Great review! I've had these myself for well over a year and have been enjoying them thoroughly. Even after getting HD650s, I find myself using 599s every now and then.
I didn't use HD599 but old HD518 where one of the best headphones for gaming. Especially when I changed pads for pleather ones. That gave incredible bass response while maintaining excellent sound stage and positioning of sound sources.
I was in the same boat years ago.. went through 3 different 'gaming' headsets that all disappointed me but heard the HD series was great all around sound for everything. I picked a pair up and have been so happy with them. They also can take a beating, i have dropped them with a lot of force more times than i can count.
@@JioSleepYT I hear you. There's a lot of gimmicks involved.. I rather good quality sound than RGB lighting that i never see unless i look in a mirror. Lol.
Bought these for 100€ and have been using them for 3-4years now. Absolutely amazing. They are extremely light, sound great, very conformable and they are the only headphones I can use the entire day, take em off and not feel a sense of "relief" like they've been squishing my small brain the entire day. After this much use only the top headband is starting to strip a bit. 10/10 would recommend
Have owned these for a while now, not only do they sound really good (I don't have a ton of experience with headphones, but these are by far the best I've used) but they're suuuper tough. So many times I've thought I would've broken them or damaged them, and they're holding up great. They're very comfortable (as said in the video; I am a glasses wearer as well, you forget you're wearing them). Also coming from lame low quality "gaming" headphones I really really appreciate the ability to change the cable. I have cats who like to chew on cables so that's a very nice feature, I am sure that's common on higher end headphones though. I would recommend these to pretty much anyone looking for an entry level headphone.
Hd 599 SE is my first audiophile headphone. Bought in india for around $105. I have been using this for about 4 months and I totally Love it. I think you are the first one to review and i have been waiting for the same. I totally agree with your description of these headphones. So i am happy that i made good purchase. Untill yesterday i did find very good deals on both AKG K361 & K371 for $70 & $85, but because of money constraints i could not buy one of them.
@@himanshutiwari90 Amazon India, that deal was alive for 1 week. It might be India launching price. Now price increased to $100 for k361 , $150 for ,K371. I guess Amazon would discount them again.
Unless you are looking for in-studio/critical listening to the audio material, HD 599 is where you can stop searching for good headphones. Smooth, well balanced, spacious but also musical performance is what you're gonna get from HD 599.
@@h0r0sha11 no but they unlock/befit from a dac/amp cable and pad upgrade iam useing a hiby fc4 at mo with a silver cable and hybrid gel pads and they sound way more dynamic Balanced spaceshuss/sound stage overall sound is better with some eq there incredible even though not necessary for a great experience just if you what to experiment and refine your experience and geek out over music they work great for the price there fantastic the only thing i can nit pick is the slit frequencies blending a little compared to higher end headphones akg k712pro for example . Ive started using letshuoer S12iems with final audio tips with the hiby fc4 and the frequency detail/separation clarity on the planar drivers blow my mind out of this world that's when i rely noticed the blending on hd599 dynamic drivers bass roll of into the mids slittly giving a slightly darker sound but still a incredible piece of kit overall...
my first headphones where i noticed "real" and dynamic bass , even with that open back dynamic driver limitation , even closed backs m40x 50x , dt770 and open dt990 dt880 pro , paled in comparison , these have an impressive bass performance , only my k712 beats them , keeping in mind the quality of bass , not quantity
Yes exactly this. I feel like I wasn't clear enough about this in the video. The quality of the bass is excellent, it's so articulate. Even though the quantity won't satisfy a basshead.
@@WheezyTech well what does satisfy a basshead ehh........these can literally vibrate on your head at higher volumes and right tracks which allow them to. sennheiser improved the bass from 598 for sure whilst sacrificing upper mids performance and a tiny bit of soundstage .
I find the low mids to be a little bit too pronnounced on these headphones, and I absolutely equalize them down a little bit when I need a bit more neutral response, but otherwise they make EVERYTHING sound nicer and less harsh which can be quite good, and yeah, these are fantastic for gaming, their soundstage is phenomenal!
I got these on Amazon prime day for $150 aud. Such a great headphone for the price. Running off denon receiver (3m cable is perfect) likewise off Samsung s10 plus (1.2.m cable) sounds great and is comfortable. Comfort is excellent. Long listening sessions are no problem. Find them best with edm.
I highly recommend these, paid 90 also in an early Black Friday sale. Out of several sets of headphones, the only reason I wouldn’t recommend these in their price point is if you *know* that you prefer beyerdynamic’s signature sound. If you don’t, then get these, absolutely amazing, both for the price and in general
I feel yer I just got Hd599 for 80 coming from dt770pros just as a filler as my dt770pros being cursted by my flat ass 😔 waiting for parts but it's a no show so sadness ensues☹️ anyways I really enjoy the FLATER lower end bassier sound of the dt770pros I can't test them against each other till I solder Em up but from memory bear less fatiguing to listen I think
Thanks for making this review, absolutely loving the sound of the 599's for music as well as gaming. You definitely deserve more subs for the content you put up. Best wishes.
I have a pair of HD438's, but I hadn't used them much in the recent years. I was more into TWS earbuds and then transitioned to wired IEM's. I recently dug out my old Sennie's for a change and really appreciated the forgotten comfort and sound signature. So, I decided to research today's headphones. The HD 599 SE was the right price bracket (I've spent way too much already, according to my wife!!) and the reviews, especially your excellent, detailed coverage, gave it high marks for soundstage, comfort, sound signature and open-back bass. I knew Sennheiser was durable. My HD438's are still in excellent condition after 11 or 12 years. When I got the HD 599 SE, plugged them straight into my phone and was totally blown away. - I was in a room with the musicians. - The bass was really solid. - The treble was clear, detailed and Sennheiser smooth (I really liked my Momentum TW2 earbud sound signature, but they are dated compared with others now, with their app and ANC). Hold me know by the Thompson twins, Honey and the Bee by Owl City, and Appetite by Prefab Sprout can be quite harsh at the upper end on all my IEM's and some of my TWS buds. I like a bright sound, but not sibilant, grainy and rough. The HD 599 SE was so natural sounding and exquisite. - The soundstage is what I've been seeking and missing with closed back and in-ear. Hotel California - Live on MTV 1994 by the Eagles sounds amazing. That punch at 32s is awesome. Strive by Amber Rubarth, Killing me softly by Roberta Flack and Your Grace is enough - Live by Matt Maher are just sublime. The HD 599 SE are now my go-to for serious listening late at night! I do use a Qudelix 5K DAC/AMP with Oratory1990's HD 599 PEQ, which cleans up the low end a little more to my taste. Keep up these excellent reviews! They are much appreciated.
Best n Very Accurate review of hd599SE... i own a pair of hd599SE n what u described i also felt exactly in the same way about them! To the point n genuine review!!👍
The DT990 Pro has a much bigger soundstage but the treble is very overemphasized which can make them really fatiguing for your ears, Sennheiser headphones often have very good mids but instead lack some presence and detail in the treble in my opinion, if you want a pair of headphones for gaming only then i can recommend the DT 990 Pro due to the soundstage and imaging which is great on them but for music/allround use the Sennheiser would probably be a much better choice, the 599 is not the best Sennheiser imo i would rather recommend the HD560S
Picked a pair of these up on the latest black Friday Amazon deal for £99 on the back of your review, my first Sennheisers, they are great! My day to day headphones are Grado SR325e's which pick out more detail, but can be annoyingly harsh & bright for listening over longer periods. These played through a Zen DAC amp listening to FLAC sources are awesome. Thanks for the review and recommendation, my new go to headphones.
As someone that makes plastic I can attest to this. Different plastics, different uses. You would be amazed at what all things you see around you that you think are metal are actually plastic.
Waiting on my 599 se, currently using a wh-1000xm3. EQ’ed the mids down by about 20 ish dbs to simulate soundstage and depth with it sounding (to my not yet blown ears) great. Bass is mainly lowered, treble is kept roughly the same in some spots more minor details but gave it detail as to where I cak
@@WheezyTech Previously had Hd 598SE, so looking forward to these as more recently I have been using closed back wireless, which have their own limitations. Subbed!
@@mymiyagis How do you feel the 598 and 599 compares? Interested in them, but now I have to wait for an Amazon sale again; I wonder how often that happens.
They sell for as low as 70 euros on Amazon, I got mine for 80 euros including shipping and I think that's a more reasonable price for these. I also got the Philips SHP9500 for 50 euros which is a great deal. They're both extremely comfortable which is very important to me.
HD599 is not a fantastic headphone. It is a fantastic allrounder in it´s price range. HD599 doesn't make anything very good, but it makes most things good. Decent base (too warm for my taste), decent treble, decent soundstage, decent imaging (EQ down the upper base region/low mids for FPS gaming). Easier to locate gunshots, footsteps etc to my ears (at least in pubg). HD599 is a good buy, no doubt about that. Hope this is understable, english aint my native language. Best regards from Sweden
Are there any specific headphones you compared them to, that have the features you mentioned better than these? Like "very good & fantastic" instead of just "decent"?
@@picapica201 No, in general. I am more of a treble guy, and I rather go south of "neutral" then north in the base region. When it comes to sound quality sub $200 I would say HE-400i will be my pick. I haven´t tried DT880 600 ohm yet, that could be my favorite, I do have the 250 ohm version tho. If it is the same improvement in sound quality like between DT990 250 ohm and 600 ohm, DT880 600 ohm will be the winner for me. DT880 250 ohm version is still a very good headphone in it´s price range imo.
