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Sennheiser HD 598 Over-Ear Headphones - Ivory

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,906 ratings
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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.
Color: Gray
Style: without Microphone
Brand Sennheiser
Color Gray
Ear Placement Over Ear
Form Factor Over Ear
Noise Control None

About this item

  • Features -
  • High-end open circumaural headphones with E.A.R. technology for outstanding sonic accuracy and clarity
  • Sennheiser's innovative Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R.) design channels audio signals directly into your ears
  • State-of-the-art, advanced Duofol diaphragms for transparency and minimal distortion
  • Highly optimized, field-strengthened neodymium ferrous magnet systems for an excellent dynamic response
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There is a newer model of this item:

SENNHEISER HD 599 Open Back Headphone, Ivory
SENNHEISER HD 599 Open Back Headphone, Ivory
$139.99
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HD 598

HD 598

Over-Ear Headphones

HD 598

The HD 598 headphones combine impeccable sound quality with unrivaled comfort. This elegantly styled over-ear, open back headphone features ear cups with high-gloss burl wood detail complementing premium metal mesh. Innovative acoustic engineering delivers incredibly natural, detailed and balanced sound. A high-quality leatherette headband and velour covered ear cushions provide outstanding wearing comfort for long listening sessions.

HD 598 Packaging

The HD 598 offers unrivaled performance and value. They draw on decades of Sennheiser engineering expertise to ensure the sound quality, reliability and durability and audio industry professional trust. Crafted with precision using premium materials, they exude luxury and quality while delivering exceptional sound quality.

Sennheiser‘s innovative E.A.R. technology is featured in the HD 598. This positions the transducers inside the ear cups to channel audio signals directly into your ears producing a more realistic, spatial listening experience. The transducers employ a special diaphragm geometry that minimizes intermodulation and harmonic distortion while delivering high output and impressive frequency response.

HD 598 Features

Features

Distinctive styling – Featuring high-gloss burl wood accents and premium black metal mesh inspired by European sports sedans

Exceptional clarity – Open back design contributes to outstanding tonal balance, detail and definition

Extreme comfort – Lightweight yet robust with luxurious velour covered ear cushions and padded leatherette headband

Premium components – Sennheiser engineered transducers use aluminum voice coils delivering high efficiency, excellent dynamics and extremely low distortion

E.A.R technology – “Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement” design channels audio directly into your ears producing a more “in room” listening experience

Compatibility – 50-ohm impedance is compatible with virtually every audio device including phones, tablets and computers

Connectivity – Single sided, detachable 3m cable (Oxygen Free Copper) with gold plated 6.3mm connector and 3.5mm adapter

Peace of mind – 2-year international warranty

HD 414

Did you know?

Sennheiser invented the open back headphone design in 1968. This design, used in the HD 598, is industry renowned for producing exceptionally natural sound quality.

HD 598

Audience

Sennheiser recommends this headphone for music lovers who are passionate about sound quality wanting extreme comfort during long listening sessions.

HD 598

Compatibility

The HD 598 is compatible with virtually any audio device with a headphone input: traditional audio components, computers, tablets and cell phones.

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Price—$259.00-22% $179.95
List: $229.95		$368.00$98.00-47% $79.99
List: $149.99
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Get it as soon as Friday, Mar 7
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Customer Ratings
4.54.5 out of 5 stars3,906
4.34.3 out of 5 stars100
4.64.6 out of 5 stars2,948
4.44.4 out of 5 stars46
4.74.7 out of 5 stars26,363
4.54.5 out of 5 stars73,929
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What's in the box

  • High-End Open-Aire Around-the-Ear Headphones with E.A.R.

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    Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here [PDF ]

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    Product Description

    The HD 598 headphones are open back, over ear, audiophile grade headphones that combine exceptional sound and comfort. They feature luxurious velour covered ear pads and stylish burl wood parts for a premium finish.

    Customer reviews

    4.5 out of 5 stars
    3,906 global ratings

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    Customers say

    Customers appreciate the headphones' sound quality, comfort, and build quality. They find the open soundstage great for orchestral music and slower electronic music, while faster genres like metal sound good. The earpads are cushiony and don't hurt ears. Many customers consider the headphones to be well-made and durable. The price is decent for the level of sound quality, and they are considered one of the best value headphones. Customers like the design and feel it looks nice.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    Select to learn more
    Sound qualityComfortBuild qualityValue for moneyDesignClarityWeightDurability
    1,537 customers mention "Sound quality"1,137 positive400 negative

    Customers appreciate the sound quality of these headphones. They find the soundstage open and great for orchestral music and electronic music, while faster genres like metal sound good. The open back design allows them to hear whispers and small instruments in the mix. They can hear details and use the headphones for long periods without creaking or high-frequency distortion.

    "...I'm going to update this review from time to time with some of the incredible music I have discovered/re-discovered while listening to these phones...." Read more

    "...The sound they made was so accurate I could only describe it as nostalgic. Every nuance of Buddy's performance was reproduced with transparency...." Read more

    "...Vocals sound stellar on these folks. And the midrange really makes the entire sound come together as a whole, giving the music more life and realism...." Read more

    "...SOUND QUALITY: After using my modded HD 555 (i.e. an HD 595) for a year and half, I've come to know its sound signature like the back of my hand...." Read more

    762 customers mention "Comfort"713 positive49 negative

    Customers appreciate the headphones' comfort. The earpads are cushiony and comfortable, while still feeling solid. The headphones have never hurt their ears.

