The Sennheiser HD 600 are open-back, over-ear headphones for audiophiles or those who need an analytical listening tool. Originally released in 1997, they underwent a minor cosmetic facelift in 2019. Online reports indicate that there have been no changes to their tried-and-tested sound profile, which promises to deliver high-fidelity sound via their dynamic drivers. Their high impedance and sensitivity mean you'll need a dedicated amp or sound card to get the best out of them, as they won't get loud enough when connected to mobile devices.
Our Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 600 are great for neutral listening and deliver a well-balanced frequency response. Instruments and vocals are clear and crisp, and their open design gives these headphones a spacious and immersive soundstage. However, like most open-back headphones, they lack rumble and slam in the bass range. Their impedance and sensitivity also mean you'll need an amp or soundcard to drive them.
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Detailed audio reproduction.
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Open and spacious soundstage.
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Stable and comfortable design.
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Poor noise isolation, by design.
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Weak headband build quality.
The Sennheiser HD 600 aren't designed for commuting. The open-back ear cups don't isolate you from any ambient noise and leak a lot of audio to the point where they might disturb other commuters. Also, they aren't very portable and don't have a control scheme for mobile devices.
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Stable and comfortable design.
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Open-back design, so they leak a lot.
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Poor noise isolation, by design.
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Weak headband build quality.
The Sennheiser HD 600 aren't designed for sports or fitness use. Although they're well-built and have a decently stable fit, they're also big, bulky, and cumbersome. They also lack dedicated controls, and their wired design means you can easily get the cable snagged while in motion.
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Stable and comfortable design.
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Open-back design, so they leak a lot.
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Poor noise isolation, by design.
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Weak headband build quality.
The Sennheiser HD 600 aren't made for office use, despite being decently comfortable. Their open-back design leaks a lot of audio that will bother others around you and provides very little attenuation against ambient noise. So, if you're trying to focus on tasks, you'll be easily distracted by office chit-chat around you.
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Detailed audio reproduction.
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Stable and comfortable design.
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Open-back design, so they leak a lot.
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Poor noise isolation, by design.
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Weak headband build quality.
The Sennheiser HD 600 are wired headphones and aren't suitable for wireless gaming.
The Sennheiser HD 600 are okay for gaming. They're decently comfortable, have a balanced sound profile, and have a low-latency wired connection. However, they don't have a microphone for voice chat when gaming, so you'll need to purchase a standalone mic. Their underemphasized bass response will also mean that dynamic sound effects, like explosions, will lack some rumble and oomph. That said, their solid passive soundstage performance can be helpful in locating enemy footsteps within the stereo field.
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Detailed audio reproduction.
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Open and spacious soundstage.
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Stable and comfortable design.
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Open-back design, so they leak a lot.
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Poor noise isolation, by design.
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Weak headband build quality.
Since they don't have a microphone, the Sennheiser HD 600 aren't suitable for phone calls. Even if you do choose to pair them with a standalone mic, their poor noise isolation performance means you'll struggle to hear the person on the other end anywhere but the calmest of environments.
- 8.1 Neutral Sound
- 3.7 Commute/Travel
- 5.5 Sports/Fitness
- 4.4 Office
- 4.5 Wireless Gaming
- 6.5 Wired Gaming
- 1.7 Phone Calls
- Updated Apr 03, 2024: We've updated this review to ensure it remains up-to-date and accurate and have added relevant side-by-side comparisons.
- Updated Jan 26, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.6 , which updates how we measure latency. We've updated and renamed the following test groups: Wired Connection, Bluetooth Connection, and Wireless Connection (Dongle). We've also added new codec latency measurements and provided an audio sample of recorded latency.
- Updated Jan 23, 2023: Added a comparison between the Sennheiser HD 600 and the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x in the Compared To Others box.
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Feb 13, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Aug 12, 2019: We've updated the Comfort score to better reflect how tight these headphones are.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Aug 10, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
- Updated Mar 01, 2017: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Jun 13, 2016: Review published.