I got this on Black Friday as well, first open back. Prior to it owned a couple of ~100$ iems. I was pretty disappointed, ngl. Sent them back, got the 4XX instead. And no surprise, 4XX destroys these. Nothing left but the burning remains. Only thing I liked was the comfort.
DanNiel thank you. I was curious because I was going to get an accessory cable with a microphone on them for gaming. How is the sense of space on them?
LongLostSouls The sound stage is great. There have been multiple times where there is a knocking sound in a game I’m playing and I genuinely think that it came from outside the headphone and had to get up and check. They just sound great and are the most comfortable pair of headphones I’ve ever owned, have yet to hit a point where they start to fatigue me and I’ve worn them for many long sessions. I got a stand alone microphone and that works great for me (worth considering) but connecting a mic to them should work great as well. Just get them and enjoy you’re making a good choice. If I broke mine I would instantly buy another pair without even looking at anything else and I feel that is really the best thing I can say about them.
Very nice review, never got around to trying them but does look like they are a great deal when on sale. Maybe even a better option as a general PC use headphone than a lot of the more expensive stuff out there. Really interesting comparison would be with the 58x as that is supposed to be based on the HD500 series drivers and is on sale for close to the same price at times. Some of the other comments mentioned it but you do have to be careful of the output impedance of amps with it, according to DIyaudioheavens measurements the midbass can jump up as much as 5db from it which would turn it into a muddy mess for sure. That hurts some of its value as many people will need a amp as most motherboards have massive output impedance.
I love these, only thing I regret is the SE is plain black, I prefer the look of the originals; the brown looks classier and unique, less cheap and stands out more than my usual all black headphones. but I'm not about to rebuy them just for a different colour. Got them on sale for $130 CAD on sale, which is isnanely cheap when you convert that to USD or Pound.
Just ordered a pair of these. Can't wait to upgrade from my HD518's after all these years. Glad they have a black version, after owning grey and silver for years it's nice to keep a muted colour scheme going.
@@djsoulfilter Don't. There wasn't much of an upgrade and tonally I hated them. I ended up getting a pair of HD58X from Massdrop and much prefer them. 10x better then the 599SE and better build quality. Avoid the HD5xx line besides the HD58X and the HD560S.
@@burns0100I don’t have any headset atm for music and gaming. I can get the HD 599 for €65. That’s pretty cheap for a sennheiser. Is the quality that bad?
@@yusuff7_ I'd look into IEM's personally. Much better value for money, 7hz zero 2, moondrop chu 2, truthear zero red are all really good. Much better then the 599. For a headphone I still think HD58X from Massdrop is the way to go. Just look up some best headphones or iems for 2024 videos. Should give you a good idea.
@@yusuff7_no. The quality is way better than what most people are used to, and that amount of money is an absolute steal. They'll certainly sound better than most gaming headsets.
@Wheezy Reviews Subbed. Great content. Have had the 599's for a few years now as it was the beginnings of my slide down the rabbit hole that is headphones of today. I agree with you assement on every point. The 600-line is maybe a bit more revealing on a microdetails level but the 599 is more energetic overall with it's warmer sound with more bass. Now the question part. Will you by any chance do a review of the beyerdynamics dt 990 pro 250 ohm:s? On the fence whether getting those because of the alledged wide soundstage with great imaging or forking up a lot more for the dt 1990 pros instead. You mentioned not having reviewed the dt 990 and since I know now your preference any input would be highly helpful. Again, thanks for the content. I'm sure your channel is going to really take off soon.
I would like to do the 990's at some point soon, and I should get around to doing my 1990's soon too. Sennheiser and Beyer have very different sound sigs in general. Without having tried the 990 I've seen enough graphs and read enough that I can say almost for certain that I would prefer the sound sig of the 599 more out of the box, its a much safer bet. Although that doesnt mean I would hate the 990 especially with some EQ, so I can't say for sure. Comfort and build wise though, I can't say enough good things about Beyer or Sennheiser they are both excellent. I will say that the 1990 is technically excellent, the detail resoution is fantastic. But its bright tilt just like most Beyers is an aquired taste.
After 8 months, do you still remember your impressions from the HD599? I remember that when this one originally came out, many (most?) people dismissed it as a facelifted HD598 and said that it sounded exactly the same as their older brother and that the "upgrade" was merely aesthetical. Do you agree to that, or do you think they are actually different? If so, do you consider the upgrade is worthwhile (I've been using my HD598 for years), or should I pass it over and wait for a bigger upgrade (i.e. HD600, Fidelio X2, AKG K712...)?
Its probably not worth getting the 559 if you already have the 598. The difference was mostly aesthetic but there were some small changes to the overall sound signature, mostly making the 599 slightly warmer/darker than the 598. Apart from the looks and that small difference in tuning, its basically the same headphone as the 598.
Personally I wouldn't even necessarily consider the upgrade to the HD 600 worthwhile if you already own HD 598/599s. I haven't used the X2s or the 712s though, however from what I've heard about the latter they are almost identical to the AKG K702s with some minor differences and I definitely wouldn't consider those to be much of an upgrade over the HD 598s either. In my opinion if you already have have an HD 598 you'll probably wanna look at a slightly higher tier those to get a significant improvement like the DT 1990s for example. However I don't think there is a more subjective hobby than audio gear, for example I actually prefer my HD 600s over the DT 1990s in spite of some objective shortcomings. So if possible you could try out several in a store or make use of return policies and just pick whichever one you like best, although the latter is quite a hassle and quite time intensive if you don't happen to have a huge chunk of money to spend all at the same time to try headphones.
I have the Sennheiser HD599 headphones. I love em, I've had them for months now. Previously I used a pair of white Audio Technica ATH-M50 (not the X but the OG model with the non-removable cable). I think the Ivory looks great, luxurious sort of look hehe. Ivory+Dark Brown. Premium look. Yep they're plasticky but solid and fairly lightweight, comfortable headphones :). I love mine. They cost me 149€. I listen without any DAC/AMP from my PC's Asus Maximus VII Ranger Z97 motherboard. Can drive them loud and clear. Might get a slight benefit from an amp/dac but I don't know really. We'll see what headphones I get next, the M50s are my backup/secondary cans. Maybe HD650 or sth after these, idk... Very true about the cable(s)! I almost bought an O2/ODAC amp dac combo but didn't cuz my headphones are not that expensive or hard to drive. Don't know if there would be much/any benefit. I listen to a lot of hip hop but also all sorts of different genres. Yeah, these don't have that huge thumper bass, but defo plenty enough bass to bump some tunes if you know what I mean :D. Great review! I loved this review. Very impressive how much you praised the headphones, when I've seen some people say they're not nearly as good as HD600/650 at all. But here you compare them to those and give them some advantages. Loads of positivity. Indeed, the point of diminishing returns. Thumbs up for this review, big time :). I'm a gamer, music nerd and all around listener on desktop environment and I love my HD599 cans. I listen to all sorts of genres from hip hop to rock to metal to pop.
@@sirishant Yep, I'm still using them as my main cans. I still love em (or at least like them a lot). No regrets. I ended up buying an O2 Amplifier, then I also very recently added an ODAC to it (headnhifi website is where I bought the stuff). Now they're loud and clear, they can go louder than they used to and the sound doesn't have the veil/muddy/thick sound that it did without the amp+dac. However, it takes a bit of getting used to because the sound is very balanced+clear+precise+natural. It used to be slightly more bassy/boomy/muddy/veiled. Now it's more analytical from the ODAC. I'm a bit of a basshead and I listen to hip hop for the most part and with the ODAC the low end is a bit mellower, it's more balanced rather than pronounced. But there's still enough bass for me and most people, just not that thumping "knock your socks off" sort of bass. In any case, I'm satisfied and will be using these for the foreseeable future. Some other (more expensive) DACs can have more exciting sound profiles. The ODAC is very balanced, clean, and analytical at a great price point. We'll see what I get in the future as far as new cans+dacs+amps go but for now I've achieved relative audio nirvana and don't need to upgrade anything anytime soon. BTW: You CAN definitely drive the HD599s without an amp/dac but it benefits from those. First I only got an amp but then I quickly got a DAC as well because when you add the amp without a good dac, the motherboard's integrated dac struggles to keep up with the amp's power. So you can have some quiet static noice when your volume is high and you're not listening to anything. Also, once I added the DAC, the headphones are much louder. The amp already made a difference in loudness but with the DAC I would probably damage my hearing within seconds if I put it to max volume. Using to use the lower 2.5x gain setting and 50% volume knob on the device itself. Sorry for rambling... I hope that makes sense. Just my 2 cents. I've had my HD599s for over a year now. Got the O2 amp in April, added the ODAC to it yesterday(!).
