Sennheiser HD 599SE Open-Back Wired Audiophile Headphones

Reviews

1. F Fabio Oliveira Jung 5/5

   Great high-resolution headphones

   Excellent headphones with defined bass, full mids and smooth highs. Comfortable and well suited for music, movies and gaming. Not a dedicated studio reference, but they perform their role very well.

2. T Tiffany Johns 5/5

   Top-tier comfort for desk use

   I need headphones that stay comfortable all day at my computer. These match or exceed the comfort of my old gaming cans while offering much better sound. They don’t get uncomfortable after hours, unlike some studio models I’ve tried.

3. A Andrea M. 5/5

   Sennheiser HD 599 impressions

   Great closed-feel comfort (though these are open-back), not top-tier but very satisfying. I use them with my HiFi and on the computer; highs and lows are enjoyable. They’re light and don’t fatigue the head, though velour pads can feel warm in high heat.

4. R REY-GRANGE Richard 5/5

   Very good!

   Very good headset: solid bass, clear and defined vocals. Works well with my Denon amp, laptop and phone. I recommend it.

5. B Brian Krakover, MD 5/5

   Clear sound and comfortable for nightly listening

   I use these with a small DAC and listen at night while winding down. They are comfortable enough to wear while nodding off and handle various genres well — classic rock to orchestral. The imaging is precise, and they performed acceptably with a boom mic on console too.

6. S Stormpc806 4/5

   Natural soundstage and long-wearing comfort

   After using active-noise-cancelling earbuds, I was unsure how open-back wired cans would compare. Paired with a portable player, they sounded natural and offered excellent spatial separation. The bass is not as forceful as closed-back models but remains satisfying. They’re comfortable for multi-hour sessions, even with glasses, and don’t press on the temples.

7. J Josh Duch 5/5

   Comfortable and built to last

   I’ve owned these for five years. Sennheiser has been reliable for me; previous pairs lasted nearly a decade. The over-ear fit stays put better than earbuds, and I rarely need to adjust them. As open-back cans they will leak sound, so they’re not suited to recording vocals near a mic, but for general listening they deliver full-range sound without cranking volume.

8. J Jeff 5/5

   Skip fancy packaging, add value

   I’d rather see less packaging and more value returned to the buyer. The headphones themselves are very comfortable and sound excellent for computer use, games, movies and music. Sennheiser delivers a consistent experience here.

9. H Hin 5/5

   A big step up from my old noise-cancelling cans

   These are the best headphones I’ve owned. My previous noise-cancelling pair worked well on planes but lacked depth and clarity. The HD 599SE deliver much better range and detail for quiet-home listening. They’re not suitable for public transit since others will hear what you play, and they aren’t built for exercise due to the cable and open design.

10. A Allen D. Reinecke 5/5

    Careful — you may become an audiophile

    I pulled out older Sennheiser cans and remembered their comfort and sound. The HD 599SE matched the hallmarks I wanted: spacious staging, comfy fit, and a classic Sennheiser sound. Design hasn’t radically changed over the years, but the build feels durable and familiar. If you’re stepping up from earbuds or basic headphones, expect to spend time tweaking and appreciating subtle details.

11. J Jen 5/5

    Strong entry-level audiophile option

    Comfortable, well made, and responsive to EQ — these feel like higher-tier Sennheiser build quality despite mostly plastic construction. The velour pads stay cool and the long cord is handy for couch listening. They’re best used at home where the open design can shine.

12. J Ju-Miao Cheng 5/5

    Deciding between the HD 599SE and X2HR

    I wanted to try open-back headphones this year and narrowed it to the Sennheiser HD 599SE and Philips X2HR. I already own various earbuds and closed headphones. Open-back lets you hear your surroundings and offers a different, more open presentation. The X2HR felt heavy to me, while the HD 599SE were lighter and more comfortable for long sessions. I didn't go down the amp route — just used them straight from my devices — and they served well for gaming first, music and movies second. Hope this helps someone choosing between the two.