They arrived in the mail a few days ago and they are awesome. The drivers are nice but i think they may have some slight bass enhancement, so id imagine their good for gaming.
Excellent review! I also bought these on Black Friday for $99 (USD) and they are incredible! Totally outdo my now former $299 Bang & Olufsen 2nd Gen H6. The extra "space" provided by the ear cups really DOES give the music a lot more room to breathe (I'd noticed that too). They are super comfortable (more than the H6), and even sound better than some $400 headphones I've tried out like the Oppo PM-3, Master & Dynamic MH40, and B&W P7.
Got these on Black Friday also (arriving tomorrow). So excited. I was originally going to get the AKG K545's, but I think I will be happy with my choice.
I LOVE the fact that this one has a mic/pause button on the cable! i can finally take calls without having to keep removing those headphones and the open back off my head everytime. great job sennheiser!
I was saving for HD 598 ,then today i saw your review ,you mentioned classic rock and I was sold because I mostly listen to classic rock,though not confined but open to hip hop ,pop as well,I checked the price on amazon today and it cost me half of what hd 598 would've cost me,so I'll take it as a win.I watched other reviews and I think yours was the only one that answered "will classic rock sound good?" so that was the review I was looking for.Just placed the order.
I had the exact same sealing problem on my head with the Urbanite XL! Lost a good chunk of bass response. I had much better luck with the smaller Urbanites. Thanks for the 598C review! Didn't even know this existed till the black friday sale.
1234whipcream These are not audiophile headphones, people expected them to be, these headphones sound great if you want a nice warm sound, vocals and acoustics sound great, at times I believe it can get muddy and smoothed, I have not burned it in, so I guarantee it will sound better
Danyal Rashid they're great. I've started to break them in so they're getting even more comfortable, but basically here's my take. They're extremely comfortable, and sound amazing. However the bass isn't as heavy as some headphones. If you're really trying to just hear low end, I would suggest setting up a separate equalizer for your phone, or just getting separate headphones. For me though, they're absolutely amazing. They really do sound like surround sound speakers you would find in your house.
It's on sale again at 99 USD at Amazon. Got ATH-mx50 and this will be great to have for comfort, noticed after long use of the MX50 started to get uncomfortable. Great review by the way!
thanks for the review. bought a pair for my dad and steered my wife into hopefully buying these for me for Christmas. I was at a $100 price point, sounds like I'll be pleased.
Sound-wise, how are this compared to ATH-M50X, in terms of sound stage, bass depth, muddiness or instrument separation. Thank you for this great and detailed review.
It's been a long time since I sold my M50x so this is hard to compare as I didn't listen to it much when I had it. I'll just say that I prefer the HD598CS a lot overall.
Adrian............I've owned the M50X. IMO, they're the WORST premium headphones I've ever owned, and I've had like around 9-10 at this point. Very overrated. These are 1000 times better! Buy them and you'll see. The Cs is superior in ALL those categories you'd mentioned, and more! See my new review on Head-Fi for more info: www.head-fi.org/t/826179/bang-olufsen-beoplay-h6-2nd-generation-vs-sennheiser-hd-598-cs-a-newer-more-powerful-sith-lord-emerges#post_13016877
Rock2005Star Thanks a lot, I'm really glad that I was still able to get them on sale (89£ - amazon.co.uk) as now they jumped again to 199£. I own a pair of ATH-M50X and I can make a comparison when I will get the 598Cs.
Great review. I found myself in the market for new headphones to replace my old HD280 Pro for gaming & music and was stuck deciding between the HD 598 SE and HD 598 Cs. I ended up choosing the HD 598 Cs since I prefer stronger bass and I have not been disappointed! I've been using them for a week now and they are WAY more comfortable than my old HD 280 Pro and more enjoyable to listen to as well.
The 598cs and 598se/sr editions can't be compared against each other we can differentiate them but can't tell which one is better as both can be used for different purpose you can own both and live happily with them, my suggestion is if you are into closed back HPs then there are other options available
i just bought both to test them out. im literally going back and forth between the two on the same song. My first open back headphones and i dont notice whatever the superior sound is supposed to be..Id go with closed back so you can take it outside if u want
Nice review. I couldn't let the HD598CS slide, so i bought a pair, even though i already own the HD598SE like yourself. I'm going to use them for gaming and videos, while i use my higher ends for music.
I own both sets, and think the open ones are more refined sounding. Yes, the SC has more bass, but the fact they're closed retrics the soundstage by quite a bit. The open ones have a fuller sound. And flatter. Not to mention that they are far more comfortable, at least to me.
Finally got my pair. Listening for 10 minutes and can already tell i like them. Great closed feel and the comfort is to die for. It has more bass and treble than my 598SE, so a bit v-shaped. A fun sound signature that works well with mainstream music and the genres and files that my HD800S is too revealing for. Also, the soundstage is just awesome for a closet set. In my binaural tracks, it still sounds like it's coming from way outside the headphone. Wow, what a steal this was at 99€. Definitely keeping this one and selling 598SE, as it compliments my other headphones better and i can use it on the go!
Yeah, i don't get the bad reviews on amazon, especially when you consider the value you're getting. The build and comfort is the best i've seen at this price and i won't complain about the sound either, even after being used to the slightly flatter 598SE.
Hi, I own Sennheiser HD 265 headphones, they are absolutely great, light and comfortable. But it is no longer produced. Can you recommend similar studio headphones, the main conditions are the lowest weight and comfortable for long shooting in the studio, in all price categories. Thank you very much in advance.
What do you mean by "velvet material"? Does it mean earcaps are not entirely made of plastic? I'm hoping it won't be a problem to keep them in clean condition.... Nice review very informative I enjoyed it! I'm glad I picked up closed ones since I don't have any amps and will be using them plugged to smartphone and computer. Can't wait for mine to arrive next week :)
Yeah these really don't need an amp. You're all set. The cups indeed do have a thin velvety feeling, I like how it feels but it could pick up microfibers through daily use I'm sure.
