Sennheiser 506831 HD 599 Open Back Headphones, Ivory

The Sennheiser HD 599 sits at the top of Sennheiser's 500 series and is built around proprietary transducers with aluminum voice coils. These drivers deliver a sound profile characterized by a wide, airy soundstage and natural tonal balance, making the HD 599 particularly rewarding for acoustic, classical, and vocal-heavy genres. The open-back ear cup design is central to this performance—it allows air to move freely around the drivers, reducing resonance and creating the impression that sound originates from around the listener rather than inside the ear cups.

Build quality matches the audio performance. The headband is generously padded, and the ear pads are covered in soft velour that breathes well during long sessions. At 250 grams, the HD 599 sits lightly on the head. Sennheiser includes two detachable cables—a 3-meter cable terminated in a 6.3 mm plug for home hi-fi setups and a shorter 1.2-meter cable with a 3.5 mm jack for laptops and portable players. The 50-ohm impedance means most devices can drive them to satisfying volumes without a dedicated headphone amplifier, though pairing with one can unlock additional headroom and control.