    "...DESIGN AND COMFORT: The design on the 598s is definitely polarizing; and where I didn't care for it at first, I have really come to like it...." Read more

    "...Whether using it for its superb long term comfort, utilizing its expansive soundstage to enrich a gaming experience, or just simply to enjoy tunes..." Read more

    "...The 20 Hz to 20 kHz sine sweep is very smooth with the mid-treble nicely balanced with the mid-range...." Read more

    "...Actually, these are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn, Beats can't even touch this. Some important notes:..." Read more

    737 customers mention "Build quality"715 positive22 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the headphones' build quality. They find the headphones durable, lightweight, and well-shielded. The headphones provide a good base and smooth highs for listening to good quality music. The earpads and drivers seem more comfortable and solid at normal listening volumes.

    "...While these 598s will play fantastic and without distortion at comfortable/natural listening levels, they do have a pretty low distortion threshold..." Read more

    "...Quality wise it was great. The singer's voice was amazing!..." Read more

    "Let's get this out of the way right now. This is the best all-purpose headphone I've ever used, and not just for music either...." Read more

    "...EXTERIOR & BUILD QUALITY: The 598 has improved materials over the 595...." Read more

    373 customers mention "Value for money"332 positive41 negative

    Customers appreciate the headphones' value for money. They say they fit the budget, are worth it, and have open sound and clarity.

    "...I guess my laptop was just not cutting it. These cans are worth every penny, and it does have good bass!..." Read more

    "...* the detalization is unbelievable - it is worth going through the collection just to find out - ooh, so This is how it is supposed to sound..." Read more

    "...They are suspiciously affordable! For the price range and quality, I don't think anybody can beat Sennheiser...." Read more

    "...To summarize: They are a very very good value. I think these are in a totally different league than Bose headphones...." Read more

    365 customers mention "Design"348 positive17 negative

    Customers appreciate the headphones' design. They say it looks premium, with a retro feel and an old-world Germanic design. The headphones are considered very laid-back and comfortable.

    "...SOUND (What it's really all about): Great design is nothing without great sound, and I doubt that I could find a better sounding set of phones at..." Read more

    "...Turn out the lights (in this analogy, turn up volume) and the picture is amazing! But during the daytime it just isn't satisfying...." Read more

    "...I'm talking music, movies, and games. Their extremely likeable and unfatiguing sound makes them an ace at nearly any kind of music you throw at them..." Read more

    "...Other than the nice look (I love the beige color and high gloss burl wood accents), I don't know if it's worth shelling out $250...." Read more

    185 customers mention "Clarity"173 positive12 negative

    Customers appreciate the headphones' clarity. They find the highs crisper, with well-represented midrange and low end. The clarity is exceptional, with a detailed range of mids and highs that leaves you entranced with music. Amped, the low end is really enhanced, and the treble is better.

    "...Not the HD 598's. Everything is crystal clear and bright at the faintest volume. Even the rumble fueled hip hop thundered at volume of 1...." Read more

    "...The midrange is definitely here and possibly the most present of the three. Vocals sound stellar on these folks...." Read more

    "...I'm not going to say it has warm tones, nice highs and lows because honestly.. I have nothing to compare it to nor do I truly know how those other..." Read more

    "...Otherwise, they are a 10/10 for build quality. Very sturdy feeling, but lightweight at the same time...." Read more

    182 customers mention "Weight"145 positive37 negative

    Customers appreciate the headphones' lightweight design. They find it feels lighter on their heads and reduces clamping force.

    "...It sort of cheapens the look though it is nice and light weight. But comfortable! These things are incredibly comfortable...." Read more

    "...home about here, but given their cheap feel, at least they are incredibly lightweight and are physically quite small...." Read more

    "...Very sturdy feeling, but lightweight at the same time. It nails that fine balance between weight and the feeling of something substantial...." Read more

    "...The weight is non-offensive. They are neither feather light nor weighty. To summarize: They are a very very good value...." Read more

    185 customers mention "Durability"109 positive76 negative

    Customers have different views on the durability of the headphones. Some say they're durable and should last several years without issues. The highs never pierce or fatigue, while others mention they feel cheaply built and likely to break. There are also concerns about the headband cracking.

