Sennheiser HD 598 Review | 93 Data compared

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  • Avg. price: ~£120
  • Form factor: over-ear
  • Connectivity: wired
  • Battery life: N/A hours
  • Active noise cancellation (ANC): no

Sennheiser HD 598 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

5.0

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.

Score components:

80.0%

3.9

Technical Score

20.0%

9.4

User score

Good
3.9

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

3.6

Sound

20.0%

4.7

Features

10.0%

6.7

Design

8.0%

2.9

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

2.8

Calls & Controls

Poor
9.4

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(3762)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(3762)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

Exceptional
  • 2.1
    Gaming

    Score components:

    35.0%

    0.0

    Audio latency

    25.0%

    0.0

    Low-latency game mode

    20.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    12.0%

    1.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    8.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

  • 2.4
    Travel

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Active noise cancellation (ANC)

    24.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    18.0%

    3.9

    Weight

    16.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    14.0%

    10

    Ambient sound mode

  • 2.7
    Calls

    Score components:

    28.0%

    1.0

    Noise-canceling microphone

    24.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

    18.0%

    0.0

    Multipoint support

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    14.0%

    0.0

    Companion app

  • 3.3
    Workout

    Score components:

    28.0%

    3.9

    Weight

    24.0%

    1.0

    Water resistance

    20.0%

    4.0

    IP rating

    16.0%

    0.0

    Battery life

    12.0%

    10

    Can be used as a headset

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Best prices in UK

Best rankings

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Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 598 is an open-back audiophile headphone featuring 50mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response of 12Hz–38,500Hz, and a 50-ohm impedance that makes it easy to drive without a dedicated amplifier. It is characterized by its wide soundstage, balanced neutral sound profile, and signature cream-and-brown aesthetic with burl wood accents. Main pros include exceptional long-term comfort provided by its velour ear pads and lightweight 270g build, as well as a detachable cable system. However, its open-back design results in significant sound leakage and poor noise isolation, making it unsuitable for public use, while bass enthusiasts may find the low-end response somewhat lacking in impact.

Technical Specifications of Sennheiser HD 598

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.

When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

52.0%

3.6

Sound

20.0%

4.7

Features

10.0%

6.7

Design

8.0%

2.9

Connectivity

6.0%

1.0

Battery

4.0%

2.8

Calls & Controls

3.9
Sennheiser HD 598 has a technical score of 3.9 points, which is lower than that of 87.6% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.

Score components:

70.0%

9.2

User reviews

30.0%

10

Popularity

User score:
United Kingdom
amazon
4.6
(3762)
United States
Amazon_logo.png
4.6
(3762)

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

9.4
Sennheiser HD 598 has a user score of 9.44 points, which is higher than that of 98.3% of products in this category.
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
10
Sennheiser HD 598 has a popularity of 10 points, which is higher than 71.9% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

5.0

Overall score

40.0%

9.9

Price

6.5
Sennheiser HD 598 has a quality-to-price ratio of 6.5 points, which is lower than 60.6% of products in this category.
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

no
Sennheiser HD 598 does not support active noise cancellation. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used
When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic
Driver size
What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit
When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

40 mm
Sennheiser HD 598 uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.2% of headphones and equal to 53.6% of headphones.
Number of drivers
What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup
When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

1
Sennheiser HD 598 uses 1 drivers, equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

12 Hz
Sennheiser HD 598 reaches a lowest frequency of 12 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 65.1% of headphones and equal to 2% of headphones.
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Noise-canceling microphone
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sennheiser HD 598 does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.
When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Sennheiser HD 598 is headset-ready, 84.7% is not. 15.3% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

0
Sennheiser HD 598 has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 74.1% of headphones and equal to 25.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity
When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

no
Sennheiser HD 598 does not include a boom microphone. 15.6% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone
When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

N/A
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Connectivity
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

wired
Sennheiser HD 598 supports wired connectivity, equal to 52.6% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported
When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device
When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

N/A
Audio latency
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

N/A
Multipoint support
What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices
When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
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Ambient sound mode
What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness
When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

yes
Sennheiser HD 598 supports ambient sound mode. 23.2% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

no
Sennheiser HD 598 does not support EQ customization. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates
When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Adjustable ANC levels
What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels
When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A
Voice assistant support
What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

no
Sennheiser HD 598 does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
What it is: Playback time on a single charge
When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

N/A
Battery life with ANC
What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled
When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

N/A
Charging time
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

N/A
Quick charge
What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period
When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A
Battery capacity
What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery
When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

N/A
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Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Sennheiser
Form factor
What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)
When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear
Weight
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

