Being an audiophile can be an expensive proposition. For, while you can get regular, mainstream headphones and equipment at relatively affordable rates, getting good audiophile level equipment can be a bit of a challenge. Yes, relatively lower price options are always available but these often come with quality compromises, which defeat the very purpose of being an audiophile. A good high quality audiophile level headphone can generally set you back by something in the vicinity of Rs 12,000 and above. And if you are going for an open-back pair of headphones for those really wide sound stages, then be ready to shell out a sum in the vicinity of Rs 15,000. More affordable now, but with those typical Sennheiser premium looks! Which is why the Sennheiser HD599 are a phenomenal deal not just for audiophiles - especially those just getting into the audiophile zone - but for anyone who wants astoundingly clear audio with a wide soundstage (a soundstage is a scenario in which you can hear the sound of different instruments coming from different directions, giving you the impression of being sitting in a hall - the wider the soundstage the bigger the hall and the more central your location). The open-back HD599 was launched a few years ago at a price of around Rs 20,000, but are today available at Rs 8,999 and sometimes even lower. And at this price, they are a fantastic deal for rookie audiophiles or anyone who values phenomenally clear audio. Sennheiser is a master of headphone design and the HD599 is a prime example. Although the headphones are made of plastic, they radiate classy premium-ness, with a headband that blends into the earcups through a single wide connecting joint instead of two narrow ones. The result is a pair of headphones that feels very solid and does not wobble. Both the headband and the earcups are very well padded, and at about 260 grams, the HD 599 are incredibly comfortable to wear, and not too tight. The Sennheiser branding is on metallic coloured bands on the headphones, and the outer portion of the earcups have grilles that give an airy feeling, let sound escape, and letting you experience that wider sound. The white version is more striking but we would recommend going for the black one as there is a lesser chance of it getting dusty. Our only complaint is that there is no carry bag in the package for the headphones - a bit of a necessity for open-back headphones, we think - and also that the headphones do not fold inwards so do not compress into a compact package. Fantastic sound, without getting too edgy They look very good, but the Sennheiser HD599 sound even better. They are simple plug-and-play, with no apps to install. They come with proprietary Sennheiser transducers, and although no driver size is given on the package, the audio they produce is of frankly stunning quality. These being open-backed headphones, the sound did leak out from the grilles on the earcups (we would not advise sitting too close to other folks while wearing these), but on the flip side, the open nature of these headphones gave one amazingly 'roomy' sound. Those who love watching high quality films or listening to jazz and classical music will literally be able to hear strings being plucked, the tinkle of spurs on boots and other sounds that they might not have even known existed. Unlike some open back headphones (such as the ones from AKG and BeyerDynamic) which can lean a little too heavily towards treble, the Sennheiser HD 599 are not annoyingly sharp, and have a very mild hint of bass, so they do not grate on your ears. What you get to hear through the HD 599 is clear audio, very close to the way in which it was recorded, and the effect was mesmerizing across all genres. We were able to hear instruments in amazing detail and watching classic westerns took on a whole new dimension with the sound of the wind whistling becoming suddenly so much more prominent. You are not going to get rumbling bass here, but the clarity levels will stun you, especially if you have never used an open backed headphone before. You will find yourself listening to your favourite numbers again and again, discovering new elements to them - we had not heard the tiny bell in Moriconne's classic theme of The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, and you can almost hear the guitar strings quiver in the opening of the seminal Hotel California. This is the kind of sound you will never get from any Bluetooth headphones. We have seen a number of sound editors using them simply for the level of clarity they bring to the table. Get a DAC and keep a bag handy Although they can connect to smartphones (provided you have one with a 3.5 mm audio jack or a dongle), we recommend you use these headphones with your notebook or tablet for best results. Use a DAC if you wish to use it with your phone, as most phones will not be able to power them adequately - volume levels sank to very low levels on something like the OnePlus 12. You would not need a high-end DAC - even a budget one priced around Rs 3,000 should be able to drive these headphones. And of course, if you have access to a high-quality audio system then the cable with a 6.3 mm jack will let you access extremely high quality audio. The headphones come with two cables - a 1.2 meter 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable to use with notebooks and phones, and a 3 meter 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm cable. Also in the package is a 6.3 mm to 3,5 mm adaptor for those occasions when you forget to carry the 6.3 mm cable. Once again, we really would have liked a bag to be able to carry all this. A quick note - these headphones are only for hearing audio and have no support for taking and receiving phone calls. There is a line of thought among hardcore audiophiles that the Sennheiser HD599 are not classic audiophile headphones as their soundstage is narrow for an open back pair of headphones, and also that its audio signature is very very slightly bass oriented, but then those are allegations that have been levelled at the legendary Audio Technica ATH-M50X, which are considered by many to be the best value for money closed back audiophile headphones around. We think that the HD599's slight bass accent and relatively less wide soundstage (it is still wider than any closed back headphones') actually make it perfect for any person who is starting out on their audiophile - the headphones give the listener just the right amount of additional clarity and a wider than usual soundstage without trying to overwhelm them. Many beginners might find the likes of an AKG K240 or a Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro a little too sharp for their liking. At their launch price of Rs 20,990 a few years ago, we would have considered the Sennheiser HD599 to be a little on the expensive side, especially given the presence of alternatives from BeyerDynamic, ATH, Sony and a few others, including Sennheiser itself. However, at Rs 8,990, they are a terrific deal for anyone questing for audio purity. They are also hands down the best headphones for those beginning their audiophile journey and are very good even for those who want to hear a wider soundstage and much greater clarity than what is heard on even premium Bluetooth headphones that are twice as expensive. Even some of the audiophiles who criticise them keep them as more earth-friendly options for those moments when they want some comfort listening without compromising on clarity. Just remember to get a handy enough DAC to power them or best of all, use them with your notebook or desktop!
