the headphone is pretty great for audiophile starters, an amp will not be needed that much.

norilink

New Head-Fier
Pros: very nice sound and comfortable
Cons: lack of bass details
i love it this pair it is good for music and games recommended for beginners

Gilly87

Member of the Trade: ApeSonic
Pros: Soundstage, excellent mids, tasteful bass, active but smooth treble, great on vocals, classic rock, less aggressive electronic music
Cons: Not the fastest or most crisp sound, bass could be a smidge tighter; Sennheiser house sound isn't for everyone
My chain: FLAC/320kbps MP3 -> Foobar 2k WASAPI Output-> HiFiMeDIY Sabre DAC -> E11 -> HD598
 
My first taste of the Sennheiser house sound came in the form of the HD439, which I purchased while looking for a balanced all-rounder for casual listening on the go and in coffee shops while writing. I enjoyed the signature, so when it came time to look for an open headphone, the first place I looked was Sennheiser.
 
I usually favor phones that have slightly elevated bass and are a bit darker, and after reading reviews saying that the HD5x8 series shared the same drivers, I decided that the HD558 was likely the best way to go, assuming it wouldn't sacrifice anything to the HD598 in terms of technical ability. While I enjoyed the HD558 (my review can be found here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-558/reviews/8544), they didn't quite feel like a keeper; the bass felt a bit loose and tended to bleed into the mids, and I felt that the highs were lacking. I returned the 558s and found a good deal on the 598s, and here we are.
 
For those deciding between the two models, my best advice would be to try them; failing that, it would mostly come down to preferred sound signature and choice of genres. While the 558s and 598s share the same drivers, they are obviously tuned with different listening styles in mind. Both maintain the Sennheiser house sound, and everything that goes with it: a well-layered but cohesive presentation, fantastic mids with a tasteful but not overdone lushness, slightly elevated bass, and smooth treble. They share a very similar midrange presentation and level of detail, but the HD598 has a slightly more open and euphoric sound given the added treble emphasis, whereas the HD558 is more seductive and enveloping. Personally I find the bass on both to lack some control, but noticeably moreso in the case of the HD558; the 598 isn't what I'd call tight either, but has less tonal emphasis while maintaining similar impact and extension. The HD558 is definitely what I would call a dark sounding can; the HD598 is brighter but not bright, still warm, and feels more balanced and natural to my ears. It essentially takes everything the HD558 does right, and refines it.
 
But let's forget about the HD558. Right now I'm listening to The Rain Song and the intro sounds smooth and subdued, just like it should, with just enough crunch in the acoustic guitar to separate it from the rest of the music nicely. Vocals are top-notch; if I was a female I would be swooning, I feel like Robert Plant is wooing me right here in my living room...but seriously, acoustic guitars sound great here, I can't see how I might prefer them any other way  These probably wouldn't satisfy a metal head who needs real crunch and punchy bass for electrics and kick drums, but for me they do just fine.  Over the Hills and Far Away is another track that these really do well, the touch of warmth again makes acoustic guitars sound positively seductive, while keeping them appropriately separated. There could be a bit more pluck to them, but only some of the time; that would be my only complaint, if anything.
 
Speaking of metal, moving on to Aerials by System of a Down. The intro is given sufficient drama; when the guitars drop, you really feel the sound come from all around you. Very impressive. Not as dynamic as it sounds on my D2k, but the vocals have even more emotion, less harshness, and are much more intimate. Guitars, as expected, don't sound as immediate and textured, likely due to the "Sennheiser veil" consisting of a dip in the upper midrange/lower treble. Moving on to Sugar, it becomes more obvious that drums aren't quite what they should be; they are there, but not with the realistic weight/pound of the D2k, or the punch the DT770 LE give them. They're there, just there. Not bad, but not great.
 
Now for Infected Mushroom. The soundstage on the HD598s does wonders for these guys: they are world-class producers and all of the dynamic and spacial elements they've tweaked in there are very clearly audible. Listening to Sa'eed, and again the bass could use a little more punch to be realistic. It's not underwhelming, but not noteworthy either. The dynamics needed for this song are here, but the thickness in the lower midrange makes it feel not quite as lively as it does with some other phones, like the DT770 LEs, which are faster and have slightly tighter bass. Moving to Change the Formality, the bass feels better suited here. Also the synthesized textures and tiny nuances are really there and alive, the superior treble and resulting increase in the precision of imaging is noticeable here vs. what I remember with the HD558; still a bit thick at times, but noticeably more energetic. Vocals are great, of course. On to I Wish, again those little synthesized textures are really audible here. The vocals are a little closer than I would like with a euphoric and minimalistic track like this, I'd ideally like a slightly more open feel with slightly less chesty vocals and tighter bass. Still this is all nitpicking; overall the sound signature works well here, with the bass being appropriately tactile, the midrange doing full justice to vocals and synths, and the treble coming out just enough to give the appropriate euphony and compliment the warmth. This track doesn't need warmth, but it doesn't hurt either. Bust a Move sound great too, the acoustic at the beginning sounds just right to me ears, not too much crunch, not too warm, just right. Bass is tactile enough to be felt, just barely. The warmth of the HD598 does impede the dark energy of this track ever so slightly, but still, everything is there, it sounds good, just not amazing.
 