    "...it a good chunk of the qualities of good treble, yet it simply does not fatigue...." Read more

    "...Bose does offer more bass, and are good for travel, however, they felt cheaply built to me compared to these...." Read more

    "...The cord is thick and has stood up to a fair amount of abuse; the jack ends are well reinforced, and I've never had any issue like the wires getting..." Read more

    "...the mids and highs are lush and warm, with decent detail. highs never pierce or fatigue, something I cant really say for any of my other headphones...." Read more

    Arguably the best deal in headphones for the office audiophile.
    5 out of 5 stars
    Arguably the best deal in headphones for the office audiophile.
    After much thought and careful painstaking research, i finally committed, and bought a pair of the HD 598's. And i have absolutely no regrets!! I was comparing these against the higher and lower Sennheiser models, and also tried on a pair of the Bowers and Wilkins P7's, and i can safely say the 598's are better. I work in these 8 hours a day, and they breathe better, are more comfortable (lighter weight, softer ear cups, softer head band, lower contact pressure), have a broader, more accurate sound stage, and are less than half the price. Now these are open ear, which is nice in the office. I can listen with tremendous fidelity and still hear my name if I'm not rocking out too hard. I am spaced about 5 feet from my cube mates, and i have asked them if they can hear my music at 75% volume, and they say no, so the sound leakage isnt something to worry about. Some say the bass is lacking, and i agree. However, there is an app for that! I downloaded Equalizer and Bass Booster for free on my Samsung Galaxy S4 running Lollipop, and they now have all of the bass i will ever need. Truly, if you want the best sound possible out of these at lower volumes, then they probably need a small amp. My phone just doesnt have the power to drive these well at really low volumes, which is where i prefer to listen since i want to protect my hearing. However, i am completely satisfied with their current performance, as they provide all the glorious sound i would ever need at 30-50% volume (which is also enough to drown out surrounding conversations). I also recommend purchasing the HD 598 carrying case, it is a very nice semi-rigid case with a soft plush interior to protect your investment. I carry these to and from work in my backpack every day and it fits perfectly. Only downside is you have to collapse the headband to get them to fit without bending the cable, but that is hardly something to worry about. Also, i did not buy the shorter cable. I heard it has quality issues, and i am able to keep the 3 meter cable in the original twist tie it came in. I did let one or two loops out to give me enough cable to move with, and i have had zero issues with this set up so far. Bottom line, if you are looking to jam for 8 hours a day in front of a computer, and still be aware of your surroundings, you can not go wrong with these!
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    Top reviews from the United States

    • Russ
      5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Reviews
      Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2011
      Color: GrayStyle: without MicrophoneVerified Purchase
      Having looked through the other reviews for these headphones, there seems to be a general lack of understanding with regards to what you're getting with Sennheiser's HD598.

      1. Sound Isolation: These headphones are not at all designed to be sound isolating. They are completely open - any other sound in your listening environment will come in, and anyone else around you will be able to hear what you're listening to. That being said, they are not intended to be used on the city bus or subway, or in a library, or in your cubicle at work. These headphones are for listening to music and movies in the quiet seclusion of your home or studio. The openness is what gives these headphones the unmatched sound stage they have. No closed set can even come close, on any price range.

      2. The 1/4" Plug: On the end of the HD598 comes a plug size that may not be familiar to many. This is not a set of headphones for your iPod or your laptop's headphone jack. Will it work with the included adapter? Sure. By doing so are you missing out on what these headphones have to offer? Absolutely. If you don't have one already, get yourself a headphone amp with the HD598. You need a good source to bring these headphones to life, and with one you won't have to turn the volume way up to hear the finer nuances.

      3. The Bass: Sennheiser is not known for their hard hitting bass. Think of their HD5XX line like German sports cars. Some might think they're boring or soulless, but those looking for a consistent, predictable, and balanced performance get exactly what they want out of them. They are designed to give the same output levels across their entire functional range, and the HD598 leads the group. Bassheads should look elsewhere.

      As one last note, there is a bit of concern about the cracking on the band that people saw with the older HD555. I can't speak for Sennheiser's official policy on the matter, but every case I've heard of owners contacting Sennheiser about theirs breaking has resulted in a free exchange. The newer ones are supposed to be tougher, and I can certainly speak for that. After several months of daily (ab)use and moving from house to house, mine look as they did when they were new. No cracks, no scuffs, no dings.

      These are damn good headphones, and they're comfortable on my big head, to boot. In a few years when it's time to get something new, I'll be going to Sennheiser again.

      ----
      Three year update (2014/04/15): I still use these every day, and they look, sound, and feel exactly as good as they did the day I bought them. They show zero signs of wear, despite *thousands* of hours of music, movies, and gaming. My five star review stands - these headphones are exceptional. Keep doing what you're doing, Sennheiser.
      1,745 people found this helpful
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    • BKarno
      5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!! But Not For Everyone.
      Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2014
      Color: GrayStyle: without MicrophoneVerified Purchase
      The Sennheiser HD598s are fantastic headphones! BUT... they may not be for you. These phones are built for whom I would refer to as the "Mature Listener". If you want the experience of a dance/hip-hop/rap/rock or whatever club strapped onto your head these are not the cans for you. If you want to feel like you're front and center at a Metallica concert these are not the cans for you. If you like your music (dangerously) loud, very heavy on the bass, or seriously colored and unnaturally equalized these are not the cans for you. If you want to rediscover your music, if you want to discover new music, if you want to learn to really "listen", and if you want to do it without breaking the bank, then these are the phones for you.