- Updated Jun 11, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated May 20, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sennheiser HD 600 come in one variant: 'Black'. Our unit features a marbled pattern on the headband and earcups, which has since been discontinued and replaced with a monochrome black finish.
If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 600 are over-ear, open-back headphones for dedicated listening setups. They have a well-balanced sound that represents instruments and vocals accurately. However, they're slightly lacking in bass for some and too bright on some tracks for others. They're also quite comfortable but a little tight if you have a larger head. If you're looking for open-back headphones with more bass and a wider passive soundstage, check out the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x. The Sennheiser's build quality also feels somewhat cheap for their price range, especially compared to other premium open-back headphones like the Audeze MM-100. They're a great choice if you love to listen to more instruments and vocal-heavy genres.
See also our recommendations for the best headphones for recording, the best headphones for music, and the best over-ear headphones.
The Sennheiser HD 650 are slightly better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 600, although not by much. The biggest difference between the two models is that the HD 650 are a bit more comfortable, so you can wear them for longer than the HD 600. They have an almost identical sound profile, although the HD 650 do have a slightly more accurate bass and treble response. However, it's very hard to tell by listening alone. On the other hand, the HD 600 offer better value for your money, with a similar sound profile at a lower price. .
The Sennheiser HD 598 are slightly better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 600, mostly due to comfort. The HD 598 have a better over-ear fit that does not clamp your head and feels very comfortable. They also have a slightly more elevated high bass which some may like since it adds a bit more punchiness than the HD 600, and they come with an additional cable in the box. On the other hand, the HD 600 are more balanced and will not sound boomy on some tracks like the HD 598. The HD 600 also have a slightly better build quality which should last you a bit longer than the HD 598s.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO are better critical listening headphones than the Sennheiser HD 600. The Beyerdynamic offer a better value thanks to their excellent build quality and great audio reproduction. They feel a lot more durable than the Sennheiser and have a slightly better sound that packs more bass. However, the Sennheiser have a slightly better representation of instruments and vocals in the mid-range and do not sound as sharp as the Beyerdynamic on bright tracks. They also have a slightly more spacious soundstage than the Beyerdynamic and come with detachable cables.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and Sennheiser HD 599 are very similar headphones in performance, and the HD 599 may offer better overall value for most users. Their sound profiles are fairly similar, but the HD 599 are noticeably more comfortable and don’t feel as tight as the HD 600. On the other hand, they don’t feel as well-built as the HD 600. Some may find the HD 600 sound a bit more neutral.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO are both great options if you're looking for headphones for neutral sound, and you may prefer either. The Sennheiser have an open-back design. Their passive soundstage is much more open and spacious-seeming, and they have more consistent bass and treble delivery, but their sound lacks a bit of low-bass. On the other hand, the Beyerdynamic are closed-back headphones with much better bass accuracy. They have a much more comfortable fit, isolate you from more ambient sound, and leak less audio.
If you prefer a closed-back design for your critical listening, then the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x will be the better option. If you want an open design, then go for the Sennheiser HD 600. The Audio-Technica have a deeper bass that some will prefer. Also, since they have a closed-back design, they're a bit more versatile to use outdoors. They're suitable for commuting and the office since they do not leak as much as the Sennheiser and block more noise. On the other hand, the Sennheiser have a more spacious-sounding audio reproduction. They also have a more accurate representation of the mid-range.
The HiFiMan Sundara 2020 are better for neutral sound than the Sennheiser HD 600. The HiFiMan are more comfortable, deliver audio more consistently, and have a significantly better passive soundstage performance. While their sound profile lacks bass, they deliver more thump and rumble than the Sennheiser. On the other hand, the Sennheiser trap much less heat against your ears. They're also much more stable and should stay in place while you headbang to your favorite tunes, although they aren't quite stable enough for workouts.