As for Medeski Martin & Wood, well, this is where these cans shine brightest so far out of anything I've listened to. The slight warmth works with the jazz feel, and polite nature of the 598's bass keeps it out of the way on Anonymous Skulls, which has lower bass tones that can be a bit overbearing with my DT770s and, to a lesser extent, the D2000s. This is one of my favorite songs of all time, probably in the top 20, and the 598s do both instruments and synthesized tones full justice to my ear. On End of the World Party, I would like a little more subbass coming through on...whatever the hell that instrument is! It still sounds great, but just doesn't quite have that full throatiness my D2000s and DT770 can give them. I love MMW, they do stuff nobody else is doing, at least that I've heard; if you like them, these cans do them justice: they still sound jazzy and light, but don't miss out on the fullness that the electronic elements add.
 
Ott is another band that the 598s are really doing full justice to. Queen of All Everything has this great laid back but euphoric sound, all of the natural textures come through with full realism and even a certain crispness. The bass feels just right here; if it was any tighter, it would actually distract from the soft nature of the track. This is a real pleasure to listen to. Rogue Bagel is coming through nicely too, everything is well-layered, bass isn't getting in the way of vocals or strings but still has a nice heft to it that is appropriate for the reggae-psydub sound. Everything sounds much more alive and 3-dimensional than either of my closed cans.
 
Overall I have to say I really do recommend the HD598. I had a harder time saying as much about the 558s, just because they were too dark to be all-rounders and had sloppy upper bass that held it back from excelling with my more vocal-centric music. The HD598 is a definite step up, not necessarily in detail, but definitely in presentation and overall refinement, balance, and realism. If you are looking for a solid open can with a smooth sound sig, tasteful warmth, and a great soundstage, look no further.
 
 
Music used for this review:
 
Infected Mushroom:
Poquito Mas
Sa'eed
Change the Formality
Bust a Move
I Wish
 
Led Zeppelin:
No Quarter
The Rain Song
Over the Hills and Far Away
 
System of a Down:
Aerials
Sugar
 
Medeski Martin & Wood:
Anonymous Skulls
End of the World Party
 
Ott:
The Queen of All Everything
Rogue Bagel
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Gilly87
Gilly87
Why thank you :) Just because you said that, I am going back to add more comparison material.
buldome
buldome
very good review, thank you for sharing your opinion, i just bought mine :)
XxDobermanxX

Arsis

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Natural, airy, unhyped and detailed
Cons: None...except they'll make you realize just how bad MP3s really suck. But is that really a con?
I've had these for about 6 months and I find them to be outstanding.  I think you'd pay double to get anything better.  Natural, unhyped response. Nice full soundstage. VERY, VERY COMFORTABLE. I use them with a Fiio E10 as well as a Focusrite TwinTrak Pro. I have quite a bit 24/96 and vinyl. For reference I also own  AKG K240M (600 OHM), Sennheiser HD439, Superlux HD681 and AKG K55.  The 598s are by far my favorite, no contest.
Arsis
Arsis
I've no quality issues whatsoever. I am careful with my stuff but these have been used a lot and show hardly any visible signs of wear. no cracks not even scratches. Almost a year now, I still love them.
Murloc007
Murloc007
Maybe they have have updated the materials with the new releases, or it have to do more with the way you use your headphones anyway this is very cheap now on amazon, so could be a stronge posibility. Thanks for the quick replay.
ChardonnayLogic
ChardonnayLogic
"Cons: None...except they'll make you realize just how bad MP3s really suck. But is that really a con?"
 
Right On! 

Yelverton9

New Head-Fier
Pros: Great Sound stages, Clear, Natural Sound, Really Comfortable, reasonable price
Cons: PLASTIC!, not for basshead
This Is a nice headphone. I don't really like the design but this is in my price range, I like to use it at public places(It's weird, I know). Sound leakage is impossible to hide. Soundtage is good but not so well on the more behind sound. High sometimes is too high, mid is good, and the low is perfect. Build quality is not good, almost all of it's frame are plastic, but there's the iron part on the back of the earcup, however. Nice headphone for starters, even for someone who's trying on a cheap(reasonable) audiophile.
uncola
uncola
Yeah these are good for a beginner, comfortable and non fatiguing and can work direct from soundcard output. and open backed so less ear sweat
Headphones4154
Headphones4154
Plastic isn't a bad thing. Plenty of headphones are made of headphones and can be thrown around like mad (the shure srh440 or 840, for example)
wrightanswer@ear
wrightanswer@ear
I had the impression the build was excellent. Quality of finish is very high with outstanding comfort. Fine attention to detail.
Plastic is the "material", not the "build". The build is the headphone's construction and strength for purpose. I'd give the build top marks.

BK201

New Head-Fier
Pros: never harsh sounding, no sibilance, easy to listen to, wide soundstage
Cons: bass rolls off, not very detailed, a bit muddy, dark sounding, overpriced
Firstly, this headphone is the prime example of something I'd love to hate.

I did like the HD595 as a non fatiguing headphone... and yeah the HD598 is better. But that ugly design and MAP restriction left a sour taste.

I'm still saddened they didn't switch to a 1/8 inch connector as most devices use that nowadays. Another problem is the impedance varies among the frequency greatly, especially in the mid-bass. Don't plug these into some receivers, they will get really muddy.

It sounds like the HD595 with better clarity, and more treble. But again much better can be found for the money.

