The Sennheiser HD598 SE I believe is one of the most under estimated and under valued over ear mid-fi headphone at this time.I do not particularly enjoy writing reviews when there are far more experienced and confident members who I believe could shed a more revealing light upon these headphones. But they have more important things to do at this time upon which we at head-fi heartily rely. So I am sticking my neck out; going out on a limb, as it were, and only time will tell.
I believe that part of why these headphones are so under valued at this time is because they are being replaced by the newer HD599 and Sennheiser will stop making them soon. I think that the SE moniker in collaboration with Amazon is to liquidate all of the existing stock of the HD598 SE while it is still has popular value. And there is the point of this review and hopefully the benefit of the immense reading that I've done over the years past here at Head-fi.
A headphones true value is not the sum of it's frequency response graph, it's model tier, (5 series) it's current lowest asking price, or even it's claimed technological advances; I believe that it is the joy it gives it's users. How many times have I read here a member admitting apologetically that although owning the TOTL headphone that we all would kill for, that they find themselves reaching for a headphone that is more of a dear old friend, and not this year's model? As though, because we own "the best", we damn well better enjoy it. I say, let us enjoy what gives us pleasure, regardless of price or significance.
Sennheiser HD598 SE is a highly competent mid-fi headphone that is both extremely comfortable and ear pleasing. It has good bass extension, lively treble, and balanced mids that lend to an open sound stage. Is the bass amazing? No. Are the higher frequencies astounding? No. Do I giggle with unrestrained glee when I listen to my old music for the first time? No. These are not magic headphones. But they are really good headphones, and I believe that a really good headphone is a great place to start in this magical quest of diminishing returns.
The Sennheiser HD598 SE is handsome, comes with a 3 meter Single ended 1/4" removable cable. It also comes with a shorter (1.2 Meter) single ended 1/8" cable for more portable use. I do not think that portability is where this headphones shines. It is open back and can be heard by those around you, and, you can hear them as well. So, environmental sound attenuation is poor. They do not fold or come with any way to transport them. And even though these are only 50 ohm cans, I still believe that they benefit from amplification. It is not until recently that I have conscientiously amped my phones, and I found a noticeable difference in the performance and competence of these sporty cans. I liken amplification to putting premium gas in a car that deserves it, and finding that it really does run better. The bass extension is noticeable greater, the sound stage wider, the trebles twinkle just a little bit brighter, and the mids demand a focused attention.
I know that I have written too much about a less significant can, but in so doing I hope to impart a greater hope. I almost didn't get these because they were not "important" enough, just as, long ago I almost did not get the HD590 because the HD600 was supposed to be better. Even though I brought my own reference music and seriously scrutinized them both, my head would not believe what my ears, and perhaps my soul was telling me: I just liked the HD590 better. "But shouldn't I get the HD600 if I can? Everyone is talking about it. Maybe I just have poor taste. Maybe I simply need to educate my ears." I heard myself, muttering in the high end phono boutique: "maybe I just have poor taste" I laughed out loud in the store, looked down at the phones in my hand, the HD590, and walked to the counter. That day a revolution began: I gave myself permission to "maybe just have poor taste". There really is nothing like poor taste and money, is there? Now, I try to let my ears decide, and I am at peace with the world. But I still want some HD800 S, even to just wear as a hat!
As a post script I would like to point out that though this headphone has not undergone the Frankenstein-ian Modifications that some phones have suffered (HD700/800), the single ended cable attaches at the can with a 2.5mm TRRS jack, which would lend itself to balanced re-termination.
I believe that part of why these headphones are so under valued at this time is because they are being replaced by the newer HD599 and Sennheiser will stop making them soon. I think that the SE moniker in collaboration with Amazon is to liquidate all of the existing stock of the HD598 SE while it is still has popular value. And there is the point of this review and hopefully the benefit of the immense reading that I've done over the years past here at Head-fi.
A headphones true value is not the sum of it's frequency response graph, it's model tier, (5 series) it's current lowest asking price, or even it's claimed technological advances; I believe that it is the joy it gives it's users. How many times have I read here a member admitting apologetically that although owning the TOTL headphone that we all would kill for, that they find themselves reaching for a headphone that is more of a dear old friend, and not this year's model? As though, because we own "the best", we damn well better enjoy it. I say, let us enjoy what gives us pleasure, regardless of price or significance.
Sennheiser HD598 SE is a highly competent mid-fi headphone that is both extremely comfortable and ear pleasing. It has good bass extension, lively treble, and balanced mids that lend to an open sound stage. Is the bass amazing? No. Are the higher frequencies astounding? No. Do I giggle with unrestrained glee when I listen to my old music for the first time? No. These are not magic headphones. But they are really good headphones, and I believe that a really good headphone is a great place to start in this magical quest of diminishing returns.
The Sennheiser HD598 SE is handsome, comes with a 3 meter Single ended 1/4" removable cable. It also comes with a shorter (1.2 Meter) single ended 1/8" cable for more portable use. I do not think that portability is where this headphones shines. It is open back and can be heard by those around you, and, you can hear them as well. So, environmental sound attenuation is poor. They do not fold or come with any way to transport them. And even though these are only 50 ohm cans, I still believe that they benefit from amplification. It is not until recently that I have conscientiously amped my phones, and I found a noticeable difference in the performance and competence of these sporty cans. I liken amplification to putting premium gas in a car that deserves it, and finding that it really does run better. The bass extension is noticeable greater, the sound stage wider, the trebles twinkle just a little bit brighter, and the mids demand a focused attention.
I know that I have written too much about a less significant can, but in so doing I hope to impart a greater hope. I almost didn't get these because they were not "important" enough, just as, long ago I almost did not get the HD590 because the HD600 was supposed to be better. Even though I brought my own reference music and seriously scrutinized them both, my head would not believe what my ears, and perhaps my soul was telling me: I just liked the HD590 better. "But shouldn't I get the HD600 if I can? Everyone is talking about it. Maybe I just have poor taste. Maybe I simply need to educate my ears." I heard myself, muttering in the high end phono boutique: "maybe I just have poor taste" I laughed out loud in the store, looked down at the phones in my hand, the HD590, and walked to the counter. That day a revolution began: I gave myself permission to "maybe just have poor taste". There really is nothing like poor taste and money, is there? Now, I try to let my ears decide, and I am at peace with the world. But I still want some HD800 S, even to just wear as a hat!
As a post script I would like to point out that though this headphone has not undergone the Frankenstein-ian Modifications that some phones have suffered (HD700/800), the single ended cable attaches at the can with a 2.5mm TRRS jack, which would lend itself to balanced re-termination.