Sennheiser HD 598

Design

Though we don’t need to tell you that the design of an over-ear headphone unit and an in-ear one are very different, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to each that may make you reconsider your choices when picking a set of cans.

Sennheiser HD 598	Etymotic Research mc5

Frequency Response

Now here’s an interesting matchup. While the Sennheiser HD 598s have a very flat response, the mc5s have a response with a slightly boosted upper-midrange. Both headphones are impressive here.

Sennheiser HD 598	Etymotic Research mc5

Distortion

The mc5s win this one hands-down, as they are near reference-quality.

Sennheiser HD 598	Etymotic Research mc5

Tracking

Here too, the mc5s have the better response, as they are not as erratic as the Sennheiser HD 598s.

Sennheiser HD 598	Etymotic Research mc5

Isolation

Here’s the area with the biggest difference between these two superstars: where the Sennheiser HD 598s are intended to have an open soundstage, and therefore little to zero noise attenuation, the mc5s were meant to be taken out into the world and offer insane amounts of noise attenuation. This one is up to personal preference in your listening environment, but keep in mind that you will leave the house for something, so you may want a versatile pair of headphones.

Sennheiser HD 598	Etymotic Research mc5

Comfort

Here is a clear advantage of the Sennheiser HD 598s, as they are very comfortable. The mc5s, on the other hand, have sometimes been described as “I feel like I have an ear infection” and “wow these feel weird.” It’s not surprising, as you’re essentially jamming a bit of plastic where no foreign object was meant to go.

Wear
Sennheiser HD 598	Etymotic Research mc5

Verdict

This really depends on your intended usage; if you want high-quality audio at home, never to leave the computer or entertainment center, go for the Sennheiser HD 598s. If you want to take your headphones out into the world, absolutely go for the mc5s.