The Audio-Technica ATH-R70x and the Sennheiser HD 600 are very similar-performing audiophile headphones. While the Audio-Technica have a lower bass extension, the Sennheiser have more accurate treble delivery and a more neutral frequency response. However, they have a higher clamping force than the Audio-Technica, making them less comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. Their passive soundstage also isn't as wide and natural-feeling as the Audio-Technica.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the Philips SHP9500 are both great audiophile headphones if you like a neutral sound. Their sound profiles are very similar; they both have a very balanced sound, although the Philips can reproduce slightly more bass. They're also more comfortable for long listening sessions thanks to their spacious ear cups, but they don't feel as well-made as the Sennheiser.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are slightly better headphones for neutral sound than the Sennheiser HD 600. The HD 560S are more comfortable, deliver audio more consistently, and have a more neutral sound profile. However, the HD 600 are better built.
Both the Sennheiser HD 660S2 and the Sennheiser HD600 are audiophile open-back headphones designed for analytical listening, though the HD 660S2 are better for this purpose. They deliver audio more consistently and have a more accurate treble response. They're soundstage also feels wider and more immersive than the HD 600's.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the Sennheiser HD 6XX are open-back headphones with similar overall performances, and they're both great for neutral sound. The HD 6XX have a more consistent audio delivery across different listeners. However, the HD 600 are more stable.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the Sennheiser HD 660 S are similar headphones overall, but the HD 600 are a better choice for audiophiles who prefer a more neutral sound profile. Their bass and mid-range responses are nearly identical, but the HD 600 have a brighter and more present treble, while the HD 660 S are rather dull. The underemphasized treble of the HD 660 S may be preferable if you find sounds in the higher frequencies particularly piercing or painful, but, for most people, the HD 600 sound better-balanced overall.
While the Sennheiser HD 600 are open-back audiophile headphones, the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, while also having an open-back design, are more suited to professional use in the studio. The HD 490 PRO are more comfortable, deliver audio more consistently, and have better bass accuracy. They also come with two different sets of earpads that you can switch between depending on the task at hand. That said, the HD 600 have a more balanced mid and treble response, bringing out more detail in vocals and lead instruments. They're also built more solidly and have a slightly more open-sounding soundstage.
While the Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee are very similar to the Sennheiser HD 600, they are slightly better critical listening headphones. If you don’t find them too tight, you’ll enjoy a slightly better sound with less bass roll-off, which adds a bit of punch to the HD 58X. They are also quite cheaper and will offer better overall value.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the AKG K702 are both open-back, over-ear headphones that are similarly suited for critical listening. While the Sennheiser have slightly less low-bass than the AKG, they have a better-balanced treble range and are more stable on the head. At the same time, the AKG are more comfortable and have a wider soundstage that's perceived as coming from in front rather than from inside the listener's head.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the HiFiMan Sundara 2018 are both impressive audiophile headphones, though they have slightly different sound profiles. The HiFiMan produce more thump and rumble while slightly reducing the intensity of vocals and instruments. The Sennheiser sound a bit more bass-light in comparison, and they put more emphasis on vocals and instruments. The HiFiMan have a more natural soundstage and are much more comfortable, but there have been reports of quality control issues from the brand.
The Sennheiser HD 600 are better audiophile headphones than the Meze Empyrean as the Sennheiser have a much more neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer. While they struggle to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, their mid and treble ranges are much more accurate and flat. However, if you're an audiophile who prioritizes a more high-end design, the Meze are significantly more comfortable and better-built. Their passive soundstage seems wider and as if sound is coming from speakers placed in the room around you rather than inside your head.
The Sennheiser HD 600 are better headphones for neutral sound than the 7HZ Timeless. While both headphones are decently comfortable and well-built, the Sennheiser are open-back over-ear headphones with a much more accurate treble response and a more open and spacious passive soundstage. However, if you prefer in-ear monitors (IEMs), the 7HZ have a planar magnetic transducer, which helps them reproduce a more thumpy low-bass. They can also block out more background noise and leak less audio at high volumes.
