Audio T Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 599 are a very easy pair of headphones to enjoy. They have the spaciousness and natural presentation of a proper open-back hi-fi design, but without the more analytical character or amplifier demands that can accompany some reference-oriented headphones.
Sennheiser's 38mm dynamic drivers and E.A.R. angled transducer arrangement create a broad, open stereo image, while the 50-ohm impedance makes them relatively straightforward to partner with a wide range of amplifiers, DACs and headphone outputs. At just 250g, with large circumaural earcups and soft replaceable velour pads, they are also built for the sort of long listening sessions where comfort becomes just as important as specification.
The HD 560S are the better choice if accuracy and analytical listening come first, while the newer HD 550 offer a more modern take on the same open-back HD 500-series formula. The HD 599 remain particularly appealing if you want a relaxed, spacious and comfortable pair of wired headphones simply for sitting down and enjoying music.
Important: Fully Open-Back Headphones
The HD 599 deliberately allow air and sound to pass through the rear of the earcups. This is fundamental to their spacious presentation, but it also means they provide very little isolation from outside noise and people nearby will hear some of what you are listening to. They are designed primarily for quiet home listening rather than commuting or use in shared environments where sound leakage could be a problem.
Sennheiser HD 599 Open-Back Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 599 sit towards the top of the established HD 500 family and are designed to provide a spacious, natural introduction to serious open-back headphone listening.
A pair of proprietary 38mm dynamic transducers combines with Sennheiser's Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement, or E.A.R., system, which angles the drivers towards the ears rather than firing directly across the side of the head.
The headphones have a nominal impedance of 50 ohms and weigh approximately 250g. Two detachable cables are supplied, giving you a long 3m connection for traditional home hi-fi use and a shorter 1.2m cable for equipment with a conventional 3.5mm headphone socket.
- Open-back around-ear hi-fi headphones
- 38mm dynamic transducers
- Sennheiser E.A.R. angled driver arrangement
- 12Hz to 38.5kHz frequency response
- 50-ohm impedance
- 106dB SPL at 1kHz / 1V RMS
- Less than 0.1% THD
- Wide, natural stereo presentation
- Large circumaural earcups
- Soft replaceable velour earpads
- 250g headphone weight
- Two detachable cables supplied
- 3m cable with 6.3mm plug
- 1.2m cable with 3.5mm plug
- 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter supplied
- HD 500-series replacement cable compatibility
- Optional 4.4mm balanced cable compatibility
- Optional HD 500 BAM boom microphone compatibility
- Replaceable earpads
- Distinctive ivory and brown finish
- No battery or wireless electronics
Open-Back Acoustic Design
The rear of each HD 599 earcup is deliberately open rather than sealed.
This allows the rearward movement of the driver to interact freely with the surrounding air instead of being contained inside an enclosed chamber.
The result is one of the defining characteristics of the HD 599: a presentation that feels larger and less enclosed than most conventional closed-back headphones.
Why Open-Back Headphones?
Open-back construction can provide several audible advantages when headphones are used in a suitable environment.
- Greater sense of stereo width
- More natural reproduction of ambience
- More air around instruments and voices
- Less enclosed presentation
- A more speaker-like impression of space
The compromise is isolation. Open headphones allow environmental noise in and music out, which is why they make most sense in a quiet room.
Open or Closed-Back?
Choose an open headphone such as the HD 599 if spaciousness and natural sound are more important than isolation. If you need to reduce outside noise or avoid disturbing somebody nearby, a closed model such as the Sennheiser HD 569 will normally make more sense. You can find out more in our Audio T guide to open and closed-back headphones.
38mm Dynamic Transducers
The HD 599 use Sennheiser's proprietary 38mm dynamic transducers.
A dynamic driver converts the incoming electrical signal into movement through a diaphragm and voice-coil assembly, producing the pressure variations we hear as sound.
Sennheiser has spent decades developing this type of headphone transducer, and the HD 599 use the technology to provide a broad frequency response with low distortion and a naturally spacious character.
Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement
Sennheiser's E.A.R. system stands for Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement.
Rather than mounting the drivers completely parallel with the sides of your head, the transducers are angled so that sound is directed more naturally towards the ears.
This is intended to recreate more closely the direction from which sound reaches the listener when sitting in front of a conventional pair of stereo loudspeakers.
A Wider Stereo Image
The combination of open earcups and angled transducers helps the HD 599 create a broad and clearly defined stereo presentation.