      I had been eyeing up these phones for some time, and when I saw that they were available for $190 I immediately hit buy. They're everything I expected them to be and more. I got them 4 days ago, and they've been on my head at every opportunity possible (Unfortunately, I did have to go to work). I've been tearing through my music collection and listening to lots of diverse selections to ascertain the 598's strengths and weaknesses. Because I listen to so many different types of music I'm really not able to settle on a single pair of phones. I have a set of V-Moda Crossfade LPs that I use when I want some serious bass (yes, I know they're not all that good for much else, but hey, they'll make my teeth rattle). Chastise me if you must, but they do work pretty well for a lot of the current popular music, and they can really bump without playing all that loud. I have a set of Audio Technica ATH M50s that I use when I want to listen to a wide variety of music genres and I don't want to disturb everyone around me. The M50s are just a really great all-around set of phones, and I really enjoy listening to them. I have some Sony MDR-V6s that were my primary phones for what I would call "reference listening". I've had them forever (I believe I'm on my 5th, maybe 6th, set of earcups), and I really like their sound, even though they can be quite bright sometimes. I also have a wide variety of buds I use from time to time. My primary listening setup consists of my computer (a Toshiba Chromebook 13) and Google Play Music (streaming nothing less than 320kbps), or my Onkyo C-7030 CD player feeding into my Nuforce Icon DAC/Headphone Amp. I should also note that no equalizer used or even available in this configuration. I can say without reservation that these 598s will be taking the place of the Sonys for my reference listening, but because of the open design I probably won't be able to use them at times.

      I know I haven't been using the 598s that long, but I doubt that my opinions will change (for the worse anyway) as these things have sounded great right from the beginning. My goal is really about making sure people know exactly what they're getting with these phones, because most of the negative reviews seem to be coming from those who don't understand what type of cans these are. I don't claim to be some sort of expert, I haven't auditioned countless sets of phones and other equipment, and the only bit of audio testing equipment I'm using is my ears.

      DESIGN AND COMFORT: The design on the 598s is definitely polarizing; and where I didn't care for it at first, I have really come to like it. They really do have that Euro Luxo Car look about them. I only wish that the cord was more complimentary of the phones themselves. It sort of cheapens the look though it is nice and light weight. But comfortable! These things are incredibly comfortable. Like I said earlier, I have had these on my head at every opportunity possible over the past 3 days (5 hours straight last night) and I have never felt one ounce of fatigue from wearing them. I read a review where someone was complaining about the fit and was saying they were itchy, but unless you have a major skin condition, an allergy to velour, or some crazy hypersensitive nerves in your head you will love how these phones seem to practically disappear when you put them on. Call me strange, but I would argue that the comfort of these phones adds tremendously to the overall aural experience. I would qualify this by adding that I had purchased a pair of Grado SR225i headphones a little over a year ago, and had them boxed up and sent back the same day because they were sooooo uncomfortable. I would never have been able to enjoy my music with those things on my head and they were also so poorly constructed it was embarrassing. The 598s are very well built and it is evident from the first time you hold them in your hands. I was also surprised by the way they conform to fit because they look very rigid in the pictures. Sennheiser certainly got this right.

      SOUND (What it's really all about): Great design is nothing without great sound, and I doubt that I could find a better sounding set of phones at this price point than the 598s. Part of the reason I've been engaging in my marathon listening sessions is because I'm like a kid at Christmas who just got a whole catalog of music to rediscover. For the true music lover there is nothing better than getting a piece of gear that has you tearing through all of you music and hearing something new in almost every recording, and the 598s are that kind of gear. Great sounding cans have also helped me to discover genres of music and different artists that I probably wouldn't have given the time of day to in the past, but the quality of the recordings, and the ability of "audiophile" phones like these 598s to deliver the artist's intent means I have made many great new personal music discoveries. Of all the headphones I have owned or tried over the years, I always seemed to go back to my Sony MDR-V6s for reference listening, classical, jazz, adult contemporary, singer-songwriter; pretty much anything outside of rap/hip-hop, hard rock/heavy metal or a lot of the bass heavy top 40 stuff (not that they can't handle those). There is a reason why they have been on the market for decades, and it's because they really do sound great. But, it only took a few minutes and a couple of my favorite evaluation tracks to realize I had found the Sony's replacement. There are several factors that I feel make the 598's sound superior for listening to music. The biggest has to be the 598's soundstage, something that really does require open phones to maximize. The easiest way for me to test this personally is to play a particular piece, relax, and close my eyes. The Sonys, with their bright sound, do have a nice soundstage, but even with my eyes closed I still feel that the sound is squarely inside my head. With the HD598s, closing your eyes feels like you've stepped into the space where the recording took place. And as I said earlier, combine this amazing soundstage with the phones incredible comfort, and things just start feeling surprisingly real (do you get me?). The whole "being there" effect is also enhanced by finding that perfect volume level. Not too loud, and not too soft either; just that sweet spot where you start to feel like you're there. Which brings me to my second factor: dynamics. I think the dynamics on the 598's are excellent. I remember when CDs started coming out and everyone was talking about the improvements to the dynamic range available in the recordings. There were often warnings on the CDs themselves about sudden changes in volume that CDs were capable of. After a few days of listening I started to take notice of the 598's impressive dynamic range, which really adds to the realism of recordings. I am very impressed by the 598's ability to reproduce small details in a recording during the quietest parts, the loudest parts, and everything in between. The final factor that I feel contributes greatly to the whole listening experience is the tone, or dare I say "color", of the phones. My MDR-V6s are very impressive in this regard; sounding incredibly natural (especially for personally recorded video playback), and there's a reason why you see these, or their fraternal twin 7506s, on the heads of people in various sound production/recording/broadcasting businesses (I especially notice this when watching behind-the-scenes featurettes on movie disks). So, why do I feel that the 598s are better in this area. It's because for music listening, the Sony's are just too bright too often. Yes, their tone is really great, but the strong presence of the high end of the sound spectrum can get fatiguing after even a short while, and especially when listening at that natural volume level I tried to describe earlier. The 598s are just much better suited to music playback, and they don't seem to wear me out, even after many hours. If you understood what I have been talking about in this section they you will certainly appreciate the HD 598s.