Supposedly Sennheiser fixed the build quality issues, but we'll see...
ringofoaksmusic
ringofoaksmusic
Read my review and learn.
ClearConscience
ClearConscience
The bass rolls off?  Then just turn it up!  It's like you've never heard of an EQ.  The point is that the bass is tight and punchy when it's turned up to high volumes.  For this reason, these headphones have fantastic bass.  I EQ 32 Hz up about 6 dB and it's fantastic.  I actually have to EQ the midbass down about 2 dB to get the sound I like the most.  Saying the bass is rolled off is accurate, but that's not really a negative if you know what you're doing with your audio equipment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TIIu9CERgI sounds amazing for me.
WonWesleyChoi
WonWesleyChoi
I personally think you are a complete idiot. He probably works for Sennheiser competitor's Company and is making up reviews to get paid.

RietSuiker

New Head-Fier
Pros: Soundstage, comfort, very nice looking imo...
Cons: Lacks a little punch in the low bass.
I'll start of by saying I'm new to the hifi headphone world and I'm using these un-amped out of the headphone out of a focusrite usb interface. Wow I never expected a headphone to sound so full, It's almost speaker like. They have plenty of bass but they do lack a little oomph and this becomes very apparent at low volume levels or bad sources, they don't sound quite as well on an ipod as on my pc's soundcard.
 
It is a very open design, you will hear your surroundings clearly and at medium listening levels or above people in the proximity will definitely be able to play air guitar over whatever it is that you're listening to. If that doesn't bother you this headphone is still imo not suitable for transit, the headphone is big and very comfy but the plastic is still kinda flimsy, suffice to say it doesn't like being sit on or tossed around.
 
By the way, I can't stress enough how comfortable this thing is. It's relatively lightweight and the velour earpads are just, nice. the padding on the inside of the headband is I believe fake leather. Although it's not sturdy as a military assault rifle, overall it really feels like a quality product.
 
As for the bass, maybe I haven't given it enough time to burn in as I've only gotten it a few days ago, I think this headphone does benefit from a stronger source. Maybe not as much as some of the higher end sennheisers. Do I recommend this? Well I'm happy with it considering what I payed for it. If you're a real bass centric person and you listen to dubstep or hiphop you might want to look at some of the closed back alternatives out there. Maybe some people will call ******** on this, for every person there's an opinion.
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barneypooch

New Head-Fier
Pros: Very comfortable; gorgeous looking, IMO
Cons: They're fine, but nothing special.
Most of my at-home listening is done via speakers, but if I'm in bed and not wanting to disturb the rest of the house, I have Shure SE 530s, via the laptop or a Sansa Clip. However, I've never been particularly in love with the Shures, which have spent most of their life in their case. I'd pretty much stopped listening to music on headphones.
 
I thought I'd try these. I don't know why I expected $250 'phones to sound better than $500 ones, and they certainly did not.  They sound exactly like what they are: mid-range, mid-price.
 
That's not to say they're bad - they certainly aren't; they're just middle of the road. They're lovely and airy, and the sound stage gives a fair illusion of being out of the head. The bass is very nicely controlled (and there's plenty enough extension for this classical music afficionado). The highs are clear without being tiring. The mids... Ah, this is where I noticed where I (hadn't) spent the money. "Transparency" is probably one of the most abused words in audio, but once you've heard it (truly heard it) you're never happy without it.
 
Although I've never spent crazy money on hi-fi I've some decent kit over the years, transducer-wise. I've had Quad ESL 57s, 63s and 998s; Spendor BC1 and SP1 and currently B&W 802. HPs have included Stax Lambda Pro (which I sold because they were just so bloody hot and uncomfortable!). All these transducers have what I think is true transparency - and none more so, IMO, than the positively ancient ESL 57, which I have never ever heard bettered in that department. They didn't have deep bass, and they weren't much use for a party, but I miss them to this day (thirty years after I had to sell them. Sob).
 
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I was stupid to think the 598 would somehow defy the price/performance equation. I should probably simply have got the Visa card out and bought the HD 800s, but I wanted something easy to drive. And that brings me to...
 
The Fiio E17! I bought this little miracle at the same time. Oh, my. Suddenly, I realised just how good the SE 530s can be. I've always shied away from external DACs and amps for 'phones. Too much trouble and bulk for what's supposed to be a neat/portable alternative to my main system. I took a chance (at that price, why not?) on the E17 and to say I'm thrilled is an understatement. In combination with the Shures (and my laptop or Nexus 7) we're definitely in touch with the high-end. I've never been a great believer in the post-1980s philosophy of "spend most of your budget on the front end", but the E17 has made me realise that proper hi-fi does demand a little more than a Sansa Clip (amazing as that little device is), or the headphone output of a Samsung laptop.
 
However, though I'm very happy to discover just how good the 530s can be, I'm afraid the 598s (although improved by the E17) still remain firmly earth-bound, and nowhere near as fine as the Shures.
 
I'm not familiar with all the 598's competitors at their price point, so I can't say if they're a standout in their market segment. What I think I can say is that they're neither a bargain nor a rip-off. If someone put them on my head, blind, and asked me to guess the price I'd say $250 (or £164, in our money).
 
Before I go, I can't stress enough that the 598s are very good - but if you're fussy and spoiled, these won't do it for you. I'm tempted to keep them, though, because I really like the design. They go so well with my few treasured pieces of Art Deco furniture!
 
