HD Open-Back Headphones
Powered by Sennheiser's proprietary transducer technology for truly excellent sound performance, the open back HD 599 delivers impressively natural spatial performance. Topping Sennheiser's 500 series, the full sized premium headphone offers near-audiophile levels of sound quality and exceptional wearing comfort thanks to the large ear cups and soft replaceable ear pads. Finished in a distinctive Ivory color, with matte metallic detailing and a brown stitched headband, it is a great choice for those wishing to enjoy entertainment with sophisticated sound, design and build quality.
Why r/BuyItForLife recommends it
4 mentions from real owners
- #1Nov 4, 2025
What are the best headphones with a great price-to-performance ratio?
Sennheiser HD 599s have served me well for the past 7 years. Although I got them for $95 and now they're listed $150-200 most places, I'd buy again today.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #2Mar 5, 2025
What technology is enough?
The short is, there’s a lot of good headphones out there. If you don’t have a vested interest in TOTL audio quality the difference of a $150 to $400 headphone isn’t going to mean much to you. I’m partial to Sennheiser so my recommendation is either the HD 599 or HD 6XX. These are open back so if you don’t mind some sound leakage these are amazing. They’re fine on their own but if you notice they’re quiet or have some awkward buzzing you’ll want an amplifier. I got mine for like $80 (though I’m sure cheaper is out there) and I’ve used it without issue for 4 or so years.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #3Dec 4, 2015
Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?
I've got 16 year old Sennheiser HD500s with a detachable cord. The drivers went out before the cable or the jack did. Prior to dropping money on that first set of Sennheisers, I'd gone through probably a dozen cheaper headphones (Sony, Koss, etc.) that I'd ruined on account of the cable. I found the tiny threads of cable difficult to solder at the time, although after I'd bought the Sennheisers, I retrofit a pair of Sonys with a removable cable. I didn't fall too much further into the headphone rabbit hole. Five years ago, I bought a pair of used HD595s because my HD500s were buzzing. After the 595s showed up, I took the 500s apart to find that it was just a cat whisker that was up against the driver, and they lasted another five years before the drivers finally gave out. I guess all this is to say that I don't think you have to worry about detachable cables as being a point of failure in headphones.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #4Dec 3, 2015
Best over the ear headphones for less than $150?
I have been loving my Sennheiser HD 550s for about 15 years now. I've bought 2 pairs and plan to continue using them for the foreseeable future. They are "open air" meaning they don't block sound in the immediate environment (and people nearby can hear the audio coming from them a bit more than other headphones) but it also creates a rich, bassy, crisp audio experience that seems to inhabit the space with you. I think of it as virtual reality for my ears.
View on Redditopen_in_new