      WEAKNESSES (Yes there are some): I'll try to be brief here. As many others have stressed in their reviews; these are open design cans, so you will hear the world and the world will hear you when you use these. This means the 598s don't travel well, and you really need a private (quiet) space to fully enjoy them. While these 598s will play fantastic and without distortion at comfortable/natural listening levels, they do have a pretty low distortion threshold relative to my other phones. So, if you like to turn it up (I'm talking UP!) I would recommend something different (and I would recommend not listening like this also). My NuForce Icon DAC can drive my V-Moda Crossfades, Sony MDR-V6s, and Audio Technica ATH-M50s to some incredible heights and they'll take it all in stride, but again, these 598s are for listening at more natural levels (not talking rock concert levels here) and they will distort if pushed too hard. And even though I list this as a weakness, it's really more so that people understand the 598's place. I have read some reviews here that used the words "thumping" and "booming" to describe the bass these 598s are capable of, and let me say for the record that their bass response is neither of those. It is tight, it is defined, and it is natural, but it isn't for the serious bass enthusiast. Crossfade LPs will rattle your jaw while they're bouncing on your cheeks (without distortion), and that's more my definition of "thumping" and "Booming". The only other weakness I would list, and again it's more of a "design side-effect", is that these cans will reveal (and highlight) any weakness in your listening configuration. Bad recordings/poor production, low bit-rate digital music, cheap soundcards, poor DACs, electrical noise, and insufficient amplification just to name a few. Buying the Nuforce DAC/amp was one of the best investments I made. It has the power to drive any phones, and it really works wonders with today's digital music. It took my listening to the next level. I even have a smaller Nuforce Icon uDAC-3 (for traveling) that works great with these 598s as well (and for just over one third the price).

      I hope that if you've made it this far my review has helped you. If you feel that you're ready to become that "mature listener", or if you're already there, I would highly recommend these HD 598s. If you are looking for that one pair of phones that are perfect for everything, you'll probably never find them. If you want to add another fine workhorse to your stable, I highly recommend these Sennheiser HD598 Headphones.

      And hey,if you want a case for these, the CASEBUDi Headphone Case - Large is a decent case and a perfect fit.

      I'm going to update this review from time to time with some of the incredible music I have discovered/re-discovered while listening to these phones. I have a Google Play Music Unlimited Access subscription and it's paying off in a huge way.

      5-1-2014: Just listened my way through the "Intro to Jazz Rock" playlist and it was awesome! A phenomenal collection of music that really highlights what the HD 598's are capable of. Stunning!

      5-5-2014: I know that many of the reviews mention the need to be in a quiet environment to really enjoy these phones, and that has proven to be absolutely true. If you are doing any sort of critical listening or you want to truly escape with these 598s you need to be in a quiet place. I am shocked by how much my enjoyment of whatever it is I'm listening to is curtailed by environmental noise. I also want to recommend the soundtrack from any Tarantino movie if you want to have some fun with these cans. Kill Bill 1&2 and Pulp Fiction were tops.

      5-12-2014: I've been listening to the 598s exclusively for the past couple weeks, but last night I plugged in my Audio Technica ATH-M50s and WOW was I shocked. I couldn't believe how colored the sound of the ATs seemed to me, how "inside of my head" they sounded, and how much the "enhanced" bass muddied up the overall quality of the sound. Now don't get me wrong. I'm not saying the ATs are bad phones; because I do still like them for those times when I want more bass. The swap just highlighted the amazing quality of the 598s. I also highly recommend this cable if you want something shorter, in a design that really compliments the 598s1.2m NEW Replacement Audio upgrade Cable For Sennheiser HD598 HD558 HD518 Headphones
      28 people found this helpful
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    Top reviews from other countries

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    • Amazon Customer
      5.0 out of 5 stars My ATH M50x Upgrades to HD 598
      Reviewed in India on August 17, 2016
      Color: GrayStyle: without MicrophoneVerified Purchase
      So after using 10,000+ hours with ATH M50x , wanted an upgrade .

      Oh boy ! These definitely are worth it . Let me start with these are Open air headsets vs M50x closed air headsets . Now all the top headphones in the world are Open Air , So HD 598 come under Entry level of this technology .

      Comfort ( 10/10 ) : When i say comfort 10/10 , I mean it . These are most comfortable headsets i ever won . U can use them for 10+ Hours and you won't notice you are wearing headsets . Cushion pads are soft also on the leather on head . They should fit in all ear types comfortably .

