Sennheiser HD-595 Premier Headphone Reviews

• Good Budget Headphones

  
  By A3DLZ57U7AT6EJ on 2004-06-13
  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.
  
  

• The Perfect Headphones

  
  By A6GYM2CBRP4ZY on 2005-01-11
  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.
  
  

• Excellent headphone, too much sound leak

  
  By A135WPDUJKN0D5 on 2007-01-05
  After much reading and asking around, my girlfriend decided on Sennheiser HD-595 as my present. She was told by every reviewer that this headphone is the best she could get at her price range (under $200), rivaling some much more expensive models. In addition, she was told that open headphones tend to sound better, despite having some sound leaks. I had couple open headphones of my own before, and the leaks were minimal, (completely quiet 3-4 feet away) so I wasn't concerned about this.
  
  Once I tried on, I was completely impressed with the sound quality of HD595. I'm not an audiophile, so I can't tell you specifically how it's better, but it is noticibly better than my $19 Sony headphone from before. $180 better? Probably not. But it's a gift, so I won't complain about the price. It is also extremely light and comfortable.
  
  However, the sound leaks from HD595 is very loud. I'm not talking about some muffled leak through the gaps of the ear padding. The headphone literally broadcasts the music to the outside via the large "speakers" on the side. It is impossible to listen to anything at a decent volume, without everyone in the room getting annoyed. From the little research I found regarding this, the sound is intentionally "leaked" to the outside, as a new design to improve sound quality of some sort. Does HD595 sound good? Yes. It's excellent. Is it a good headphone? No. It's not even a headphone, more like a speaker. It feels to me that the sound to the outside is at least half as loud as the sound to my ear, if not more. As far as I know, this "feature" cannot be turned off.
  
  Like anyone who can afford $200 headphones, I have a decent surround sound system for my entertainment center, as well as my computer. The only reason to use headphones is to not disturb others, particularly my girlfriend, when she is studying or sleeping nearby. I honestly cannot find any good situation to use this headphone. Too big for travel, too loud to use around others, and completely useless when I am alone at home, with sound systems of far better sound quality, without the restriction of wires.
  
  I am returning this product now, and am hoping that the company and the reviewers are more honest about the leaking issue. Many of the reviews here do not mention it at all, and the ones that do always brush it off as a minor annoyance. It's not a small problem. It should be mentioned that this headphone cannot be used around anyone without disturbing them.
  
  

• HD 595's Great H.P.s Period !!! Comparitive Review

  
  By ALBRW4Q4GOTJ2 on 2007-03-19
  I can't see how anyone could knock these H.P.s (a.k.a headphones). They really do everything, and do it very, very well!!! I bought these to replace the Senn 580's (another very good H.P. model to be sure!) they wern't cutting it for me in the lower-end Dept. These 595's lived up to my expectations, for a bit more than the 580's or anything else close. I found the bass was nicley deeper, an more present (nothing "earth-shattering" here of course). The whole lower-end seemes richer & more balanced to the already surperb high-end response that all Senn's are known for.
  
  On that note the high-end of the 595's was a little better somehow than the 580's. A little smoother, a little more depth & more "presence" ("presence" a quality I denote as being the sound which lingers after a note has been played on an instrument and how you hear/experience the natural "decay" of it). Maybe this is also aided because of the better bass reponse, a factor to considser.
  Still given over the 580's already impressive high-end response for an airy clairty is the 595's. But to be sure I find the 595's a little more distinct in the high-end.
  
  I found the 595's on Amazon $100 cheaper through an alternate seller. I/expected got them new in (a few days) the box & everything (adjustable holder/smaller golden-end jack etc...) was there & perfect for just $143... Sweet!
  
  I even noticed when I listened to old tapes that despite how bright & clear the 595's are (also 580's) that they are somehow very "forgiving" with the static & pops & "slight sounds" you hear when listening to worn materital. Otherwise, I might be afraid of listening to old recordings with worn media for fear of hearing to much static etc... I have many 20 year old+ cassettes that I can still hear things (with these Cans) I never heard before without being reminded of how imperfect they really are! That by itself is somewhat amazing I think!
  
  I have a Nice Amp & Preamp a Phillips SACD/DVD player, a Rotel Cassette Player, Really Nice Custom Made 3/Way Speakers, & Yet these Cans really make my sytem shine still. The only area my Stereo Speakers Clearly have them beat is the the low bass my Speakers put out, (also the ever popular "body" bass "feel"). No H.P.s (cans) can make you feel bass like you will expeirence on what really good low/quick reasonce speakers (woofers) can kick out. Cause "real" bass is somthing that you feel as much with your body as you do with your ears, thats a fact.
  
  I understand that the 650's (Senn's) have superior bass response (in their class) but at "that" cost, they should do more a lot more right?
  
  At the moment I'm listening to the Who "Quadrophenina" on my P.C. cranked and it sounds awesome on the 595's...
  