The Audeze LCD-1 are slightly better open-back headphones for neutral sound listening than the Sennheiser HD 600. The Audeze have a much sleeker and more premium-looking design, are more comfortable, and have a slightly better-balanced sound profile that's much more consistent among different users. On the other hand, the Sennheiser are much more stable-feeling on the head.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the Beats Solo Pro Wireless have different strengths, and you may prefer one over the other. The Sennheiser over-ears designed for audiophiles. They're more comfortable, have a neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and a wider, more immersive passive soundstage. However, the Beats are wireless on-ears that are better-built and have great noise isolation, thanks to their ANC system. They also have an H1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair them with Apple devices.
The Sennheiser HD 600 are better critical listening headphones if you want a wider soundstage and do not care about leakage. However, if you listen to your music at work, or in noise-sensitive environments, then the Sony MDR-7520 will be a better choice. The Sony have a better more durable build quality and than the HD 600. They also have a better bass range, and since they are closed-back, they isolate a bit more in noisy environments. On the other hand, the HD 600 have a more open sound that most critical listeners will prefer. They also have a slightly more comfortable fit, although they can be a little tight on the head.
If you only care about sound, the Stax SR-L300 are better headphones than the Sennheiser HD 600 for music without low-bass. Their audio fidelity is better and more accurate. They also sound significantly more open than the Sennheiser. However, they are very flimsy and feel cheaply made. The Sennheiser are sturdier and will be more versatile due to their 1/4” TRS connection. You won’t need an amp and energizer to drive these as you would need with the Stax.
Test Results
The Sennheiser HD 600 look very similar to the Sennheiser HD 650, with a few differences in the headband design. These headphones have large open ear cups with a suede-like finish on the padding that gives them a premium appeal. Their cool blue patterned finish makes them stand out from the other models in the Sennheiser HD series. However, newer units are only available in a monochrome black finish.
These headphones are comfortable but a little tight. They have large ear cups that easily fit around most listeners' ears. They're well-padded and covered in a suede-like material that adds to their comfort level. Unfortunately, the headband exerts a little too much pressure on the head compared to the Sennheiser HD 650 and Sennheiser HD 598, which can get uncomfortable during long listening sessions. If you want a more comfortable pair of audiophile headphones, look at the HiFiMan Sundara 2020.
These headphones don't have a control scheme or an audio cable with an in-line remote.
These headphones have an open-back design that allows a fair amount of air to flow through the ear cups. That and the soft suede-like padding means you can have them on for extended critical listening sessions and not feel a big temperature difference after hours of continuous play. Simply put, the tight fit will be more noticeable over time than the gradual temperature increase.
They're big, bulky headphones that don't fold into a more compact design for transport. They're not made to be carried around often, and they don't come with a case to easily store them in your bag, which makes them less portable. The box they come in can be used as a substitute for a case. Unfortunately, it's far too large and cumbersome for mobile use.
They have a good, solid build quality. The open ear cups feel dense enough not to crack or get damaged by a few falls. However, the headband feels fragile. Also, the metal frame that links the ear cups to the headband is connected by a thin joint that looks weak and feels susceptible to breaking under moderate physical stress.
These headphones aren't designed for sports. However, they deliver a tight, stable fit that will remain in place during casual listening sessions and more intense headbanging. They aren't ideal for the gym due to their bulky design, but they offer a tight enough fit to be stable in most situations. Unfortunately, the detachable cord won't disconnect before yanking the headphones off your head if hooked on something.
These headphones have a slightly analytical sound profile. There's some roll-off in the low and mid-bass frequencies, which means that kicks and basslines lack a bit of oomph, but there's a slight bump in the high-bass to ensure they still sound present and have good attack. The mid and treble frequencies are balanced, rendering vocals and lead instruments with detail and finesse.