This can make it easier to hear:
- Where performers sit across a mix
- The relative position of vocals and instruments
- Recording-room ambience
- Reverberation around voices and instruments
- Differences between intimate and expansive recordings
No Digital Spatial Processing
The spacious character of the HD 599 is created acoustically rather than through software.
There is no DSP, virtual-surround algorithm or app changing the signal before it reaches the drivers.
Connect them to a suitable headphone output and you hear the stereo signal produced by your source and amplifier.
12Hz to 38.5kHz Frequency Response
Sennheiser specifies the HD 599 from 12Hz to 38.5kHz.
The extension beyond the conventional limits of human hearing should not be treated as a competition over the largest numbers. More important is that the drivers are designed to reproduce the audible frequency range with useful extension at both ends.
Full, Enjoyable Bass
The HD 599 are designed primarily as enjoyable home-listening headphones rather than an uncompromising analytical tool.
The open-back bass presentation is therefore intended to provide useful weight and warmth while retaining the openness that defines the rest of the headphones.
They work particularly well with music where a sense of body and scale is important without wanting the low frequencies to dominate everything else.
Natural Vocals and Instruments
The open construction also helps voices and acoustic instruments avoid the enclosed character that can occur when reflections build inside a sealed earcup.
Recordings with vocals, guitars, strings, piano and natural acoustic spaces can therefore benefit particularly from the HD 599's relaxed presentation.
Detailed Without Being Overly Analytical
The HD 599 reveal substantially more of a recording than a typical everyday headphone, but their character is aimed towards enjoyable listening rather than relentlessly exposing every flaw.
That makes them a useful option if you want to move into more serious headphone listening without automatically choosing the most analytical model in the range.
50-Ohm Impedance
The HD 599 have a nominal impedance of 50 ohms.
This is considerably lower than Sennheiser's 120-ohm HD 560S, 150-ohm HD 550 or 300-ohm HD 600, making the HD 599 relatively straightforward to use with a broad range of headphone outputs.
Suitable sources can include:
- Integrated amplifiers
- Dedicated headphone amplifiers
- DAC/headphone amplifiers
- AV receivers
- Computers with capable headphone outputs
- Audio interfaces
- Portable players
- Phones and tablets with suitable headphone adapters
Do They Need a Headphone Amplifier?
Not necessarily simply to reach a useful listening level.
The 50-ohm impedance and 106dB sensitivity make the HD 599 considerably less demanding than many traditional high-impedance hi-fi headphones.
A better-quality headphone amplifier can still improve the result, particularly in terms of control, dynamic headroom and clarity.
Easy to Drive, but Still Worth Matching Properly
The HD 599 do not require an expensive dedicated amplifier before you can enjoy them, but they are good enough to reveal differences between headphone outputs. If your existing source sounds weak, noisy or lacks control, a dedicated DAC/headphone amplifier can still be a worthwhile upgrade.
106dB SPL Sensitivity
Sennheiser specifies a sound pressure level of 106dB at 1kHz and 1V RMS.
This sensitivity works alongside the 50-ohm impedance to make the HD 599 compatible with a relatively broad range of source equipment.
Low Distortion
Total harmonic distortion is specified below 0.1% at 1kHz and 100dB SPL.
Keeping unwanted distortion low allows voices, instruments and subtle recording information to remain clearer rather than being masked by additional harmonics created by the headphone itself.
Large Around-Ear Earcups
The HD 599 use full-sized circumaural earcups designed to surround the ears rather than rest directly on them.
This spreads contact across a wider area and helps avoid the pressure on the outer ear that can make smaller on-ear headphones uncomfortable over long periods.
Soft Velour Earpads
The original HD 599 pads use a soft velour surface in a distinctive brown finish.
Velour is breathable and works particularly well with an open-back headphone because the complete design is focused more towards extended home listening than environmental isolation.
Replaceable Earpads
Sennheiser continues to offer genuine replacement earpads for the HD 599.
This matters because pads naturally compress and wear over time. Replacing heavily worn pads can restore comfort and also help maintain the intended distance and acoustic relationship between the transducer and the ear.
250g Weight
The HD 599 weigh approximately 250g without their cable.
That relatively modest weight helps make them suitable for the long listening sessions their open-back home design encourages.
Distinctive Ivory and Brown Finish
Unlike the predominantly black finishes used across much of Sennheiser's range, the standard HD 599 use an ivory colour scheme with brown earpads, brown headband stitching and contrasting metallic detailing.
It gives the model a distinctive appearance that immediately separates it from more utilitarian studio and reference designs.
Two Detachable Cables Supplied
Sennheiser includes two different cables with the HD 599, covering both traditional home hi-fi installations and shorter-range listening.