  These Cans are plenty loud sounding at 3 or 4 clicks on my stereo volume control. When I really do want to hear them really loud, I just watch/listen to the bass sound/quality to let me know if I'm over driveing them (by hearing low end static & shutter etc...). I rarely notice a sonic "brake-down" from loud volumes using these cans. Cause you won't hear any breakdown comming first from the pristene High-end before the bass checks out first. This is my "rule of thumb", for listening loudly w/any loud-speaker I'm driving to it's limits. The Bass will tell you first. It's a rare occasion anyway, I need/want to hear anything "too" loud on these, you just won't want or need to, cause they just sound so great at a lower "ear-safe" moderate levals. And beleive me "My moderate" level is much louder than what most people would deem "moderate". I like to get inside my music & these H.P.s do so quite accurately, at any level Thankyou!
  
  With that said, Overall you won't suffer any loss of quality because your not listening through your "Great" speakers that you have paid big bucks for, cause it's too late to play them & waking the household/neighbors. But If your stereo speakers aren't that great you'll CLEALRLY notice these H.P.s to be a Serious improvement to your listening pleasure.
  
  *Note For newbies: the Open-End Design (on these 595's and the 580's and many other good styles/brands) do bleed a fair amount of sound to the "outside", even when played at a moderate level, they could keep a light sleeper up if listened to in the same room that they are trying to sleep. But at low leval they are enough not only to bother a light sleeper but to still have plenty of full sound that you will be heard & enjoyed.
  N.B. The bass seems to taper as the volume is increased. So as to say at lower volumes the bass is as potent as it ever is. The great high airy clairity of sound is present at any volume.
  Plus Side Re: Open-End style H.P.s I perosnally like how I'm not totally (unless I play them loud) cut off from my surroundings, from a baby crying to someone yelling upstairs or my dog barking at somthing outside etc... This would only be a problem if you are one that listens to H.P.s in a noisy enviornment & want to use them to get-away from that enviorment, (w/out listening very loudly at all).
  But frankly if this is the case you should research some noise canceling H.P.s but buyer beware the decent ones aren't cheap and even the good ones aren't as good sounding as the good pair of regular H.P.s
  
  Senn's tend not to require much of a break-in period as do some others. However I find if you let them sit unused for a time they tend to Re-set-up a bit, they will sound better if first played for 20 mins. or so first.
  *F.Y.I. This is good advice for any good stereo to sound better/smoother. After Amps heat up they sound better esp. true for tube amps.
  
  For comparison, I also own some Sony H.P.s I did a review on as well. (Sony a big/reliable name in quality electronics). (They are "decent" but people say lower priced Senns sound better) I huriedly bought these for $120 at Best Buy in a "time of need") The 580's alone completly blew these away in every respect! More than you would think. These show what a little more money can get you, I mean hell for the cost of a few more CD's man, you can have some serious Cans you won't end up critizising to death later. When further compared to the Sonys or anything else around a $100+ these offer way more sound with a truer pitch & a quality of reproduction given to any instrument or voice. You'll notice that the sound appears quite different at first in comparrison. It's much much more alive/accurate. In fact it's better than being there! Let's face it live wouldn't be that good anyway, due to mixing quality, speakers, & mics are NEVER as good as in the studio. So I'm saying it's like being in the studio and hearing the band as if it were all going down right there...
  
  We know, sound is something that is hard for the brain to carry an accurate memory of esp. when it comes to sutble differences. So it's good to do "side-by-side" tests.
  Furthermore, I don't like turning on/up the bass or treble response, ever. I'm sort of a purest in that way. If your equiptment is doing what it should you shouldn't need to do it... Musicians spend very long hours in the studio getting "their" sound just right (the way they want it) your system should be able to faithfully reproduce what was laid-down from the "get-go". Besides it overdrives your stereo (at louder values) & also runs the sound signal through more wire length & "pots" which further degrades the signal/sound. Really Nice preamps/amps don't have loudness controls at all.
  
  F.Y.I. My comments arose by useing the above comparisons w/said types in general reference to many other H.P.s I have owned. I did so listening to not more than a 1/3 of a given track and then hearing the same 1/3 with the other H.P.s model commented on. I did this method of comparisson with several different genres of music as well. Just like you would when testing/buying different speakers. I have several walkman style H.P.s that I also use(d) as reference & although these (595's) are far far superior H.P.s their are some for walkman style (extremly small and light) that aren't bad at all for those looking for a truley protable H.P.
  
