Sennheiser HD595
Open, Circumaural, Audiophile headphones
The biggest difference between HD595 and its little bro is speed and clarity. While HD555 lacked the speed for rock, HD595 handles it very adequately. HD595 also sound much crisper and clearer. The bass is noticeably tighter and extend further. Again these are not for bassheads, they lack the punch.
The mids are where these excel. They have a dreamy ethereal quality to them. They are amongst the best at conveying emotion, especially in vocals. They are intimate and upfront. I can actually envisage the movement of the singer’s lips.
The highs are smooth but extended. There’s a dip at 5hz like most high-end sennheisers which dulls the edge off the music. This is great for those who are very sensitive to this region while people accustomed to grado will not enjoy this.
The soundstage is also another thing to point out. The angled drivers make the sound come from in front of you instead of all around you. This will make some people feel the soundstage is compressed, while it is true the stage is narrower, it also has more depth.
These are hands down the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn. They are ultra light and the earpads are pillowy soft. It fits my head like a glove, sometimes I catch myself forgetting I have them on!
Amplification is a must, they sound terrible without it. That said, they don’t really need an expensive amp. A sub-$100 amp will do fine.
HD595 is one of the most versatile headphones in existence. They perform well with every musical genre. They are great for movies and gaming. They are comfortable as hell and easy to drive. Add the fact they come with a spiffy headphone holder, alas, you have a winner!
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