The difference was huge — way cleaner sound, bigger soundstage, feels like studio audio. ... Super comfy, lightweight, no sweating with the velvet pads. ... Rating: 9/10 – great sound & comfort, just not for private listening.
Praise
Headphones
Sennheiser HD 599 SE
The Sennheiser HD 599 SE is an open-back wired audiophile headphone with velour-covered ear pads, a detachable cable system (3m 6.3mm and 1.2m 3.5mm cables included), and a 2-year warranty, priced at $199.95 CAD.
9 mentions · 5 threadslast mention Dec 20258.8/ 10
ClearPick Score
Very Good
Score informed by 9 owner mentions across 5 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
8 positive0 mixed1 negative
Full Specs
| Brand | Sennheiser |
| Model Number | HD 599 SE |
| Model Name | HD 599 Special Edition |
| Built-In Media | HD 599 Headphones 3m Cable / 6.3mm Straight Jack 1.2m Cable / 3.5mm Straight Jack 6.3mm to 3.5mm Adapter |
| Age Range Description | Adult |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Warranty Description | 2 years |
| Customer Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Series Number | 500 |
| UPC | 615104339323 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00615104339323 |
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Sennheiser HD 599 SE
$199.95 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
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Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
This is where it all started for me , HD599 the gateway headphones. ... Blew me away with the comfort and open back design. ... 😂 Enjoy them brother as they are some great headphones
Praise
You've joined the ranks of a highly regarded headphone!
Praise
Ok so finally decided to go for my first entry level audiophile headphones, ordered a new hd 599 se for 50% discount last week on early black Friday sale and received them today, was so excited to try them and see the difference from my previous simple 15$ sony earbuds and i was so disappointed i actually think my earbuds sound the same if not better! ... will be returning them for a refund i guess
Complaint
I have both, and the 599s are definitely more "precise" than the x2hrs in terms of imaging and soundstage.
Comparison
The 58x are more detailed but these have a much better soundstage and are more comfortable For gaming and movies I'd say 599, but that's just my opinion, and I still prefer the 599 over the 600 series (also primarily for the soundstage)
Comparison
I got these 2days ago and they're great. They're way clearer than my a40s MAYBE slightly narrower but has better imaging. As for comparing to X2hrs (sent back for bad imaging) both my a40s and 599s image better than these and imo the 599s are better for listening to music. ... As a gamer, the only trait I can talk about with expertise is that these are pretty dam good for games where you want to pin point where sounds are coming from (imaging). ... I'm not an audiophile but I'm happy with my hd 599 purchase.
Praise
Surprised to hear you prefer the ananda mids considering how they graph, especially compared to the HD599 which is probably one of the best open back headphones, especially for its price back when it would regularly dip below $150
Praise
I love their sound and comfort, by far my favorite headphones!
Praise
✅ What Works
- Sound quality draws the most praise (5 mentions), with owners describing 'way cleaner sound' and a 'studio audio' feel compared to what they used before.
- Soundstage stands out in direct comparisons (2 mentions), with owners rating it ahead of other Sennheiser models, including the pricier 600 series, specifically for spaciousness.
- Comfort is called out repeatedly, with velour ear pads and a lightweight build praised for all-day wear without overheating or fatigue.
- Value holds up in owner comparisons against costlier competitors, with one calling it 'one of the best open back headphones' for the price.
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- The open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation — one owner explicitly noted it's 'not for private listening,' so it's a poor match for shared spaces or commuting.
- The sample isn't unanimous: one of the nine mentions was negative, even though the overall signal is strongly positive.
- Current price ($199.95 CAD) is well above the sub-$150 pricing some long-time owners recall, which is worth factoring into the value comparison.
ClearPick Verdict
Owners report a **noticeably wider soundstage and cleaner sound** than closed-back alternatives, with sound quality coming up in over half of the sample's reports. Comfort is mentioned almost as often, with reviewers repeatedly praising the velour pads and lightweight build for long listening sessions without fatigue. Several owners frame the HD 599 SE as their entry point into open-back audiophile listening, comparing it favorably to pricier Sennheiser models for soundstage alone. One report pushed back against the otherwise strong consensus, and the open-back design leaks sound with no isolation, so it's a poor fit for anyone listening in shared or public spaces. For solo listeners chasing an affordable way into open-back sound, this is a **consistently well-regarded pick that owners credit for comfort and clarity**.