Customer Reviews

Sennheiser HD595 Dynamic High Grade Performance Premiere Headphones

5 star:		(275)
4 star:		(59)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I've owned:

Sony CDR-950 - $300
Sony MDR-F1 - $250
Grado Labs SR80 - $100
Sennheiser HD-595 - $180

I started to shop around for a new pair of headphones to use at work when my 6 year-old Sony MDR-F1's earpads completely wore out (it costs a whopping $100 to replace just the foam earpads!). I am a 3D computer artist, and I sit in front of the computer all day, so comfort was a major factor in my purchasing decision. Additionally, however, I am really into music, so sound quality is extremely important to me. I've always loved the sound of Grado Lab's 'phones, they are bright and lively, but they have never been very comfortable, especially for long listening sessions. Conversely, my Sony MDR-F1s were only decent from a sound perspective, but they were incredibly comfy.

I took a listen to a co-worker's HD-580's, because I'd never listened to or even tried on a pair of Sennheisers. To be honest, my impression of the 580's was not super positive. Sennheiser has called the sound quality of the 580's and 600's 'polite', but to me they seemed to have a slightly subdued sound, heavy on the bottom-end, but not really up-front like the Grado's that I like so much. I realized that the impedance of the 580's and the really expensive HD-600's was 200 OHMs which could've explained their subdued quality. I AM listening out of a headphone amplifier, but it's a tiny HeadRoom TotalAirhead which possibly didn't have enough power for the 580's. It was then that I started becoming really interested in the HD-595's because of their 50 OHM impedance.

I decided to take the plunge on the 595's last week and ordered them from Amazon for $181. After 2 days of listening to music from my PC via the HeadRoom TotalAirHead all I can say is -

"WOW, these are the best headphones I've ever heard".

The Sennheiser proclaimed 'polite' quality that I didn't like about the 580's is non-existant in the 595's. They are so lively, up-front and exciting to listen to. They have so much detail, and my little amp has no trouble whatsoever driving them. I DID have to push the bottom end of the EQ a bit to get the fullness that I like out of my music, but this wasn't a big deal. I have not tried them sans-amplifier yet, but it seems that the low impedance would make them ideal for portable players also.

Additionally, they are SO COMFORTABLE, if a bit hot-on-the-ears with the velour earcups. They look cool, they are super lightweight, and they come with this nifty headphone 'stand' that clamps to a table for hanging the 'phones when not in use.

I love listening to these things, I give them 5 out of 5 stars.

Hogarth de la Plante
Boston, MA

I've been waiting a long time to write this review. See my review of the Senn 590s.

I purchased the 590s earlier this year and was relatively pleased. Then I invested 100 bucks in an A/V receiver and plugged them into that, and... WOW, what a difference an amp makes! All of a sudden I had a new-found love for my 590s. With a portable device, the 590s don't have a huge amount of volume. An amp solves that. Also, the limited equalizer functions on an iPod or winamp don't do justice to this caliber of headphones. I'm in love with my 590s, and I will never part with them.

A few weeks ago I started reading more about the 595s and how they were supposed to be brighter and clearer than anything else. If you're like me, you want to read all of the reviews before you buy a new set of headphones. For < $150, the 595s are a steal. I also recently bought a pair of Shure in-ear heaphones for about the same price. Because I spend most of my time listening to music on the go, I figured it was a worthy investment, but when you consider the fact that you could get some big Sennheisers for the same price, they seem like a total waste of money. It really depends on how much at-home listening you do.

The 595s are everything they promise to be. In a strange and almost surreal way, they sound exactly as I imagined they would. Like a blind man in his first moment of sight, I knew when I put them on that they were exactly what I needed. These are like the 590s on steroids, or, I should say "The 590s are to the 595s as whispering is to screaming". But it's not just volume, it's also brightness. The 590s are like little fluffy clouds, gently massaging your ears with sweet music, and they really make it sound like you're listening in a wide open space, not headphones. The 595s blast crystal clear music to the nucleus of your mental space. You're definitely conscious that you have headphones on, but they achieve the "open space" phenomenon at the same time. The "rows back in a concert" analogy is also surprisingly fitting. The 590s put you a few rows back, the 595s put your ear right up next to the guitar. The one major downside to the 595s is that they're almost too intense. I've found that I can only listen to them, at least at a reasonable volume, for about an hour or two before I just can't take it any more. A big upside to the 595s though is that they sound better with portable devices sans an amplifier. The 590s have a slight advantage in comfort because they're lighter, but Sennheiser has clearly designed both of these models with comfort in mind.

So, I will keep both. If I had to choose between the 590s and the 595s, I would choose the 595s.

If this is you're considering getting your first set of Sennheisers... DO IT. I promise, you won't be disappointed.

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.

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.

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.

I admit I am not a high-end type of person. I always want to save a buck whenever I can, and I figure I can get by pretty good with the right bargain. Well, I grew dissatisfied with my old headphones, and on the recommendation of someone who does amazing work restoring old recordings, I took the plunge and bought a pair of these HD595 phones. I realize now that I had not been getting by pretty good on bargains, I had been cheating myself.

These HD595s are simply astounding. I can now hear things that simply are totally inaudible on lesser phones. The realism, the presence, the detail, the soundstage are all totally engrossing. I was moved to tears by a very familiar recording because these phones allowed me to hear emotion in the singer's voice to a degree like I had never heard before.

I never even really knew what people meant by "soundstage" when talking about headphones. With most phones, everything sounds like it happens inside your head, and I thought that was just the way it was. But with these phones, you get a much more realistic perspective on the music. The soundstage extends outside your head, and that's a new phenomenon for me with headphones.

The bottom line is that these phones are stunningly beautiful to listen to. Considering what they give you, they are not expensive at all; they are a true bargain.