270 g
Sennheiser HD 598 weighs 270 g, heavier than 70.2% of headphones and equal to 0.9% of headphones.
Acoustic design
What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)
When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

open-back
Clamp force
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

3
Sennheiser HD 598 has a clamp force of 3, lower clamp force than 79.9% of headphones and equal to 1.8% of headphones.
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Sennheiser HD 598 vs the average headphone

  • Spatial audio support
    Sennheiser HD 598 supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
    What it is: Supports immersive surround sound playback
    When it matters: When movies, games, and immersive mixes are part of your listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sennheiser HD 598 supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 18,500 Hz higher treble extension
    Sennheiser HD 598 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (38,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    What it is: Highest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When treble extension and overall frequency reach matter to you.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: >=24000 Hz

    Sennheiser HD 598 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (38,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.38500 Hz vs 20000 Hz
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
    When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <=10 Hz

    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    What it is: Percentage of harmonic distortion in audio output
    When it matters: When cleaner sound reproduction matters at louder volumes.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <=1%

    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.0.1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 12 mm more spacious earcup height
    Sennheiser HD 598 offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (72 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    What it is: Internal height of the earcup cavity
    When it matters: When larger ears need enough space inside the earcups.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sennheiser HD 598 offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (72 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.72 mm vs 60 mm
  • 1.3 lower clamp force
    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (3 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
    When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (3 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.3 vs 4.3
  • Open-back design
    Sennheiser HD 598 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
    What it is: Shows whether the headphones use an open-back housing that lets air and sound pass through more freely than a closed design.
    When it matters: When you listen in quiet places and care more about spacious sound than blocking outside noise or preventing sound leakage.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sennheiser HD 598 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • 1.8 m more useful cable length
    Sennheiser HD 598 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    What it is: Length of the supplied audio cable
    When it matters: When your desk, TV, or audio setup needs more or less movement range.

    Importance: LOW

    Sennheiser HD 598 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.3 m vs 1.2 m
  • 12 mm more spacious earcup height
    Sennheiser HD 598 offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (72 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
  • 1.3 lower clamp force
    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower clamp force than the average headphone (3 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
  • 1.8 m more useful cable length
    Sennheiser HD 598 offers a more useful cable length than the average headphone (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
  • Open-back design
    Sennheiser HD 598 uses an open-back design, while the average headphone does not. 9.3% of headphones have an open-back design.
  • Spatial audio support
    Sennheiser HD 598 supports spatial audio, the average headphone does not. 30.7% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 18,500 Hz higher treble extension
    Sennheiser HD 598 has a higher highest frequency than the average headphone (38,500 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
  • 0.2 % lower distortion
    Sennheiser HD 598 has a lower total harmonic distortion than the average headphone (0.1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
  • 23.9% higher weight
    Sennheiser HD 598 is heavier than the average headphone (270 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Sennheiser HD 598 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    Sennheiser HD 598 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • No passive noise reduction
    Sennheiser HD 598 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    Sennheiser HD 598 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
  • No voice assistant support
    Sennheiser HD 598 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 7 years older release date
    Sennheiser HD 598 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,010 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    December 2010
  • No passive noise reduction
    Sennheiser HD 598 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
    What it is: Shows whether the headphones reduce outside noise through physical sealing, fit, and materials rather than active electronics.
    When it matters: When you want better isolation from fit and seal alone, even with ANC turned off or not available.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Sennheiser HD 598 does not offer passive noise reduction, while the average headphone does. 82.7% of headphones have passive noise reduction.
  • No voice assistant support
    Sennheiser HD 598 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
    What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant
    When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

    Importance: LOW

    Sennheiser HD 598 does not support voice assistants, the average headphone does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 23.9% higher weight
    Sennheiser HD 598 is heavier than the average headphone (270 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    What it is: Total weight of the headphones
    When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

    Importance: MEDIUM

    Good value: <150 g

    Sennheiser HD 598 is heavier than the average headphone (270 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.270 g vs 218 g
  • 1 fewer microphones
    Sennheiser HD 598 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
    When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2

    Sennheiser HD 598 has fewer microphones than the average headphone (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.0 vs 1
  • Tangle-prone cable
    Sennheiser HD 598 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    What it is: Cable designed to resist tangling
    When it matters: When you often carry wired headphones in a bag or pocket.

    Importance: LOW

    Sennheiser HD 598 uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average headphone is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    Sennheiser HD 598 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
    What it is: Comes with a protective carrying case or pouch
    When it matters: When protection in transit matters right out of the box.