Both are detachable, which means a damaged cable can be replaced without replacing the complete headphones.
3m Cable for Home Hi-Fi
The longer cable measures approximately three metres and terminates in a straight 6.3mm stereo plug.
This is particularly useful where your amplifier is positioned several feet away from your listening chair.
Typical applications include:
- Integrated amplifiers
- Dedicated headphone amplifiers
- AV receivers
- Traditional hi-fi racks
- Desktop equipment positioned away from the listener
1.2m Cable for 3.5mm Sources
The shorter cable measures approximately 1.2 metres and terminates in a conventional 3.5mm stereo plug.
This is considerably tidier when sitting close to a computer, portable DAC or another source where a full three metres of cable would simply become inconvenient.
6.3mm to 3.5mm Adapter Included
Sennheiser also supplies a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter, increasing connection flexibility when using the longer cable.
Optional 1.8m Cable
Sennheiser's current HD 500-series accessory range includes a 1.8m replacement cable compatible with the HD 599.
This can be a useful middle ground if the supplied 1.2m cable is too short but the 3m cable is unnecessarily long for your setup.
Optional 4.4mm Balanced Cable
The HD 599 are also listed as compatible with Sennheiser's optional 1.8m balanced HD 500-series cable.
This allows connection to suitable headphone amplifiers offering a 4.4mm balanced output.
A balanced connection is not automatically better simply because it is balanced. The quality and design of the headphone amplifier itself remain more important than the socket alone.
Optional HD 500 BAM Boom Microphone
Sennheiser's current accessory range lists the HD 599 as compatible with the HD 500 BAM boom-arm microphone.
The accessory replaces the normal cable and turns the headphones into a wired headset with a dedicated boom microphone, inline volume control and microphone mute.
This gives the HD 599 additional uses for:
- PC gaming
- Console gaming
- Video calls
- Voice chat
- Remote working
Useful for Gaming
The open soundstage and E.A.R. angled transducers provide useful positional information for gaming.
A passive wired connection also avoids the audio delay associated with some wireless systems.
With the optional HD 500 BAM, the HD 599 can become a complete wired gaming headset without giving up their hi-fi headphone design.
Useful for Films and Television
The broad stereo presentation can also make film soundtracks feel considerably larger than they do through more enclosed headphones.
Dialogue remains centrally focused while effects and music can spread more naturally across the stereo image.
Useful for Long Music Sessions
Comfort is one of the HD 599's strongest practical qualities.
The combination of 250g weight, large around-ear cups, breathable pads and an open acoustic structure makes them particularly suitable for sitting down and listening through several albums without repeatedly wanting to remove the headphones.
HD 599 or HD 569?
HD 599
- Open-back
- 38mm dynamic drivers
- E.A.R. angled acoustics
- 50-ohm impedance
- 12Hz to 38.5kHz
- 106dB SPL
- 250g
- Very little isolation
- Greater sound leakage
- Broad, spacious presentation
- Two detachable cables
- Best suited to quiet rooms
HD 569
- Closed-back
- 38mm dynamic drivers
- E.A.R. angled acoustics
- 23-ohm impedance
- 10Hz to 28kHz
- 115dB SPL
- 300g
- Useful passive isolation
- Reduced sound leakage
- More enclosed presentation
- Two detachable cables
- Better suited to shared environments
Which Should You Choose?
Choose the HD 599 if you have a quiet place to listen and want the open, spacious character that Sennheiser's HD 500 series is known for.
Choose the HD 569 if sound leakage or outside noise would make an open headphone impractical.
The choice is primarily about listening environment rather than one model simply being better than the other.
HD 599 or HD 560S?
HD 599
- Open-back
- 38mm drivers
- 50-ohm impedance
- 12Hz to 38.5kHz
- 106dB SPL
- Less than 0.1% THD
- 250g
- Relaxed home-listening focus
- Two supplied cables
- Traditional ivory and brown finish
HD 560S
- Open-back
- E.A.R. angled transducers
- 120-ohm impedance
- 6Hz to 38kHz
- 110dB SPL
- Less than 0.05% THD
- 280g
- More analytical reference-oriented tuning
- 1.8m cable
- Strong focus on critical listening
Which Is Better for You?
The HD 560S are the stronger choice if you want a headphone primarily for analysing recordings, comparing source equipment or hearing subtle tonal differences.
The HD 599 are more obviously aimed at long-term listening pleasure, combining plenty of detail with a comfortable and spacious presentation.
