Interesting. What would you say the HD598 is closer to? My other reason for wanting to try the HD598 is that a number of classical music aficionados and musicians have recommended them. I wish there was somewhere local I could go just to try them out. I'm quite fond of my Q701s, but you know how it is when you're addicted to sound.
I'm throwing in my 2 cents.
I have all the cans that are being compared: HD598, HD439, and Q701.
The difference between the 598 and 439 is interesting. I think overall the 598 is the better headphone, but tends to sound leaner than the 439. 598 has a better sense of pace and propulsiveness, better than that of the 439. Quantity of bass do the 598 may be lacking for some tastes.
439 has a sound signature more similar to my HD600 than the 598 does, but overall SQ of the 439 is below that of the 598, and well below that of the the 600. 439 signature is perhaps fuller than the 598, but overall SQ of the 598 is better. 439's sense of space and separation is nice, reminiscent of 600, but again nowhere as good as the 600.
In terms of SQ, the biggest complaint I have of the 439 is that it sounds quite dry. I'll listen to it for a while, get pleased at how good it sounds for the price, but then later want to swap out because of the dryness.
For the 598, pace, drive, and openness are good, but it lacks the harmonic and textural sophistication of the 600, and lacks a degree of emotional rendering which makes me prefer the 600 overall.
I'd say that if the 439 or 598 will be transitional cans for you, or if you're getting them just because there's a lot of good buzz about them and you want to see what ithe buzz is about (but you already have better phones or will be getting better phones fairly soon), I'd say save your money. With the 600s around, I never feel like pulling out the 439 or 598 except for variety or novelty. For long term listening, I reach for the better phones each time.
But if you'll be using either the 439 or 598 as your main phones for a while, you'll still enjoy them at their respective price points. So they are a good buy if that's how you'll be using them.
I'd say the Q701 is a clear step above the 598 and way above the 439. I would put the SQ of the Q701 on par with the HD600, although they sound different. I think that at the current $200 Amazon price, they are a steal. I won't describe the difference in sound between the Q701 and the various Sennheisers, but to my ears I would rather spend the $200 on the Q701 than get the HD598 for Fry's $150 sale price. But you may feel differently.
Hope that helps.