@@Lycosa That sounds about right. Basically, you had an impedance mismatch. Your motherboard was outputting far greater than the just over 6ohms that the headphones allow for. (50 divided by 8). The HD5xx series are some of the worst afflicted headphones by an impedance mismatch, mostly causing a significant bump up in the bass regions which you noticed as boominess. You don't *need* an amp with these headphones. What you need is a source capable of delivering low enough output impedance for these headphones. Most portable devices are designed with IEMs in mind (extremely low impedance) so work just fine with them. Motherboard outputs are usually assumed to be line outs, hence the much greater impedance. Decent amplifiers tend to target
@@Tephnos Yes, impedance. Indeed. I kind of liked the crazy bass but now with the O2+ODAC combo the bass is still there, just more controlled and less boomy. I'm a happy cookie. I have boosted the lower frequencies (bass) a tad with a software equalizer. I can easily go back to flat vanilla EQ if I ever want to. -Exactly! The source matters. An amplifier is optional. My O2 amp has an output impedance of 0.54 ohms. I knew that the ODAC would fix the static noise as a friend of mine told me that it fixed the same issue for him. No more static, even if I turn the gain to 6.5x with maximum volume. The funny thing is, the noise wasn't an issue before I got the amp. I never noticed any noise at max volume. But once I got the amplifier, the integrated DAC couldn't keep up with the signal boost. So I started to have the noise when I turned the volume higher than about 50% on either gain setting. The amp exposed the shortcomings of the integrated DAC. Once I got the ODAC, the issue was gone. Yep. I'm all set. Now I just enjoy my music and audio in general. I hear the real sound of the HD599s. We'll see what cans I get in the future, it's nice not having to worry about being able to drive a pair of headphones without a DAC/AMP, now that I have them. Thank you for the clarification. It's always good to learn more.
For people worried about the plastic construction Sennheiser uses for many headphones, they are perfectly fine. I'm still rocking some old HD558's(nearly 10 years now) and they have been used and abused. Nothing has broken still.
I bought these last summer and I love using them. However they are my first and only open back headphones that I've used but I've found that they sound incredibly good for gaming, music and watching films, at least to my ears anyway
I bought the 599HD .... it was my first Sennheiser headphone... I really wasn't impressed.. I was expecting to enter a new world based off how people raved of this and most Sennheiser related products.... Definitely not bad..... but I mean they sound just slightly better situations ... when I used my DAC + proper peace eq settings.
just picked these up on a boxing day sale for almost 50% off, not an audiophile by any means but i'm really excited to try these after years of using gaming headsets like razer and hyperx.
Amazon black friday Dec 24/2021 canadian dollar $129.98 so I bought them. Thanks for the review. Ps I agree with the cable comment. Different cables can be purchased but Senn should provide them with the phones.
How does the 599SE stack up against the 58X and 6XX? I already have the 599SE and love them dearly but the clarity diminishes a bit when I turn them up.. and I typically use the bass boosting sound enhancement built into Windows on them.
Just picked these up off amazon on Prime Day for $100 CAD ($75 USD). Couldn't believe it when I saw them so cheap! Snagged it right away, because my old HD598SE headphones broke (they still "work" but the plastic is broken near the left ear-piece and so they need replacing).
The advice I was given when I asked on Reddit was: the HD599SE are good, but try the 560s instead, I think you'll like them better, and they are cheaper. Well I edited the post to say I could get the 599s for $80 and basically everyones story changed to "You are not gonna find anything remotely close to these for $80, definitely get them". Mine come Friday. Hopefully they are awesome.
Overall very nice review. I just got them and listened to them for 7 hours (taking breaks ofc) and it's the first time I believe in breaking some headphones in. At first they sounded great, but depending on the source some frequencies sounded kind of hollow (even though the whole sound was full, warm, etc) weird to explain. After a while, I listened to the same songs I started listening at first (like repeating the cycle of songs) and this thing that I perceived was completely gone. Weird. Or I just got used to their sound, lol. Even though I still find these a little bright (or quite a bit), they are way better to listening to music vs my DT 990 Pro's, which I just hate, lol. These Senn are almost never harsh. Now I am looking for this same Senn sound but less bright (but still warm and full, great bass for me and timber). If you recommended me something that would be great.
@@DARKINBLADE. they are the best headphones ive ever had, mind you i have not invested much money into a headset in the past. But they are super comfortable, the build quality is amazing and if you like open backs the sound is amazing
@@gingythescot1161 would the open back be a problem if I was on discord for example. Would my friends likely be able to hear themselves or is the sound escaping not that loud?
@@Jake-zl8rl the sound escaping is not an issue, there is not much if any noticeable sound pollution, but the wearer can hear their surroundings better than an closed back, your voice also does not sound as muffled when you talk
The headphones trash! I just got mine and its volume is so loud on pc even tho the pc volume is at 2 its still loud, it sounds like its set at 40 on the pc. On the phone its kinda ok when you put on music. But sometime it sounds lower then the pc. Im just gonna return it and get my money back. I feel like I got screwed.
As someone who owns the Audio Technica ATH M50x for nearly 7 years, I'm now looking for a new pair to replace them. When I was buying them, I was totally astouned by the bass and quality (haven't had anything close this price range before). But I have to say, that I wasn't really happy with them in all those years. As someone who is deperately in need of glasses, the clamping pressure was always an issue for me. I couldn't wear them for longer than 90 minutes straight, without them to readjust or take them off completely. Also, nowadays I would prefer an open back style of headphones, so I've just ordered these (based of your review) and the AKG 702, because comfort will be my first aspect to look for. I'll test them in the next days and will look forward to which I might keep. Thank you for your review.
@@JaZpInDeR I'm writing this response to your comment as I'm actually wearing the HD 599 SE. I can comfortably recommend them to anyone who is looking for comfortable and good sounding headphones without spending a ton of money. Had them since 11 months and haven't looked back, awesome pair.
I have hd 599 and planning to get Hifiman 4XX, which one has best soundstage and imaging , also overall sound clarity, do you think its really worth to upgrade?
The strength of the base is not from the closed back, but from the size of the membrane being high. Headphones with large membrane [diameter > 47 mm], even if open, usually have confident, impactful base. The Sennheiser 5__ and 6__ headphones contain a 38 mm membrane, which is at the small end of the spectrum.
This video was instrumental in me finally getting these. Especially the fact that they sound good and don''t need a DAC or AMP. Got these about 6 months back for about 100 pounds , it was the first time for me spending so much on any such thing. Have absolutely loved them since the first listen! Super comfy as you mentioned, and so smooth, it's never fatiguing to listen to. I don't like too much bass as i find it too overpowering and muddy, while I also avoid super sparkle as it hurts my ears, this sits in the sweet spot for me. Saw this review once again today and thought I'd drop by to say my thanks for the content!
Hi Wheezy, how are you? Are 599 any good played directly from the smart phone. And which open back headphones are the best for the music from the phone directly? Ta
I have the hd58x but I find it little uncomfortable to wear and I heard the 599 is the better option when it come to comfort and similar sound profile. what do you think? should I replace mine with the hd599?
How well do you think it compares against the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X? I'm not much of a audiophile myself, Just looking for recommendations. The 58X is $190 and the 599 is $138 on sale.
Hey! I can get these for around 105 pounds. I don't have amp and I plan to use my headphones for gaming/yt watching mostly. Are these a good option? Cheers
They would be a good choice, however as others have pointed out, if your soundcard has a high output impedence they might not sound so good. Getting a headphone amp is a good idea.
I know this is a 3 year old video but, in 2023, do you still think these are a good headset to get? my Hd 555 are are starting to show their age after 11 years and it might be time for an upgrade lol.
Great review, BUT why didn't you confess bad quality of cables? Why didn't you show it completely? As for sound, nothing for Beethoven (X2HR much better), BUT for some music yes.
The 3m one is ok if you have a 1/4 connection on your source and you like long cables. I do have a 1/4 on my source but I hate long cables :p The short one, yeah that's just meh, too short, too thin, not good. Never been a fan of Sennheisers cables. I could have ranted about it more in the video but I think I said enough most people aren't as fussy about it as I am.
@@WheezyTech The 3m cable with 1/4 inch plug termination is most probably aimed at traditional stack system users. Of course, stack systems are placed at one end of the listening room usually between loudspeakers and the listener seats themselves at the other for that reason it makes sense. Separates: amps, receivers and CD players have full size sockets hence the 6.3mm plug wired to the cable. The nonsense 6.3mm to 3.5 mm adapter is there for very tall people whom use a DAP 😁👍. Unlike the Audio Technica ATH M50X with it's three cable package which caters for most options, Sennheiser is yet to update to the fact that there is an already established trend of listeners streaming audio files at their desktops. However, adding a coiled cable or replacing one of the current cables would add to the price. As it is fairly easy to buy a coiled after-market cable it is probably best to let sleeping dogs lie to retain the price point.
Hey there.. great review as always...I really wanna buy these pairs but got some mixed reviews of the internet ..can you help me with these ?? Is there any difference between these SE and the standard ones ...I mean sound wise?? And there is a lot of discussion regarding a limited soundstage of this cans.. are the Soundstage really bad in comparison to other open back headphones?? And finally..can my smartphone/ dap will be able to drive these or do I need an amp?? A reply will be much appreciated..thank you.
I just ordered a pair. I was hoping the se meant they'd be higher impedance but I guess not! I'm mostly going to be using it with my Focusrite PC audio interface for mixing and listening. Update: I like my HD 599. But I bought and refurbished a set of HD 520 from 1985 and (provided I turn up the bass) they sound better than the 599.
im looking at getting these in the sale for gaming but i want to add a mic, and im worried the leakage will leak into the mic? also the Philips SHP9500 is at a constant £78 and meant to be good for gaming?
New sub here. I am getting my pair tomorrow from Amazon. They were $99 on Black Friday. I wanted the HD 6XX, but for $200 less, I went with these as I have already spent too much on headphones this year. I like my Philips Fidelio X2HR set, but they get uncomfortable after awhile. From what you and others have said, this 599 se set is most comfortable. Btw, I didn't get a coiled cable with my Audio Technica ath-m50x. I would have preferred one to the short cable. Man, I wish I could explain sounds the way you do, I only know what I like to hear. Thanks for the vid.