    Importance: LOW

    Sennheiser HD 598 does not include a travel bag, the average headphone does. 65.2% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 7 years older release date
    Sennheiser HD 598 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,010 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.
    December 2010
    What it is: Official release or launch date of the model
    When it matters: When you want a newer model for fresher features, longer support life, or simply to avoid buying into an older generation.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: >=2020

    Sennheiser HD 598 was released earlier than the average headphone (2,010 vs 2,017). The average headphones were released in 2,017.2010 vs 2017
  • 4% worse value for money
    Sennheiser HD 598 has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.48 vs 6.736).
    What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
    When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
    Sennheiser HD 598 has worse value for money than the average headphone (6.48 vs 6.736).6.48 vs 6.74

Graphic comparison of Sennheiser HD 598 and

Attribute category
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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom
United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Sennheiser HD 598?

  • Exceptional soundstage providing a spacious, speaker-like listening experience
  • Superior comfort with plush velour ear pads and lightweight design for long sessions
  • Natural and clear mid-range performance, making it excellent for vocals and jazz
  • Low enough impedance to be driven easily by most smartphones and PCs without an external amp
  • Detailed and accurate imaging, making it a favorite for competitive gaming and movies
  • Non-fatiguing treble that remains crisp without becoming harsh or piercing
  • Durable build quality with a long-lasting, replaceable cable system

What customers dislike about Sennheiser HD 598?

  • Lacks deep bass extension and 'thump', which may disappoint fans of EDM or hip-hop
  • Significant sound leakage due to open-back design, making it unsuitable for public use
  • Zero noise isolation; you will hear almost all ambient surroundings
  • Bulky, non-folding design makes it less portable for travel
  • Original cream and brown color scheme is polarizing and may look dated to some
  • Can sound slightly distorted or 'fuzzy' in the low-end when pushed to very high volumes
  • The included 3-meter cable and large 1/4-inch adapter can be cumbersome for casual use

Expert reviews

P
pcmag.com
13/01/2015

The Sennheiser HD 598 open-back headphones earned an Editors' Choice award for providing a balanced, immersive, and lifelike audio experience with exceptional spatial depth at a $249.95 price point. They are lauded for delivering distortion-free, rich sub-bass alongside crisp, detailed high-mids, while ensuring long-term comfort through a lightweight design and velour earpads....Read more

T
tomsguide.com
24/03/2014

The Sennheiser HD 598 over-ear headphones deliver exceptional, audiophile-quality sound at a budget-friendly price point of $186, making them an excellent value for music enthusiasts. Boasting a unique retro-chic design inspired by European luxury sedans, the headphones feature a lightweight 9.52-ounce beige plastic frame accented by high-gloss wood burl, a leatherette-wrapped...Read more

G
gearspace.com
31/03/2013

The Sennheiser HD 598 headphones are highly praised by the reviewer for their incredible clarity, analytical detail, and fast attack behavior, making them excellent tools for music production, mixing, and casual listening. Tested with low-resolution MP3 tracks, the open-back headphones easily exposed subtle engineering flaws, crackles, and precise spatial depth that lower-quality...Read more

C
cnet.com
21/02/2011

The Sennheiser HD 598 is a lightweight, over-the-ear headphone weighing 9.5 ounces that delivers high resolution and precision sound quality. It features a unique tan-and-beige color scheme with high-gloss burled wood accents and a thickly padded headband. Built primarily from plastic, it includes ultra-comfortable velvet ear cushions and Sennheiser's Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement...Read more

H
head-fi.org
11/11/2010

Sennheiser HD 598Go reviews on Head-Fi praise the open-back headphones for offering entry-level audiophile performance, characterized by a large, realistic soundstage with precise imaging and exceptional comfort suitable for long listening sessions. They are highly regarded for their smooth, warm mid-range, making them ideal for acoustic, classical, and gaming, while their low...Read more

X
xander51.medium.com
27/12/2016

Alex Rowe’s review identifies the Sennheiser HD598SE as a comfortable, entry-level open-back headphone characterized by a natural, neutral sound signature and an expansive, well-imaged soundstage. Key advantages include exceptional comfort, an uncolored, non-fatiguing audio profile, and high sensitivity, allowing them to be easily driven without a dedicated amplifier. Conversely,...Read more

A
audiosciencereview.com
28/06/2021

The Sennheiser HD 598 SE open-back headphones evaluated in this review featured non-original replacement "leather" pads and delivered exceptionally poor acoustic performance out of the box. Objective measurements and subjective testing revealed a flawed out-of-box frequency response, characterized by a massive, boomy bass-to-midrange boost between 70 Hz and 500 Hz, a severe...Read more

H
homestudiobasics.com
28/05/2024

The Sennheiser HD 598 is a comfortable, open-back headphone designed with a distinct ivory and maroon color scheme, velour ear pads, and a detachable cable that terminates in a 1/4-inch jack. Its lightweight design achieves phenomenal, long-lasting comfort with a perfectly balanced clamping force and ear cups that naturally contour to the shape of the ear. Performance-wise, the...Read more