PS:I'm not sure if the rating system on Head-Fi is absolute or relative, so I've given them three stars for audio quality. If that's wrong maybe a mod could change it to four or five (though I'm not sure how logical that would be).
 
 
 
 
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barneypooch
barneypooch
@xdobermanx
Not sure which Amazon review you mean? Was it the Fiio E17? I didn't buy my se530s from Amazon, thus no review.
That said, I don't really know what you're saying (or why I'm replying, tbh).
AgentCOPP1
AgentCOPP1
@barneypooch
Oh no, I wasn't talking about you. I was just saying that I'm respectful of other people's opinions because I vehemently disagree with your review. I wasn't implying that you were being disrespectful at all. I was just saying that so that people wouldn't get me wrong.
But anyway, I can see your point about the review system. However, it's kind of an unwritten rule on here that you need to base your opinions on the price range of the headphones, not in the entire spectrum. That's just not fair because not everyone is looking for the absolute top of the line pair of headphones. They're looking for what's in their budget, and it's easier for them to get an idea of how good the set is compared to others of the same price range. For example, most of the Beats are priced around $200+. For that reason, they almost ALWAYS get a terrible rating because compared to other headphones in their category, they are absolutely awful. However, if they had been priced anywhere from $50-$125, I'm certain that they would get a much better rating. $200 is a rip off for the quality (or lack thereof) that you get.
Headphones4154
Headphones4154
The guy who suggested the ath m50, you're in the wrong review. These are open back, mid ranged headphones. The m50s are good, but they're closed back and more of a budget headphone

chimmycham

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Clarity, Comfort, Soundstage
Cons: Could be a bit tighter fitting. (I do have a narrow head though)
These are just wonderful.
I had no idea what I was missing.
I've always listened to lossless music, but had no idea it could sound like this.
I run my music directly out of my 2011 Macbook Pro, and into these, using Audirvana Plus (iTunes integrated mode).
 
I also use these with my PS3.
I plug the PS3's optical audio out in to my surround sound system (Yamaha Amp), and turn the settings to 'straight'
and plug the headphones into the Amp's 1/4in headphone output jack.
 
Call of Duty is about 10x as addicting now.
The soundstage allows me to hear almost precisely where others are.
 
If they broke, I would just buy another pair of these same headphones.
Jmstrmbn
Jmstrmbn
You mean if they broke you'd buy an upper-tier Sennheiser :wink:

Tristan944

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Great sound, Comfortable, Well Made
Cons: None
[size=small]Ive listened to the Ultrasone HFI-780, Sony MDR-V6 (MDR-7506), Grado SR80i, and the Sennheiser HD598. The HD598 wins.[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]The Ultrasone HFI-780 has absolutely terrible sibilance/sibilant. This is a common complaint with these cans. The 780 has better bass than the HD598, but the sibilance ruins these cans.[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]The Sony MDR-V6 (aka MDR-7506) are phenomenal cans, but rather boring. These are some of the most popular headphones ever made, for good reason. They do sound incredible, and they are inexpensive. Every sound is fantastic. However, its boring. People in the audio industry refer to them as flat, and flat is the perfect way to describe them. And some people love this sound, however I do not like flat headphones for overall music listening. The MDR-V6 are studio monitors, which mean they are primarily made to be used in a studio or with other professional applications where you can monitor how loud a particular sound is. These cans heavily emphasize the mids, and thats not necessarily a bad thing. Those who love acoustic music or love hearing vocals will prefer these over the HD598. Some treble and some "hissing" can be heard on occasion, but overall these are amazing headphones if you like flat sound.[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]The Grado SR80i are another great set of headphones, but they are uncomfortable and dont appear to be made as well as the other headphones on this list. Overall they sound great. The bass is almost non-existent, like the HD598. The overall sound signature was not as clean as the MDR-V6. The MDR-V6 is just so clean and precise, very hard to beat. But the SR80i are still great headphones and I would probably prefer to listen to music and game with them more than the Sony's. The Grado's sound like what you are used to, which is not studio monitor headphones.[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]Now the Sennheiser HD598. I have the least experience with these, but they are so good I dont need extensive experience.[/size][size=small][/size]
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[size=small]Pros[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]1. They are extremely comfortable. Even more comfortable than the MDR-V6 which is known for being comfortable. I find myself forgetting they are on. Some might say, "Well if you cant tell they are on, then maybe they are on too loose and will fall off." Not true. They are designed so well that they fit on snugly and have no pressure points.[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]2. They are open air which is a pro and a con, depending on what you want. You can hear most sounds in the environment with these on. The HFI-780 and MDR-V6 do a great job of blocking out noise. However, the open air nature of the HD598 gives better soundstage (you can hear where instruments are; in gaming you can hear where the bullets and the enemy are coming from; it sounds 3D) and better air venting. Your ears are the least likely to sweat with these on compared to all the other headphones listed.[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]3. They sound phenomenal. Of course there are better headphones out there, but for the $200-$300 price range, these are the headphones to beat. A respected audiophile says these are the best cans under $400-$500. The best way I can describe the sound is "smooth and creamy". One of the best ways to understand this is listening to a song where tons of instruments and vocals are going on. One example that I've used while comparing headphones is Mumford & Sons- Sigh No More. Skip to 2:23 and it starts getting complicated and intense. Many headphones cave under this stress, but the HD598 runs right through it with no resistance. It sounds awesome. In comparing the microscopic definition and exacting reproduction of sounds between the HD598 and the MDR-V6, the MDR-V6 takes the edge. But again, I still prefer the HD598 because it sounds better. With the HD598 you can still here the strings being strung, the reverberations of the instruments being used, etc. Although the MDR-V6 reproduces it more accurately, it also reproduces it more flat boring. Again, this is a fundamental difference between studio headphones (MDR-V6) and regular, fun headphones (HD598).[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]Cons[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]1. The bass is lacking. I'm not the listener who loves bass and eagerly tries to blow his eardrums at every possible occasion, but I do enjoy some thump. Bass is an essential part of music, without it, sound would be boring. I would say the HD598 gives you just enough bass to satisfy you. Using an equalizer or bass boost does help and does make a big difference. Open air headphones are notorious for their minimal bass reproduction. The bass that is produced sounds great though.[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]2. The cord, the cord!!! Although detachable, which is a pro, the con is that it terminates into the larger 1/4 plug (which can be a pro for others). I use the 3.5mm plug 99% of the time. The HD598 comes with a 3.5mm adapter turning the terminal end of the cord into a 5 inch plug section. When plugged into a Zune, iPod, etc, it looks ridiculous. Laughably ridiculous actually. I emailed Sennheiser about this and they said that will not make a cord that terminates into a 3.5mm plug for this headphone. Really unfortunate.[/size][size=small][/size]
[size=small][/size]
[size=small]So when all things are said and done, after comparing the HD598 against several other well known and popular headphones, the HD598 are my favorite. They are not perfect. The bass is too soft, the sonic clarity is not quite as defined as the MDR-V6 (HD598 just slightly less, you can still hear ALL the detail), and the cord is ridiculous. But these cons are very very minor. The excellent sound and extreme comfort of these headphones, all things considered, are better than anything I've listened to.[/size]
MarcadoStalker7
MarcadoStalker7
Good review!
ruthieandjohn
ruthieandjohn

