Lowest price according to CamelCamelCamel
Very nice pair of headphones in this price, IMO.
CamelCamelCamel.
Lol @ Rtings headphone reviews.
I get the sentiment, but this sort of comment without any more well-regarded sources doesn't really help anyone.
Are rtings headphone reviews actually useful? All the low scores are for things that are inherent to all wired open-backs (a 4.9 for office use, no kidding), while all the sound quality ratings were high
I would have thought people only looked at the score for neutral sound considering the other scores there are kinda irrelevant, in which case 8.1/10 seems like a pretty fair score for these headphones.
Well obviously open back headphones are going to be trash in most of those categories.
It is like comparing my 60 year old tractor to a bunch of modern lawnmowers, the turning circle sucks, the loader plus slasher makes it difficult to drive, it isn't intuitive to use, bulky, doesn't fit on a car trailer because it is too heavy, and it cost the same as a ryobi zero turn but doesn't even have a mower deck!
But the rtings review is positive? It's up there with other similarly priced headphones ($200-300) and even trades blows with more expensive headphones like the 6XX or 650.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/tools/compare/sennheiser-h…
That's the correct read of their scoring, but in truth the 6XX/650 and 600 walk all over this bar two areas: soundstage and imaging.
If those are important to you in a headphone purchase or your budget is $150 and under, this is solid.
If imaging is not as important, the HIFIMAN HE400SE non-Stealth is a much better deal at $80 (Taobao) or $120 (AliE).
Hi jasswolf,
Can you please share a trust store from Taobao or Ali which I can get this HIFIMAN HE400SE non-Stealth genuine?
Thank you
@Phong7: HIFIMAN have an official store on Taobao/TMall, though you might need a freight forwarder (very cheap).
They have an official store on AliE, but they don't officially sell the non-Stealth version globally. This seller seems to be the only one people are really buying from.
Keep in mind you're getting no warranty from Taobao (the forwarder will check they work and aren't falling apart before mailing), and a limited warranty from AliE, where you can check and test for any crackling, phase match issues, or structural issues with the headphone after unboxing them.
But when it's $100+ cheaper than the Stealth model bought locally… anywho it's after 5 PM so wait for the next round of deals if you're trying to maximise your discount on AliE.
Get your information from multiple sources, rtings is great for tvs because their stringent testing suits the same general space that a TV is going to be living in. Headphones are a totally different situation, these headphones are not made for commuting, fitness or the office. Its like rating a road bike badly because it cannot handle mud or rocks, well duh, its a road bike.
These headphones are incredibly good for at home listening and general usage at a home office set up. They are super light weight which allows for super long use times, the sound profile is fantastic and they are flexible enough to run without an amp but they also really shine with an amp too. The HD599 is a very highly regarded pair of cans, I would even go as far as to say the perfect choice for someone that wants good sound quality but does not want to delve into the audiophile territory.
Its a shame Rtings have done this, because a lot of potential buyers are going to see the red scores and throw the idea in the bin, most consumers flick through the short form and not actually dig in to find out these are incredibly good for a lot of use cases.
I've found some devices struggle to drive these. If they sound crap, boomy or muddy, then you probably need an amp. The Pixel 4a could drive them OK, but motherboard and drum module couldn't. The sound difference between these I huge so I have ordered a amp (e10k) which sort of ruins the deal.
That being said, they sound great the sound stage and imaging are excellent.
The impedance is 58 ohms, which is very easy to power by today's standards. For prospective buyers - any decent relatively modern phone, laptop or motherboard will have no trouble with these.
The HD 599's boomy sound comes from its frequency response, which has that high-bass bump that we often perceive as muddiness. I've found that to be the most annoying thing about them when I had a pair. It can be fixed with EQ, but people who don't want muddy or exaggerated bass should go for some cheap planars or a different pair of open backs.
That's the average typical impedance. The impedance curve peaks sharply to 200 ohms at around 100Hz, so if you have an amp that can't deal with the voltage swings, tracks will sound muddy and more veiled, especially if it's straight up barrier source material.