I purchased both and have had the SHP9500 for a week. The highs and mids aren't as clear but the low end is vastly improved. Overall I love and enjoy both, I'll be using the 598 CS for bass heavy music and for when I want isolation. The SHP9500 will be my go to Jazz set for when I'm alone. You can't go wrong with either, just comes down to what kind of sound you want.
Fellow sound-lover here. Just got yourself a new subscriber! Will you ever do a review of the sennheiser HD600/650? maybe a comparison to the HD800s ... Im more of a speaker-guy as you can see from my vids, and only got a pair of Philips Fidelio x2 unamped. Looking for some new cans
Danyal Rashid from my personal review this headphone was good enough. The mid and treble was crystal clear. Only drawback on the bass. Not as deep as I want.
Pica-pau Woodpecker I really don't understand those reviews. These have more bass than the open HD598, so I'm guessing the people complaining about the bass had expectations of far more quantity than Sennheiser would put into the 500 series and aren't able to put that in context by comparing. The mids and treble do not sound muffled at all, and the former's recession is not stark enough for me to brand this a V-shaped headphone (a sound signature I don't enjoy personally). I was, and still am, quite enthusiastic about the sound of these headphones - but I certainly would never make the claim that they punch absurdly over their price point. In my review, I said that I would rather jump on a HD6XX deal from Massdrop than pay full MSRP for these. But for the Black Friday sale price? These are stellar.
The bass is heavier than the open back but it's not stupid. The bad reviews are mostly from people new to high end headphones who associate good sound with bass because that's the most obvious and easily noticed part of music. These headphones show the rest of the music while not being overpowered by bass. They are incredibly well balanced. If you feel like they don't have enough bass, most phones have an eq so you can boost it
Hi. Seemed like a very nice and honest review, good job. If I may ask, are you able to compare, sound wise, these HD 598 Cs to the HD 380 Pro ? I have the HD 380 Pro and I'm not sure if it's worth the sort of "upgrade" to these HD 598 Cs. I would appreciate your opinion on this. Thanks in advance!
Someone 3D printed me a part so I can interchange pads on 5-- cans AND i've learned that polyfil is a gift from the olympus in 558s. Gonna see how it goes with these. I'm skeptical about the 23 ohms... Lower resistance, less accuracy (general rule of thumb).
would you say these were muddy out of the box? I hear a couple people online saying that but if they even out with some burn in then I'm definitely going to get them. thanks a lot, I hope they have good bass instead of boomy bs like beats has.
Diego Deras I don't think you have heard the latest beats. Still bass heavy but very well received even in audiophile circles for its price. I have the hd598 and love them and would never ever buy something like beats, but calling them bs is bad!
I'm a 6'3" tall guy, and i'd say my head is proportionally as large. That being said even with my large ears these headphones cover them completely. Hope this helps a bit.
The closed Sennheisers have more bass and more of a tilt towards consumer tuning while the PortaPro and open HD598 are more neutral sounding to my ears.
DT. I ended up getting the 598 SE, not the closed back ones, because I heard the sound stage on the 598 SE was bigger, which is better for directional sound while gaming. I just got them yesterday, and even without the "burn in" some say is needed, they are the best sounding headphones i have ever heard. I was using the Razor 7.1 surround sound gaming headset (the ones with several drivers in each speaker) and the 598 blows those things out of the water. All night long last night I listen to songs that I have been listening to for years and they all have new life. I played BF1 also and the headphones are better than the game sounds, if that makes any sense, and the directional hearing is awesome. Now, these things are not good for loud environments (I used them in my F150 truck all day during commuting) because all the little nuances and low bass get drowned out due to the open back design which doesn't reduse outside noise, but in a quite environment the 598 SE are unbelievable. Plus with an EQ, my ASUS MB came with one for its on board sound card, you can give them plenty of bass and make them sound exactly how you want. If you are only planning on using the headset for gaming in a quite room than consider the 598 open back models. I couldnt be happier. By the way, congrats on the win...President Elect. LOL
Ears is velour or foam rubber, but there is a bit leather on the top... But top is not so weak part, and Sennheiser good even in leather, so good for sure..
I'm planning buying one of the two headphones you reviewed But I'm not sure which one is more suited for gaming So can you tell me which one you recommend for gaming?
SpookyArmy #10 i like to know as well! I am thinking of picking the gsx 1000 aswell, to get 7.1 and a more open style sound awareness..... but im not sure which one fits best
Hi. Which two headphones do you mean? If gaming is your main consideration, you might be better off with the HD598 open version rather than the closed.
I was talking about the HD598 and the HD598 CS But you're telling me that the HD598 open is much better for gaming then I think I will go with that Thank you for helping me :D
Does the inside of the cup start getting warm after a while of wearing them? My ears start to get rather sweaty after just an hour of using my DT770s which is one the reason I use my K702s more and I would like to get a closed pair of headphones which don't get really warm.
Would these be as good as the Sennheiser PXC 550? I wanted wireless but if I can get better sound with wires and less money I’ll do it. I just use my iphone and was looking for a good Sennheiser under 200. The 569/598 open and closed look appealing. If they sound as good as the pxc550 I’d be happy to save money and not worry about charging them or all the gadgetry breaking.
Michial Brown I would say so yeah. I'm not big on wireless myself and that series seems to be targeted towards portables. These are not quite portable, lacking isolation, but I liked the sound.
aornic I’m not a fan of the noise cancellation and don’t use it. I wanted wireless but think maybe I could get these 598 if they sound as good. I assume wired are still better than BT. Also have you tried the 569 which I think are the same as the 598 cs?
aornic I’m looking for best headphones under 200 that I can use to commute and at work on my iphone. I tried AirPods. Convenient but not best for money and short battery. I have pxc 550 but they’re spendy.