Gonor3a

New Head-Fier
Pros: Superb sound, Great build, Super comfortable
Cons: Cable is long, 6.5mm adapter, Massive sound leakage
Amazing sound and even better when using an AMP.
 
The 6.5mm standard adaptor is a bit Meh. But a 3.5mm is included. Cable is crazy long, definitely designed to be hooked up to a stereo unit at home. Still sounds great throught the ipad / iphone

Sound leakage is huge and loud and will piss everyone off in the room. These cans are "at home" only use and not for office or when on public transport. My wife complained "what is the point of headphones if everyone can hear what you are listening to!!"
 
If you want aural candy, for the price (got mine on amazon.com) these things are diamond.
 
 
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Headphones4154
Headphones4154
the headphone is designed to leak sound. It's not a con nor is it a design flaw.

weirddub

Head-Fier
Pros: Very well made, They look awesome, big soundstage, nice punchy bass.
Cons: Cable is long, 6.5mm adapter
Design/Build quality
Straight out of the box these feel strong and look like they have been put together very well, they have a beige colour with shiny wood accents and they look awesome!
They are like the Aston Martin of the headphone universe, they just look and feel classy and expensive.

Sound
At first these didn't sound so great out of the box they sounded dull grainy and lacked bass completely after burn in however these opened up nicely, Bass is tight and punchy with a nice subtle low end but definitely not superfluous or over the top,

Treble is these cans strong point they have a lot of detail and are unforgiving of low quality music any mp3 below 256kbps sound awful
The soundstage/separation is amazing these shine on just about any genre I put through them, male vocals especially sound excellent.

These really are the complete package I recommend them too
well done Sennheiser!
dprincemusic
dprincemusic
pm. me if you want to have a shorter cable :wink:
XxDobermanxX
XxDobermanxX
Where did you get them for $120

Joong

1000+ Head-Fier
Pros: excellent Sound stage, excellent extension to both direction of frequency
Cons: Price misleading
This wonderful headphone is simply underestimated due to the myterious belief system of audiophiles.
Price simply biases the listener, and human brain is simple an automata that is influenced by every factor especially the cost he or she paid.
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autoteleology
autoteleology
I found this review to be needlessly pretentious.
estudiendo
estudiendo
noted

AgentCOPP1

100+ Head-Fier
Pros: Light, EXTREMELY comfy, great mids & highs,
Cons: Bass lacks impact, annoying cable, no carrying pouch
 
Hello everyone. I'm going to review Sennheiser's HD598 audiophile headphones, and give you an overview of my personal opinions on it. These seem to be one of Sennheiser's most esteemed set of cans, so if you really want to know what all the jazz is about, well here you go. Feel free to agree or disagree however you find suitable, however I warn you, if you disagree with me, you are provoking the wrath of the almighty audio gods, so I would be wary if I were you.
 
***Disclaimer: This is all opinion-based, but I'm pretty sure my opinions are true. Otherwise I would be an insecure jack wagon***
 ​
I got these headphones about two months ago and have been giving them lots of good critical listenings through a variety of different situations. Overall, my impression of them is extremely favorable and going back and forth between these and different sets, I always seem to crawl back to these. I'm just going to break down each aspect of these step by step just for you. That's right. I love all of you... well, not really.
 
