Sennheiser HD-595 Premier Headphone
See it at Amazon.com for $169.98Average Customer Rating
(5.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First (5 out of 5)Good Budget Headphones
I am a total head-fi freak. I make sure that I always suit my needs with the best possible music and sound quality from headphones. To fill this urge, I bought a pair of Sennheiser HD-595s because they were easier to drive than other Senn's and they also are much brighter, so they are better-suited for rock music.
My music preferences are as follows:
Rock (Aerosmith, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Eagles, David Bowie, Black Sabbath, Queen)
Electronica
Techno/Trance
Jazz
These headphones really shined in the Rock category. It reproduced songs beautifully, with good mids, very nice and deep lows, and good vocals. Sound channeling is excellent to give you the very best detail in all of your music.
Again, as I said before, these headphones are very powerful and therefore don't require an amp to be driven. I first ran the headphones directly to my SACD player, and noticed a MUCH bigger improvement over the HD-580s than expected. I then plugged it into my Meta42 headphone amp, and.. WOW! I was very impressed by how much more this unit shines with good gear.
In addition, these 'phones are very comfortable, and open-sound, so that it will be comfortable to wear for hours-on-end, and wont make it uncomfortable/sweaty around your ears.
To conclude, these headphones are a VERY good starter headphone for the developing-audiophile. The value is superb, the quality is great, the comfort and build quality is the usual Sennheiser best, and it doesn't require high-end material to shine like all other products from Sennheiser. This means that you can purchase these 'phones and get great results, and then when you are ready to take the plunge for a headphone amp, you will get even BETTER results. These headphones are the perfect example why a headphone amp can make a huge difference in your listening experience.
I hope this review has helped.
(5 out of 5)The Perfect Headphones
Every time I put on these headphones, I am blown away by the immaculate sound that reaches my ears. These are, in my opinion, the best headphones out there. I'm sure hardcore audiophiles would disagree, but if you're a regular consumer, it doesn't get any better than this.
I had previously tried a pair of 580s, and was somewhat dissapointed with them. They were accurate, but they weren't aggressive enough for my taste - they sounded somewhat distant and weak. Since I wasn't about to spend $150 for a pair of headphones that I wasn't totally satisfied with, I decided to invest that extra $50 and try the 595s. Fortunately, I was not disappointed. The 595s solve the 580's problem by angling the drivers so that they are literally right next to your ear, and the result is a much more immediate, much fuller bodied sound.
The 595s are superb with any type of music. The open, but immediate sound stage is great for rock music (you really feel like you're sitting with the band and they're playing around you), and the clarity and precision is great for jazz and classical. I was also surprised how good my electronica sounded - every detail is expressed with crystal clear precision, and the bass is ample but precise and not overbearing, resulting in a great immersive experience. The lows, mids, and highs are all perfectly balanced (at least to my untrained ear), and overall the sound is just unbelievably natural.
Besides sounding great, the 595s are ridiculously comfortable. Because they surround the ears and don't put pressure on them, I have no problem wearing these headphones for 6-7 hours at a time without discomfort or soreness.
Please note that in order to experience all the 595s have to offer, you really need a headphone amp. They sound good unamped, but the 595s really come alive with a good amp. Also, since the 595s have a 1/4" plug instead of a 1/8" mini plug, I would recommend getting the Grado 1/4"-1/8" adapter instead of using the one they give you, as it will put too much strain on the headphone jacks of your equipment.
I wholeheartedly recommend the 595s. For the price, their sound quality and comfort simply cannot be beat.
(3 out of 5)Excellent headphone, too much sound leak
After much reading and asking around, my girlfriend decided on Sennheiser HD-595 as my present. She was told by every reviewer that this headphone is the best she could get at her price range (under $200), rivaling some much more expensive models. In addition, she was told that open headphones tend to sound better, despite having some sound leaks. I had couple open headphones of my own before, and the leaks were minimal, (completely quiet 3-4 feet away) so I wasn't concerned about this.
Once I tried on, I was completely impressed with the sound quality of HD595. I'm not an audiophile, so I can't tell you specifically how it's better, but it is noticibly better than my $19 Sony headphone from before. $180 better? Probably not. But it's a gift, so I won't complain about the price. It is also extremely light and comfortable.
However, the sound leaks from HD595 is very loud. I'm not talking about some muffled leak through the gaps of the ear padding. The headphone literally broadcasts the music to the outside via the large "speakers" on the side. It is impossible to listen to anything at a decent volume, without everyone in the room getting annoyed. From the little research I found regarding this, the sound is intentionally "leaked" to the outside, as a new design to improve sound quality of some sort. Does HD595 sound good? Yes. It's excellent. Is it a good headphone? No. It's not even a headphone, more like a speaker. It feels to me that the sound to the outside is at least half as loud as the sound to my ear, if not more. As far as I know, this "feature" cannot be turned off.