Aornic. Just to point out ...HD598 open-back which has velour pads has one problem in my experience. It is the velour pads combined with not so good headband, comfortable though ,may not provide consistent ergonomic fit on ears.And mind you sound characteristics do change a lot due to position and fit (those angled drivers!). PS: I have HD600 headband on my 598 and eyeing on these new pads :)
Peter............I've owned the M50X. IMO, they're the WORST premium headphones I've ever owned, and I've had like around 9-10 at this point. Very overrated. These are 1000 times better! Buy them and you'll see. See my new review on Head-Fi for more info: www.head-fi.org/t/826179/bang-olufsen-beoplay-h6-2nd-generation-vs-sennheiser-hd-598-cs-a-newer-more-powerful-sith-lord-emerges#post_13016877
Peter Huynh the M50x's have a fairly good clarity, I like how you can hear all the instruments bring played, but the Treble gets fatiguing and they are not comfortable at ALLL. These sound very warm, Acoustic performances sound fantastic, I believe they can get a bit muddy at times, but they sound so smooth it comes down to opinion, I prefer these by far over my M50x's
Hai ,I just bought this HD 598CS and am gonna to use this with my tab .could you please suggest a nice DAC player for this because I heard a DAC will make significant improvement in listening quality. thanks.
still 90 pounds on Ebay... To good a deal thanks for the review mine arrive Monday😀 Arrived today Monday (ordered just in time as have gone up to 200 UK pounds on Amazon now). Very very comfortable, well built (built in China, HD 650 were (are still?) built in Ireland) and new headband and pads seem a lot nicer (more comfortable) and more modern looking than the ones on HD650 and open HD598 headphones. Sound is good and very clear, with good soundstage (especially for a closed back) and not dull or muddy as Aormic mentioned in his excellent review. I think these are even clearer than the HFI man Edition S headphones that I have & I think they will be my new in the office headphones. Not as good overall sound wise as the HD 650 or sony MDR-MA900 (excellent open cans, but hard to get in UK, I had to get via a seller on Ebay) to my old ears, but excellent for closed and thus can be used in many environments where open are not possible. Thanks Aornic for covering these, I would have missed the offer and buying them otherwise.
me too. They are super comfy and isolate well. Not neutral but have a warm sound. Soundstage is wider then i thought (for a closed headphone). I still have a DT 880, AKG 550 and other stuff.^^
They are a completely different headphone, I can say that these are better without even watching the review. I'd assume less bass for these and better sound quality overall, obviously these are bigger and more comfortable, these are a little less money, I'd definitely get these over the solo 2. These even look better IMO as well, which is Beats' main selling point.
Yep. Clarity across the spectrum and no muddiness in the bass bleeding into the mids. More treble extension so you get a snappier sound. More comfortable too thanks to the suede pads that go over the ear.
I'm actually kinda wishing I bought these instead of the 558 XD But I got a great deal at 79.99, plus I love the 558s. Btw, I love your videos. I watched the video about the ibasso dx80 and am currently saving for one.
I know u didn't bring it up but for price range I think it would be ok to ask. So for comfortability these or audio technical ath m40x's? I'm heading to Florida in march and need a nice comfortable cheap pair of closed back headphones.
aornic that much wider or a little behind? I mean I want to buy one of them but you said the sound is better with CS so I'm thinking in what to do. You also mentioned that in the CS version even it been a closed-back versions instruments doesn't get it the way of each other.
I prefer the sound of the CS, but if you want a wider soundstage - go for the open one. The difference aren't as wide as you think, but as it's your priority choose the open-aire.
I have two questions. One, does it come with a quarter inch to a 3.5mm adapter. And two, is there any software provided by sennhesier for these headphones or is it plug in play. If so where is it and how do I install it. Thanks!
how are the hd 598 cs for gaming? I'm going to have to use them on my ps4 without an amp. also my ears get hot with leather ear pads so will the cloth earpad help? (i can't get an open back headphone because i game in loud environments and i can't have a lot of sound leakage) do u recommend them ?
aornic yes I posted this comment before fully watching ur video ... U did explain this Thanks again So which open backs would u recommend someone should have with these closed backs ...
aornic hmmm what could be best for all type of music open backs? A generally good and accurate ones which can be equalized for specific music type ... If there r any such DT990? Budget is $200
hey guys I can't figure this out. for playing guitar at home should I pick the open 598 se or closed 598 cs? planning to plug into a guitar amp or I also have a boss gt1 guitar processor. thanks!
Hey man I have the HD380 Pros, would the open HD598 be a leap forward? Basically I'm searching for open cans that I can use with my Fiio X5III 2.5mm balanced output. Having a problem finding anything close within my budget of $175 US. Thanks
thanks for a nice review just got my Closed cans after watching this review upgrading from Marshall Monitors and love the sound ... dont like the headband ... wish there was some way to remove that and do some mod :) awesome channel
Anyone with experience with the m80 from Vmoda could you give an accurate sound comparison with them and the 598cs? I understand there is a major design difference I just want a frame of reference before making a decision
I had a HD280 a long, long time ago. Those are used in some studios because of their rather flat nature. The HD598CS is more engaging, and tuned for consumer tastes rather than studio use.
I hear the open back version are good for gaming, is the closed edition any good for gaming? edit: Wrote while still watching the video. Has anyone played CSGO with these? If so, how do they sound?
Yeah, that's what everyone seems to say. I'm unable to use open back headphones though, so I've been trying to find something that's decent for gaming and listening to music.
aman kumar I don't own the Senheiser's but I tried them at a local store. I say the only true difference will be the comfort. The Senheisers are better at comfort. The 40s are good though
Also, it does not come in the box with a short straight cable, have to order one if you want as well as the earpads if you want to upgrade the comfort such as BrainWavs
theyre decent at $100, though my ears do get really warm wearing these.. no breathing space, unfortunately. i prefer the se for sound but otherwise these are better in comfort
Donald Trump basicslly the same as open back just sound marginally worse since closed. theyll do fine in gaming. soundstage isnt a factor in this price range
Note that they don't fit as well for those (adults) with small heads. My Grado SR325s have a much bigger soundstage and the mids are better but still very these cans are very decent for the sale price.