The Sennheiser 595 headphones are the VERY BEST HIGH END headphones I have ever experienced in this price range. I also have a pair of Sennheiser 555 which are great but just does not have that brilliant clarity when it comes to classical music.
The 595 headphones have superb clarity, warmth, marvelous highs and deep lows for cello and bass music, great soundstage for all types of music especially classical and orchestral. I listen to a lot of Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and other classical composers but I also listen to Santana and the congos, drums and guitar playing are magnificent sounding. Eric Clapton or any acoustic guitar playing is superb. Jazz, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Count Basie recordings are superior. Vocals like Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Willie Nelson, and Bob Seeger have a nice warmth to the recordings but the instruments really stand out. These are great headphones and I would highly recommend them. Buy them. You will find instruments in your recordings you never heard before in such clarity it is amazing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR HIGH END AUDIOPHILE LISTENING.

The Sennheiser HD 595 is an excellent headphone. It has bass that really reaches down when the music calls for it without becoming boomy or unnatural. The midrange and treble are quite pleasant; they are (according to other reviews) more forward and bright than other high-end Sennheisers like the 600 and 650, but they never sound unnatural or strident to me.

I have listened to them for up to two hours at a time with no sign of "listener fatigue" - I'm a bit surprised that other headphones get high marks even when listeners say the need to take a break once in a while. In addition, the 595s are physically very comfortable to wear for extended periods.

As a 50 ohm headphone, the 595s are easier to drive than most other high end headphones (including the Sennheiser 580, 600, and 650) that are rated at 120 to 300 ohms or more. These will work fine with an iPod or other portable device. (I haven't had the luxury of trying these with a headphone amp yet, but they are outstanding hooked into the headphone jack of my Pioneer Elite amp.)

One note and two little nitpicky things about the 595s:

Note - This is definitely a "home" headphone, not only due to their full size but because their open design neither blocks out external noise nor prevents those nearby from getting an earful of what you are listening to. For airline / bus / public space use closed headphones or IEMs may be a better bet.

Nit 1 - The supplied hanger is a neat idea, but I would prefer to have a more common accesory like a soft case supplied.

Nit 2 - The 595s are terminated with a 1/4" plug, and supplied with a hard 1/4" to 1/8" adapter. Using this thing with an iPod is a great way to destroy the headphone jack (think leverage). Sennheiser USA sells a "soft" adapter (1/4" jack and 1/8" plug separated by a 6" or so cord) for $4 + S/H which is much less likely to damage 1/8" headphone jacks. Why isn't the soft adapter supplied in the first place?

Overall, great headphone. And BTW, currently a screaming good deal on Amazon.

People who know me best will tell you I am a headphone junkie. I buy pairs all the time, borrow from friends, and generally spend a large amount of time looking at reviews of different cans. It's not that I grow to dislike what I have, but I like to have different headphones for different occasions and musical styles. I recently bought these HD-595 to compliment the open-air Grado's that I have as well, and I'm nothing but happy with my purchase.

The sound these cans produce is amazing. While some people may not care for their generally neutral sound, these headphones are tight, accurate, and revealing in almost all genres of music. Mids are clear, the highs soar, and the bass is as defined as it should be. While I will agree these are not bass heavy headphones, it's fair to say the bass is clean and accurate. Switching from my Grados to these, there is a noticeable increase in the clarity of the middle and high range, though my Grados tend to have a little more sound on the low side (mainly on Rock/Pop). My previous go-to headphones were my Audio Technica's (see my review), but these have replaced them for critical listening at home.

Having tried out a pair of AKG 701 a few days earlier, it's fair to say the sound stage is a little forward for these cans. The 595's sound is like being right in the middle of the stage, with good imaging, though I found the AKG's to have much better imaging, as if you were 20 feet away and picking where sounds were coming from. This might be an issue for classical music, but I still feel these cans do a great job there. In all fairness, the AKG's are $100 more, and I was at a high end audio store using a $800 CD player, and a $600 headphone amp.

If you don't have a $600 amp, don't fear. The impedance of these cans is 50 ohms, which can be driven by an iPod or any headphone jack really. Most headphone above this require an amp, adding to the already significant cost of high end audio. That being said, my Harman/Kardon stereo receiver does an excellent job of providing more power to these headphones than any iPod, and can really show what these can do.

These are comfortable headphones. Very comfortable. The velour ear pads are snug, but do not squeeze your head. I can wear these for hours on end with little fatigue. They are easily the best non portable headphones I own. I say that because these are fairly large in size, so public usage is not their forte. Also, the lengthy cable is great for home usage, but not for anything else. I'll save my Ultimate Ears (see my review) for that.

I might as well mention it, because it seems people these days don't do enough research. These are open-air headphones. People around you will hear what you hear. These were never designed for usage on a bus or train. They were designed to be used in the comfort of your home, and even then, best enjoyed in a quiet room. Virtually all high end headphones are open-style, and if you use headphones around others in quiet areas, there are hundreds of closed-style headphones and ear-buds.

Overall, a great sounding pair of cans for price. For around $170-ish you are getting some serious audio. You can do much better, but the upgraded sound will also need a headphone amp which adds to the cost. These fit my budget and sound needs quite well.

If these fit your budget, just go ahead and get them. They are simply excellent!

Keep in mind: diminishing returns kicks in real hard at around about this point. You can get most of the quality for half the money. You can also spend double or tripple the cost on something else, and get a slightly different sound but not any actual improvements.

Comments about lack of bass are highly exaggerated - I find them excellent with rock and other bass-heavy music.

Don't forget about the trade-offs of open headphones - you will get a more spacious sound but they leak sound, and they don't isolate you from noises around you. As such they are great for home listening but most probably not for use in an open-plan office.

Highly recommended!