      Sound : ( 10 / 10 ) : These headsets have crystal clear sound , You can hear more detailed sound in Music , Movies & Games which u have not heard before . Awesome sound stage . Bass is neutral side which is fine for me you can probably boost it up with AMP / DAC .

      Sound Isolation : Headsets have no sound isolation , so you have to use them for in house & in quiet environment . They have sound leakage at max volume so what that means other's can hear you what you hearing .

      Final Verdict : If u are owner of M50x and looking to upgrade after 2-3 years + i would say go for it since they are best Entry level Open can headsets before your journey to HD 800 ;)
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    • Zwembadman
      5.0 out of 5 stars Casque hifi superbe
      Reviewed in France on January 1, 2014
      Color: GrayStyle: without MicrophoneVerified Purchase
      J'ai acheté cette casque pour une utilisation domestique. Le son est absolument incroyable: détaillé, chaleureux, avec des graves bien présents, une restitution de voix hors compétition et des aigues claires. Il faut vraiment l'utiliser avec des sources audio de bonne qualité (CD,...) pour apprecier ces qualités au maximum, mais même branché à un balladeur plein de fichiers .mp3 le son est supérieur. Quand je la branche à ma piano numérique (une yamaha CLP 370), le résultat est spectaculaire et plus proche de l'expérience d'une piano classique que sans casque.

      De plus, la construction et la finition sont de très haute qualité. L'arceau blanc/jaune avec des accents en bois et les oreillettes en velours brun (super comfortable, d'ailleurs) renforcent l'image de luxe. C'est bien différent de la plupart des casques, de sorte que même ma femme et les enfants agés de 4 et 2 ans) la trouvent très jolie.

      Prenez garde que cette casque est un modèle ouvert en n'offre donc aucune isolation contre les bruits extérieurs. Elle n'a pas été concue du tout pour une utilisation nomade (le câble détachable de 3m de longueur le rendrait en tout cas difficile). Il y a aussi un peu de son qui échappe vers l'extérieur (ce qui est normal pour ce genre de casques). Tant que l'on se limite à des volumes d'écoute normales, c'est très peu ou même pas audible pour d'autres personnes dans la même pièce (les "tests" à ce sujet sur Youtube doivent avoir été effectués à pleine puissance, parce que nous n'avons jamais pu obtenir un tel effet). En nomade (même en avion), je préfère une Focal Spirit One, dont l'isolation est superbe mais qui offre une qualité de son (bien que très bonne pour une fermée) inférieure à celle de l'HD598.

      En bref, une très, très bonne casque qui vaut bien plus que son prix.
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    • Eleathar
      5.0 out of 5 stars Alla scoperta della musica
      Reviewed in Italy on September 27, 2012
      Color: GrayStyle: without MicrophoneVerified Purchase
      Premetto che questa cuffia rappresenta il mio primo approccio con l'alta fedeltà e che per la soddisfazione le sensazioni che mi sta regalando, conserverà sempre un posto speciale nel mio cuore, anche quando dovessi sostituirla con un modello superiore.

      Caratteristiche
      Si tratta di una cuffia circumaurale: non si appoggia sull'orecchio ma lo circonda, eliminando dunque qualsiasi sensazione di fastidio nell'indossarle, specie se si hanno gli occhiali; per contro, pur essendo leggera, è necessariamente più voluminosa ed ingombrante delle cuffie "on ear", tanto più che non può essere ripiegata su se stessa.
      È una cuffia di tipo aperto: caratteristica che dona al suono una grande spazialità e tridimensionalità, a differenza delle cuffie chiuse, ma il rovescio della medaglia è che può dare fastidio in un ambiente silenzioso (i vicini ti ascoltano) e non ha nessuna barriera verso i rumori esterni (senti anche chi parla normalmente): non è una cuffia per andare in giro insomma, ma rigorosamente per ascolto domestico.

      Materiali
      La struttura principale, compresi i padiglioni sono in plastica di ottima qualità (i primi esemplari presentavano delle incrinature dopo un certo periodo d'uso, ma il problema è stato risolto): l'archetto è rivestito di pelle sia esternamente che internamente (con imbottitura) e risulta comodissimo da indossare sulla testa, anche dopo molte ore di utilizzo. I padiglioni sono rivestiti di morbido velluto che risulta molto confortevole al contatto e non scalda affatto l'orecchio (a meno che nella stanza non ci siano più di 25-30 gradi).

      Estetica
      È una cuffia che si distingue da tutte le altre per scelta cromatica; invece di essere grigio/nera con inserti in alluminio è di colore beige con inserti in legno. Si tratta di una scelta che può non piacere: non tutti hanno gli stessi gusti; personalmente apprezzo la sua estetica e la trovo molto appropriata alle caratteristiche soniche della cuffia, che secondo me esalta un certo tipo di musica, pur essendo molto equilibrata con tutti i generi.

