Sennheiser HD 599 SE vs Sennheiser HD 560S
Quick take: The Sennheiser HD 599 SE costs $10 less.
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 599 SE | Sennheiser HD 560S |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$160 | ~$170 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wired & Studio | Wired & Studio |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | — | — |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | — | — |
| Codecs | — | — |
| Bluetooth | — | — |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | 38 mm | — |
| Weight | 250 g | 280 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | No | No |
Pros & cons
Sennheiser HD 599 SE
- ✓Classic gateway into open-back listening
- ✓Runs fine from a laptop — no amp myths apply
- ✓Warm, relaxed treble stays easy for hours
- ✓Superb 250g velour comfort, even with glasses
- ✓Ships with both 6.3mm and 3.5mm cables
- ✓Regularly drops to $100 — patience pays
- ✗Bass rolls off at the bottom like most open-backs
- ✗Everyone in the room hears your music
- ✗Zero isolation makes it useless for commutes
- ✗Paying the $160 list price is a mistake
- ✗Relaxed treble trades away detail versus the MDR-7506
Sennheiser HD 560S
- ✓Reference-grade neutral tuning with bass extension the HD 600/6XX lack
- ✓Excellent imaging and a relatively wide stage — superb for gaming
- ✓110 dB sensitivity means dongles and interfaces drive it fine
- ✓Light 280g with roomy earcups for long sessions
- ✓Detachable 1.8m cable plus 6.3mm adapter
- ✓Very low distortion (<0.05% THD) at the price
- ✓Frequently discounted well below its $200 list
- ✗Elevated treble with occasional sibilance — the usual first EQ target
- ✗All-plastic build feels cheap next to how it sounds
- ✗Open back: no isolation, full leakage
- ✗Revealing tuning is unkind to bad masters
- ✗Included cable terminates 2.5mm at the cup, limiting aftermarket options