I really am confused about which to buy in this price point, £158 on Amazon at this time. I like good but not muffled bass, clear forward vocals ( most of my music is vocal driven), and clear but not metallic treble ( can't stand shrill treble). Like you point out there are a few options at this price and the 599s sound tempting. There are also the Beyer 770 Pro's which are a bit cheaper but I am led to believe the treble can be a little harsh. What would you recommend????
I have a tiny head so might need higher clamping force to keep the headphones on my head. The HD 280 does the job, but giving me ringing ears, maybe due to them being open back cans, I'd like to try open back ones, but is there anything out there with the same clamping force as the 280 while still being open back?
Hi, I suffer from TMJ disorder, and I got myself K361 a few days ago. I was really enjoying them; however, they really started hurting my jaw on the affected area after a few hours of use. I returned them after a day as they left my jaw aching. I am looking for headphones with a less clamping force and good comfort under the range of 100 -120 dollars. Do you think HD 599 SE or open-back headphones would be the right choice when it comes to better comfort as compared to closed-back ones?
Great review as always. Personally I find the 599 a bit too warm for my taste, probably because I tend to like a more forward upper midrange presentation, like the 6XX have, and leaner headphones in general. The lower midrange is just a little more forward than what I'd call neutral whereas the upper midrange is a few dB below that; bass quantity is actually pretty good and extension is about what you'd expect from a dynamic open back; treble is more forward compared to the 6XX but I wouldn't really call them bright. They are probably the ideal introduction to the "audiophile world" and I can see most "normal" people really finding them mindblowing without being the polar opposite to what they're used to. For the 99€ I paid for them they are a bargain, for the 179€ you usually see them retailing for they have a lot of competition. A few things I'd like to point out about them are: they are more sensitive to the amp's output quality than any other headphone I ever tried, they get noticeably (which doesn't mean a lot mind you, just enough to notice) boomier and bloated when used with my phone than when I'm using my desktop setup; they also have very big pads and since they clamp very little I have trouble getting a good fit around my jawline (apparently my head is fairly small), which reduces bass extension a bit, and which is also why I asked you the K371's pad size on Twitter. I live in Italy but I'd love to lend you some of my headphones to review. Maybe when I come and visit my sister (who lives in London) we can arrange something and I can lend you a pair for the few days I'm there so that you can review them, otherwise if you want we can arrange something to ship them to you if it isn't too expensive for both of us. You can DM on Twitter if you want and we can talk about it.
@@himanshutiwari90 I honestly didn't like them at all when I first heard them, which was through my phone, however I found them pleasing when using my desktop setup. Soundstage also improves with a good output and so does detail retrieval (though to a lesser degree).
That's interesting I didn't notice the amp sensitivity because I never tried them off my phone, only my O2 although I did try them on the GSX1000 for a bit of that faux 7.1 gaming action. Makes things sound like it's in the room with you. I was pleasantly surprised to find the 599 has that warm fullness to them. But yeah I the low mids are a little more forwards than I would usually like. Totally agree on the whole entry level audiophile thing. The warmness and the relaxed upper mids makes these a superbly smooth headphone. Not one thats clinically flat or aggressively detailed. Makes it a good entry point and a good casual headphone. Thanks for the offer of a loan, I don't live near London but we can sort something out.
Hello friends! I'm looking to purchase a new set of headphones/headset for gaming, but also for daily computer use. I currently use the HyperX Revolver (not the S), and I've loved them. However, over the years, the weight of these headphones has been a little uncomfortable during long sessions. I recently purchased the Audio Technica G1 wired headset for gaming and was SUPER disappointed in the sound quality/detail (they had a "tinny" sound and I returned them the day of delivery). The HyperX just had a MUCH bigger sound stage and sounded more clear at more ranges. Does anyone have recommendations of headphones with similar sound quality to the HyperX Revolver (or better)? I do not need a mic as I'm running a Yeti already. My budget sits around $250.
Ciao Wheezy, I see that you also have sennheiser GSX like me. I wanted to buy the X2HR for the 30 ohm low impedance, but after seeing your review now I think HD599 is a better choice for FPS gaming. Can GSX work well with HD599 - 50 ohm ? Thank you for your answer and sorry for my bad english!
Good to know I made a good buy :D. you mentioned the k12. Is this a headphone you plan on reviewing in the future? I'd also be interested in hearing how the k702 (was on sale for £80) compares to the 712. sadly I think massdrop has closed their EU shop :(.
Yeah its a bummer Drop closed their EU shop, imo they should have opened it up to more products. Demand was low, I wonder how much of that was people not aware that Drop had started the EU program and how much was due to it having only a limited range. The K712 is on my list to do, I havent seen it go on sale tho, I don't fancy paying full retail.
@@WheezyTech what I didn't understand is , why they were adding on import fees as if they were made in the US ,on products like the 7xx/6xx when they're actually made in the EU. Seemed like a bit of a rip off
@@zqa20 Yeah that bugged me too, there should have been a price benefit. Whether you bought from US or EU you were still getting stiffed compared to US customers. Still it was nice not having to deal with customs.
I had both the K702 and K712 pro and they both sound identical if you use the same pads on both to AB them. The only difference I could detect was that the K702 was slightly wider which is why I kept those over the K712 pros. The soundstage on the K702 is massive!
@@johnellison3173 i dont think they are identical even with pads swap , 712 has better bass performance with warmer tilt to mids tamer highs , smaller more filled up soundstage , 702 might be 7xx with pad mod and bass eq , stock 702 are very unnatural and harsh compared to712
As always this is just my opinion. What do you think of the HD599?
Totally agree with you. Great review. Thank you.
Great review! I've had these myself for well over a year and have been enjoying them thoroughly. Even after getting HD650s, I find myself using 599s every now and then.
Ah.
@Alina Satis Yeah if you have an 880 and a 600 the 599 is a bit redundant
I didn't use HD599 but old HD518 where one of the best headphones for gaming. Especially when I changed pads for pleather ones. That gave incredible bass response while maintaining excellent sound stage and positioning of sound sources.
Sitting here with my razor headset, doing research on quality headphones, confused at 90% of the info I'm learning. Buying Sennheisers.
I was in the same boat years ago.. went through 3 different 'gaming' headsets that all disappointed me but heard the HD series was great all around sound for everything. I picked a pair up and have been so happy with them. They also can take a beating, i have dropped them with a lot of force more times than i can count.
@@galaxytraveler5779 Ever since I got these HD599s I've come to hate gaming headsets so much lol.
@@JioSleepYT I hear you. There's a lot of gimmicks involved.. I rather good quality sound than RGB lighting that i never see unless i look in a mirror. Lol.
me rn lmao
bro i just ordered some 599 SE’s to upgrade from my razer kraken after watching audio(phile) content the last 4 or so days
👀 Your watching this cause of the amazon sale.
Ordered mine after watching this!
LOL same dude :D
good advertisement placement on here ngl
Ya dam right I am
yeah, I spent 99€ for the 599 and don't feel the need to have the 6xx anymore.
Bought these for 100€ and have been using them for 3-4years now. Absolutely amazing. They are extremely light, sound great, very conformable and they are the only headphones I can use the entire day, take em off and not feel a sense of "relief" like they've been squishing my small brain the entire day.
After this much use only the top headband is starting to strip a bit.
10/10 would recommend
Have owned these for a while now, not only do they sound really good (I don't have a ton of experience with headphones, but these are by far the best I've used) but they're suuuper tough. So many times I've thought I would've broken them or damaged them, and they're holding up great. They're very comfortable (as said in the video; I am a glasses wearer as well, you forget you're wearing them). Also coming from lame low quality "gaming" headphones I really really appreciate the ability to change the cable. I have cats who like to chew on cables so that's a very nice feature, I am sure that's common on higher end headphones though. I would recommend these to pretty much anyone looking for an entry level headphone.
Hd 599 SE is my first audiophile headphone. Bought in india for around $105. I have been using this for about 4 months and I totally Love it. I think you are the first one to review and i have been waiting for the same. I totally agree with your description of these headphones. So i am happy that i made good purchase.
Untill yesterday i did find very good deals on both AKG K361 & K371 for $70 & $85, but because of money constraints i could not buy one of them.
in india you can find k361 and k371?? from where please let me know
@@himanshutiwari90 Amazon India, that deal was alive for 1 week. It might be India launching price. Now price increased to $100 for k361 , $150 for ,K371. I guess Amazon would discount them again.
Hey, i am from india too but the price is $140 on amazon right now. Where did you get it for $105?
@@ChunaraRahim on discount like one starting from 18th Jan I have seen hd 599 for as low as rs 7999/- ........rs 8999/- , check out in few days
@@ChunaraRahim In Amazon only few months back. Keep in wishlist and wait for the deals.
Unless you are looking for in-studio/critical listening to the audio material, HD 599 is where you can stop searching for good headphones. Smooth, well balanced, spacious but also musical performance is what you're gonna get from HD 599.
Is amp required ?
