Headphones
Sennheiser HD 595
Among the least expensive of the headphones we consider "audiophile grade" the Sennheiser HD595 delivers an up-front presentation with really terrific imaging. The bass is punchy and well textured, mids are coherent and nicely balanced, and the highs are articulate though just slightly grainy (they're not $1,000 headphones after all). These are a terrific cans, brought to you by a world-class maker, bound to please those purchasing their first audiophile quality headphone.
Product Features:
- Excellent performance across the audio spectrum, with especially fine imaging.
- Very comfortable for listening sessions long into the night.
- Excellent styling, materials, and build quality from a world-class maker.
- Comes with nifty headphone hanger that clamps to desk or shelf.
- 2 Year Warranty
What's In The Box:
- Headphone Holder
Applications:
The Sennheiser HD580, HD600, and HD650 form a lineage of headphones that some consider the gold standard by which all other headphones are compared. However, the one common criticism of this family of cans is an overly "laid-back" or a slightly 'veiled' sound, meaning a presentation that's perhaps a few rows too far back in the audience...well, hallelujah! The HD595 has just given you killer front row seats at the best theatre in town--your own listening room. These cans are very evenly well-balanced but just slightly brighter than the HD600/HD650s with a livelier, more 'energetic' timbral presentation. And while the HD595 may not be as black between the notes nor as critically damped as the sophisticated upscale HD600/HD650 models, the HD595 still provides a superb sense of depth to the soundstage image and very clear access to all the low-level sonics happening in the recording. You can easily hear the valves and pads on the horns and woodwinds as well as the soft sibilant blat of a lip slapping on a trombone. This detail and depth do come at the price of a slight graininess in the overall sound, but all things [price!] considered, it's an easy trade-off to make for the musical immediacy of these fine cans.
The low 50-ohm impedance rating of the HD595 make it a usable choice for most portable audio players and computer-based listening applications, but keep in mind its overall audio performance will definitely improve VERY significantly when mated with any quality dedicated headphone amp. We've heard many an audiophile argument rage over which Sennheiser model reigns supreme, but few listeners deny that they certainly make some great cans. We highly recommend the HD595 to those who like a slightly forward, lively, and clearly delineated sonic presentation.
This full-sized, open-back headphone (NO noise-blocking!) is a circumaural earcup design with fabric-material earcups and pleather headband padding. It features an unusual but highly effective construction that places the headphone driver elements in a naturally angled position parallel with the ear for maximum detail resolution. It's also a quite comfortable headphone to wear for extended periods due to the ergonomic position of the earcups. The non-detachable [hard-wired] 10-foot headphone cord attaches to the left earpiece and is terminated in a full sized 1/4" headphone plug; a 1/4" inch-to-1/8" adaptor is included. Although it's a decent adaptor, we still very highly recommend the right-angled Cardas Audio 1/4" to 1/8" adapter if plugging into a source with small 3.5mm outputs, as it places significantly less strain on small 1/8" (3.5mm) headphone jacks. By the way, the overall fit and cosmetic material finish of these cans is excellent as usual for Sennheiser. A big final plus is the nifty Sennheiser headphone holder included with the HD595 which allows the user to display the cans conveniently from a desk or other flat surface. It's a way-cool accessory provided gratis with the HD595! A 2-yr manufacturer's product warranty remains standard with all Sennheiser headphones.
Specifications:
- Sensitivity: 112 dB/V
- Warranty: 2 Years
- Cord Type: Straight Left-Side
- Coupler Size: Large
- Microphone: No
- Detachable Cable: No
- Cord Length: 10 ft. (3 m)
- Weight: 9.5 oz.
- Connector Type: 1/4"
- Driver Type: Dynamic
- Isolation: 0
- Ear Coupler Type: Full-Size
- Impedance @ 1kHz: 50
- Manufacturer Warranty: 2 Years
- Wireless: No
- Headphone Type: Full Size
- Noise Cancelling: No
- Acoustic Seal: Open
Additional Resources:
- Manufacturer's Website
- http://www.sennheiserusa.com/
- Product Manuals
- HD 595 Manual
Average Rating
Posted by jchandler3 from Ashland, OH on 2010-02-14
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: Clear, articulate, comfortable, great value!
The open design allows for more accurate low-end, but it lets a lot of sound out to people around you, so these aren't ideal for office use. Unfortunately, despite their high sensitivity rating and efficient impedance, I've noticed that they are very lean in the bass unless they are given a lot of power.
I've listened to (and own) better headphones, but these are a terrific choice for the price. Highly recommended!
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Posted by Radiola from New York on 2010-02-03
Recommend Product: Yes
Pros: direct and clear, balanced sound,
Cons: somewhat boxed in sonics
Still, in comparison with my old HD545 these cans sound a little spatially restricted and less airy. Perhaps it's the HD545 that are off neutral because subjective preferences account for much of what people like. Also my HD545 are well broken in to the tune of more than 15 years.
The HD595 still make me "rock" though as their bass is particularly taut and tuneful as well as it's timing and delivery. I can't find any fault with their harmonic integrity either. It's that psycho-acoustic switch that goes off in a listeners head that says all is well with the sound reproduced by the HD595, whatever the reason.
I find them a bit "clampy" on my head after extended listening. BUT and this is big,,,,the quality of construction and materials of the headband et al is much better than the HD545. The head cushion is a nice leatherette fluffy airbag that I really appreciate.
This is an update about 3 days after I wrote the initial review. The phones are breaking in and they surpass the HD545 in most every respect now. Of course I only have the HD545 to compare them with in my experience but the HD600 and HD650 are cut out of the same mold. If I were to move up from these I think I would want to get the HD800....The reason.....The elements moved towards the front of the can. This is the new thinking in headphones and this thinking is also in evidence in other makes such as the Beyer Tesla T1.
So the HD595 is not just a refinement of the 500 series but the product of new design concepts and they are available at a reasonable cost.
March 4th...I just received an Aphex headpod to use with these. I know it's not the amps sold on this site, but still a strong amp. It takes this headphone up an order of magnitude. That's over using them directly from the computer. Also tried them with a MAYA soundcard and got nice results there. Have to revisit that as it might be better than the headpod.
Ok...I just got an ART headamp6pro in and it allows me to quickly compare phones. The HD595 is a serious set of cans with this amp. Forget the headroom line of amps. Go for one of these studio amps. There is also the Behringer unit. They are better, have and impressive range of functions and are cheaper to boot.
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Posted by A HeadRoom Fan from washington, dc on 2010-01-25
Recommend Product: Yes
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