  I wish I still had my Beyer Dynamic H.P.s for direct comparisson. However from memory (& I spoke of it's sonic weakness) I think that they (costing $165 many yrs. ago)would still sound no better, if equal. Chances are w/advance tech. they would not sound as good. (Anyone know what happend to Beyers?) However even they didn't have reasonable replaceable pads or a straight cord or come designed with a cord only coming off one of the cans instead of comming off both sides which tends to get more in the way. The 595's (like the 580's) are light (ridgid high quality plastic) very comfortable out of the box from head to ears. Other uses have told me they only get more comfortable with use.
  I've listened From Classical to Jazz/ Vocal/ Rock/ Techno/ Funk/ Accoustict, I tried them all out, these cans do any sound proud! I'm glad that from all the clubs & load music (and my age) I've been expossed to these H.P.s make my ears feel/hear "young" again. And better yet show me they really aren't bad off (my ears) after all. I can notice so much, difference, nuance from vocals sounds to percussion esp. Thank-you Techys, I'm in Sonic heaven. Bravo!
  Viva Le Sennheiser!
  
  P.S. For the Record be pleased to know: These CANS will CRANK Out, They will Rock Hard... without any distortion. So as without "A Momentary Lapse of Reason"
  (Pink Floyd).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• BUYER BEWARE; CONSUMER ALERT!

  
  By A32RX109J2TRYG on 2008-04-24
  WARNING: After mailing my headphones to Sennheiser for repair, I was called and told there was a problem because they were not purchased from an authorized dealer. I purchased them brand new here at Amazon from ELECTRONICA DIRECT, a seller often featured by Amazon right on the product page. Sennheiser told me that I purchased stolen headphones. Shoppers who want the warranty honored SHOULD NOT BUY FROM ELECTRONICA DIRECT or any unauthorized dealer. Verify that the seller you are buying from is recognized by Sennheiser.
  
  
• WARM BUT DETAILED
  By on 2004-04-04
  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.
  
  
• Excellent headphones!
  By A3NCHP49Z8FTE7 on 2007-06-07
  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
  
  
• Senheiser hd-595 and more on hd-280pro
  By A2LRUXV6OXDD6E on 2005-04-20
  I bought this headphone after purchasing hd 280pro and hd595. read my review for hd 595 so i won't repeat what i have stated. I would just make two corrections knowing more about headphones. Sennheiser hd280 pro is really the best phone i have seen for the price it is offered for. Noise cancellation is really strong and yet does not compromise on the quality of the headphone. Ofcourse this headphone (hd 595) is better in quality and comfort than hd 280 however it does have its shorcomings too. First of all you should know that to get what this headphone has to offer you need to buy an amplifier for it otherwise the quality is not great (what it supposed to be) and buying an amplifier is an ivestment on itself since it can be costly. a good one would cost somewhere about 60 and more. My amplifier turned out to be more expensive finally after coming to choose a good one i liked. Nevertheless hd 280 requires less ohm power (half of this one) so amplifier is not a necessity for it since it is still quite sharp and powerfull. this head phone has great quality yet when you put it on you still can hear every outside completeley. so if you don't want to hear the noisy tv, or parrents arguing in the other room i would seriously suggest hd 280 pro becuase noise cancelling DOES work (eventhough i said something different in my other review). HD 280 pro also has is powerful in frequency too as it is made to be for comercial uses and not just home entertainment. everything else about it is said in the other review. I have to mention that hd-280 pro is more portable as well. the ear cups turn about 90 degrees as to become flat when you put them down and also they turn inside as well. I would feel comfortable carrying them with me to school (who cares they are ugly?) but I could not say the same about hd 595. it doesn't offer any mobility. also since the sides are open like a mesh, im always afriad orange juice or something is going to spell on it. this however is no problem for hd 280 since its a closed headphone! (that's an audiophile joke if you consider me one).
  HD 595 has a great sound. the comfort is alright. it doesn't look exactly like the picture but it still looks great (for instance the Cushions are not fluffy like the picture has). The quality is great though. and i can feel a surround sound and also the over all high and low tones are covered pretty well (though most reviews say that the base is not as powerful as it ought to be they still all admited that its over all a great headphone). For frequency specification to sennheiser's website they have all the details. this headphones covermore than human ear is capable of hearing. Overall I'd say its a good investment. I'm not an audiophile as to be able to tell the difference between the two but audiophiles would be able to do so becaues hd 595 is better in sound quality than hd 280 pro. if you are really into these things and just want something good you can still get alot with your money buying hd 280 pro.
  
  
• Comparison with Senn 590s
  By A1GDAIVRFY8832 on 2006-09-12
  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.
  
  
• Misinformed...
  By ATIVK9XUANIUE on 2007-11-09
  The Sennheiser HD-595 is a a great headphone judging it solely on sound. The problem with this headphone is it is 'open'. An open headphone has incredibly loud sound leak. Unless you want everyone around you to clearly hear what you listen to, you need a 'closed' or 'sealed' headphone.
  
  I honestly feel these should have a warning. It is unfair to expect consumers to expect a headphone to be as loud as a set of speakers in a room.
  