@@h0r0sha11 no but they unlock/befit from a dac/amp cable and pad upgrade iam useing a hiby fc4 at mo with a silver cable and hybrid gel pads and they sound way more dynamic Balanced spaceshuss/sound stage overall sound is better with some eq there incredible even though not necessary for a great experience just if you what to experiment and refine your experience and geek out over music they work great for the price there fantastic the only thing i can nit pick is the slit frequencies blending a little compared to higher end headphones akg k712pro for example . Ive started using letshuoer S12iems with final audio tips with the hiby fc4 and the frequency detail/separation clarity on the planar drivers blow my mind out of this world that's when i rely noticed the blending on hd599 dynamic drivers bass roll of into the mids slittly giving a slightly darker sound but still a incredible piece of kit overall...
my first headphones where i noticed "real" and dynamic bass , even with that open back dynamic driver limitation , even closed backs m40x 50x , dt770 and open dt990 dt880 pro , paled in comparison , these have an impressive bass performance , only my k712 beats them , keeping in mind the quality of bass , not quantity
Yes exactly this. I feel like I wasn't clear enough about this in the video. The quality of the bass is excellent, it's so articulate. Even though the quantity won't satisfy a basshead.
@@WheezyTech well what does satisfy a basshead ehh........these can literally vibrate on your head at higher volumes and right tracks which allow them to.
sennheiser improved the bass from 598 for sure whilst sacrificing upper mids performance and a tiny bit of soundstage .
@@himanshutiwari90 "what does satisfy a basshead ehh"
High power handling, a good amp and a bass boost.
great quality upload and review, i bought these today nearly half price on the black Friday sale, thank you.
I find the low mids to be a little bit too pronnounced on these headphones, and I absolutely equalize them down a little bit when I need a bit more neutral response, but otherwise they make EVERYTHING sound nicer and less harsh which can be quite good, and yeah, these are fantastic for gaming, their soundstage is phenomenal!
@@diba17 compared to the HD600s? Nah mate.
Great amount of detail here thanks Wheezy
Yep - I've had HD598s for many years and a pair of HD595s for over 10 years. Daily use, no structural issues.
I got these on Amazon prime day for $150 aud. Such a great headphone for the price. Running off denon receiver (3m cable is perfect) likewise off Samsung s10 plus (1.2.m cable) sounds great and is comfortable. Comfort is excellent. Long listening sessions are no problem. Find them best with edm.
I highly recommend these, paid 90 also in an early Black Friday sale. Out of several sets of headphones, the only reason I wouldn’t recommend these in their price point is if you *know* that you prefer beyerdynamic’s signature sound. If you don’t, then get these, absolutely amazing, both for the price and in general
I feel yer I just got Hd599 for 80 coming from dt770pros just as a filler as my dt770pros being cursted by my flat ass 😔 waiting for parts but it's a no show so sadness ensues☹️ anyways I really enjoy the FLATER lower end bassier sound of the dt770pros I can't test them against each other till I solder Em up but from memory bear less fatiguing to listen I think
Thanks for making this review, absolutely loving the sound of the 599's for music as well as gaming. You definitely deserve more subs for the content you put up. Best wishes.
Great review thanks. I’m getting the 599 standard. You were an absolute help.
I have a pair of HD438's, but I hadn't used them much in the recent years. I was more into TWS earbuds and then transitioned to wired IEM's. I recently dug out my old Sennie's for a change and really appreciated the forgotten comfort and sound signature. So, I decided to research today's headphones.
The HD 599 SE was the right price bracket (I've spent way too much already, according to my wife!!) and the reviews, especially your excellent, detailed coverage, gave it high marks for soundstage, comfort, sound signature and open-back bass. I knew Sennheiser was durable. My HD438's are still in excellent condition after 11 or 12 years.
When I got the HD 599 SE, plugged them straight into my phone and was totally blown away.
- I was in a room with the musicians.
- The bass was really solid.
- The treble was clear, detailed and Sennheiser smooth (I really liked my Momentum TW2 earbud sound signature, but they are dated compared with others now, with their app and ANC). Hold me know by the Thompson twins, Honey and the Bee by Owl City, and Appetite by Prefab Sprout can be quite harsh at the upper end on all my IEM's and some of my TWS buds. I like a bright sound, but not sibilant, grainy and rough. The HD 599 SE was so natural sounding and exquisite.
- The soundstage is what I've been seeking and missing with closed back and in-ear. Hotel California - Live on MTV 1994 by the Eagles sounds amazing. That punch at 32s is awesome. Strive by Amber Rubarth, Killing me softly by Roberta Flack and Your Grace is enough - Live by Matt Maher are just sublime.
The HD 599 SE are now my go-to for serious listening late at night! I do use a Qudelix 5K DAC/AMP with Oratory1990's HD 599 PEQ, which cleans up the low end a little more to my taste.
Keep up these excellent reviews! They are much appreciated.
Great Reviewer, purchased a pr of these-Well pleased Thank you
1:42 I absolutly love the cream brown colorway
Best n Very Accurate review of hd599SE... i own a pair of hd599SE n what u described i also felt exactly in the same way about them! To the point n genuine review!!👍
Bought a pair about a month ago and am totally satisfied !
Great detailed video. Can you compare Sennheiser 599 SE vs Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro
The DT990 Pro has a much bigger soundstage but the treble is very overemphasized which can make them really fatiguing for your ears, Sennheiser headphones often have very good mids but instead lack some presence and detail in the treble in my opinion, if you want a pair of headphones for gaming only then i can recommend the DT 990 Pro due to the soundstage and imaging which is great on them but for music/allround use the Sennheiser would probably be a much better choice, the 599 is not the best Sennheiser imo i would rather recommend the HD560S
Picked a pair of these up on the latest black Friday Amazon deal for £99 on the back of your review, my first Sennheisers, they are great! My day to day headphones are Grado SR325e's which pick out more detail, but can be annoyingly harsh & bright for listening over longer periods. These played through a Zen DAC amp listening to FLAC sources are awesome. Thanks for the review and recommendation, my new go to headphones.
Great headphones. Super comfortable with a non-aggressive sound signature.
Yes I have them. They're great for casual gaming and competitive gaming.
vorkot1 ye!s!
For sure check out the ad500x and ad700x. Imo there not as good overall as the hd599. But in games, mainly competitive fps, there nearly perfect.
i wear the 599 now. When the music comes in in this video, i hear a wider sound stage as in the 600 or 650.Funny. Thank you ,nice video
The Glock guns are made from plastic as well. It all depends on what kind of plastic it is.
As someone that makes plastic I can attest to this. Different plastics, different uses. You would be amazed at what all things you see around you that you think are metal are actually plastic.
Nice review, just ordered my 599se pre black Friday special price at 49% reduction and thought I'd check out what people thought of them.
I wish Sennheiser could make a closed-back version with this quality. The 598 Cs are not good enough.
Yeah, the 598cs were quite disappointing. Waiting for the day Sennheiser makes a closed back of the quality of the HD650 or something. One day maybe.
Waiting on my 599 se, currently using a wh-1000xm3. EQ’ed the mids down by about 20 ish dbs to simulate soundstage and depth with it sounding (to my not yet blown ears) great. Bass is mainly lowered, treble is kept roughly the same in some spots more minor details but gave it detail as to where I cak
Great review. I would be interested to see how these compare to the 58X jubilees in terms of bass and soundstage.
Yeah I'd like to do that comparison
I've just ordered a pair for £95! Thank you for this excellent, well balanced review!
Its a bargain at that price
@@WheezyTech Previously had Hd 598SE, so looking forward to these as more recently I have been using closed back wireless, which have their own limitations. Subbed!
@@mymiyagis How do you feel the 598 and 599 compares? Interested in them, but now I have to wait for an Amazon sale again; I wonder how often that happens.
@@Tephnos same
Awesome review. Just got them for 70€, and I'm really excited.
Got mine on Amazon for 102USD back in 2019. Still enjoy listening on these pair of headphones
Thanks for the review, They are on offer again at Amazon now. You remind me a lot of Sam the cooking guy - you could be his son or something!
Thanks for the heads up, was hoping the price would drop again before black Friday!
They sell for as low as 70 euros on Amazon, I got mine for 80 euros including shipping and I think that's a more reasonable price for these. I also got the Philips SHP9500 for 50 euros which is a great deal. They're both extremely comfortable which is very important to me.
My plastic 598SE has been a decade old and the plastic is still standing strong
HD599 is not a fantastic headphone. It is a fantastic allrounder in it´s price range. HD599 doesn't make anything very good, but it makes most things good. Decent base (too warm for my taste), decent treble, decent soundstage, decent imaging (EQ down the upper base region/low mids for FPS gaming). Easier to locate gunshots, footsteps etc to my ears (at least in pubg).
HD599 is a good buy, no doubt about that. Hope this is understable, english aint my native language.
Best regards from Sweden
Are there any specific headphones you compared them to, that have the features you mentioned better than these? Like "very good & fantastic" instead of just "decent"?
@@picapica201 No, in general. I am more of a treble guy, and I rather go south of "neutral" then north in the base region. When it comes to sound quality sub $200 I would say HE-400i will be my pick. I haven´t tried DT880 600 ohm yet, that could be my favorite, I do have the 250 ohm version tho. If it is the same improvement in sound quality like between DT990 250 ohm and 600 ohm, DT880 600 ohm will be the winner for me. DT880 250 ohm version is still a very good headphone in it´s price range imo.
@@Irukandji1981 Good English, but it's "bass" not "base", please!
@@vladvolstok "Hope this is understable, english aint my native language."
I got this on Black Friday as well, first open back. Prior to it owned a couple of ~100$ iems. I was pretty disappointed, ngl. Sent them back, got the 4XX instead. And no surprise, 4XX destroys these. Nothing left but the burning remains. Only thing I liked was the comfort.