If possible, this is a comparison worth hearing rather than choosing purely from the specification sheet.
HD 599 or HD 550?
The Sennheiser HD 550 are a newer open-back model using a custom 38mm transducer, 150-ohm impedance and much lighter 237g chassis.
The HD 550 introduce a more modern interpretation of the HD 500-series concept, with lower weight, reduced clamping pressure and greater emphasis on sub-bass extension and precise spatial information.
The HD 599 remain a compelling alternative if you prefer their traditional HD 500-series character, easier 50-ohm load, two supplied cables and distinctive ivory finish.
HD 599 or HD 600?
The Sennheiser HD 600 sit on a different platform and are intended as a more serious reference headphone.
The HD 600 use a 300-ohm design and place greater emphasis on tonal neutrality and exposing differences elsewhere in the system.
The HD 599 are considerably easier to drive and make a more accessible introduction to high-quality open-back listening without demanding the same level of partnering equipment.
A Strong Introduction to Open-Back Hi-Fi
The HD 599 make particular sense for somebody moving from conventional everyday headphones into a dedicated home-listening model for the first time.
They provide the spaciousness and comfort that make open-back headphones appealing without immediately pushing the listener towards high impedance, specialist amplification or flagship pricing.
They Can Still Benefit From Better Equipment
Being relatively easy to drive does not mean the HD 599 have nowhere to go as the rest of the system improves.
Move from a basic computer output to a better DAC/headphone amplifier and improvements in noise, control and dynamic headroom can still be heard.
No Batteries, Apps or Firmware
The HD 599 are entirely passive wired headphones.
There is no rechargeable battery to age, Bluetooth codec to become obsolete, app required for configuration or firmware that needs updating.
That simplicity is one of the attractions of a traditional hi-fi headphone designed for long-term ownership.
Who Are the Sennheiser HD 599 For?
- Listeners wanting spacious open-back headphones
- People moving into serious home headphone listening
- Listeners who value comfort over long sessions
- Home hi-fi systems
- Desktop DAC and headphone-amplifier systems
- Integrated amplifiers with headphone outputs
- Film and television listening
- Gaming in quiet environments
- People wanting two useful cable lengths supplied
- Listeners wanting replaceable earpads and cables
- Users interested in adding a balanced cable later
- Users interested in adding the HD 500 BAM microphone
- Listeners who prefer a more relaxed presentation than a highly analytical reference headphone
Who Are They Not For?
- Commuters needing isolation
- Listeners wanting Active Noise Cancellation
- People wanting wireless headphones
- Shared environments where sound leakage would disturb others
- Very noisy listening spaces
- Customers wanting the most analytical headphone in the HD 500 range
- Listeners who specifically need a microphone supplied as standard
- People wanting compact folding travel headphones
Key Features
- Sennheiser HD 599
- Article number 506831
- Open-back hi-fi headphones
- Over-ear / circumaural fit
- Dynamic transducer principle
- 38mm transducers
- E.A.R. angled acoustic design
- Natural spatial presentation
- 12Hz to 38.5kHz frequency response
- 50-ohm nominal impedance
- 106dB SPL at 1kHz / 1V RMS
- Less than 0.1% THD
- Large open earcups
- Soft velour earpads
- Replaceable earpads
- 250g headphone weight
- Two detachable cables supplied
- 3m cable
- 6.3mm straight plug
- 1.2m cable
- 3.5mm straight plug
- 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter
- Replacement HD 500-series cables available
- Optional 1.8m cable
- Optional 4.4mm balanced cable
- HD 500 BAM microphone compatible
- Ivory finish
- Brown earpads
- Brown headband stitching
- Metallic trim detailing
- No Bluetooth
- No battery
- No Active Noise Cancellation
- No app required
- 24-month manufacturer's warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Sennheiser HD 599 still current?
Yes. The HD 599 remain part of Sennheiser's current wired, HD Series and hi-fi headphone ranges.
Are the HD 599 open-back?
Yes. They use a fully open acoustic design.
Do they block outside noise?
Very little. The open earcups deliberately provide minimal isolation.
Can other people hear the HD 599?
Yes. Open-back headphones leak significantly more sound into the room than closed-back models.
What size drivers do they use?
Sennheiser specifies 38mm dynamic transducers.
What is E.A.R.?
E.A.R. stands for Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement. Sennheiser angles the transducers towards the listener's ears to help create a more natural and spacious stereo presentation.
What is the frequency response?
12Hz to 38.5kHz.
What impedance are the HD 599?
50 ohms.
How sensitive are they?