  
• Top notch headphone for a budget audiophile
  By ATHBERSO6LYOU on 2005-10-16
  I just got these headphones a few days ago. They haven't reached the "break-in" period yet but still sound as perfect as I had hoped (break-in is the period of time it takes for the diaphragms and drivers in the headphones to wear before the headphone sounds at its prime -- like breaking in shoes).
  
  Besides sounding great, they are astoundingly comfortable, even with glasses.
  
  Comparing them with my old headphones (Sennheiser EH-2270) these are more comfortable for longer periods and sound much better.
  
  The open headphone design allows sound to leak, but provides a more comfortable and generally better sound than sealed or closed headphones (my old Senns were closed).
  
  Sound great with all music but you will notice that not all music is recorded the same. Bad recordings will sound bad, no matter what headphone you use.
  
  I recommend a headphone amp, but it is not required except to improve the sound quality from sources that weren't designed for headphones or lack the power to deliver a clean signal.
  
  Easily the best headphone for your money. I got mine far below the MSRP, so look around a bit. And when you find them, get em because they really do sound great.
  
  
• Excellent heaphone, screaming deal
  By A1ILWPH1GHUXE2 on 2006-11-14
  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.
  
  
• Solid Performer
  By AFT0L64HQ82MO on 2005-10-14
  I just received the HD-595's as a gift and have spent about an hour doing an A/B comparison with an older set of Sony MDR-7506 phones.
  
  I listed to some old Bob James, even older Elton John and then came back to more modern times with Seal's second album, all in CD format. I used the native amp in a Sony DVD/CD player and then again adding a Yamaha Natural Sound pre-amp. There was a slight improvement with the Yamaha.
  
  What initially bothered me was a loudness in the frequencies 125, 250 and 500 cycles (I played with the EQ doing some subtractions in those ranges). I am not a pro, so you'll have to take this from the perspective of an audio enthusiast.
  
  I did lots of A/B comparisons with the Sony's and the Sennheiser's and came back deciding the Sony's are actually more on the harsh side sonically. They're very flat, maybe too flat.
  
  The Sennheisers are what I think are going to be great for longer listening periods with less ear fatigue - both in music reproduction and sheer comfort in how they fit. I'm looking forward to more time with them.
  
  In the end of my short test, I thought I liked the somewhat tighter, less boomy bass of the Sony's and the upper mid's to high ranges of the Sennheiser's. The HD-595's are really musical and the Sony's are more hard-line and technical. These differences are fairly subtle, but I think worth mentioning.
  
  
• Keep the VOLUME down
  By A150OWFGFIQF4C on 2006-11-01
  I've been a staunch supporter of Sennheiser products for over 25 years. These headphones sound wonderfully crisp and detailed, as do most of Sennheiser's other models.
  
  Now the bad side... and the reason for my rating of only 3 stars for this "premiere" item:
  
  The transducer in the right channel blew out on my HD-595 phones, after a mere month or so of use. This is not a good thing, especially considering their price tag.
  
  I originally selected this model because it is exceptionally light and comfortable to wear, even after several hours of non-stop use. In my case, I tend to listen to predominantly hard rock music through my phones. I realize that this could be a factor in the untimely demise of my HD-595's, but I honestly don't think that my music's volume was THAT excessive. I also play computer games quite often... and I was using these phones during some of the all-nighters that one can often end up playing with these games.
  
  It was during a session of the popular PC game "Half-Life 2" that these phones blew out. If I had to guess, I'd say that the loud transients imposed upon these phones by the gunshots and explosions in that game were the culprit. I think the HD-595's are simply not intended to handle that sort of extremely high dynamic range audio for very long and thus, they caved-in accordingly.
  
  So, to wrap up this short review:
  
  (1) A great product, if you keep the volume reasonable and don't push them too hard. On classical music and soft rock, they positively shimmer and sing. They're also very comfortable, even after long sessions of use.
  
  (2) Bad choice for PC gaming or highly-distorted music (such as heavy metal or hard rock). Based upon my experience, the HD-595's could be easily damaged if asked to reproduce loud transients too often (guns, explosions, etc.)
  
  OVERALL: 3 out of 5 stars. Add a star if you never crank up the volume.
  
  
• Wow
  By A1V9CC61JNRB61 on 2004-12-26
  Thats the only word to describe these excellent headphones. The crystal clear audio comes from all types of music. The incredible bass works well with rock, techno, and rap. The sharpness of the sound works great with all classical types. Ive had these cans for a week and I am still wowed everytime I throw on anything from Linkin Park, to Metallica, to classical.
  
  The comfort level is topnotch. Although it wasnt quite what I expected (I had hoped the earpads would be made of a more comforatble foam, like those in Bose headsets), I quickly learned that the people at Sennheiser know comfort. The velour earpads provide just enough resistence to keep set in place and keep your head nice and comfortable. The top headband seems to put a lot of pressuse on the top of your head.. this can be fixed by pressing the top of the earpeices.
  
