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 sound and deliver a well-balanced frequency response that's well-aligned with our target. Instruments and vocals are clear and crisp, and their open design gives these headphones a spacious and immersive soundstage. However, like most open-back audiophile headphones, they lack rumble and slam in the bass range. They control their own sound profile well, with only some small peaks in their treble range that add brightness. Their impedance and sensitivity means you'll need an amp or soundcard to drive them, though.
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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 acceptable 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.
- 8.0 Neutral Sound
- 3.9 Commute/Travel
- 5.5 Sports/Fitness
- 4.4 Office
- 4.4 Wireless Gaming
- 6.4 Wired Gaming
- 1.7 Phone Calls
- Updated Sep 12, 2024: Several Sound tests have been updated following TB 1.8. There have also been text changes made throughout the review, including to the product comparisons to match these results.
- Updated Sep 12, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.8, which updates our target curve and Sound tests. You can read more about this in our changelog.
- Updated Jul 24, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.7, which updates our Noise Isolation test. We've also expanded the scope of this test to include Common Scenarios in addition to Voice Handling and Wind Handling.
- Updated Jul 23, 2024: The Noise Isolation section has been updated to mention the Sennheiser HD 620S.
- 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 ear cups, 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 comments, 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, those who like to hear some oomph in the low end will find they're lacking in bass. 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. However, 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.
There's not much to split the Sennheiser HD 650 and the Sennheiser HD 600. They feature very similar sound profiles that lack low-bass delivery with a somewhat recessed treble range. Both feature accurate, detailed mid-range reproduction though. 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. Given the similarities in sound profile, budget-conscious audiophiles might want to opt for the more wallet-friendly HD 600.
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 deliver audio more consistently and won't sound as boomy on some tracks as the HD 598. The HD 600 also have a slightly better build quality which can be advantageous if you plan on using them frequently.
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, deliver audio more consistently 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 and have a less stable fit on the head.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO can both be considered as audiophile options but have very different strengths. 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 a more prominent bass range. They have a much more comfortable fit, isolate you from more ambient sound, and leak less audio. As a result, the Sennheiser are a better fit for analytical listening applications, like sound mixing or editing. The Beyerdynamic are great if you value some passive noise isolation and want a bit more rumble in the low end.
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 balanced sound profile. They feel a lot more durable than the Sennheiser and have better bass extension. While the two have similarly detailed mid-range responses, the Sennhesier don't 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.
Choosing between the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and the Sennheiser HD 600 essentially comes down to whether you prefer an open- or closed-back design. The Audio-Technica have a more prominent bass reproduction that fans of electronic genres, like techno, will prefer. They can also be used in quieter environments where leaked audio is easily heard and will provide a degree of passive isolation against background noise. On the other hand, the Sennheiser have a more spacious and immersive soundstage and offer a more stable fit.
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 Sennheiser HD 600 and the Philips SHP9500 are both great open-back audiophile headphones. Their sound profiles are very similar; they both have a very balanced sound, particularly in the mids, although the Philips have a more open sound. 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 sound more balanced in the treble region, which is less fatiguing for long listening sessions, and part of their slightly more refined design.
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 AKG K702 are both open-back, over-ear headphones that are similarly suited for critical listening. While the Sennheiser reproduce slightly less low-bass than the AKG, they have a less bright treble range that can be less fatiguing over long listening sessions, plus they're 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 560S are slightly better for most people than the Sennheiser HD 600. The HD 560S are more comfortable and deliver audio more consistently with a slightly weightier bass response. However, the HD 600 are better built and used in more professional audio settings.
While the Sennheiser HD 600 are audiophile headphones, the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are more suited to professional use in the studio. The HD 490 PRO are more comfortable, deliver audio more consistently, and can reproduce stronger bass frequencies. 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 that matches our target very well, bringing out more detail in vocals and lead instruments. They're also built more solidly and have a slightly more open-sounding soundstage.
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.
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 slightly more bass-heavy sound profile, that conveys the punch and boom in kicks and basslines better. That said, the HD600's treble range isn't as veiled, and they have a wider, more immersive-sounding soundstage.
The Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee are very similar to the Sennheiser HD 600. If you don't find them too tight, you'll enjoy the additional punch and boom in the HD 58X's bass range. The HD 58X also have lower retail price, which will appeal to audiophiles looking for a wallet-friendly pair of over-ears.
The Sennheiser HD 600 and the Sennheiser HD 660 S are similar over-ear, open-back headphones, but the HD 600 are a better choice for audiophiles who prefer a more balanced sound and a wider, more speaker-like soundstage. Their bass- and mid-range responses are comparable, but the HD 600 have a brighter and more present treble, while the HD 660 S' veiled treble range can sound 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 audiophiles will likely find the HD 600 sound more balanced.
The Sennheiser HD 600 are open-back headphones with a much more open and spacious soundstage than the Sennheiser HD 620S. The HD 600 have a less erratic treble response and more detailed mids, though the bass is more subdued than the HD 620S. Your audio is also reproduced with better consistency on the HD 600. The closed-back HD 620S block out more environmental sounds due to their closed-back design. They're comfortable and well-made but don't deliver audio as consistently, and their soundstage isn't as immersive. Still, if you want more body in your bass, they provide a thicker-sounding thud.
The Sennheiser HD 600 represent better value for audiophiles than the Meze Empyrean, given they offer a similar sound at a comparatively very modest price. While both headphones struggle to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, the Meze features a recessed treble range that can cause sibilants to sound flat and lifeless. By contrast, the Sennheiser have a more prominent treble response that can be useful in catching imperfections in audio. They also feature a more stable fit. However, if you're an audiophile who prioritizes a more high-end design, the Meze are significantly more comfortable and better-built. They also come with a sleek and very sturdy hard case. 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 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.
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.
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 are designed for audiophiles. They're more comfortable, have a neutral sound profile, which some users may prefer, and have 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.
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 quite a bit of roll-off in the low- and mid-bass frequencies, which means that kicks and basslines lack a bit of oomph, so fans of EDM and hip-hop will be a little disappointed that mixes lack boom and rumble. The mid and treble frequencies are balanced, rendering vocals and lead instruments with detail and finesse. While there are some slight inconsistencies in the treble range, sibilants still sound natural.
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 passable. As with many open-back headphones, they have a somewhat underemphasized bass response that deviates from our target in the low- and mid-bass. This takes some of the boom and slam out of 808s and basslines, which can make listening to genres like techno and house less exciting. That said, there's a touch of warmth in the high-bass, as this range isn't as underemphasized as the rest.
The mid-accuracy is outstanding. The response throughout the range is very even and flat and follows our target extremely well. This allows 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 very good, meaning that these headphones control their own sound profile well. Most of the deviations occur in the treble range, 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 computer fan whine. Still, if you need better isolation, closed-back headphones like the Sennheiser HD 620S provide more of a buffer between you and your environment.
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.