Interesting, I like the 4xx too and its got some good bass, but its a bit more coloured than the 599. I think I prefer the 599 personally.
Picked up a pair of these for $100. Couldn’t be happier
Is the jack that plugs into the headphones 3.5mm or 2.5mm?
LongLostSouls 2.5mm, has an adapter for both though
DanNiel thank you. I was curious because I was going to get an accessory cable with a microphone on them for gaming. How is the sense of space on them?
LongLostSouls The sound stage is great. There have been multiple times where there is a knocking sound in a game I’m playing and I genuinely think that it came from outside the headphone and had to get up and check. They just sound great and are the most comfortable pair of headphones I’ve ever owned, have yet to hit a point where they start to fatigue me and I’ve worn them for many long sessions. I got a stand alone microphone and that works great for me (worth considering) but connecting a mic to them should work great as well. Just get them and enjoy you’re making a good choice. If I broke mine I would instantly buy another pair without even looking at anything else and I feel that is really the best thing I can say about them.
DanNiel thank you for the help. It was either these or the razer kraken’s. I figured these would be better though because they’re open back.
Very nice review, never got around to trying them but does look like they are a great deal when on sale. Maybe even a better option as a general PC use headphone than a lot of the more expensive stuff out there. Really interesting comparison would be with the 58x as that is supposed to be based on the HD500 series drivers and is on sale for close to the same price at times. Some of the other comments mentioned it but you do have to be careful of the output impedance of amps with it, according to DIyaudioheavens measurements the midbass can jump up as much as 5db from it which would turn it into a muddy mess for sure. That hurts some of its value as many people will need a amp as most motherboards have massive output impedance.
5db, thats quite a jump :o yeah that would make these sound sooo dark and muddy
I love these, only thing I regret is the SE is plain black, I prefer the look of the originals; the brown looks classier and unique, less cheap and stands out more than my usual all black headphones. but I'm not about to rebuy them just for a different colour. Got them on sale for $130 CAD on sale, which is isnanely cheap when you convert that to USD or Pound.
Just got my hd599se delivered today feel and sound great!!!
Just ordered a pair of these. Can't wait to upgrade from my HD518's after all these years. Glad they have a black version, after owning grey and silver for years it's nice to keep a muted colour scheme going.
How do the 599SE sound compared to the 518’s? I’m thinking about upgrading from my 518’s to the 599SE.
@@djsoulfilter Don't. There wasn't much of an upgrade and tonally I hated them. I ended up getting a pair of HD58X from Massdrop and much prefer them. 10x better then the 599SE and better build quality. Avoid the HD5xx line besides the HD58X and the HD560S.
@@burns0100I don’t have any headset atm for music and gaming. I can get the HD 599 for €65. That’s pretty cheap for a sennheiser.
Is the quality that bad?
@@yusuff7_ I'd look into IEM's personally. Much better value for money, 7hz zero 2, moondrop chu 2, truthear zero red are all really good.
Much better then the 599.
For a headphone I still think HD58X from Massdrop is the way to go.
Just look up some best headphones or iems for 2024 videos. Should give you a good idea.
@@yusuff7_no. The quality is way better than what most people are used to, and that amount of money is an absolute steal. They'll certainly sound better than most gaming headsets.
@Wheezy Reviews
Subbed. Great content. Have had the 599's for a few years now as it was the beginnings of my slide down the rabbit hole that is headphones of today. I agree with you assement on every point. The 600-line is maybe a bit more revealing on a microdetails level but the 599 is more energetic overall with it's warmer sound with more bass. Now the question part. Will you by any chance do a review of the beyerdynamics dt 990 pro 250 ohm:s? On the fence whether getting those because of the alledged wide soundstage with great imaging or forking up a lot more for the dt 1990 pros instead. You mentioned not having reviewed the dt 990 and since I know now your preference any input would be highly helpful. Again, thanks for the content. I'm sure your channel is going to really take off soon.
I would like to do the 990's at some point soon, and I should get around to doing my 1990's soon too. Sennheiser and Beyer have very different sound sigs in general. Without having tried the 990 I've seen enough graphs and read enough that I can say almost for certain that I would prefer the sound sig of the 599 more out of the box, its a much safer bet. Although that doesnt mean I would hate the 990 especially with some EQ, so I can't say for sure. Comfort and build wise though, I can't say enough good things about Beyer or Sennheiser they are both excellent. I will say that the 1990 is technically excellent, the detail resoution is fantastic. But its bright tilt just like most Beyers is an aquired taste.
I have both the 598 and the dt 990 premium 250ohm and the 598 are miles better in everything !
After 8 months, do you still remember your impressions from the HD599? I remember that when this one originally came out, many (most?) people dismissed it as a facelifted HD598 and said that it sounded exactly the same as their older brother and that the "upgrade" was merely aesthetical. Do you agree to that, or do you think they are actually different? If so, do you consider the upgrade is worthwhile (I've been using my HD598 for years), or should I pass it over and wait for a bigger upgrade (i.e. HD600, Fidelio X2, AKG K712...)?
Its probably not worth getting the 559 if you already have the 598. The difference was mostly aesthetic but there were some small changes to the overall sound signature, mostly making the 599 slightly warmer/darker than the 598. Apart from the looks and that small difference in tuning, its basically the same headphone as the 598.
Personally I wouldn't even necessarily consider the upgrade to the HD 600 worthwhile if you already own HD 598/599s. I haven't used the X2s or the 712s though, however from what I've heard about the latter they are almost identical to the AKG K702s with some minor differences and I definitely wouldn't consider those to be much of an upgrade over the HD 598s either. In my opinion if you already have have an HD 598 you'll probably wanna look at a slightly higher tier those to get a significant improvement like the DT 1990s for example.
However I don't think there is a more subjective hobby than audio gear, for example I actually prefer my HD 600s over the DT 1990s in spite of some objective shortcomings. So if possible you could try out several in a store or make use of return policies and just pick whichever one you like best, although the latter is quite a hassle and quite time intensive if you don't happen to have a huge chunk of money to spend all at the same time to try headphones.
Detailed review. Your insight helped me make a purchase decision. I will use your referral link.
Just got them for £69 new on Amazon!! Back up to £179 now.
Thanks buddy, just brought a pair for the series x + I wear glasses, loved the review.
I have the Sennheiser HD599 headphones. I love em, I've had them for months now. Previously I used a pair of white Audio Technica ATH-M50 (not the X but the OG model with the non-removable cable). I think the Ivory looks great, luxurious sort of look hehe. Ivory+Dark Brown. Premium look. Yep they're plasticky but solid and fairly lightweight, comfortable headphones :). I love mine. They cost me 149€. I listen without any DAC/AMP from my PC's Asus Maximus VII Ranger Z97 motherboard. Can drive them loud and clear. Might get a slight benefit from an amp/dac but I don't know really. We'll see what headphones I get next, the M50s are my backup/secondary cans. Maybe HD650 or sth after these, idk... Very true about the cable(s)! I almost bought an O2/ODAC amp dac combo but didn't cuz my headphones are not that expensive or hard to drive. Don't know if there would be much/any benefit. I listen to a lot of hip hop but also all sorts of different genres. Yeah, these don't have that huge thumper bass, but defo plenty enough bass to bump some tunes if you know what I mean :D.
Great review! I loved this review. Very impressive how much you praised the headphones, when I've seen some people say they're not nearly as good as HD600/650 at all. But here you compare them to those and give them some advantages. Loads of positivity. Indeed, the point of diminishing returns. Thumbs up for this review, big time :). I'm a gamer, music nerd and all around listener on desktop environment and I love my HD599 cans. I listen to all sorts of genres from hip hop to rock to metal to pop.
Hey! It's been 4 months, how have they been serving you till now?
@@sirishant Yep, I'm still using them as my main cans. I still love em (or at least like them a lot). No regrets. I ended up buying an O2 Amplifier, then I also very recently added an ODAC to it (headnhifi website is where I bought the stuff). Now they're loud and clear, they can go louder than they used to and the sound doesn't have the veil/muddy/thick sound that it did without the amp+dac. However, it takes a bit of getting used to because the sound is very balanced+clear+precise+natural. It used to be slightly more bassy/boomy/muddy/veiled. Now it's more analytical from the ODAC. I'm a bit of a basshead and I listen to hip hop for the most part and with the ODAC the low end is a bit mellower, it's more balanced rather than pronounced. But there's still enough bass for me and most people, just not that thumping "knock your socks off" sort of bass.
In any case, I'm satisfied and will be using these for the foreseeable future. Some other (more expensive) DACs can have more exciting sound profiles. The ODAC is very balanced, clean, and analytical at a great price point. We'll see what I get in the future as far as new cans+dacs+amps go but for now I've achieved relative audio nirvana and don't need to upgrade anything anytime soon. BTW: You CAN definitely drive the HD599s without an amp/dac but it benefits from those. First I only got an amp but then I quickly got a DAC as well because when you add the amp without a good dac, the motherboard's integrated dac struggles to keep up with the amp's power. So you can have some quiet static noice when your volume is high and you're not listening to anything. Also, once I added the DAC, the headphones are much louder. The amp already made a difference in loudness but with the DAC I would probably damage my hearing within seconds if I put it to max volume. Using to use the lower 2.5x gain setting and 50% volume knob on the device itself.
Sorry for rambling... I hope that makes sense. Just my 2 cents. I've had my HD599s for over a year now. Got the O2 amp in April, added the ODAC to it yesterday(!).