Sennheiser specifies 106dB SPL at 1kHz and 1V RMS.
What is the total harmonic distortion?
Less than 0.1% at 1kHz and 100dB SPL.
Do I need a headphone amplifier?
Not necessarily. Their 50-ohm impedance makes the HD 599 relatively easy to drive, although a good DAC or headphone amplifier can still improve the final result.
Can I use the HD 599 with an integrated amplifier?
Yes. The supplied 3m cable terminates in a full-sized 6.3mm plug suitable for many conventional hi-fi headphone outputs.
Can I use them with a computer?
Yes, provided the computer has a suitable headphone output or external DAC/headphone amplifier.
Can I use them with a phone or tablet?
Yes, provided the device has a suitable 3.5mm headphone output or compatible digital headphone adapter.
How many cables are supplied?
Two. A 3m cable with 6.3mm plug and a 1.2m cable with 3.5mm plug.
Are the cables detachable?
Yes.
Is an adapter supplied?
Yes. Sennheiser includes a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter.
Can I buy a shorter or longer replacement cable?
Yes. Sennheiser currently lists several HD 500-series replacement cables as compatible with the HD 599.
Can I use a balanced cable?
Yes. Sennheiser currently lists the HD 599 as compatible with its optional 1.8m balanced HD 500-series cable.
Can the earpads be replaced?
Yes. Genuine replacement pads remain available.
What are the original earpads made from?
The original-style HD 599 pads use a velour surface and brown finish.
How much do the HD 599 weigh?
Approximately 250g.
Do the HD 599 have a microphone?
No microphone is supplied as standard.
Can I add a microphone?
Yes. Sennheiser currently lists the HD 599 as compatible with the optional HD 500 BAM boom microphone.
Are the HD 599 good for gaming?
Yes, particularly in a quiet room. Their open design and angled transducers provide useful stereo positioning, while the optional HD 500 BAM can add microphone functionality.
Are they suitable for films?
Yes. The wide open presentation works particularly well with stereo film and television soundtracks.
Are the HD 599 suitable for commuting?
No. They provide almost no isolation from surrounding noise and leak sound to people nearby.
Do they have Bluetooth?
No.
Do they have Active Noise Cancellation?
No.
Do they need charging?
No. The HD 599 are completely passive wired headphones.
What is the difference between the HD 599 and HD 569?
The fundamental difference is acoustic design. The HD 599 are open-back and provide a more spacious presentation but very little isolation. The HD 569 are closed-back and provide greater privacy and passive isolation.
What is the difference between HD 599 and HD 560S?
The HD 560S place greater emphasis on analytical accuracy and very low distortion, while the HD 599 are aimed more towards relaxed and enjoyable long-term home listening.
What is the difference between HD 599 and HD 550?
The HD 550 are a newer 150-ohm open-back model with a lighter 237g chassis and more modern transducer design. The HD 599 use a lower 50-ohm impedance and retain the traditional HD 500-series home-listening character and two supplied cables.
What is the difference between HD 599 and HD 600?
The HD 600 are a 300-ohm reference model from Sennheiser's 600 series with greater emphasis on tonal neutrality and system transparency. The HD 599 are easier to drive and provide a more accessible route into open-back hi-fi listening.
How long is the manufacturer's warranty?
The HD 599 currently fall within Sennheiser's 24-month consumer warranty category, subject to the applicable warranty terms and proof of purchase.
What comes in the box?
The HD 599 headphones, 3m cable with 6.3mm straight plug, 1.2m cable with 3.5mm straight plug and a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter.
Related Sennheiser Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy the Sennheiser HD 599 From Audio T?
The differences between open-back Sennheiser headphones are not always obvious from their specifications alone. Comfort, tonal balance, amplifier matching and whether the headphones suit your listening environment can matter considerably more than a few numbers on a product page.
Audio T can help you compare the HD 599 with alternatives such as the HD 560S, HD 550 and HD 600, as well as advise on headphone amplifiers, DACs, balanced cables and whether an open-back design is really the right choice for where you listen.
- Friendly headphone advice
- HD 500-series comparisons
- HD 599, HD 560S and HD 550 comparisons
- Open and closed-back headphone guidance
- Headphone amplifier matching
- DAC and headphone amplifier advice
- 50-ohm headphone guidance
- Balanced cable advice
- Replacement cable guidance
- Replacement earpad advice
- HD 500 BAM compatibility guidance
- Headphone demonstrations where available
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to arrange a demonstration or discuss whether the Sennheiser HD 599 are the right headphones for your system.