I'm looking for a pair of SR325s at the moment. I have the SR80s and love them. Would you say it's a big jump from the SR80s? How are the details? Thanks!
I like the thump of the 598 CS, but the midrange lacks the smoothness and lushness and presence of the 598SE. My wife and I put both on back to back and came away preferring the 598 SE, but both are good and OMMV
These are great headphones for using with portable devices, but I highly disagree that they're better than the open 598. The closed version sounds lifeless compared to the open version. Open version to my ears is far more engaging and euphonic. The bass is barely better on the closed version. and the closed version is noticeably heavier with dense ear pads and higher clamping force. the open version is more comfortable as a result. lastly, with a good source/amp the open 598 benefits more and my dt770 80ohm smokes the 598cs.
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just a suggestion, put which minutes are going to be about sound quality, build quality etc.
That helps a LOT!
Great review, awesome. Just what i was looking for, now i'm getting the 598 CS
They arrived in the mail a few days ago and they are awesome. The drivers are nice but i think they may have some slight bass enhancement, so id imagine their good for gaming.
Not sure what you mean by that sorry haha 😅
Excellent review! I also bought these on Black Friday for $99 (USD) and they are incredible! Totally outdo my now former $299 Bang & Olufsen 2nd Gen H6. The extra "space" provided by the ear cups really DOES give the music a lot more room to breathe (I'd noticed that too). They are super comfortable (more than the H6), and even sound better than some $400 headphones I've tried out like the Oppo PM-3, Master & Dynamic MH40, and B&W P7.
hey i saw your review on head fi, nice review
Thanks Cody! Much appreciated!!
Rock2005Star I was think the same to have this to replace my H6 too! But didn't go ahead as I think H6 still has better portability than this...
Terence,
Yes, portability-wise, the H6s are better. But I still feel the Cs' are very portable regardless of not having rotating or folding ear cups.
Got these on Black Friday also (arriving tomorrow). So excited. I was originally going to get the AKG K545's, but I think I will be happy with my choice.
I LOVE the fact that this one has a mic/pause button on the cable! i can finally take calls without having to keep removing those headphones and the open back off my head everytime.
great job sennheiser!
I heard these today and was wowed by the high headroom of these. Might grab these as a walk around solution. Great sound.
great review because the selections of different sennheiser's is daunting right now compared to 7 years ago when I had my last pair.
I was saving for HD 598 ,then today i saw your review ,you mentioned classic rock and I was sold because I mostly listen to classic rock,though not confined but open to hip hop ,pop as well,I checked the price on amazon today and it cost me half of what hd 598 would've cost me,so I'll take it as a win.I watched other reviews and I think yours was the only one that answered "will classic rock sound good?" so that was the review I was looking for.Just placed the order.
I had the exact same sealing problem on my head with the Urbanite XL! Lost a good chunk of bass response. I had much better luck with the smaller Urbanites. Thanks for the 598C review! Didn't even know this existed till the black friday sale.
New subscriber here. Really enjoying your reviews! Really like how you actually talk about sound quality vs just rambling like a certain Z.
Thank you. Cheers.
Zeos is my favorite cat reviewer
Z is good for entertainment. Aamer is more informative.
both channels have pros and cons..and sound quality is subjective so we can only trust our own ears
agreed
what are your thoughts on the poor reviews left on the 598 c's on amazon?
1234whipcream These are not audiophile headphones, people expected them to be, these headphones sound great if you want a nice warm sound, vocals and acoustics sound great, at times I believe it can get muddy and smoothed, I have not burned it in, so I guarantee it will sound better
do you think ath m50x are considered audiophile headphones ?
I don't like the term audiophile headphones really. But even with that mindset, no I don't consider them that.
1234whipcream and
This channel will add years to your life The sound of these headphones grow on you over time, most people just give first impressions
I actually saw these with about 30 mins left on the sale for Amazon. hopefully I will be happy with my splurge buy :)
maxwell folina how are they?
Danyal Rashid they're great. I've started to break them in so they're getting even more comfortable, but basically here's my take. They're extremely comfortable, and sound amazing. However the bass isn't as heavy as some headphones. If you're really trying to just hear low end, I would suggest setting up a separate equalizer for your phone, or just getting separate headphones. For me though, they're absolutely amazing. They really do sound like surround sound speakers you would find in your house.
Just bought a pair of the 598 cs based on your review. Thanks for the comparison between the models.
Your review was informed, thorough and concise. Great job! I'm buying these headphones.
It's on sale again at 99 USD at Amazon. Got ATH-mx50 and this will be great to have for comfort, noticed after long use of the MX50 started to get uncomfortable. Great review by the way!
Listening to the review with my Black Friday HD598CS :D. Thanks for the video review!
thanks for the review. bought a pair for my dad and steered my wife into hopefully buying these for me for Christmas. I was at a $100 price point, sounds like I'll be pleased.
Nice.
This or Fidelio X2 for music and gaming?
Sound-wise, how are this compared to ATH-M50X, in terms of sound stage, bass depth, muddiness or instrument separation.
Thank you for this great and detailed review.
It's been a long time since I sold my M50x so this is hard to compare as I didn't listen to it much when I had it. I'll just say that I prefer the HD598CS a lot overall.
These or the Momentum 1s around ear?
Haven't really listened to those extensively yet.
Adrian............I've owned the M50X. IMO, they're the WORST premium headphones I've ever owned, and I've had like around 9-10 at this point. Very overrated. These are 1000 times better! Buy them and you'll see. The Cs is superior in ALL those categories you'd mentioned, and more!
