HD 599

Released September 2016

The HD 599 are Sennheiser's open-back wired headphones from the HD 500 series, with 50-ohm transducers that suit phones and laptops as well as amplifiers, for home listening.

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Battery: –
With case: –
Best codec: Wired
Weight: 250 g

Over-ear

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the headphones are very comfortable for long sessions at home, with a warm, well-balanced sound and a spacious presentation. RTINGS found some upper-bass emphasis that can make tracks sound boomy and a lack of low bass, and SoundGuys noted some distortion at high volume and an average, plastic-heavy build for the price.

From soundguys.com and rtings.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: No
Driver size: 38 mm
Back: Open
Impedance: 50 ohms
Bluetooth codecs: None (wired)
Drivers: 38 mm dynamic transducers, open, with Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R.) design that channels sound directly into the ears; 12 – 38,500 Hz; 106 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 Vrms); THD < 0.1% (1 kHz, 100 dB SPL)

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): No battery (wired)

Design

Weight: 250 g
Headphone cable: Yes
Fit and ear tips: Over-ear, open-back; large ear cups with soft replaceable ear pads
Works with: Detachable cables, 3 m with 6.3 mm straight plug and 1.2 m with 3.5 mm straight plug; 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter
Colours: Ivory
In the box: HD 599 headphones, 3 m cable with 6.3 mm straight plug, 1.2 m cable with 3.5 mm straight plug, 6.3 mm to 3.5 mm adapter

Pros and cons

Pros

50-ohm impedance works without a dedicated amplifier
Two detachable cables in the box, 3 m with 6.3 mm plug and 1.2 m with 3.5 mm plug
12 Hz to 38.5 kHz with THD below 0.1%

Cons

Open back leaks sound and lets outside noise in
No balanced cable in the box

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
AKGK872	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	390 g	Sept 2016
beyerdynamicDT 1990 PRO	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	370 g	Sept 2016
FocalElear	Over-ear	No	–	–	Wired	450 g	2016

Sources

Photo: Sennheiser official HD 599 product photograph, showing the ivory and brown finish with the complete supplied white background.

HD 599, ivory side view: uk.sennheiser-hearing.com/cdn/shop/files/Sennheiser_HD_599_Audiophile_Headphone…
HD 599, ivory front view: uk.sennheiser-hearing.com/cdn/shop/files/Sennheiser_HD_599_Audiophile_Headphone…
HD 599, ivory detachable cable connection: uk.sennheiser-hearing.com/cdn/shop/files/HD_599_Sennheiser_04_6e46cb14-245b-438…
HD 599 in ivory and brown worn while listening on an indoor swing: Sennheiser official HD 599 product-page lifestyle photograph; supplied scene retained.
HD 599 in ivory and brown worn by a seated listener: Sennheiser official HD 599 product-page lifestyle photograph; supplied scene retained.

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