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headfonia.com
23/09/2018

The Headfonia Picture Sunday review highlights the Sennheiser HD598 as a comfortable, lightweight, and visually unique open-back headphone, featuring a distinct, vintage-inspired design with beige, black, and walnut wood-look accents. Considered a fun, affordable alternative to the HD6XX series, it offers an enjoyable sound signature, though its primary, controversial drawback is...Read more

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whathifi.com
29/02/2012

The Sennheiser HD598 is an open-backed, indoor-focused headphone that stands out immediately due to its bold retro aesthetic, combining beige leather with polished burl-wood accents and comfortable velour pads. On the positive side, it features a rugged build and offers a supremely comfortable, snug fit that grips firmly without clamping or overheating the ears. Sonically, it...Read more

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uk.pcmag.com
13/01/2015

The Sennheiser HD 598 is an outstanding pair of circumaural, open-back headphones designed specifically for home theater and hi-fi stereo enthusiasts. Originally launched around $250, these headphones earn high praise for their exceptional balance across the entire frequency range and a lifelike, room-like sonic field achieved purely through acoustic design, recessed drivers, and...Read more

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rtings.com
29/04/2016

The Sennheiser HD 598 is lauded for its exceptionally comfortable, lightweight, and durable design, making it an excellent choice for long, neutral listening sessions. Its open-back, balanced design delivers a wide, immersive soundstage with accurate audio reproduction. RTINGS.comHowever, the open-back structure leads to significant sound leakage and almost no passive noise...Read more

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imaedia.de
29/11/2010

Sennheiser’s HD 598 open-back headphones deliver an elegant, "luxury sedan" aesthetic that trades traditional gray styling for a distinctive beige chassis, high-gloss burl wood accents, and a soft leatherette headband. According to the IMAEDIA. DE review, the core strengths of this model include an exceptionally comfortable fit driven by plush velour ear pads that remain...Read more

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stereo.de
01/07/2026

Stereo Magazine praises the Sennheiser HD 598 as a premium, comfortable, and affordable open-back headphone (originally €230) featuring a distinctive beige and wood-accented design. The review highlights a clean, balanced sound profile with robust bass and exceptionally comfortable velvet-padded ear cups for long listening sessions. Conversely, the open-back design results in...Read more

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avguide.ch
01/07/2026

Sound Quality and Performance The Sennheiser HD 558 and HD 598 both offer an exceptional, open-back listening experience driven by an efficient, lightweight aluminum drive coil and a low-resonance Duofol diaphragm. A major pro is their high efficiency and 50-ohm impedance, which allows even low-powered portable players to easily drive the headphones to their full potential....Read more

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sonntagmorgen.com
20/03/2026

The Sennheiser HD 598Go is a highly popular, open-back, mid-range headphone that bridges the gap between premium performance and affordability. It features an elegant "Bentley-like" aesthetic with a distinctive beige frame, brown velour ear pads, and burl wood accents. The review highlights its exceptional comfort, owing to a perfectly balanced headband clamping force that is...Read more

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vonguru.fr
20/11/2014

The Sennheiser HD 598 is a high-end, open-back Hi-Fi headphone praised for delivering exceptional, neutral sound quality with distinct character. The audio profile offers deep but controlled bass, precise treble, and clear mid-ranges, complemented by an impressive sense of space and instrumental separation. Designed for long listening sessions, it provides impeccable comfort due to...Read more

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audiocasque.fr
19/01/2017

The Sennheiser HD 598SE is a lightweight, open-back circumaural headphone designed primarily for sedentary, quiet home use rather than portable environments. It features an all-plastic construction reinforced by a metallic headband strip, which provides high durability without creaking while maintaining exceptional wearing comfort via thick padding and velours ear pads. On a...Read more

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maplatine.com
No Date Provided

The Sennheiser HD 598 is an open-back hi-fi headphone designed to deliver a highly accurate and natural soundstage by angling its transductors directly into the ear canal using "Eargonomic Acoustic Refinement" technology. The expert review highlights several prominent technical pros, including a special diaphragm geometry and Duofol membranes that effectively limit intermodulation...Read more

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cuffie-auricolari.it
03/06/2013

The Sennheiser HD 598 is a premium, open-back circumaural headset designed to deliver a high-quality experience for audiophiles without a massive price tag. A major strength highlighted in the review is the product's exceptional material composition and comfort, featuring a unique visual design with glossy faux-wood details, leatherette accents, and plush velvet ear pads....Read more

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