Sennheiser HD 598

Design

A while back, Sennheiser released the HD 555, a pair of over-ears very similar to the HD 595s and HD 598s. So similar, in fact, that some question if the actual differences between the two sets of cans are due to a small bit of foam in the HD 555s’ open backing. We here at HeadphoneInfo.com weren’t enterprising enough to take both sets apart to find out for ourselves, but we will compare each to give you a better idea of how they stack up.

Sennheiser HD 598	Sennheiser HD 555

Frequency Response

Both sets of cans have relatively flat frequency responses, but the HD 555s tend to underemphasize the lowest end of frequencies, and its chart reads more like a seismograph earlier on than the HD 598s. The HD 598s take this one, unless you hate bass.

Sennheiser HD 598	Sennheiser HD 555

Distortion

Both have their issues with distortion in the lowest end, but the HD 555s seem to have a bigger problem here than the Sennheiser HD 598s do.

Sennheiser HD 598	Sennheiser HD 555

Tracking

Oddly enough, the HD 555s and the HD 598s seem to have relatively similar tracking responses, garbage data at the end of the older graph aside. Neither impresses here, but we’ll give the edge to the HD 598s, as they do slightly better.

Sennheiser HD 598	Sennheiser HD 555

Isolation

Neither set of cans isolate well, nor were they originally designed for this purpose. These headphones were designed with an open and airy soundstage in mind, so isolation was a necessary casualty.

Sennheiser HD 598	Sennheiser HD 555

Comfort

Both sets of headphones are remarkably similar in terms of comfort, but as we all have differently-sized heads! Try them on for yourself before buying to ensure you get the headset that’s right for you.

Wear
Sennheiser HD 598	Sennheiser HD 555

Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 598s are better in just about every category, but they are extremely similar in many regards to the HD 555s. We can’t say for sure why this is so, but we assume that because they both share a similar design from the same company. It doesn’t surprise us that they’re very similar in performance, but for those looking to save a few bucks, you may want to consider the HD 555s.