See my new review on Head-Fi for more info:
www.head-fi.org/t/826179/bang-olufsen-beoplay-h6-2nd-generation-vs-sennheiser-hd-598-cs-a-newer-more-powerful-sith-lord-emerges#post_13016877
Rock2005Star Thanks a lot, I'm really glad that I was still able to get them on sale (89£ - amazon.co.uk) as now they jumped again to 199£. I own a pair of ATH-M50X and I can make a comparison when I will get the 598Cs.
Great review. I found myself in the market for new headphones to replace my old HD280 Pro for gaming & music and was stuck deciding between the HD 598 SE and HD 598 Cs. I ended up choosing the HD 598 Cs since I prefer stronger bass and I have not been disappointed! I've been using them for a week now and they are WAY more comfortable than my old HD 280 Pro and more enjoyable to listen to as well.
Just ordered these for $61 on amazon! Going to do an unboxing video as well. I hope I like them as much as you did
The 598cs and 598se/sr editions can't be compared against each other we can differentiate them but can't tell which one is better as both can be used for different purpose you can own both and live happily with them, my suggestion is if you are into closed back HPs then there are other options available
i just bought both to test them out. im literally going back and forth between the two on the same song. My first open back headphones and i dont notice whatever the superior sound is supposed to be..Id go with closed back so you can take it outside if u want
Nice review. I couldn't let the HD598CS slide, so i bought a pair, even though i already own the HD598SE like yourself. I'm going to use them for gaming and videos, while i use my higher ends for music.
Thanks. It might just surprise you, it's definitely a more refined "consumer-friendly" sound.
I own both sets, and think the open ones are more refined sounding. Yes, the SC has more bass, but the fact they're closed retrics the soundstage by quite a bit. The open ones have a fuller sound. And flatter. Not to mention that they are far more comfortable, at least to me.
Very informative reviews, great work! A closed version of the HD500-series seems like a smart idea from Sennheiser btw.
Finally got my pair. Listening for 10 minutes and can already tell i like them. Great closed feel and the comfort is to die for. It has more bass and treble than my 598SE, so a bit v-shaped. A fun sound signature that works well with mainstream music and the genres and files that my HD800S is too revealing for.
Also, the soundstage is just awesome for a closet set. In my binaural tracks, it still sounds like it's coming from way outside the headphone. Wow, what a steal this was at 99€. Definitely keeping this one and selling 598SE, as it compliments my other headphones better and i can use it on the go!
Nice. Glad you like them. I've listed my HD598SE myself on Head-fi.
Yeah, i don't get the bad reviews on amazon, especially when you consider the value you're getting. The build and comfort is the best i've seen at this price and i won't complain about the sound either, even after being used to the slightly flatter 598SE.
Would you still preffered CS over SE if they were intended for primary home use?
GoodBoyMIKE Yes. I'm actually selling my SE today.
Hi, I own Sennheiser HD 265 headphones, they are absolutely great, light and comfortable. But it is no longer produced. Can you recommend similar studio headphones, the main conditions are the lowest weight and comfortable for long shooting in the studio, in all price categories. Thank you very much in advance.
What is y our opinion of these compared to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's?
Wesley Mann I prefer this. The M50x treble sounds weird to me and kind of harsh.
How so they compare with an Audio Technica ath-m40x?
What do you mean by "velvet material"? Does it mean earcaps are not entirely made of plastic? I'm hoping it won't be a problem to keep them in clean condition....
Nice review very informative I enjoyed it! I'm glad I picked up closed ones since I don't have any amps and will be using them plugged to smartphone and computer. Can't wait for mine to arrive next week :)
Yeah these really don't need an amp. You're all set. The cups indeed do have a thin velvety feeling, I like how it feels but it could pick up microfibers through daily use I'm sure.
Are you having an issue of the black material on the pads slightly wearing off after about 2 weeks of use?
Also these are great sounding headphones
Rosto I didn't. After a few months of use I gave them to my mum and they looked good as new.
Would you recommend changing the ear pads to maybe the brainwarz mh5? Would that alter the sound at all?
Why would you want to do that? It might, but these are comfortable as they are.
well, my ears touch the inner pads a bit and I'm wondering if I could enhance the soundstage.
Thanks for a very helpful and informative review!
how are they vs the Philips shp9500? they're on sale currently for $50
I haven't heard those long enough to tell specifically, but I like the 598 more.
I purchased both and have had the SHP9500 for a week. The highs and mids aren't as clear but the low end is vastly improved. Overall I love and enjoy both, I'll be using the 598 CS for bass heavy music and for when I want isolation. The SHP9500 will be my go to Jazz set for when I'm alone. You can't go wrong with either, just comes down to what kind of sound you want.
Cameron Walker i prefer open but i have a weird bias for the 598cs mostly due to design and price, shameful i know
If it helps, I find the 598c more comfortable with better overall build quality. They are simply, a good time.
Fellow sound-lover here. Just got yourself a new subscriber! Will you ever do a review of the sennheiser HD600/650? maybe a comparison to the HD800s ...
Im more of a speaker-guy as you can see from my vids, and only got a pair of Philips Fidelio x2 unamped. Looking for some new cans
Habil Nguyen my hd 598 cs coming in a few days. I had hd 650 and fidelio x2 for comparison.
Senjaya Xiera how are they?
Danyal Rashid from my personal review this headphone was good enough. The mid and treble was crystal clear. Only drawback on the bass. Not as deep as I want.
I bought them but I I haven't received them yet. But I'm worried, many bad reviews at amazon.
Pica-pau Woodpecker I really don't understand those reviews.
These have more bass than the open HD598, so I'm guessing the people complaining about the bass had expectations of far more quantity than Sennheiser would put into the 500 series and aren't able to put that in context by comparing. The mids and treble do not sound muffled at all, and the former's recession is not stark enough for me to brand this a V-shaped headphone (a sound signature I don't enjoy personally).