Like anyone who can afford $200 headphones, I have a decent surround sound system for my entertainment center, as well as my computer. The only reason to use headphones is to not disturb others, particularly my girlfriend, when she is studying or sleeping nearby. I honestly cannot find any good situation to use this headphone. Too big for travel, too loud to use around others, and completely useless when I am alone at home, with sound systems of far better sound quality, without the restriction of wires.
I am returning this product now, and am hoping that the company and the reviewers are more honest about the leaking issue. Many of the reviews here do not mention it at all, and the ones that do always brush it off as a minor annoyance. It's not a small problem. It should be mentioned that this headphone cannot be used around anyone without disturbing them.
(5 out of 5)HD 595's Great H.P.s Period !!! Comparitive Review
I can't see how anyone could knock these H.P.s (a.k.a headphones). They really do everything, and do it very, very well!!! I bought these to replace the Senn 580's (another very good H.P. model to be sure!) they wern't cutting it for me in the lower-end Dept. These 595's lived up to my expectations, for a bit more than the 580's or anything else close. I found the bass was nicley deeper, an more present (nothing "earth-shattering" here of course). The whole lower-end seemes richer & more balanced to the already surperb high-end response that all Senn's are known for.
On that note the high-end of the 595's was a little better somehow than the 580's. A little smoother, a little more depth & more "presence" ("presence" a quality I denote as being the sound which lingers after a note has been played on an instrument and how you hear/experience the natural "decay" of it). Maybe this is also aided because of the better bass reponse, a factor to considser.
Still given over the 580's already impressive high-end response for an airy clairty is the 595's. But to be sure I find the 595's a little more distinct in the high-end.
I found the 595's on Amazon $100 cheaper through an alternate seller. I/expected got them new in (a few days) the box & everything (adjustable holder/smaller golden-end jack etc...) was there & perfect for just $143... Sweet!
I even noticed when I listened to old tapes that despite how bright & clear the 595's are (also 580's) that they are somehow very "forgiving" with the static & pops & "slight sounds" you hear when listening to worn materital. Otherwise, I might be afraid of listening to old recordings with worn media for fear of hearing to much static etc... I have many 20 year old+ cassettes that I can still hear things (with these Cans) I never heard before without being reminded of how imperfect they really are! That by itself is somewhat amazing I think!
I have a Nice Amp & Preamp a Phillips SACD/DVD player, a Rotel Cassette Player, Really Nice Custom Made 3/Way Speakers, & Yet these Cans really make my sytem shine still. The only area my Stereo Speakers Clearly have them beat is the the low bass my Speakers put out, (also the ever popular "body" bass "feel"). No H.P.s (cans) can make you feel bass like you will expeirence on what really good low/quick reasonce speakers (woofers) can kick out. Cause "real" bass is somthing that you feel as much with your body as you do with your ears, thats a fact.
I understand that the 650's (Senn's) have superior bass response (in their class) but at "that" cost, they should do more a lot more right?
At the moment I'm listening to the Who "Quadrophenina" on my P.C. cranked and it sounds awesome on the 595's...
These Cans are plenty loud sounding at 3 or 4 clicks on my stereo volume control. When I really do want to hear them really loud, I just watch/listen to the bass sound/quality to let me know if I'm over driveing them (by hearing low end static & shutter etc...). I rarely notice a sonic "brake-down" from loud volumes using these cans. Cause you won't hear any breakdown comming first from the pristene High-end before the bass checks out first. This is my "rule of thumb", for listening loudly w/any loud-speaker I'm driving to it's limits. The Bass will tell you first. It's a rare occasion anyway, I need/want to hear anything "too" loud on these, you just won't want or need to, cause they just sound so great at a lower "ear-safe" moderate levals. And beleive me "My moderate" level is much louder than what most people would deem "moderate". I like to get inside my music & these H.P.s do so quite accurately, at any level Thankyou!
With that said, Overall you won't suffer any loss of quality because your not listening through your "Great" speakers that you have paid big bucks for, cause it's too late to play them & waking the household/neighbors. But If your stereo speakers aren't that great you'll CLEALRLY notice these H.P.s to be a Serious improvement to your listening pleasure.
*Note For newbies: the Open-End Design (on these 595's and the 580's and many other good styles/brands) do bleed a fair amount of sound to the "outside", even when played at a moderate level, they could keep a light sleeper up if listened to in the same room that they are trying to sleep. But at low leval they are enough not only to bother a light sleeper but to still have plenty of full sound that you will be heard & enjoyed.