      Qualità sonore
      Questa cuffia apre un mondo, soprattutto a chi proviene dal mondo degli auricolari/cuffie economiche. Ha un tale livello di dettaglio su tutto lo spettro sonoro da regalare una sensazione di primo ascolto su tutta la propria libreria musicale: la separazione degli strumenti (il suono è arioso), la loro precisa collocazione nello spazio sonoro (il cosiddetto sound stage), l'estremo equilibrio tra le frequenze, sono tutte caratteristiche che garantiscono un ascolto di qualità, fermo restando che la fonte deve essere adeguata: se ascoltate file mp3 ultracompressi questa cuffia non farà miracoli.
      Il fatto che sia una cuffia equilibrata non vuol dire che sia perfetta per tutti i generi: la trovo meravigliosa per la classica e il jazz, sopra la media per pop, rock e musica acustica, adeguata ma non ideale per metal ed elettronica. Chi predilige le basse frequenze e vuole sentirsi vibrare l'orecchio è meglio che guardi altrove: intendiamoci i bassi ci sono, precisi e ben misurati, ma non sono enfatizzati come nelle Monster Studio ad esempio.
      Trovo che il punto di forza di questa cuffia sia nella resa della voce femminile: provate ad ascoltare un brano di Norah Jones con l'HD 598 e andrete letteralmente in solluchero!

      Configurazione
      La HD 598 è una cuffia facile da guidare, con un'impedenza nominale di soli 50 ohm, per cui anche l'uscita cuffie di un iPod può bastare per ascoltare musica ad un volume sufficiente. Come tutte le Sennheiser di un certo livello però beneficia grandemente dall'essere guidata con autorità, in termini di resa sonora e capacità analitica.
      Personalmente utilizzo un DAC separato (iStreamer) e un amplificatore dedicato (Schiit Asgard) e ho notato notevoli miglioramenti nell'ascolto: le gamme alte si sono un po' addolcite e sono meno faticose all'ascolto, pur conservando un elevato grado di dettaglio, mentre i bassi sono più profondi e percepibili; il maggior beneficio l'ho avuto nella spazialità e nella pulizia del suono, come se fosse aumentata l'aria tra gli strumenti. Se si vuol spendere qualcosa in meno il Fiio E11 è un amplificatore portatile dall'ottimo rapporto qualità prezzo che ben si sposa con questa cuffia.

      Conclusioni
      Una buona cuffia permette di ascoltare la propria musica da un'altra prospettiva: scoprire dettagli che non avevi mai notato prima, apprezzare i particolari e il loro apporto alla musicalità del brano, lasciarsi avvolgere dal suono liberando le proprie emozioni. Volendo fare un parallelo con l'arte, è come togliere un capolavoro dalla teca di vetro e gustarselo senza fastidiosi riflessi.
      La Sennheiser HD598 fa tutto questo ad un prezzo ragionevole: compratela a vostro rischio e pericolo perché crea dipendenza e ti contagia con quella brutta malattia chiamata "audiofilia" :-).
      Il grado di apprezzamento dipende dalla sensibilità di ciascuno, ma questa cuffia è un capolavoro di equilibrio e, a mio modesto parere, vi farà amare la musica in tutte le sue sfaccettature.
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    • onkel heini
      5.0 out of 5 stars Klangwunder zu bezahlbarem Preis
      Reviewed in Germany on August 31, 2012
      Color: GrayStyle: without MicrophoneVerified Purchase
      Hallo erstmal. Ich habe erst bei der 2.Entscheidung den Sennheiser HD 598 bestellt. Wollte mir endlich mal einen neuen KH leisten. Mein alter Sennheiser hat nach 25 Jahren Auflösungserscheinungen. Dass er so lange gehalten hat finde ich schon gigantisch.
      So, ich hab mich dann mal umgeschaut und kam auf den Beyerdynamic 770 80 Ohm. Hab mich aufgr. von Rezensionen für diesen entschieden(made in Gemany,prima Sound,tolle Verarbeitung,...).
      Is auch n tolles Teil, aber leider is er für meinen Geschmack wirklich zu basslastig und dieser läßt mich Klassik und Jazz nicht genießen. Schade. Er ist wirklich toll verarbeitet und das nächsthöhere Model war mir zu teuer. Deshalb hab ich mir dann den Sennh. bestellt.
      Lange Rede, kurzer Sinn:
      Dieser KH hat mich umgehauen. Toller Sound (die offene Bauweise liegt mir auch mehr). Er bedient alle Arten von Musik (Klassik, Jazz, Metall, Pop, Elektro, World Music,...). Alles was ich gehört habe klingt sehr neutral (positiv!!), sehr viel Klangschärfe/-Tiefe. Auch der Bass klingt wirklich gut und drängt sich eben dabei doch nicht in den Vordergrund wie es der 770er gemacht hat. Beim Hören mit geschlossenen Augen entstehen wirklich Bilder in meinem Kopf. Er klingt sehr räumlich und nicht so limitiert wie ein geschlossener KH. Natürlich muß man die offene Bauweise mögen, denn Geräusche von Draußen dringen schon ins Ohr. Finde das allerdings auch positiv, da ich so noch etwas von Außen mitbekomme (z.B.Gut wenn s Kind schreit). Mich stört das geschlossene eher, da dabei einfach auch Raum+Tiefe verloren geht.
      Die Optik ist wirklich gelungen: wirkt und sieht edel aus. Das Kabel is nich gekringelt und mit 3 m auch lang genug. Finds super, dass es austauschbar is, denn wenn das mal kaputt geht kann man einfach ein neues bestellen. Find ich prima ! Adapter für an mp3 Player(Discman, PC) is dabei(gute Qualität).
      Der Tragekomfort is top. Fühlt sich total leicht an und drückt auch nicht.Die Polster kuschelweich. Auch nach langem Tragen: absolut nicht störend. Ich vergesse dann sogar als, dass ich überhaupt einen KH aufhabe.
      Also: unbedingte Kaufempfehlung in dieser Preisklasse und Soundklasse!! Ein wirklich wunderbares KH-Juwel !!
      Die 159 € haben sich für mich absolut gelohnt und bezahlt gemacht. Zudem wird der Klang mit dem Hören einfach noch etwas besser als ganz zu Beginn.
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    • Brikobsky
      5.0 out of 5 stars Reeducando el oído...
      Reviewed in Spain on May 29, 2012
      Color: GrayStyle: without MicrophoneVerified Purchase
      Por circunstancias personales no siempre puedo usar mi Marantz CD-17 MKII con el Cyrus III+PSX-R y las CDM 7 de B&W, cableado con MIT y Audiocuest Crystal. Mi amor por el sonido puede apreciarse en ese equipo. A pesar de no poder usarlo tanto como quisiera no renuncio al disfrute que supone escuchar música, por ello mi experiencia con auriculares es bastante extensa.