Their frequency response consistency is good. Due to their open-back and ear pad design, these headphones have a very consistent bass delivery across multiple users and re-seats. However, their treble delivery varies noticeably across users and listening sessions, depending on the different ear shapes and positioning preferences.
Their bass accuracy is okay. As with many open-back headphones, they have a somewhat underemphasized bass response that takes some of the boom and slam out of 808s and basslines. That said, there's a touch of warmth that comes from their slightly boosted high bass.
The mid accuracy is outstanding. The response throughout the range is very even and flat, allowing for vocals and lead instruments to be reproduced crisply and with a lot of detail. There's very little deviation in this range from our target curve, so they're an excellent reference point for accurately analyzing mid-range instruments. In songs like Pharoah Sanders' Love Will Find a Way, the alternating saxophone, guitar, and keyboard solos all sound well-defined, with accurately reproduced timbres.
These open-backs have excellent treble accuracy. Their response is generally well-balanced across the entire range. There's a slight bump in the low treble that adds presence to the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments. There's also a slight dip in the mid-treble that causes sibilant to sound a little hollow and dull.
The peaks and dips performance is great, meaning that these headphones control their own sound profile well. A small dip in the low bass takes some of the boom out of kicks and sub-bass lines; however, a peak in the high bass ensures these instruments still have some attack and presence. There's a slight dip in the mid-mid, which removes some detail from vocals and lead instruments. The treble range is slightly inconsistent, with a peak in the low-treble that helps bring out the upper harmonics of vocals, followed by a dip and a peak in the mid-treble. The result is that sibilants alternate between sounding slightly dull and bright depending on their pitch.
Their imaging performance is excellent, meaning it's easy to locate objects accurately within the stereo field. Good imaging is usually indicative of great quality control and ergonomics - something that Sennheiser have developed a reputation for over time. Our unit's L/R drivers are well-matched in phase, amplitude, and frequency. Group delay also falls below the audibility threshold, resulting in tight bass and transparent highs.
They have a decent soundstage performance. While their open-back design allows for a good amount of audio interaction with the outer ear, creating the impression of width, the soundstage still sounds closed-off and lacks an immersive quality. While these open-back headphones may feel more open and spacious sounding than closed-back headphones like the Drop + THX Panda Wireless, their soundstage won't be perceived as large or located outside of your head.
These headphones have an excellent weighted harmonic distortion performance. Distortion falls within good levels, both at regular and higher volume levels, resulting in clean and pure audio reproduction.
These are the settings we used to test these headphones. Our results are only valid in this configuration.
These headphones have poor isolation due to their open-back design. In the bass range, where the rumble of airplane and bus engines sit, they offer no attenuation. They do a similarly poor job blocking out mid-range noise, like background conversations. They offer a small amount of attenuation against treble range noise though, so they'll diminish the perceived volume of sounds like fridge hum.
The Sennheiser HD 600's leakage is poor, although this is to be expected given their open-back design. Leakage is loud and concentrated in the upper-mid and treble ranges, so escaping audio sounds thin. Even at regular listening volumes, your audio will be detectable by others around you, especially if you work in a quieter environment, like a co-working space.
These headphones have a simple 1/8" TRS audio cable with no in-line remote/microphone, so they'll only provide audio when connected to your PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles. Latency via analog is very low, so you won't experience any sync issues between audio and video if you use them to watch video content.
These headphones can be connected to PCs using their analog connection. You can use them to receive audio, but you'll need to purchase a separate microphone if you want to input audio.
These headphones can be connected to PlayStation consoles via the AUX port of your controller. You can use them to receive audio, but you'll need to purchase a separate microphone if you want to communicate with teammates.
These headphones can be connected to Xbox family consoles via the AUX port of your controller. You can use them to hear game audio, but you'll need to purchase a standalone microphone to communicate with teammates.