This is a common technique Sennheiser uses to deliver its tonal balance, and is by and large why people refer to the 'Sennheiser veil', and suggest tubes to resolve it. Those, and class A or AB amps tend to be the quickest solve.
Low power op-amps will not get the job done, so a lot of phone gear will sound muddy, and excessively rolled off at both ends of the spectrum.
200 ohms is also doable for the majority of phones and computers we use today.
These headphones are bass-forward either way, though, which is good to know before committing to a purchase. The choice of amp won't change that (to a reasonable extent), and headphones in this price range shouldn't really be paired with dedicated amps anyway.
@PKBeam: It's not just that the power requirements can be reached, it's how they are reached too.
If it struggles with this - and they often do - the bass profile will lack considerable control. When it's maybe 2-3 dB higher than it should be for a slightly warmed neutral, that's going to sound mediocre as it will be more distorted, and in busy passages even more lifted in tonality than the intended level.
The choice in amp is more substantial than most realise, but there are affordable op-amps dongles that are up to task.
The Truthear SHIO is a straightforward buy right now, for example. Will be discounted on Amazon until AliE sales finish tonight at 5 PM AEST.
@jasswolf: There's a time and a place to be looking at quality amps. Edition XS? Sundara? DT 1990? Go for it. But for an HD 599, no way.
In the audio world, people have a tendency to recommend DACs and amps when they're not really needed. And then that leads to people thinking that they really need to buy an external amp for their entry-level open backs when they don't (and shouldn't). Sure, there's a measurable difference. But to >99% of people listening, the most they'll be able to discern is max volume. And if you've got a good ear, maybe the rest of it sounds ~10-20% better. Ultimately, when the headphones are in this price range, dedicated amps just aren't worthwhile unless the existing integrated amp is absurdly bad.
For example, that DAC/amp you listed is $100. I don't doubt that it's a good performer for what it is, but it's more than two-thirds the price of the headphones themselves! If you had $250 to spend here, you could just step up to a pair with better build quality and/or a more desirable frequency response. Or just pocket the rest and put it towards the next upgrade. Either of those would be a far more effective use of money here.
@PKBeam: I shared a data point with you that shows why it's going to significantly improve this specific headphone.
I know when it's not needed, I know what the caveats are when you don't use one: I've directly discussed this headphone in those contexts.
500 and 600 series Sennheisers have always benefited from a solid amp. Any audio device with decent resolving ability benefits from a good DAC. Understanding how and when they applies is important.
Most people hear the difference when it's offered to them, and they're going to need a USB-C dongle at some point, I'm suggesting spending an extra $50-$60 on it for a much better result. Spending that money on a headphone instead just lands them at another headphone that benefits from a better DAC and amp these days.
Stop going around in circles thinking you'll convince me you have total command of the knowledge on these topics: you don't.
I've already given a strong alternative, stop bothering people who offer a more capable argument and either learn more or instead focus on people recommending a Sennheiser Game One…
They need EQ'ing to bring life to them.
Assuming these are built similarly to the 598's that I have, be aware that the fake leather headband will break down after a couple of years and there's no replacements - I've bought a cover as the headphones are still fine but I'd spend a little more and get something with less PU leather or where replacement parts are available.
I'd recommend the 58X but they cost more. The headband area is just foam and the rest is plastic and replaceable velour earpads. Not as comfortable as the HD 599 though, they clamp much harder whereas the HD 599 is extremely gentle and are arguably one of the most comfortable cans you can buy. It's still hard to beat the HD 599 at this price even if the headband was to break down after a while… from my experience, I've had the HD 599 for about 4 years with daily use and they haven't shown any sign of wear.
Yeah honestly at $150 I would be happy with two years use(I have had mine for 4 now and the leather is still fine so I suspect this is very YMMV based). If you were really frugal you could get some spray adhesive and buy some leather off ebay and reline it.