  They really shine when you plug these into a decent headphone amp.
  
  If your looking for top-of-the-line on a semi-budget.. look no further. I highly recommend you purchase these.
  
  
• Sennheiser = Pure Audio Bliss
  By A2TVJ0YDW3QO63 on 2005-08-29
  I originally was educated about the audio beauty of Sennheiser headphones over 5 years ago, having only experienced the most basic of Sony headphones that you would get at a local electronics store. I was under the assumption that headphones are headphones, what could possibly be different about a pair with a name I had never heard of versus a pair made by an electronic giant like Sony? As I slipped the Sennheisers on my ears, I never looked back.
  
  Ignorance was NOT bliss in this case.
  
  Soon after I got to experience what music is supposed to sound like, I quickly purchased a pair of Sennheiser headphones of my own and have enjoyed them ever since. From their cool, velvety feel to the crispness of audio clarity, I challenge anyone to find a headphone manufacturer that exceed Sennheiser.
  
  My Sennheisers given me hours upon hours of sonic joy and I guarantee you will not be disappointed if you give them a chance. Are Sennheiser headphones more expensive? Are Mercedes more expensive? I am sure if you ask a Mercedes owner to give up their keys for a Ford they would laugh at your just as quickly as I would if someone wanted to replace my Sennheiser headphones with a Sony pair from Best Buy.
  
  You will NOT be disappointed.
  
  ***** HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION
  
  
• I-pod Friendly and Travel Worthy?????
  By ALFCAGLNSOJCE on 2006-12-10
  I love these headphones but so did the guy sitting next to me and the other person sitting next to him. These cans have supberb sound. I originally purchased these under the following criteria: it must sound good for my i-pod and be travel worthy. Unfortunatey these headphones generate sound outwards; to a level that someone sitting coach is going to give you the evil eye. These phones are very comfortable and again sound great. I would suggest using thess if you have something with more power than an ipod to enjoy. Best use would be for home or work; not travel.
  
  
• Absolutely blown away.
  By A2MY9VXHZYAHUZ on 2007-05-11
  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.
  
  
  
• Excellent introduction to real hi-fi
  By AWI6IPFQW12HI on 2006-08-03
  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!
  
  
• I am a Sennheiser head!
  By AK5GX7SPA9QEW on 2006-09-30
  Thought I should follow on the comparison of the HD590, as I'm also a HD580 owner. I'm sure there's a larger difference between this and the 580 compared to the 590. I would not say that one is better then the other...they are so different. The build quality of the 595s are better. The main weakness with the 580 is such flimsy stock cords!!! While my 6 year old 580s don't show much sign of wear, I'm always having to replace the cord!! I recently found out that the HD650s use compatible, much thicker cords. They're an extra $15 at Sennheiserusa's site, but worth it. With that, that bumps up the 580s price to exactly the same as the 595. So which one should you get? It depends on your preferences.
  
  The 595s are great for an all around headphone. They're much lower impedance then the 580/600/650 series, so they'll run alright on portables. The 580s are a steal compared to the 600 and 650 (the only differences between these phones are some of the acoustic properties of the materials used...be it plastic, metal, or carbon fiber). The problem with that series is that they are high impedance and need a good amplified source.
  
  The sound characteristics of the phones is very different. I think Sennheiser must have made this for people who said the 580 was too flat. It comes closer to a traditional closed headphone since the driver is angled toward your ear and the metal grill isolates the resonance. The truth is in the pudding: if you compare the frequency response of both cans, the 595s have a more consistant range. That makes the 595s better as a reference phone. The 580's driver is recessed, and is very open with a plastic grill. While some might say that the 580 is lacking in midrange, I find the 580 to be very open and less "headphone" sounding (the sound doesn't seem to be in the center of your head). The soundstage is greater with the 580s. I also find that because the 580 has such a high impedance, the dynamics do open up with a dedicated headphone amp. It's truly a different experience.
  
  I think comfort goes slightly towards the 580s. Both phones are very lightweight, but I get a slight pressure on my mandible with the 595s since they are angled inward. Neither presses on my ear, so both are good for extended listening. I'm just burning in the 595s, so the sound is starting to get warmer and closer to the 580s. I have a feeling that the 580s might give less fatigue for extended listening because they are really well balanced (they're really good for classical or acoustic because it gives just enough attention to quiet and solo instruments). Since the 595s are low impedance, they seem more dynamic with most sources. People who mainly listen to hard rock will surely find the 595s better. There's a clearer distinction between the bass and treble which seems exciting when you first listen (and why I think it might give fatigue if you listen for a long time). I like listening to jazz and alternative, which right now the 595s seem a tad bright. The frequency response doesn't lie: the 580s roll off in the higher ranges. To my ears, the 595s are more detailed, and the 580s have a warm sound.
  
