Sennheiser HD 599 508697
Sony WH-1000XM4
What Buyers Say
Sennheiser HD 599 508697
The Sennheiser HD 599 SE headphones are widely praised for their exceptional comfort, impressive soundstage, and clear, warm audio. Users highlight the lightweight design, soft velour ear pads, and open-back construction that reduces ear fatigue and allows ambient awareness. While some note the bass can be slightly muffled and there is sound bleed, most agree the value at sale price is outstanding, especially for gaming, music, and piano practice.
Pros
- Exceptional comfort for long sessions
- Impressive soundstage and clarity
- Warm, clear audio profile
- Lightweight and durable build
- Removable cable with adapters
Cons
- Sound bleed from open-back design
- Bass slightly muffled for some
- Requires EQ for optimal sound
- Not ideal for noisy environments
- No included app or ANC
Sony WH-1000XM4
The Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones receive mostly positive feedback for their excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and comfort. However, many users report durability issues, particularly with the hinges, and some complain about software quirks like the speak-to-chat feature and Bluetooth connectivity problems. While the audio experience is highly praised, the build quality and software reliability are common concerns.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Effective noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit
- Great battery life
- Customizable EQ via app
Cons
- Hinge durability issues
- Speak-to-chat feature glitchy
- Bluetooth connectivity problems
- Charging issues
- Touch controls unreliable
Scores
Specifications
| Sennheiser HD 599 508697 | Sony WH-1000XM4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | open | closed |
| Foldable | — | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.61 kg | 0.25 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | Leather | foamed urethane |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 38 mm | 40 mm★ |
| Drivers | — | 1★ |
| Freq Min | — | 4 Hz★ |
| Freq Max | 39 kHz | 40 kHz★ |
| Impedance | 50 Ω | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB★ | 105 dB |
| Hi-Res Audio | — | ✓★ |
| Codecs | Sennheiser HD 599 - Open Headphones, Special Edition, Black, Wired | LDAC |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | — | industry-leading |
| Transparency | — | ✓★ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.0★ |
| Profiles | — | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | — | ✓★ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 3 m | 1.2000000476837158 m |
| Range | — | 9.100000381469727 m★ |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | — | 30 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | — | 3 hrs★ |
| Fast Charging | — | 10 min for 5 hours playback |
| Charging | — | USB-C★ |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | — | ✓★ |
| Mic Count | — | 5★ |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | — | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | — | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | — | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Touch Controls | — | ✓★ |
| App | — | Sony | Headphones Connect |
| Gaming Mode | — | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant | IPX0 |
Pros & Cons
Sennheiser HD 599 508697
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong social proof (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Strong user sentiment (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong sound (75th percentile)
- Below average comfort (6th percentile)6th %ile
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
Sony WH-1000XM4
- Strong connectivity (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Strong social proof (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong sound (94th percentile)94th %ile
- Strong anc (90th percentile)90th %ile
- Below average user sentiment (13th percentile)13th %ile
Verdict
Scores 88 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 18 of 39 specs.