If you are a real audiophile and spend a lot of time listening to vinyl records, then the open-back Sennheiser HD 599 headphones are suitable for you. They may not be easy to travel with and they’re not packed with high-tech features, but they’re extremely comfortable and sound better than any pair of headphones we tested for this roundup, including the $449 Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2).
The Sennheiser HD 599 headphones prioritize sound quality and comfort over everything else. Although the main attraction here is the amazing sound quality, there is no point in comfort. These have a nice, wide frame that isn’t too tight on your head, as well as soft and cushy ear pads that feel like your favorite blanket (they’re also interchangeable). The leatherette headband is smooth and plush and allows for quick adjustments that never moves out of place. We used these primarily for listening to music, and we were able to get through several albums without any discomfort.
Now let’s talk about sound. This is amazing. The HD 599 have an open-back design that allows some ambient noise to come through while listening, giving everything a more natural sound that is great for deep, critical listening, especially if you plug them into a vinyl record player. If you want your music to be presented in the best possible way, these headphones provide the soundstage to do that. In case you were wondering, yes, these headphones are wired only, coming with a 3.5mm and a quarter inch cable. At least you won’t have to worry about battery life or Bluetooth connectivity.
However, there is a compromise. You can’t really travel with these headphones. Since they are open-backed, they also leak sound Outside. unless you want to be He Friend, leave them at home. However, this is for the best, as they don’t feel like the most durable headphones, and traveling can damage them over time. And because they aren’t designed with portability in mind, we can understand why they don’t come with a carrying case. But still, at this price, they should at least come with some form of storage. However, we do appreciate that the cables are removable, so you won’t be left with a tangled mess when you’re not using them.
The HD 599 is relatively affordable these days. So, if you are a die-hard music lover who wants to listen to their tunes at their best, they are worth every penny.
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