Sennheiser HD 599 SE - Over-Ear Headphones - Black

The Sennheiser HD 599 SE is an open-back over-ear headphone. This design choice defines its character: the sound is spacious and natural, but it does not isolate against ambient noise. This Special Edition comes in a black finish and is designed from the factory for use in a quiet environment – such as at home behind a desk or with a fixed setup.

Open-back means the ear cups are perforated on the outside. This allows air around the driver to move freely, resulting in a less confined, more open soundstage. It feels less 'in your head' and more 'around you'. The downside is that sound leaks both out and in. You hear your surroundings and your surroundings hear your music. This is a headphone for focused listening in a quiet room, not for on the go or in a noisy workplace.

Under the hood

• Open-back design – delivers a spacious and natural stereo sound, but provides no acoustic isolation.
• Over-ear (circumaural) ear cups – the cups fully enclose the ear for comfort during extended use.
• Special Edition in black – an aesthetic variant on the classic Sennheiser design.

The HD 599 SE is built for sessions lasting several hours. The weight is evenly distributed by an adjustable, foam-padded headband. The large, oval ear cups of the over-ear headphone are lined with soft, replaceable velour ear pads that breathe. This material prevents it from getting too warm under the cups – a practical advantage for long-term wear. The construction feels solid, with a focus on functionality over flashy design elements.

This headphone is made for stationary use. You connect it to a fixed setup: a computer, a stereo amplifier or a dedicated headphone amplifier. The included cable with a 6.3mm (1⁄4 inch) jack plug points to this use. For connection to modern laptops or phones, an adapter to 3.5mm is often needed. The impedance is low enough to be driven well by most sources, but a more powerful amplifier can further utilise the dynamic range. It is an instrument for listening, not for calls or taking with you; there is no built-in microphone or 'noise cancelling'.

The driver is shielded by a metal mesh that visually emphasises the open-back principle.