      Nunca había dispuesto de la oportunidad para hacerme con unos "decentes". Conocedor era de que nada de lo que tuve anteriormente hacía justicia al sistema que mencioné al inicio de esta valoración y que incontables y deliciosas horas me ha dado hasta hoy.
      La adquisición de estos HD 598 viene a corroborar esa certeza.

      La configuración abierta los dota de una apertura sonora imposible de conseguir en los cerrados, creados específicamente para ambientes ruidosos.
      La comodidad de los 598 es sobresaliente. El uso de una especie de velour en lugar de la típica piel para la zona de apoyo es muy acertada puesto que permite una mejor transpiración, minimizando la sudoración en ambientes cálidos.
      Los apoyos, tanto en el contorno de la oreja como en la parte alta de la cabeza es suave y agradable, con escasa presión, lo que casi los hace pasar desapercibidos, muy a pesar de su considerable tamaño.
      Los materiales podrían ser mejorables. Dudo que lo que todos consideran como madera no vaya más allá de unos plásticos con tal aspecto pero, en todo caso, son aceptables y correctos.
      El cable no es especialmente largo, pero si de calidad e incluso el tacto resulta agradable.
      El conector por defecto es el de 6.3mm, evidenciando a qué sistemas va dirigido. Un adaptador de 3.5mm, necesariamente voluminoso por el tamaño de la espiga de 6.3mm, resuelve la conexión estandard de la mayoría de equipos y sistemas de sonido actuales.
      El aspecto general, su color, etc, son cuestiones muy personales.
      Particularmente los preferiría negros ya que me parecen más discretos; esa característica va más conmigo que la de llamar la atención, pero en todo caso las imágenes están ahí aportando por sí mismas la mejor objetividad posible por lo que huelga comentar nada más al respecto.

      La impresión que tengamos del sonido va a depender mucho de lo educado o no de nuestro oído.
      He de decir que el mío había perdido mucho en el uso de auriculares debido a la exposición prolongada con material mediocre.
      Lo más inmediato es la sensación de que la parte baja del espectro está bastante desaparecida.
      Para casos como el mío es necesario una desintoxicación previa. La he conseguido de forma sencilla: escuchar y escuchar con estos 598.
      Después de cientos de horas volví a compararlos con todo lo que tenía y las cosas eran bien diferentes.
      La gama media, tan importante, es delicada sin ser analítica. Los agudos, suaves y presentes, sin penetrarte las sienes como esas cúpulas metálicas tan comunes en las cajas americanas. La parte baja... ahora comprendes lo que son bajos correctos y naturales, lejos de una frecuencia comunmente enfatizada en auriculares y cajas de forma que crea espectacularidad los primeros minutos, para terminar dando dolor de cabeza.
      El conjunto presenta un sonido espacial y claro, muy en fase. Dependerá mucho de la fuente utilizada para la reproducción, pero sin duda mejorará la mayor parte de sistemas, extrayendo de los mismos lo mejor. En muchos casos hallando su límite.
      Utilizados con sistemas Hig-End el disfrute alcanzará cotas desconocidas para la mayor parte de mortales (entre los que me incluyo), permitiendo "leer" perfectamente el sonido, propiciando que cada escucha sea diferente, según enfoquemos nuestra atención a un plano u otro de los casi infinitos espacios sonoros.

      En definitiva, un salto cualitativo muy recomendable para aquellos amantes del sonido, seres inquietos que desean evolucionar la capacidad para recoger aquellas microinformaciones contenidas en el maravilloso mundo de la música disfrutando exponencialmente de él.
      Podría decirse que un buen auricular es "la pesa" que mejorará el músculo de nuestros oídos.
      Todo gracias a un sólo aparato para el que Amazon dispone del mejor precio... con diferencia.
      Saludos a los lectores.
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