I have had a pair of 595's similar design, they have copped over. 15 years of abuse, can recommend.
could have probably just flagged this deal as back in stock https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/793751
Also, not ATL, but only $5 more.
ATL $140 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/787280
Any decent open back with a mic?
Those are pretty hard to find. It's a lot easier to get a separate mic, like something that goes on your desk or a ModMic to attach to the headphones.
Not for value for money, no. Get an add-on solution or get a deck mic.
If you're on a modern laptop, trust in the mic array they tend to now have, especially without your speakers going off in the background.
Sennheiser Game One Headset is open back and good quality. I don't know anything better out there that doesn't up the price by a lot. Has the option to use on console too so thats a plus
https://www.ple.com.au/Products/645627/epos-gaming-game-one-…
https://www.bpctech.com.au/product/1000236-epos-sennheiser-g…
can check the price for delivery between those 2 and take a pick.
if you ain't looking to have an additional mic on your table and want ease of use i would recommend this for an open back headset hands down.
Headphone tech has moved a long way past this quality at this price point, this is a massive step back in sound quality for that specific function.
it has not. these are literally based off the 598s. you have no clue what you are talking about if you think audio quality has improved heaps and bounds throughout these years. Unless you want him to get a dac/amp + table mic + headphones please link me one that is at this price range like you said.
@bubblelolz: By that argument the entire 500 series are based off each other, and to some extent I can understand making that argument (I've made it myself in the past), but it's wrong.
It uses a similar enclosure design, and would have similar design principles in the driver, but it would sound more like a 558 due to the lesser dampening and cheaper driver design. It's a big step back to what you can get for the money these days, so you are going back in time about 25 years for a boom mic.
@jasswolf: Im still waiting for you to link one at the price range buddy. You are offering no help to the person who asked and going against the person who is trying to help without giving any alternatives.
You are trying to tell me they can't compare to others at this price range yet give me nothing to compare it to.
Only thing i can compare it too is if he is fine with spending an extra $50-70 get can get the modmic to have a headset experience. paired with these headphones.
as these headphones should do fine without dac/amp.
But we have very little info to go on what the guy wanted. I don't know if he is on console or pc. he wants and openback with a mic thats all i got and im going off the price of the headphones listed.
But even then headphones have not improved heaps and bounds at this price point. you seem to forget that both these headsets and headphones are pretty old with like a 2 year gap and they were both priced moderately high on release all they have done is just get lower in price to replace the much older ones while they themselves got replaced at their original price point.
while the HD 599 is better he would still have to spend more for a probably basic experience he wants when getting a headset is much simpler for most people out there while also being able to use it on a wider range on devices for gaming and since he wanted a headset i imagine that's what he wanted.
@jasswolf: These headphones look good to me as long as they dont mind buying a mic and not having warranty or contact with seller i would say go for it.
HE400se
FWIW, i have the usb modmic and it sounds great. I believe there are much cheaper options for mic add-ons that install in-line assuming the headset has a detachable cable (my DT880s dont). Alternatively my friend has a Fifine desk mic that he bought for around $50 or so off amzn that also works a treat.
ideal for podcast?
I really like the look of the Ivory variants but they are always so much more expensive :(
I ended up getting these to try some open backs, for $145 they are a great deal. Admittedly I haven't tried any other open back models and I'm coming from closed Beyer DT770 Pro's but they sound really nice and balanced to my untrained ears. The comfort is great, fits like a glove…over your ears.
I've been using a pair of HD 599's for the past 4 years now. They are amazingly comfortable. I've replaced the earcup cusioning once and fake leather headband started going at 2 years. I've stripped that off and used some tennis racquet tape to bind it up. Still the nicest and most comfortable headphones I've ever had. I'm not a fan of the ivory though so the HD599 SE being black are very tempting, but I've got no functional reason to stop using mine. If you're a bass lover, the flat nature of these might not be to your liking but if you work all day and game all night these can stay on without you ever feeling fatigued by them.
Reviews aren’t great tho
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/sennheiser/hd-599