  One other thing that's changed with the current models is that the default connection is the larger 6mm jack, and the adapter is for the smaller 3mm. The fit with the adaptor is very snug....I have to unplug it from the jack so that I can take the adapter off. That's a lot of weight on the jack! I'll probably get the corded HD650 adaptor that Sennheiser sells on their site (it's slightly less then the Grado adapter).
  
  OK, another neat thing about the 595s is you get a headphone stand included! Yes, it's shameless consumerism, but it is a great value. This is my third Sennheiser phone...I also have the PXC 250 noise canceling phones for traveling. Sennheiser seems to really be offering a wide range now. If you're an audiophile, I'd say the 580s might have an edge with an amp (only because of the soundstage)...but the 595s are a great detailed all around phone. Now that I've found a good cable for the 580, I'll probably keep it for my home rig. I'll use the 595 for the laptop, psp, and discman.
  
  
• Everything I Expected Plus
  By AGXV8E7XK9J6H on 2006-11-10
  I recently started getting into listening to mp3 players at work (about 4-6 hours a day) and was looking for a great sounding and very comfortable set of headphones. After a week or so of reading every review I could find I decided on the Sennheiser HD-595s. I am by no means an audiophile, I just wanted something that was going to sound great, feel great, and still let me hear the phone if it rings. These do all that.
  
  Pros:
  -Sound wonderful (especially when I use them with my home stereo system)
  -work with mp3 players, no need for amp
  -don't even remember you have them on (wear them up to 30 hours a week without discomfort)
  -comes with a hanger to put them on when your not listening
  -can still hear if the phone rings or if someone comes to your desk and says something
  
  Cons:
  -relatively pricey
  -look just a little ridiculouse in public
  -have to keep the volume relatively low when there are others around that may be annoyed by the noise
  
  
  
• My Favorite Toy
  By ABM0OMB9Y6VZY on 2006-10-06
  By no means would I consider myself an authority in headphone critique... but these things are mind-blowing. There was a short delay in shipping them out, but once they shipped they arrived before the estimated date. No hard feelings here, Amazon.
  
  Anyway, back on topic. If you're looking to spend somewhere in the realm of $150-$200, the Sennheiser HD-595 Premier Headphones are exactly what you're looking for. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try out very many other sets before making this purchase, but the 595's that I received in exchange for what I paid seems like a steal. Simply put: they enhance all sound and totally immerse you in sonic bliss.
  
  I use these when I'm playing with my Nintendo DS, working on my computer, or listening my MP3 player (Creative Zen Vision M) or CD's. These headphones bring out the best in all of that stuff.
  
  Like some previous reviewers have mentioned, the thing that you should know of before deciding on the 595's is that these things are not bass blasters. By no means are they weak, but you aren't going to experience bass that will make your head hover at the verge of exploding. I'd describe the bass as 'just right'; not too little, not too much.
  
  I'll also add that the volume and power is great without an amp, but if you do elect to go the amplifier route, prepare for some intense sounds. That's all I'll say about that!
  
  -Hip Hop and Jazz sound highly defined and you'll hear things you never heard before in songs you've listened to over and over again.
  -Classical sounds almost too realistic (in a good way). Every now and then I'll hear the slight ruffle of sheet-music turning or instrumentalists taking breaths. You feel like you're there.
  -Dub (try Black Uhuru's "The Dub Factor") will make you feel like you're on another planet.
  
  Ok, I originally intended on writing a sentence or two, but I got a little excited and started to rable. With that said, if you have about $180 to invest in a new toy that will enhance every thing with a headphone jack that you own, buy these.
  
  
• A little better than the 555's
  By A1QD6TQVMKQBPC on 2007-01-07
  These are fabulous headphones, you get what you pay for. Once they're broken in (took me about a week of listening about 2 hrs a day to get the bass going strong), they boast a rich, full range. The bass is loud and deep (while balanced), and the mids and highs come through crisp and clean. Run them through an amp with good power for proper performance. These aren't for portable devices unless used with a headphone amp. Also, the open air design creates a much more satisfying sound. I hate the seashell effect that closed headphones create. These let the sound around you in--and they're so light and comfy that you forget you're wearing them. People that say they leak too much sound bought them for the wrong reason. People right in the room with you will hear them, but no one else will. Finally, as my title reveals, I have the 555's as well. (I needed a second pair for my girl and use with a splitter) These are better, but not A LOT better. Those 555's are far cheaper and superb--maybe even a bit more comfortable. Still, these are so good that I don't regret the purchase.
  
  
• Excellent sound, but not for areas with *any* noise
  By A3HQ1SNZ2A831L on 2007-11-01
  As pretty much every other review states, these have fantastic sound. I'm not going to get into that, it's been done.
  
  These are an open design headphone, and most complaints about that have been that there is sound bleed out, that is, that people around the wearer can hear sound. I'm not talking about that, either.
  