I was, and still am, quite enthusiastic about the sound of these headphones - but I certainly would never make the claim that they punch absurdly over their price point. In my review, I said that I would rather jump on a HD6XX deal from Massdrop than pay full MSRP for these.
But for the Black Friday sale price? These are stellar.
Pica-pau Woodpecker I wouldn't worry about that. It's all people complaining that they don't have much base. if you get past that, you're good.
The bass is heavier than the open back but it's not stupid. The bad reviews are mostly from people new to high end headphones who associate good sound with bass because that's the most obvious and easily noticed part of music. These headphones show the rest of the music while not being overpowered by bass. They are incredibly well balanced. If you feel like they don't have enough bass, most phones have an eq so you can boost it
which one is better for classical music with various instruments in the choir
comedyman112 open.
Hi. Seemed like a very nice and honest review, good job. If I may ask, are you able to compare, sound wise, these HD 598 Cs to the HD 380 Pro ? I have the HD 380 Pro and I'm not sure if it's worth the sort of "upgrade" to these HD 598 Cs. I would appreciate your opinion on this. Thanks in advance!
Thanks. I haven't heard those though so I can't say.
Does it help to use a dedicated dac amp to drive the hd 598 open back?
Someone 3D printed me a part so I can interchange pads on 5-- cans AND i've learned that polyfil is a gift from the olympus in 558s. Gonna see how it goes with these. I'm skeptical about the 23 ohms... Lower resistance, less accuracy (general rule of thumb).
You said that the ear cups are a bit smaller compered to the HD598 open back. I have big ears, do you think that might be a problem?
Kilroy 77 I have big ears and it isn't a problem for me.
Thanks
would you say these were muddy out of the box? I hear a couple people online saying that but if they even out with some burn in then I'm definitely going to get them. thanks a lot, I hope they have good bass instead of boomy bs like beats has.
Diego Deras I don't think you have heard the latest beats. Still bass heavy but very well received even in audiophile circles for its price. I have the hd598 and love them and would never ever buy something like beats, but calling them bs is bad!
I wouldn't say these are muddy at all.
How big is the earcup? Bigger then G4ME One's? My ear won't fit in the One.
Haven't tried those, but these are quite big.
I'm a 6'3" tall guy, and i'd say my head is proportionally as large. That being said even with my large ears these headphones cover them completely. Hope this helps a bit.
would you do a mic test with the included mic that came with the 598 cs?
Thanks for the review. Bought it yesterday and can't wait to use them. How does sound compare to koss portapros?
The closed Sennheisers have more bass and more of a tilt towards consumer tuning while the PortaPro and open HD598 are more neutral sounding to my ears.
What I'm really torn over is whether to get this thing, the DT 770 pro, or the audio technica ath msr7?
have you done any gaming with these are how is the sound stage?
DT. I ended up getting the 598 SE, not the closed back ones, because I heard the sound stage on the 598 SE was bigger, which is better for directional sound while gaming. I just got them yesterday, and even without the "burn in" some say is needed, they are the best sounding headphones i have ever heard. I was using the Razor 7.1 surround sound gaming headset (the ones with several drivers in each speaker) and the 598 blows those things out of the water. All night long last night I listen to songs that I have been listening to for years and they all have new life. I played BF1 also and the headphones are better than the game sounds, if that makes any sense, and the directional hearing is awesome. Now, these things are not good for loud environments (I used them in my F150 truck all day during commuting) because all the little nuances and low bass get drowned out due to the open back design which doesn't reduse outside noise, but in a quite environment the 598 SE are unbelievable. Plus with an EQ, my ASUS MB came with one for its on board sound card, you can give them plenty of bass and make them sound exactly how you want. If you are only planning on using the headset for gaming in a quite room than consider the 598 open back models. I couldnt be happier. By the way, congrats on the win...President Elect. LOL
Ears is velour or foam rubber, but there is a bit leather on the top... But top is not so weak part, and Sennheiser good even in leather, so good for sure..
I'm planning buying one of the two headphones you reviewed
But I'm not sure which one is more suited for gaming
So can you tell me which one you recommend for gaming?
SpookyArmy #10 i like to know as well!
I am thinking of picking the gsx 1000 aswell, to get 7.1 and a more open style sound awareness..... but im not sure which one fits best
Let's wait and hope he will reply soon.
Hi. Which two headphones do you mean? If gaming is your main consideration, you might be better off with the HD598 open version rather than the closed.
I was talking about the HD598 and the HD598 CS
But you're telling me that the HD598 open is much better for gaming then I think I will go with that
Thank you for helping me :D
SpookyArmy #10 No problem mate. Enjoy.
Does the inside of the cup start getting warm after a while of wearing them? My ears start to get rather sweaty after just an hour of using my DT770s which is one the reason I use my K702s more and I would like to get a closed pair of headphones which don't get really warm.
Not for me. I feel that it breathes pretty well. Then again, it's been bloody cold in London these days.
aornic That's good thanks and yeah I'm in the north of England, freezing here too.
Are these still good today? Or are there any better headphones for that price range? (Assuming $100-$150 price range)
my only problem with the 598s and 599 is the bass was pretty distorted, i found.
Would these be as good as the Sennheiser PXC 550? I wanted wireless but if I can get better sound with wires and less money I’ll do it. I just use my iphone and was looking for a good Sennheiser under 200. The 569/598 open and closed look appealing. If they sound as good as the pxc550 I’d be happy to save money and not worry about charging them or all the gadgetry breaking.
Michial Brown I would say so yeah. I'm not big on wireless myself and that series seems to be targeted towards portables. These are not quite portable, lacking isolation, but I liked the sound.
aornic I’m not a fan of the noise cancellation and don’t use it. I wanted wireless but think maybe I could get these 598 if they sound as good. I assume wired are still better than BT. Also have you tried the 569 which I think are the same as the 598 cs?