@@Lycosa That sounds about right. Basically, you had an impedance mismatch. Your motherboard was outputting far greater than the just over 6ohms that the headphones allow for. (50 divided by 8). The HD5xx series are some of the worst afflicted headphones by an impedance mismatch, mostly causing a significant bump up in the bass regions which you noticed as boominess.
You don't *need* an amp with these headphones. What you need is a source capable of delivering low enough output impedance for these headphones. Most portable devices are designed with IEMs in mind (extremely low impedance) so work just fine with them. Motherboard outputs are usually assumed to be line outs, hence the much greater impedance.
Decent amplifiers tend to target
@@Tephnos Yes, impedance. Indeed. I kind of liked the crazy bass but now with the O2+ODAC combo the bass is still there, just more controlled and less boomy. I'm a happy cookie. I have boosted the lower frequencies (bass) a tad with a software equalizer. I can easily go back to flat vanilla EQ if I ever want to. -Exactly! The source matters. An amplifier is optional. My O2 amp has an output impedance of 0.54 ohms. I knew that the ODAC would fix the static noise as a friend of mine told me that it fixed the same issue for him. No more static, even if I turn the gain to 6.5x with maximum volume. The funny thing is, the noise wasn't an issue before I got the amp. I never noticed any noise at max volume. But once I got the amplifier, the integrated DAC couldn't keep up with the signal boost. So I started to have the noise when I turned the volume higher than about 50% on either gain setting. The amp exposed the shortcomings of the integrated DAC. Once I got the ODAC, the issue was gone.
Yep. I'm all set. Now I just enjoy my music and audio in general. I hear the real sound of the HD599s. We'll see what cans I get in the future, it's nice not having to worry about being able to drive a pair of headphones without a DAC/AMP, now that I have them. Thank you for the clarification. It's always good to learn more.
For people worried about the plastic construction Sennheiser uses for many headphones, they are perfectly fine. I'm still rocking some old HD558's(nearly 10 years now) and they have been used and abused. Nothing has broken still.
I have the previous generation HD595 which are 15 years old and apart from some cracks from dropping, they're still intact.
I bought them on Black Friday and the price was a steal for the quality. The sound is phenomenal and they are great for gaming.
I bought these last summer and I love using them. However they are my first and only open back headphones that I've used but I've found that they sound incredibly good for gaming, music and watching films, at least to my ears anyway
Great video. I watched the whole recording even though I already have this pair in ivory colour :D Again nice job.
Awesome, thanks
This is just a great review. Very professional!
this was my move from Gaming headphones to open backs. Sundaras are next for me.
Astro a40s are open back 😂😂 and superior than 599s
Thank you for the review. It was great.
I bought the 599HD .... it was my first Sennheiser headphone... I really wasn't impressed.. I was expecting to enter a new world based off how people raved of this and most Sennheiser related products.... Definitely not bad..... but I mean they sound just slightly better situations ... when I used my DAC + proper peace eq settings.
Really excellent review, quality.
Awesome, thanks
just picked these up on a boxing day sale for almost 50% off, not an audiophile by any means but i'm really excited to try these after years of using gaming headsets like razer and hyperx.
how much sound do they plz tell, I have never used open backs
Amazon black friday Dec 24/2021 canadian dollar $129.98 so I bought them. Thanks for the review. Ps I agree with the cable comment. Different cables can be purchased but Senn should provide them with the phones.
How does the 599SE stack up against the 58X and 6XX? I already have the 599SE and love them dearly but the clarity diminishes a bit when I turn them up.. and I typically use the bass boosting sound enhancement built into Windows on them.
Just picked these up off amazon on Prime Day for $100 CAD ($75 USD). Couldn't believe it when I saw them so cheap! Snagged it right away, because my old HD598SE headphones broke (they still "work" but the plastic is broken near the left ear-piece and so they need replacing).
I’m debating this right now!!!
Just ordered them as well for $73 ish USD, a damn steal.
I couldn’t sleep last night, so under up ordering them in the middle of the night. A damn steal indeed!
The advice I was given when I asked on Reddit was: the HD599SE are good, but try the 560s instead, I think you'll like them better, and they are cheaper.
Well I edited the post to say I could get the 599s for $80 and basically everyones story changed to "You are not gonna find anything remotely close to these for $80, definitely get them".
Mine come Friday. Hopefully they are awesome.
@@coleweldenI tried the 560S, and didn't like them.
Overall very nice review. I just got them and listened to them for 7 hours (taking breaks ofc) and it's the first time I believe in breaking some headphones in. At first they sounded great, but depending on the source some frequencies sounded kind of hollow (even though the whole sound was full, warm, etc) weird to explain. After a while, I listened to the same songs I started listening at first (like repeating the cycle of songs) and this thing that I perceived was completely gone. Weird. Or I just got used to their sound, lol.
Even though I still find these a little bright (or quite a bit), they are way better to listening to music vs my DT 990 Pro's, which I just hate, lol. These Senn are almost never harsh.
Now I am looking for this same Senn sound but less bright (but still warm and full, great bass for me and timber).
If you recommended me something that would be great.
Probably the HD650/HD6xx it's not quite as warm as the 599 but its less bright.
@@WheezyTech Awesome, thanks mate so much. Best of luck ;)
Just picked these up today, went on sale for £99 absolute bargain
@@DARKINBLADE. they are the best headphones ive ever had, mind you i have not invested much money into a headset in the past. But they are super comfortable, the build quality is amazing and if you like open backs the sound is amazing
Me too, waiting for them to arrive.
@@gingythescot1161 would the open back be a problem if I was on discord for example. Would my friends likely be able to hear themselves or is the sound escaping not that loud?
@@Jake-zl8rl the sound escaping is not an issue, there is not much if any noticeable sound pollution, but the wearer can hear their surroundings better than an closed back, your voice also does not sound as muffled when you talk
The headphones trash! I just got mine and its volume is so loud on pc even tho the pc volume is at 2 its still loud, it sounds like its set at 40 on the pc. On the phone its kinda ok when you put on music. But sometime it sounds lower then the pc. Im just gonna return it and get my money back. I feel like I got screwed.
As someone who owns the Audio Technica ATH M50x for nearly 7 years, I'm now looking for a new pair to replace them.
When I was buying them, I was totally astouned by the bass and quality (haven't had anything close this price range before).
But I have to say, that I wasn't really happy with them in all those years. As someone who is deperately in need of glasses, the clamping pressure was always an issue for me. I couldn't wear them for longer than 90 minutes straight, without them to readjust or take them off completely.
Also, nowadays I would prefer an open back style of headphones, so I've just ordered these (based of your review) and the AKG 702, because comfort will be my first aspect to look for.
I'll test them in the next days and will look forward to which I might keep.
Thank you for your review.
How did it go mate?
@@JaZpInDeR I'm writing this response to your comment as I'm actually wearing the HD 599 SE. I can comfortably recommend them to anyone who is looking for comfortable and good sounding headphones without spending a ton of money. Had them since 11 months and haven't looked back, awesome pair.
Thanks Wheezy. This was an amazing review!
I am listening to this through HD 599 SE.
Can you tell me which one is better
1- hd 599
2-hd 58X
Im switching to pc and I really need your suggestion
No too late bro , i got HD 6XX 3 months ago
No it’s top quality actually, worth every penny
@@pandaz5461 Why the 58x over the 599 for music?
got it for 70 quid. very happy with them, since i came from a £20 gaming headset.this is a lot better
I have hd 599 and planning to get Hifiman 4XX, which one has best soundstage and imaging , also overall sound clarity, do you think its really worth to upgrade?
The strength of the base is not from the closed back, but from the size of the membrane being high. Headphones with large membrane [diameter > 47 mm], even if open, usually have confident, impactful base. The Sennheiser 5__ and 6__ headphones contain a 38 mm membrane, which is at the small end of the spectrum.
This video was instrumental in me finally getting these. Especially the fact that they sound good and don''t need a DAC or AMP.
Got these about 6 months back for about 100 pounds , it was the first time for me spending so much on any such thing. Have absolutely loved them since the first listen!
Super comfy as you mentioned, and so smooth, it's never fatiguing to listen to. I don't like too much bass as i find it too overpowering and muddy, while I also avoid super sparkle as it hurts my ears, this sits in the sweet spot for me.
Saw this review once again today and thought I'd drop by to say my thanks for the content!
Hi Wheezy, how are you? Are 599 any good played directly from the smart phone. And which open back headphones are the best for the music from the phone directly? Ta
If you have to pick between 599 and 650 for only music enjoying which is your pick??
No price limitations.
For music only? The 599 is very good, but HD650/HD6xx for sure. Although I would look at the Hifiman Sundara if its within budget.
@@WheezyTech What about HD 600?
I have the hd58x but I find it little uncomfortable to wear and I heard the 599 is the better option when it come to comfort and similar sound profile. what do you think? should I replace mine with the hd599?
If you can get your hands on a Grado SR325e, I think you'll have a good time.
How well do you think it compares against the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X? I'm not much of a audiophile myself, Just looking for recommendations. The 58X is $190 and the 599 is $138 on sale.
Hey! I can get these for around 105 pounds. I don't have amp and I plan to use my headphones for gaming/yt watching mostly. Are these a good option? Cheers
They would be a good choice, however as others have pointed out, if your soundcard has a high output impedence they might not sound so good. Getting a headphone amp is a good idea.