Source: Droid Razr Maxx @ 320Kbit/sec MP3. 10 channel EQ'd to my personal preference. 
Amp: FiiO E09K
 
20 hours of burn-in (if there even is such a thing)
 
Accessories
The HD598s don't really come with much, and this might be a little disappointing to some people. The only accessory that it comes with is a 1/4 inch (6.3mm) female to a 1/8 inch (3.5mm) male adapter. It's my opinion that Sennheiser should have at least given some sort of complimentary box, given that you shell out a little over $200 for these (which some ignorant people might find to be excessive). But to no avail, nothing else is provided with them.
 
Cable
The cable is nice and sturdy. It is removable from the headphones, and only goes into one earpiece, which is nice since now you don't have to worry about jerking your headphones off of your head. However, the fact that it terminates in a 6.3mm plug is sure to cause a lot of frustration with some people. These headphones definitely do NOT need an amp to run proficiently, and the fact that if you want to plug them into your phone or iPod, the plug coupled with the adapter effectively becomes as big as a pencil. Now, while the fact that these cans were never meant to be mobile is quite obvious, it still is annoying that you can't really replace the proprietary cable with anything else. What would have been better is if they made the cable terminate in a 3.5mm plug, and if you want to plug them into an amp, just get an adapter for it. Really, a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter is not that big or intrusive at all. Minus one for intelligence.
 
Build
This is really where the 598s begin to hit the high note (no pun intended). The creamy, somewhat antique look to them is sure to please a lot of people, but it is also sure to repulse others. To me, I think it looks absolutely gorgeous. Everything on this is plastic, but don't fret yet (hey that rhymes!) because this is a very, very high quality plastic (I know it sounds cheesy). I don't really know what to compare it to, but I assure you that the plastic feels very good, and it doesn't feel cheap at all. The headband is cushioned with almost an inch of padding, and when you put these on, it's almost like you forget they're even there. Another plus is the ear pads. The brown velvet is extremely comfortable, and if you've ever had those really soft pajamas that you feel like you just want to cuddle up into, that is what it feels like. Very nice. Sometimes I will find myself just petting the ear pads like a dog because I feel this incessant need to give them love.
 
Let me reiterate, the overall weight is so little, that when you put these on, they almost literally disappear. They just become another part of your body.
 
Sound
Now for the good stuff.
 
Lows
 ​
This has been the centerpiece for a lot of controversy in the audiophile world. In no ways is the bass on these powerful, and it is most certainly not the main attention that these headphones give. That doesn't necessarily mean that they are bad, just a tad bit recessed compared to other headphones in the same price range. Sub bass is slightly underpowered, and mid to upper bass are both more present, but seemingly lacking just a tad bit (however this is totally subject to opinion). Now don't let this get you down, because you can still hear the beat of the drums, the pluck of the bass guitar, and everything else that the audio masters want you to hear, but don't expect to be wowed by them. To some people, this is actually a good thing and they feel like it provides a perfect tonal balance. Others feel that it could be given a bit of a boost. Opinion: Even though I am a little disappointed with the bass, that doesn't drive me away completely from them (for reasons later mentioned). Even with excessive equalizing, these still have trouble accurately representing bass-heavy tracks. For instance, take Another One Bites the Dust by Queen for example. If you don't know this song, get out right now. I want nothing to do with you. Anyway, I'm actually listening to this song right now, so here's what I'm hearing: While there is still a bit of punch that you can feel from the drums, the main bass line lacks impact. Yes, I can hear it perfectly, but it just seems to me like there's just something missing. My friend's tube amp actually corrects this problem, but unfortunately I don't have one of my own. If you try to play dubstep on these headphones, you might be better off trying to convince Nancy Pelosi that capitalism actually works better than communism. Just won't work.
 
Again, this is completely up for opinion as if you like this aspect of it or not, so if you're not sure, try to find someone that has the 598s and see for yourself.
 
Edit: After about 40 hours of burn-in, I have actually noticed that the bass has become more pronounced and punchy, however still a little recessed. Nonetheless, I actually like the bass better now as it seems to have more umph to it. Even though I stated before that I'm pretty critical of burn-in, I can't deny that either my ear or the headphones have changed to make the bass a whole lot better. Whatever it is, it is a lot better. However my rating still stands as I believe it can still be just a little bit more punchy. But it still is very nice now!
 
Mids
 ​
If I could sum up the characteristic of the mids on this set, it would be "tasty". Yes, tasty. Hold on a second, let me switch the song. Okay, now I'm listening to Still Got the Blues by Gary Moore. The guitar solo that Mr. Moore shreds out around 3:45 is EXTREMELY well presented by these headphones. When he switches down to the bridge pickups on his guitar, it literally makes my spine tingle with how well the mids on these things do. It is just so intensely crunchy and powerful. Almost makes me want to cry. Besides that part, vocals are very very easy to hear above the instruments. It does not strain you at all to understand what the singer is saying. If you care to look at my review I did on the Sony XB-1000s here on this website, you will find that they did an absolutely horrid job of presenting vocals. That's to major contrast with the HD598s. It's just absolutely fantastic. I don't really know what else to say about it because it's just so freaking perfect. Smooth as silk.
 
