TECHZIE.BLOGSPOT.COM

Sorry to disappoint you - the HD 598 isn't that elixir of neutrality and detail that you've been waiting to squander your hard earned gains over. And no, it is not a bad headphone. What it is, is a device whose performance is a function of its price. If this sounds cryptic, let me explain. The MRP of the HD 598 is around the Rs. 13K mark. This is a fair chunk of dough, especially for us, the land of outsourcing and never ending recessions! However, as far as cans go, the HD 598 is closer to the lower end class of pricing, and can be considered as a low-to-mid range product. The US pricing is around the $250 mark, this places it a good $100 or so below the ageing HD 600 that debuted close to the $500 mark. While I cannot comment on their incremental performance compared to the HD 595, since I've never heard one, I can definitely point out that the HD 598 isn't as good as the HD 600 with the right equipment. However, the reverse is also true - with basic equipment, it'll sound different because of a drastically different sonic signature, but some might prefer it.

The HD 598 are slightly geared towards emphasising bass, and this serves as the first hint that these are aimed more at the masses than at pros and audiophiles. Bass is pronounced, but not overpoweringly so. However, it is also loose, and loses out on impact on account of bass notes lacking tautness and punch. There is also no difference in the texture of the bass notes - each bass note sounds the same with a generic thup-thup that bass heads might like, but I surely didn't. Something like the Grado SR225 serves up much tighter bass, with greater impact if not weight, and is therefore more enjoyable in terms of neutrality. However, the HD 598 produces more bass, definitely more than the HD 800, though its quantity over quality. The Denon D7000 is a better offering if pure bass is your thing, but at close to 4 times the price of the HD 598.

Moving towards the mid-range, there is separation between the mid-bass and mid-range and the gap is noticeable. The mid-range also tends to sound a little tame because of this. This is noticeable in Swords In The Wind (Manowar), where the bass guitar overpowers the poor lead guitar at certain parts. The highs are slightly rolled off, but reasonably represented. Female vocals sound a little thinner than what is ideal, minus some of the timbral nuances.

The HD 598 has a flat soundstage, similar to the Grado SR225, but this is actually worse given the fact they're circumaural and a better soundstage is expected. At some times instruments sound too close to each other, with very little air between, and at times it is difficult to place instruments in a space.

To bring this in perspective, the HD 598 isn't bad sounding. Rather, it deviates from neutrality in a couple of ways that are enjoyable, and a couple that aren't. Neutral can be boring, but so can the HD 598, especially if the listener is used to higher end gear, which was true in this case.

We were a little disappointed by the MRP, at Rs. 12,990 it is a little on the higher side. To be honest, we'd like the HD 598 to be around the Rs. 8,000 mark, for the performance it gives. It is a little inferior to the Grado SR225 in the bass and mid-range department, and that model is available for around the same price in the US. However, given that there is very little available here in this price category, unless you happen to chance upon a dealer struggling to sell an Audio Technica AD900, the HD 598 is definitely an upgrade over 4,000 to 5000-rupee headphones. But they're not worth their price.

Specifications: Form factor: Circumaural; Freq. response: 12-38,500 Hz; THD: 0.1; SPL: 112 dB; Impedance: 50 ohms; weight: 270 grams

Rating:
Features: 7
Performance: 7.5
Build: 6
Value: 6
Overall: 6.5

    

Contact: Sennheiser Electronics India private Ltd.
Phone: 09873226080
Email: saahil.kumar@sennheiserindia.com
www.sennheiserindia.com
Price: Rs. 12,990 (MRP)