  I'm talking about the fact that I put these on and I can hear any conversation going on just as clear as I could without these on. There is absolutely NO blocking of outside sound. Let me say that again: there is no outside noise reduction whatsoever.
  
  I was expecting some bleed-through, but it's really surprising to me how clear outside noise, speech and even keyboard clicks are when wearing these.
  
  Again, the sound is fantastic and my music is the clearest I've ever heard it. As far as that goes, I have no complaints.
  
  If you are in an office or dorm or any environment with ambient sound, these are likely not going to be for you at all.
  
  
• Unexpected Awesomeness
  By A1L96H27DENBSV on 2006-10-20
  I am a audiophile and am very picky when it comes to buying my toys. I bought these by accident when i was acually trying to buy the hd650's it was too late to cancell my order and since it was half the price i decided to try them out. I first hooked them up to my denon amp and listened to some cds and they sounded awesome. i could hear things in songs i have never heard before. I then hooked them up to my cheapy portable philips cd player just to see what it would sound like. to my surprise it sounded just as good as hooking them up to my denon amp. There was plenty of bass and highs and mids came out very good. the only draw back is that it is open and it bugs people that are sitting close to you. I am glad i got these instead of the 650's cause my friend owned the 650's and if you don't have a amp hooked up to it your out of luck.
  
  
• Extremely versatile headphones
  By AGWXVGUSNWBTV on 2006-11-12
  These headphones are a delight. Currently I am using them without a headphone amplifier, plugged directly into my desktop pc's sound card. Both the sound quality and the comfort level are fantastic.
  
  I do not doubt for a moment that the 600-class Sennheisers and their Grado counterparts are, when conjoined with an amplifier, flatly superior to the 595s sans amp; however, I do *seriously* doubt that, with an amp, anyone except the fussiest of all possible human beings and perhaps some actual music professionals would notice the difference (substantially more "audiophiles" would *pretend* to notice the difference, sure, but I very much doubt that properly configured blind tests would support their pretensions).
  
  Now, these headphones do not need an amplifier or even an especially hefty power source to provide excellent sound, but when connected to an amp they **really** deliver (this is why I said _currently_ I am using them without an amp--that may change soon enough). Therefore, I think the real strength of the 595s is their versatility. With a proper amplifier one can use them as near-reference-class phones, but at the same time one just as easily can plug them straight into a portable player and enjoy admirable results.
  
  I should note, though, that they do have one property that will annoy iPod users et al.--they leak sound *like crazy*. On a bus or in a coffee shop, everyone around you will hear them. At this point I use them exclusively for home use, so it hasn't been an issue, but if you plan to take these things in public it would be unwise to play anything at high volume.
  
  -David
  
  P.S.: Oh, yeah--they're cheap. For the sound and build quality you get, they're very cheap.
  
  
  
• Good sound, comfortable to wear, great for a casual listener
  By A3DANTEV1QMU2K on 2007-02-07
  I'll start off by saying I'm not an extreme audiophile. However, I do have 12 years of classical music training (piano and violin), I've played in two college bands (drums, bass guitar, and keyboard), and I have a fairly good understanding and appreciation of audio equipment. However, I'm not the type who will drop a thousand dollars on a pre-amp or spend ten thousand on a pair of reference speakers. That said, I love these Senn HD-595s and believe they are worth every penny.
  
  I could say the highs and mids are bright and sweet, the bass is not overpowering, and the sound exhibits traditional Sennheiser acoustics with a laid back feel, all of which I believe are true. But that may mean nothing to you. So I'll just say when I listen to classical music, I can hear characteristics of individual instruments that I'd never heard before. Listening to a recording of Richter's Rachmaninoff 2nd piano concerto (which I've practiced myself), I was amazed at how much more vivid the dynamics were and how much more colorful the sound was. I could close my eyes and almost imagine myself in a concert hall during a live performance.
  
  When listening to alternative rock bands, I can hear some of those tiny details that I used to only hear when I was in the recording studio with my college band. The HD-595s are also great for listening to jazz, though I've been on a sort of jazz hiatus, so haven't done much listening to that genre on the HD-595s. All in all, the sound pretty much blew away what I was used to with my Sony MDR-V500s.
  
  With all my previous headphones, I wasn't be able to wear them for more than an hour or two before I'd have to take them off and rub my ears to relieve the stress and strain. I've worn the HD-595s for most of an afternoon at work at times, and it hasn't bother me at all. I think this is due to the large earcups that fit completely over the ear, and the soft velvety cushions that pad the cups against the side of your head.
  