Highs
 ​
A lot of problems that headphones have is with sibilance. Sibilance is that cringe-inducing sound produced by the crash of a symbol or by the iteration of the "ssssssss" sound. With the 598s, I can say with utmost confidence that sibilance is completely non-existent. The symbols on drums are heard very clearly, yet they don't make you cringe at all. Squeals on the guitar make your spine tingle. Everything about the highs is buttery smooth and not fatiguing in the slightest. When playing games such as Battlefield 3 (CoD sucks by the way), gun shots are head rattling and whenever a sniper bullet whizzes past your head, it makes your heart jump. It's intensely powerful yet staying reserved enough that it doesn't rustle your jimmies. It's like these are balanced just oh-so perfectly, and really I wouldn't like the mids or highs to be any other way.
 
***Note about burn-in***
The only time I've really noticed any change in the sound signature in these headphones is around 3-4 hours. After that, I haven't noticed any other changes. However, I am extremely critical of burn-in, so I'm assuming that it may just be my ear getting accustomed to the headphones.
 
Soundstage
 ​
WOW!!! That's all I've got to say about that! Instruments are spaced out extraordinarily well, and sometimes you are left wondering if what you are hearing is coming from your headphones or the world around you. Like other reviews have done well to describe, it's like you are in the actual studio (or stage) where the band is playing. This is especially good for gaming because it allows you to hear precisely where other players are. I can't tell you how many times I've been able to get the upper hand simply because I could hear someone coming my way before I could even see them. I can't impress upon you enough how well the spacial distancing is on these cans. I can literally tell exactly where someone is coming from and about how far away they are solely due to the fact that the soundstage is so amazing. This characteristic can be mainly attributed to the open-back design of the speakers. Note that this actually might be a problem for some people because they block virtually no sound. People around you can also hear everything that you are listening to as broad as daylight.
 
Clarity
These are also some of the most clear headphones I've ever heard. Every beat, every pluck of the pick, every breath of the singer can all be heard with the minutest of detail. I was also shocked to realize that in certain songs, I could actually hear the metronome in the background, which is something that most headphones would fail to present. Beats fanboys would say "hurr durr why would you want to hear a metronome." Well, that's not the point. The point is that the headphones produce such great clarity that it just so happens that you can hear the metronome. My goal in life is not to purchase headphones that play the metronome. It's just BECAUSE they are so clear, that you can hear it.
 
It is just absolutely astounding the resolution and clarity that these provide. Now don't get me wrong, I agree 100% that there are clearer phones out there, but for the price range, there is almost nothing that beats it.
 
Overall Impression
The wow factor on these headphones is truly something to behold. While the bass to some might lack impact and force, the mids and highs make up for it by presenting a crunchy and very satisfying tone. The cable is a little annoying and I wish that Sennheiser would have included a 3.5mm terminated plug since these headphones most certainly do not need an amp to be driven sufficiently, but I can see the reasoning behind it. These were never meant to be taken out of the house. Sound leakage is a problem, but that is certainly to be expected with all open-back headphones. If you are looking for an excellent entrance into the higher-quality headphone community, this has got to be on your list of consideration. It really is a great set.
 
Price range rating: 9/10
Would give 10/10 if Sennheiser would include a 3.5mm terminated cable and if the bass had a little bit more impact.
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Noahjaws
Noahjaws
Great review. I really enjoyed it, and bonus points for holding my attention the entire time. You are what makes this website great.
K
keitology
Hello from Poland! The best review I've read, congrats to a talented reviewer :) Perhaps your hearing is similar to mine and that's why I'd like to ask what would You recommend to me. The thing is I have very similar feelings about HD598, however I use them mainly for analysing, composing sounds and mastering tracks based on the non electronic sounds. In that case the underpowered lows are absolutely ok beacuse it just does sound natural as it is without fake hi-fi impression. I'm looking now for head/ear phones just for listening on my HTC Desire when I'm travelling. I didn't know before buying that HTC completely sucks in sound quality, I was focused on good image quality in its price at that moment. Do you think is there a chance to buy phones of similar mids, space and clarity to HD598 but with fat bass like i.e. AKG is known for? I was thinking of Sony XBA2iP or Monster Beats by Dr Dre but I am afraid it won't work at all for a crappy weak HTC. I know much more about dj phones than about these general ones or designed for mp3 - I avoid it when I can :frowning2: Now I have to buy something between 200-300$ and completely don't know what to choose to keep the clarity&space but boost the bass. When I make music I prefer to hear the natural sound with a bit of reverb, but when I just listen to different kinds of music from classics, folk, rock through rap and electronica (being in the crowd) I just love to feel fat, almost "techno" lows and good open space :) P.S. I am a woman and I completely understand spending much money on good phones or other equipment :D Imagine, how it feels like when the men just don't understand there are a few women in the world who are technically better music producers or graphic designers then they can ever be..then they always claim you're not a woman :wink:
I'd love to read your recommendation for me!! I am so confused by the mp3 marketing :frowning2:
JarlGranty
JarlGranty
@keitology I would definitely recommend the Sennheiser Momentums for what you want, I own them and quite frankly they're the best pair of headphones I've ever used. The bass is pronounced and punchy, but not so much that it's overpowering, the mids are absolutely breathtaking, they show every last detail of the music you're listening to, but without being harsh or muddy, and the highs are VERY smooth and bright, but without adding any sibilance to the mix. Overall they are a very well balanced pair of cans, and they also have a very low impedance (18ohms) so you can definitely drive them with your phone (just for reference the industry standard is 32ohms, so most phones/mp3 players have an amp powerful enough for that). Hope this helps!