I know this is a 3 year old video but, in 2023, do you still think these are a good headset to get? my Hd 555 are are starting to show their age after 11 years and it might be time for an upgrade lol.
hello, how do you think these compare to the Fidelio X2HR in terms of all-round capabilities, comfort and soundstage?
Great review, BUT why didn't you confess bad quality of cables? Why didn't you show it completely? As for sound, nothing for Beethoven (X2HR much better), BUT for some music yes.
The 3m one is ok if you have a 1/4 connection on your source and you like long cables. I do have a 1/4 on my source but I hate long cables :p The short one, yeah that's just meh, too short, too thin, not good. Never been a fan of Sennheisers cables. I could have ranted about it more in the video but I think I said enough most people aren't as fussy about it as I am.
@@WheezyTech You are right, I mean short one, it's terrible one. 3m is OK.
@@WheezyTech The 3m cable with 1/4 inch plug termination is most probably aimed at traditional stack system users. Of course, stack systems are placed at one end of the listening room usually between loudspeakers and the listener seats themselves at the other for that reason it makes sense. Separates: amps, receivers and CD players have full size sockets hence the 6.3mm plug wired to the cable. The nonsense 6.3mm to 3.5 mm adapter is there for very tall people whom use a DAP 😁👍. Unlike the Audio Technica ATH M50X with it's three cable package which caters for most options, Sennheiser is yet to update to the fact that there is an already established trend of listeners streaming audio files at their desktops. However, adding a coiled cable or replacing one of the current cables would add to the price. As it is fairly easy to buy a coiled after-market cable it is probably best to let sleeping dogs lie to retain the price point.
How do the HD598 compare to these? Any notable differences in sound? Also, which is more comfortable to use? Thanks!!
If you find the bass lacking, you can always use the EQ.
Hey there.. great review as always...I really wanna buy these pairs but got some mixed reviews of the internet ..can you help me with these ?? Is there any difference between these SE and the standard ones ...I mean sound wise?? And there is a lot of discussion regarding a limited soundstage of this cans.. are the Soundstage really bad in comparison to other open back headphones?? And finally..can my smartphone/ dap will be able to drive these or do I need an amp?? A reply will be much appreciated..thank you.
I have a pair of the Drop/Sennheiser HD58x. And a pair of Beyerdynamics DT990. Would it be worth my money buying the HD599SE?
This deserves a like, I'm sold on this headphone
I just ordered a pair. I was hoping the se meant they'd be higher impedance but I guess not! I'm mostly going to be using it with my Focusrite PC audio interface for mixing and listening. Update: I like my HD 599. But I bought and refurbished a set of HD 520 from 1985 and (provided I turn up the bass) they sound better than the 599.
im looking at getting these in the sale for gaming but i want to add a mic, and im worried the leakage will leak into the mic? also the Philips SHP9500 is at a constant £78 and meant to be good for gaming?
New sub here. I am getting my pair tomorrow from Amazon. They were $99 on Black Friday. I wanted the HD 6XX, but for $200 less, I went with these as I have already spent too much on headphones this year. I like my Philips Fidelio X2HR set, but they get uncomfortable after awhile. From what you and others have said, this 599 se set is most comfortable. Btw, I didn't get a coiled cable with my Audio Technica ath-m50x. I would have preferred one to the short cable. Man, I wish I could explain sounds the way you do, I only know what I like to hear. Thanks for the vid.
Hd599 or x2hr in your opinion? Also looking at the 560s but it's 60 EUR more expensive.
My initial response was for 599, but it really depends on the genre and it’s subjective. Both are good- not as good as Sundara or Hd6xx, but close.
I really am confused about which to buy in this price point, £158 on Amazon at this time. I like good but not muffled bass, clear forward vocals ( most of my music is vocal driven), and clear but not metallic treble ( can't stand shrill treble). Like you point out there are a few options at this price and the 599s sound tempting. There are also the Beyer 770 Pro's which are a bit cheaper but I am led to believe the treble can be a little harsh. What would you recommend????
I have a tiny head so might need higher clamping force to keep the headphones on my head. The HD 280 does the job, but giving me ringing ears, maybe due to them being open back cans, I'd like to try open back ones, but is there anything out there with the same clamping force as the 280 while still being open back?
Hi, I suffer from TMJ disorder, and I got myself K361 a few days ago. I was really enjoying them; however, they really started hurting my jaw on the affected area after a few hours of use. I returned them after a day as they left my jaw aching. I am looking for headphones with a less clamping force and good comfort under the range of 100 -120 dollars. Do you think HD 599 SE or open-back headphones would be the right choice when it comes to better comfort as compared to closed-back ones?
Great review as always. Personally I find the 599 a bit too warm for my taste, probably because I tend to like a more forward upper midrange presentation, like the 6XX have, and leaner headphones in general. The lower midrange is just a little more forward than what I'd call neutral whereas the upper midrange is a few dB below that; bass quantity is actually pretty good and extension is about what you'd expect from a dynamic open back; treble is more forward compared to the 6XX but I wouldn't really call them bright. They are probably the ideal introduction to the "audiophile world" and I can see most "normal" people really finding them mindblowing without being the polar opposite to what they're used to. For the 99€ I paid for them they are a bargain, for the 179€ you usually see them retailing for they have a lot of competition.
A few things I'd like to point out about them are: they are more sensitive to the amp's output quality than any other headphone I ever tried, they get noticeably (which doesn't mean a lot mind you, just enough to notice) boomier and bloated when used with my phone than when I'm using my desktop setup; they also have very big pads and since they clamp very little I have trouble getting a good fit around my jawline (apparently my head is fairly small), which reduces bass extension a bit, and which is also why I asked you the K371's pad size on Twitter.
I live in Italy but I'd love to lend you some of my headphones to review. Maybe when I come and visit my sister (who lives in London) we can arrange something and I can lend you a pair for the few days I'm there so that you can review them, otherwise if you want we can arrange something to ship them to you if it isn't too expensive for both of us. You can DM on Twitter if you want and we can talk about it.
i absolutely , agree with the boomy part from phones and high output impedance amps
@@himanshutiwari90 I honestly didn't like them at all when I first heard them, which was through my phone, however I found them pleasing when using my desktop setup. Soundstage also improves with a good output and so does detail retrieval (though to a lesser degree).
That's interesting I didn't notice the amp sensitivity because I never tried them off my phone, only my O2 although I did try them on the GSX1000 for a bit of that faux 7.1 gaming action. Makes things sound like it's in the room with you. I was pleasantly surprised to find the 599 has that warm fullness to them. But yeah I the low mids are a little more forwards than I would usually like. Totally agree on the whole entry level audiophile thing. The warmness and the relaxed upper mids makes these a superbly smooth headphone. Not one thats clinically flat or aggressively detailed. Makes it a good entry point and a good casual headphone. Thanks for the offer of a loan, I don't live near London but we can sort something out.
@@WheezyTech newer amps i think have lower impedances , my old audio receiver really turns them into boomy mess.
Hello friends!
I'm looking to purchase a new set of headphones/headset for gaming, but also for daily computer use. I currently use the HyperX Revolver (not the S), and I've loved them. However, over the years, the weight of these headphones has been a little uncomfortable during long sessions. I recently purchased the Audio Technica G1 wired headset for gaming and was SUPER disappointed in the sound quality/detail (they had a "tinny" sound and I returned them the day of delivery). The HyperX just had a MUCH bigger sound stage and sounded more clear at more ranges.
Does anyone have recommendations of headphones with similar sound quality to the HyperX Revolver (or better)? I do not need a mic as I'm running a Yeti already. My budget sits around $250.
Ciao Wheezy, I see that you also have sennheiser GSX like me.
I wanted to buy the X2HR for the 30 ohm low impedance, but after seeing your review now I think HD599 is a better choice for FPS gaming.
Can GSX work well with HD599 - 50 ohm ?
Thank you for your answer and sorry for my bad english!
Yeah HD599 works great with the GSX1000
Good to know I made a good buy :D.
you mentioned the k12. Is this a headphone you plan on reviewing in the future? I'd also be interested in hearing how the k702 (was on sale for £80) compares to the 712.
sadly I think massdrop has closed their EU shop :(.
Yeah its a bummer Drop closed their EU shop, imo they should have opened it up to more products. Demand was low, I wonder how much of that was people not aware that Drop had started the EU program and how much was due to it having only a limited range.
The K712 is on my list to do, I havent seen it go on sale tho, I don't fancy paying full retail.
@@WheezyTech what I didn't understand is , why they were adding on import fees as if they were made in the US ,on products like the 7xx/6xx when they're actually made in the EU.
Seemed like a bit of a rip off
@@zqa20 Yeah that bugged me too, there should have been a price benefit. Whether you bought from US or EU you were still getting stiffed compared to US customers. Still it was nice not having to deal with customs.
I had both the K702 and K712 pro and they both sound identical if you use the same pads on both to AB them. The only difference I could detect was that the K702 was slightly wider which is why I kept those over the K712 pros. The soundstage on the K702 is massive!
@@johnellison3173 i dont think they are identical even with pads swap , 712 has better bass performance with warmer tilt to mids tamer highs , smaller more filled up soundstage , 702 might be 7xx with pad mod and bass eq , stock 702 are very unnatural and harsh compared to712
Just ordered these from Amazon, onsale for $89, figures its a good deal considering the msrp is $200.
very helpfull review keep it going!
Damn!! Just now purchased these from Amazon strictly on the basis of this review.