SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone - A Remarkable Audiophile Experience

For over 75 years, Sennheiser has been shaping the future of audio with its commitment to innovation and excellence. The German brand is known for producing some of the best headphones and audio equipment on the market across various price points. The Sennheiser HD 559 open-back headphones aim to bring audiophile-quality sound to a more mainstream audience.

Overview

The Sennheiser HD 559 open-back headphones features Sennheiser’s proprietary 38mm, 50 ohm drivers that deliver impressive sound reproduction. The open-back design creates an open and spacious soundstage, providing a more natural and immersive listening experience. The lightweight yet durable build features luxuriously soft velour earpads that are comfortable for long listening sessions. At around $100, the Sennheiser HD 559 open-back headphones punches well above its weight class.

Design and Build

The SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone has a simple plastic design that feels durable but not the most premium. The open-back ear cups are quite large, encompassing the whole ear, but remain comfortable for long listening sessions thanks to the soft velour padding. The padded headband also helps reduce pressure and strain. Overall, the SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone is designed for comfort and function over fashion. It’s not the most portable pair but works great as a at-home listening headphone.

Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R.) Technology

Sennheiser’s patented Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R.) technology is a key feature of the HD 559. The angled driver positioning within the earcups directs sound waves into your ears at a slight angle, creating a more natural listening experience. This design aims to replicate the way you would hear sounds from speakers in a room, providing a wider and more immersive soundstage than headphones with traditional driver placement. It contributes to the overall clarity, detail, and realism of the sound reproduction.

Luxurious Comfort and Practicality

The HD 559 goes beyond just sound quality by offering exceptional comfort for extended listening sessions. The plush velour ear pads provide a soft and luxurious feel against your skin, preventing any discomfort or irritation that might arise from prolonged use. This makes them ideal for those who enjoy immersing themselves in their music or audio content for hours on end.

Adding to their practicality, the ear pads are designed to be easily replaceable. Over time, ear pads can wear down or accumulate dirt and oils, potentially affecting hygiene and comfort. With the HD 559, you can simply swap out the old pads for new ones, ensuring a consistently comfortable and hygienic listening experience. This feature also extends the lifespan of the headphones, as you won’t need to replace the entire unit due to worn-out ear pads.

Sound Quality

The sound quality is where the SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone really shines. The open-back design provides a wide and immersive soundstage with strong stereo separation. The sound signature is neutral and natural, with articulate mids, crisp highs, and decent bass extension. While the bass has good depth, it lacks the punch and slam of closed-back models. The open design means that there is no noise isolation, so the SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone is best suited for quiet home listening.

Sennheiser Transducer Technology

Sennheiser is renowned for its proprietary transducer technology, and the HD 559 is no exception. These headphones utilize high-quality transducers with aluminum voice coils that deliver exceptional efficiency and accuracy. This translates to a clear, detailed sound reproduction with minimal distortion, even at higher volumes. Whether you’re listening to delicate classical pieces or powerful rock anthems, the HD 559 ensures that every note is faithfully reproduced.

Connectivity and Convenience

The HD 559 comes with a robust 3-meter detachable cable that allows you to move around freely without feeling restricted. The detachable design also means that you can easily replace the cable if it gets damaged, extending the lifespan of your headphones. The cable terminates in a standard 6.3mm jack, which is compatible with a wide range of audio devices, including amplifiers, audio interfaces, and mixers.

Use Cases and Applications

The SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone is designed primarily for home use given its open-back design and lack of noise isolation. It works well for:

• Listening to music - The SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone provides an immersive listening experience for all genres of music. Its neutral and natural sound reproduces audio as intended.

• Gaming - The wide soundstage and strong stereo separation make the SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone a great headphone for gaming. You can hear subtle sounds that would be missed with other headphones. However, the open design means outside noise will come through and your audio will disturb others.

• Audio editing - For amateur or semi-professional audio editing, the SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone provides detailed and accurate sound that will allow you to monitor your audio properly. Again, the open design may pick up excess noise.

Value:

With performance that rivals headphones costing 2-3 times as much, the Sennheiser HD 559 Open Back Headphone provides outstanding value. Audiophile-quality sound and premium comfort at just around $100 make these a budget-friendly entry point into hi-fi listening.

Conclusion

The SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone offers a remarkable audiophile experience with its natural tonal balance, spacious soundstage, and exceptional wearing comfort. It is an excellent choice for those looking to step into the world of high-quality sound reproduction. With its durable design and proprietary transducer technology, the SENNHEISER HD 559 Open Back Headphone delivers immersive audio for gaming and music enthusiasts. Although it lacks a volume control on the headset and requires a separate adapter for the 3.5mm jack, these minor drawbacks are overshadowed by its overall performance and value for the price.