N.B. The bass seems to taper as the volume is increased. So as to say at lower volumes the bass is as potent as it ever is. The great high airy clairity of sound is present at any volume.
Plus Side Re: Open-End style H.P.s I perosnally like how I'm not totally (unless I play them loud) cut off from my surroundings, from a baby crying to someone yelling upstairs or my dog barking at somthing outside etc... This would only be a problem if you are one that listens to H.P.s in a noisy enviornment & want to use them to get-away from that enviorment, (w/out listening very loudly at all).
But frankly if this is the case you should research some noise canceling H.P.s but buyer beware the decent ones aren't cheap and even the good ones aren't as good sounding as the good pair of regular H.P.s
Senn's tend not to require much of a break-in period as do some others. However I find if you let them sit unused for a time they tend to Re-set-up a bit, they will sound better if first played for 20 mins. or so first.
*F.Y.I. This is good advice for any good stereo to sound better/smoother. After Amps heat up they sound better esp. true for tube amps.
For comparison, I also own some Sony H.P.s I did a review on as well. (Sony a big/reliable name in quality electronics). (They are "decent" but people say lower priced Senns sound better) I huriedly bought these for $120 at Best Buy in a "time of need") The 580's alone completly blew these away in every respect! More than you would think. These show what a little more money can get you, I mean hell for the cost of a few more CD's man, you can have some serious Cans you won't end up critizising to death later. When further compared to the Sonys or anything else around a $100+ these offer way more sound with a truer pitch & a quality of reproduction given to any instrument or voice. You'll notice that the sound appears quite different at first in comparrison. It's much much more alive/accurate. In fact it's better than being there! Let's face it live wouldn't be that good anyway, due to mixing quality, speakers, & mics are NEVER as good as in the studio. So I'm saying it's like being in the studio and hearing the band as if it were all going down right there...
We know, sound is something that is hard for the brain to carry an accurate memory of esp. when it comes to sutble differences. So it's good to do "side-by-side" tests.
Furthermore, I don't like turning on/up the bass or treble response, ever. I'm sort of a purest in that way. If your equiptment is doing what it should you shouldn't need to do it... Musicians spend very long hours in the studio getting "their" sound just right (the way they want it) your system should be able to faithfully reproduce what was laid-down from the "get-go". Besides it overdrives your stereo (at louder values) & also runs the sound signal through more wire length & "pots" which further degrades the signal/sound. Really Nice preamps/amps don't have loudness controls at all.
F.Y.I. My comments arose by useing the above comparisons w/said types in general reference to many other H.P.s I have owned. I did so listening to not more than a 1/3 of a given track and then hearing the same 1/3 with the other H.P.s model commented on. I did this method of comparisson with several different genres of music as well. Just like you would when testing/buying different speakers. I have several walkman style H.P.s that I also use(d) as reference & although these (595's) are far far superior H.P.s their are some for walkman style (extremly small and light) that aren't bad at all for those looking for a truley protable H.P.
I wish I still had my Beyer Dynamic H.P.s for direct comparisson. However from memory (& I spoke of it's sonic weakness) I think that they (costing $165 many yrs. ago)would still sound no better, if equal. Chances are w/advance tech. they would not sound as good. (Anyone know what happend to Beyers?) However even they didn't have reasonable replaceable pads or a straight cord or come designed with a cord only coming off one of the cans instead of comming off both sides which tends to get more in the way. The 595's (like the 580's) are light (ridgid high quality plastic) very comfortable out of the box from head to ears. Other uses have told me they only get more comfortable with use.
I've listened From Classical to Jazz/ Vocal/ Rock/ Techno/ Funk/ Accoustict, I tried them all out, these cans do any sound proud! I'm glad that from all the clubs & load music (and my age) I've been expossed to these H.P.s make my ears feel/hear "young" again. And better yet show me they really aren't bad off (my ears) after all. I can notice so much, difference, nuance from vocals sounds to percussion esp. Thank-you Techys, I'm in Sonic heaven. Bravo!
Viva Le Sennheiser!
P.S. For the Record be pleased to know: These CANS will CRANK Out, They will Rock Hard... without any distortion. So as without "A Momentary Lapse of Reason"
(Pink Floyd).
(5 out of 5)WARM BUT DETAILED
Wow! This headphone is awsome. It totally breathes life into my music and i lisen to all types of music (electronic, hip-hop, classical, jazz, rock.). The only way to describe the sound of this this headphone is warm but very detailed. The HD590's are cold and detailed. I can hear things in songs that i never heard before. not only doese it sound good but it feels good. They are so comfortable. There is not a lot of pressure on your head but they have a snug fit. The pads are very soft and not irritating. The only negative thing i can say about it is that sound leaks through these headphones. It might bother others and outside noise might bother you.