  I admit that I'm very picky about how my equipment looks, especially equipment like headphones that are very public. So the fact that I love the way the HD-595s look is part of the reason I'm giving it 5 stars. Also, the 595s come with a headphone stand that's quite convenient if you keep your headphones in your office or cubicle at work. However, the main reasons I love the 595s are their sound and comfort. As a final note, my coworker, who had just bought a pair of Senn HD-280s a few weeks ago, asked to try my HD-595s a couple times and then ended up buying a pair himself because they were so much better than his newly purchased 280s. :)
  
  
• Mind-blowing, high-end audio BARGAIN!!!
  By A7EJERNB7IK3Z on 2007-05-20
  What can I say about these highly musical headphones? They are a sonic godsend from the magicians at Sennheiser, and deliver goosebumps in spades! There is something truly magical in the headphones approach to reproducing music accurately, and the HD-595 is an example of how years of refinement and technology have culminated in an affordable product that compares to or surpasses the best high-end gear and speakers costing thousands of dollars. In fact, good headphones are probably the best bang-per-buck value in all of high end audio, period! Mega kudos to Sennheiser for their years of devotion, passion, and dedication to their art and craft. They have brought untold joy and emotion to those music fans who have listened to their favorite artists via their 'cans'!!
  
  The HD-595's will transport your favorite artist into your listening space with jaw-dropping realism and holographic detail. They have incredible coherence, presence, spaciousness/air, and inner detail, and will truly expose your best recordings, and alas, your worst. Their soundstaging abilities are unreal, and your music will seem like it is coming from way beyond the headphones themselves, much like a stage or recording space in a studio. You will be able to pinpoint individual types of instruments and their locations with proper separation in space, and a natural sense of their true sound without colorations. The bass is very accurate and lifelike as well.
  
  If you love music the way it was meant to be heard, and you don't want to spend 'mucho dinero', you owe it to yourself to audition the Sennheiser HD-595's with your favorite CD's or LP's. You WILL be moved!
  
  Strengths:
  
  Price/performance ratio, timbral accuracy, resolving ability, accurate bass, attack and decay of music is uncanny, aesthetically beautiful, very comfortable, low-impedance (50 ohms) means portable MP3 or CD players can drive them to decent volume
  
  Weaknesses:
  
  Are you kidding me??!!
  
  
  
  
• Great headphones; fabulous customer service
  By A3TUOBSYR8DUXN on 2007-09-12
  Not only do I love these headphones, but Sennheiser itself provided "beyond the call" service to me recently. Despite my best efforts at protecting my headset, my cats chewed the cord in several places, rendering it useless. I sent the headphones to Connecticut for repair, fully expecting to pay for this non-warranty damage repair (I was honest with them up front), and what did they do but send me a brand new set at no charge. I was completely surprised, and thoroughly impressed. And oh, did I mention how great the sound and comfort are? Oh, and P. S., I now make sure to put them in a bag after use, always.
  
  
• Balanced Crisp and Clean
  By ATR5L7FDC7B7M on 2007-09-17
  What can i say.
  
  I just got the headphones in the mail.
  
  THE BOX:
  wow !
  its very well packaged, sturdy protective case. Opening the case i noticed
  a cool little headphones Hanger for a computer desk or w/e you would want to hang the Cans on.
  The headphones are packaged tight and they look great !
  
  First Listening session's:
  
  ZUNE: As you may or may not already know these headphones have Fairly low Nominal Impedance: The web site says 120 but the box says 50 !
  
  Back to the Zune. i encode my files at 192-320 Constant. Sounds much better than i xpected it to on the device. All genres sound great.
  FREQ response is wonderful. The bass is a little weak but that is to be xpected on such a device. the high's are clean and balanced very well by the clear warm mids. The base as i said on the Zune is pretty quiet, still there mind you.
  
  Sound Blaster Audigy 2(PC):
  
  MUSIC: With an well Amped output such as a PC with a good soundcard these baby's shine. The low freq's come out to play and all facets of the sound succeed in creating a very true representation of the music. HIP HOP sounds very good as i am currently listening to some. The Sound is seperated and everything is very easy to identify. These Cans provide a very forward listening Xperiance as many others have noted you can locate voices and horns very well in the soundstage.
  
  The soundstage is wide and provides a great listening Xperiance.
  
  COMFORT:
  
  The earpads do feel a bit tight at first but with about an hour of wearing them they feel perfect !
  
  Very soft velvety feel.
  
  Construction:
  
  No one ever said anything about these being headphones fit for any kind of abuse. They are well put together and look great but i have a feeling if someone was to as much as set there foot down on them to hard they may break. The plastics look great and really are put together very well.
  
  The great thing about the contruction of these headphones is alot of the parts ARE replacable !
  CAN WE SAY LONGEVITY!
  
  thats great for me and you because most people who buy cans like these do have them for a very long time.
  
  Thanks for reading my little review !
  
  i hope it helps!
  
  5 out of 5
  
  

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• 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Extension 15 ft. Straight
• 3.5mm Stereo Y Adapter 1 Plug To 2 Jacks
• 3.5mm Stereo Jack To 1/4" Stereo Plug Adapter
• 3.5mm Stereo Headphone Extension 15 ft. Coiled

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