Z3disD3ad

New Head-Fier
Pros: Sound, style, design, comfort
Cons: home hifi, maybe another cable with 3.5mm jack only
For the price, these headphones have incredible sound quality. Compared to other headphones like the HD 650, this is by no means an 'inferior' headphone just different. Superb soundstage and bass and treble capabilities. out of the box the highs mids and lows are well balanced. 
 
Comfort is 5 stars, light and comfy. The headband is pleather, don't know if it will discolour/rot off over time. Some reports that the wood is real but I doubt it. Absolutely love the retro premium style to bits, needs to win an award for one of the best looking headphones. I took off half a star for design because of cracking for early batches and Sennheiser public commitment to replace defective units within 2 years (nothing special, just honoring warranty nothing more). Also you need to be careful with the the metal grill, it will bend and dent very very easily so you need to baby these headphones. Buy a case/pouch/bag for it and put it away after use.
 
For the price I have no negative points to pick other than perhaps the cable could be ended with a 3.5mm because with the adaptor it might stress your audio port. To address this I bought a gold plated extension cable.
 
Many people talk about amping this headphone but I see absolutely no need for it. Without additional amping the sounds are great no distortion at all. I tried with a 100ohm Amp with no significant improvement. I will try with a 300ohm amp since the frequency charts tells us the bass improves with that level.
 
Overall, I'm very happy with these headphones and they compliment the closed-back portable Sennheiser Momentum very well. 
XxDobermanxX
XxDobermanxX
An all-round champion
Peet79
Peet79
Hi,Nice review. I'm planning to buy these headphones, according to reviews they are exactly what i've been looking for. But I have one question: what will be the sound like when used with Sansa Clip+?(I'm planning to get this too). Also, I listen to music with my phone or laptop. What will this couple sound like when compared to these? Will Sansa be better than laptop or not?Thanks for your advice.
vanita
vanita
Great review! Thanks

willowbrook

1000+ Head-Fier
.

SennHI808

Head-Fier
Pros: Looks, sound quality, soundstage, comfort, everything
Cons: I love these cans
I have gone through many different cans from Grados to Beyers, all kinds of IEMs and still yet I have never been able to part ways with the 598s. I have listened to many high-end headphones and while they are better they are 5 times the price!! I think these are the best all around headphones money can buy, they are my favorite gaming headphone and will be for a very long time. These were my first audiophile can and was my gateway into the vast world of hi-fi, now I have the D7000 to compliment these with and could not be happier. Did I mention the looks of these cans, I think they are amongst the best looking cans out there. The comfort is fantastic and can easily wear them for hours and hours. I just really love these cans and would never be able to get rid of them. These are an open can, and will leak and let in pretty much everything. If you are looking for the best all around headphone for the price, and a bad-ass gaming can, look no further, SERIOUSLY!!
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XxDobermanxX
XxDobermanxX
Great review

webhappy

New Head-Fier
Pros: Can listen to forever, no reason for me to want to upgrade
Cons: The 1/4" jack makes this even less portable
I previously had a Pioneer SE-A1000, which was my first pair of open headphones that was meant to be used as a home theater replacement (I've owned lots of IEM's such as Shure e2c, SCL4, UE600vi, HF3). The SE-A1000 was awesome to listen to for movies with a massive soundstage, but it was exhausting to listen to for hours on end because of the V-shaped sound signature. When I first got the HD598, I didn't think that the music was drastically better than my SE-A1000, but the key thing I appreciate now is how I can listen to the hd598 forever. The comfort is perfect, and I can wear my glasses under my headphones all day. For music, movies, or gaming, the sound just seems perfect. The soundstage is just right for gaming and movies.
 
My only complaint is the plug. Since I didn't want to have to fiddle with un-plugging it to switch to speakers or headphone out from my computer, I ended up buying the Fiio e10. The E10 helps the bass a bit, but the main feature is that I can quickly change the audio output from my OS without having to unplug anything. The one time I tried walking with the HD598 connected to my iPhone, I realized how awkward it was with the giant adapter to convert from 1/4" to 1/8". At this price point, I don't think anyone's using the HD598 with a setup that offers 1/4" audio out. Most DAC/AMPs I saw at ~$100 were 1/8" output.
Supra Man
Supra Man
Have you owned the 595's? How do they compare to the 598's? What's different? Every time I go in to the campus bookstore they stare me in the face, and I'm just so damn curious, but being a poor college kid, I need an at least halfway defendable excuse to purchase another 170$ pair of headphones.
autoteleology
autoteleology
The plug is ridiculously large when you put on the supposedly portable adapter.

I don't understand why it's so difficult for companies to have a 3.5mm termination with a 6.3mm screw-on adapter. More than anything, it conserves space.
needsnewcans
needsnewcans
im intrigued by these cans
i recently bought a digizoid z02
i use my vsonic gr07 when on the go so they satisfy me for mobile listening so these would be strictly for home listening
the only negative ive heard of these cans is somewhat lacking bass
will the zo2 be enough to power the bass in these cans or should i look in a different direction
( i like to listen to a lot of bass heavy rap songs such as overdose-twista) but also listen to other genres in which these cans seem to fit the bill nicely
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