I haven't tried the 569, if you can demo these I'd highly encourage it.
aornic I’m looking for best headphones under 200 that I can use to commute and at work on my iphone. I tried AirPods. Convenient but not best for money and short battery. I have pxc 550 but they’re spendy.
Aornic. Just to point out ...HD598 open-back which has velour pads has one problem in my experience.
It is the velour pads combined with not so good headband, comfortable though ,may not provide consistent ergonomic fit on ears.And mind you sound characteristics do change a lot due to position and fit (those angled drivers!).
PS: I have HD600 headband on my 598 and eyeing on these new pads :)
The new ones are really quite comfortable.
Would you get these or Beyerdynamic Custom Studio?
How would you compare these to the M50x? Great video by the way!
Peter............I've owned the M50X. IMO, they're the WORST premium headphones I've ever owned, and I've had like around 9-10 at this point. Very overrated. These are 1000 times better! Buy them and you'll see.
See my new review on Head-Fi for more info:
www.head-fi.org/t/826179/bang-olufsen-beoplay-h6-2nd-generation-vs-sennheiser-hd-598-cs-a-newer-more-powerful-sith-lord-emerges#post_13016877
Peter Huynh the M50x's have a fairly good clarity, I like how you can hear all the instruments bring played, but the Treble gets fatiguing and they are not comfortable at ALLL. These sound very warm, Acoustic performances sound fantastic, I believe they can get a bit muddy at times, but they sound so smooth it comes down to opinion, I prefer these by far over my M50x's
Hai ,I just bought this HD 598CS and am gonna to use this with my tab .could you please suggest a nice DAC player for this because I heard a DAC will make significant improvement in listening quality. thanks.
The Zorloo Zuperdac might work, or the Audioquest Dragonfly Black.
still 90 pounds on Ebay... To good a deal thanks for the review mine arrive Monday😀
Arrived today Monday (ordered just in time as have gone up to 200 UK pounds on Amazon now). Very very comfortable, well built (built in China, HD 650 were (are still?) built in Ireland) and new headband and pads seem a lot nicer (more comfortable) and more modern looking than the ones on HD650 and open HD598 headphones. Sound is good and very clear, with good soundstage (especially for a closed back) and not dull or muddy as Aormic mentioned in his excellent review. I think these are even clearer than the HFI man Edition S headphones that I have & I think they will be my new in the office headphones. Not as good overall sound wise as the HD 650 or sony MDR-MA900 (excellent open cans, but hard to get in UK, I had to get via a seller on Ebay) to my old ears, but excellent for closed and thus can be used in many environments where open are not possible. Thanks Aornic for covering these, I would have missed the offer and buying them otherwise.
Nice. Let me know your impressions later on. I'm happy with my purchase.
Good video. Keep reviewing cans for the r/headphones subreddit!
Will do.
Nice review
Picked these up for 100 on Amazon last night.
Will be commuter beater cans
me too. They are super comfy and isolate well. Not neutral but have a warm sound. Soundstage is wider then i thought (for a closed headphone). I still have a DT 880, AKG 550 and other stuff.^^
How does HD598CS compare to Beats Solo 2?
They are a completely different headphone, I can say that these are better without even watching the review. I'd assume less bass for these and better sound quality overall, obviously these are bigger and more comfortable, these are a little less money, I'd definitely get these over the solo 2. These even look better IMO as well, which is Beats' main selling point.
Yep. Clarity across the spectrum and no muddiness in the bass bleeding into the mids. More treble extension so you get a snappier sound. More comfortable too thanks to the suede pads that go over the ear.
I'm actually kinda wishing I bought these instead of the 558 XD But I got a great deal at 79.99, plus I love the 558s. Btw, I love your videos. I watched the video about the ibasso dx80 and am currently saving for one.
BakedThePotato Man, you could have gotten these for $20 more! These are 40 numbers bigger and therefore 40 times better!
I know u didn't bring it up but for price range I think it would be ok to ask. So for comfortability these or audio technical ath m40x's? I'm heading to Florida in march and need a nice comfortable cheap pair of closed back headphones.
Oh jeez it isn't even a competition. These are far more comfortable than the M40x or M50x by a large margin.
aornic Thanks man I appreciate it!!!
Can you switch the pads? How do the suede pads sound on the open headphones?
Already sold the opens so I can't say.
So which one should I get for gaming/listening to a lot of music?
Probably the open one.
And what about soundstage I really NEED separation between instruments. Is it the same in both of them?
Open version wider.
aornic that much wider or a little behind? I mean I want to buy one of them but you said the sound is better with CS so I'm thinking in what to do. You also mentioned that in the CS version even it been a closed-back versions instruments doesn't get it the way of each other.
I prefer the sound of the CS, but if you want a wider soundstage - go for the open one. The difference aren't as wide as you think, but as it's your priority choose the open-aire.
I have two questions. One, does it come with a quarter inch to a 3.5mm adapter. And two, is there any software provided by sennhesier for these headphones or is it plug in play. If so where is it and how do I install it. Thanks!
Zoomster no software. No adapter I think.
aornic what do you mean I think? xD and is there software that you know of?
Zoomster there was no software. It's plug and play.
aornic ok! Thanks for help!
do you feel that the logo on the side cups will wear out eventually?
Jade Argente good question. I don't believe so and I hope I'm right.
how are the hd 598 cs for gaming? I'm going to have to use them on my ps4 without an amp. also my ears get hot with leather ear pads so will the cloth earpad help? (i can't get an open back headphone because i game in loud environments and i can't have a lot of sound leakage) do u recommend them ?
Hello how do U think 598cs compare against sony MDR-1A? I'm debating between those two :)
i didnt get any 3.5mm converter for the longer cable ... is it normal? my box was sealed ...
i was surprised n kinda sad also :(
The converter was in the 598SE but not the CS.
aornic yes I posted this comment before fully watching ur video ... U did explain this
Thanks again
So which open backs would u recommend someone should have with these closed backs ...
Darth Vader Depends on budget, kind of sound signature preferred and music you listen to.
aornic hmmm what could be best for all type of music open backs?
A generally good and accurate ones which can be equalized for specific music type ... If there r any such
DT990? Budget is $200
aornic music mostly rock metal ... From Pearl jam to Metallica to lamb of God ... And even JLo sometimes n Indian music as well ...
hey guys I can't figure this out. for playing guitar at home should I pick the open 598 se or closed 598 cs? planning to plug into a guitar amp or I also have a boss gt1 guitar processor. thanks!
Can you do a sound leak test
Nice vid bro. How good is the soundstage of these? I want to use them with a Modmic 5 for gaming.
Thanks. It's pretty alright - not bad for a closed(?) can.
Hey man I have the HD380 Pros, would the open HD598 be a leap forward? Basically I'm searching for open cans that I can use with my Fiio X5III 2.5mm balanced output. Having a problem finding anything close within my budget of $175 US.
Thanks
whoa you already have 900 sub's you're growing really fast!!
Glad my format is for some people.
Can you review the DT 990 Pros?
Which one is better for gaming??(FPS)Plz give me the answer.THX A lot
Open.
aornic Got it. Thank u
how is the sound leak?
Not as much as the standard but it's still quite evident compared to a very sealed, closed headphone.
love your content! is there anyway you can review shure se215m+ ? Thanks!
I'll see if I can come across them someday. Cheers.
How does it compare to the HD600 or HD650?
Neither HD598 is as technically proficient as the 600 series.
Phil Luo they aren't even close.
thats a really dumb question.
thanks for a nice review
just got my Closed cans after watching this review
upgrading from Marshall Monitors and love the sound ...
dont like the headband ... wish there was some way to remove that and do some mod :)
awesome channel
Just got.mine yesterday off amazon for 99. Woww for that price. Can't beat it
Excellent review. Thank you for this.
How are these compared to Bose true sound 2
Haven't heard those, sorry.
How much better are these than the Beats Studio?
Quite a bit clearer with snappier treble.
great review like always , post a pic of u wear the 598 outside haha
Way too cold outside.
Anyone with experience with the m80 from Vmoda could you give an accurate sound comparison with them and the 598cs? I understand there is a major design difference I just want a frame of reference before making a decision
These or K553?
This vs hd280 or hd380?
I had a HD280 a long, long time ago. Those are used in some studios because of their rather flat nature. The HD598CS is more engaging, and tuned for consumer tastes rather than studio use.
I hear the open back version are good for gaming, is the closed edition any good for gaming?
edit: Wrote while still watching the video. Has anyone played CSGO with these? If so, how do they sound?
They're pretty good. The open ones are definitely better though.
Yeah, that's what everyone seems to say. I'm unable to use open back headphones though, so I've been trying to find something that's decent for gaming and listening to music.
Razok Honestly, I can use these for Overwatch and it sounds just great. I don't know if that applies to CS:GO though, that seems far more competitive.
Nice review. Thank you.
I was tempted by these (I have the 598se).... But honestly I don't see the point in them, much better portable options out there.
Has anyone tried these with a PS4? Does the mic work, in parties and open lobby. These look really appealing with my M40X
bro should i buy mx40 or these
aman kumar I don't own the Senheiser's but I tried them at a local store. I say the only true difference will be the comfort. The Senheisers are better at comfort. The 40s are good though
Also, it does not come in the box with a short straight cable, have to order one if you want as well as the earpads if you want to upgrade the comfort such as BrainWavs
Are 140 euros too much for these?
Yes. Wait for a sale.
Wow that was fast haha!
what closed cans do you recommend for someone with 150 euros budget?
These but on sale.
theyre decent at $100, though my ears do get really warm wearing these.. no breathing space, unfortunately. i prefer the se for sound but otherwise these are better in comfort
no breathing space?... dude, how big are your ears? god damn
Satan not very, oddly. must just be the material theyre made out of.
Donald Trump basicslly the same as open back just sound marginally worse since closed. theyll do fine in gaming. soundstage isnt a factor in this price range
Note that they don't fit as well for those (adults) with small heads. My Grado SR325s have a much bigger soundstage and the mids are better but still very these cans are very decent for the sale price.
Also wearing glasses presents a bit of a problem...
I'm looking for a pair of SR325s at the moment. I have the SR80s and love them. Would you say it's a big jump from the SR80s? How are the details? Thanks!
I wear glasses and I'm fine with them comfort wise. I can't say I have a small head though.
I tried different glasses and it was better. Depends on the glasses.
I haven't heard the SR80s in many years so I can't say but you should be able to find a review or even a store nearby you can try them out...
I like the thump of the 598 CS, but the midrange lacks the smoothness and lushness and presence of the 598SE. My wife and I put both on back to back and came away preferring the 598 SE, but both are good and OMMV
These are great headphones for using with portable devices, but I highly disagree that they're better than the open 598. The closed version sounds lifeless compared to the open version. Open version to my ears is far more engaging and euphonic. The bass is barely better on the closed version. and the closed version is noticeably heavier with dense ear pads and higher clamping force. the open version is more comfortable as a result.
lastly, with a good source/amp the open 598 benefits more and my dt770 80ohm smokes the 598cs.
no need for closed cans if you're at home most of the time...
all i hope that the cord and earpads will last more than 1 year on my 12 hours daily use... yes i'm looking at you akg k545 & asus vulcan pro >_>
They have a 2 year warranty
12 hours? What the hell are you doing.
I was going to get the k545's until I saw this sale on Friday :P
thank you
xXGigaamonsterXx thank you