Sennheiser HD 579: Experience the Open Sound Revolution

Update on Jan. 22, 2025, 12:32 p.m.

Have you ever closed your eyes while listening to your favorite music and felt transported to another world? A world where the instruments surround you, the vocals caress your ears, and the very air seems to vibrate with the energy of the performance. This, my friends, is the magic of open-back headphones. Unlike their closed-back counterparts, which isolate you in a sonic bubble, open-back headphones invite the outside world in, creating a listening experience that’s as natural and expansive as being at a live concert. Today, we’ll embark on a journey into this fascinating world of sound, with the Sennheiser HD 579 as our trusted guide.

Understanding Sound: The Science Behind Open-Back Design

To understand the allure of open-back headphones, we need to first grasp a fundamental concept: sound is a wave. It travels through the air, bouncing off surfaces, interacting with the environment, and ultimately reaching our ears. Closed-back headphones, by their very nature, create a barrier between the sound waves generated by the drivers and the outside world. While this is great for noise isolation, it also means that these sound waves can reflect off the inner surface of the ear cups, creating unwanted resonances and a sense of sonic confinement. The soundstage, that three-dimensional representation of the recording space, can feel narrow and artificial.

Imagine listening to an orchestra in a small, padded room. The sound would be muffled, lacking in detail and vibrancy. Now, picture that same orchestra performing in a grand concert hall, or better yet, an open-air amphitheater. The sound can now travel freely, interacting with the space, creating a rich, natural, and immersive experience. This, in essence, is the difference between closed-back and open-back headphones. Open-back designs allow air and sound to pass through the ear cups, minimizing unwanted reflections and allowing the sound waves to behave more naturally. The result? A wider, more realistic soundstage, a greater sense of depth and spaciousness, and a listening experience that’s closer to how we perceive sound in the real world.
 Sennheiser HD 579 Open Back Headphone

Sennheiser HD 579: A Gateway to Sonic Realism

Enter the Sennheiser HD 579, a shining example of open-back headphone engineering at its finest. Born from Sennheiser’s 70-plus years of audio expertise, the HD 579 is more than just a pair of headphones; it’s a portal to a world of sonic realism. With its open-back design, Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R.) technology, proprietary transducers, and a focus on comfort and durability, the HD 579 promises an immersive listening experience that will redefine your relationship with music.

Feature Deep Dive: Unpacking the HD 579’s Sonic Arsenal

Let’s delve into the heart of the HD 579 and explore the features that make it a standout performer in the world of open-back headphones.
 Sennheiser HD 579 Open Back Headphone

4.1 Open-Back Design: Where Sound Breathes

The HD 579’s defining feature is its open-back design. The ear cups, instead of being sealed, feature openings that allow air and sound to pass through. This seemingly simple design choice has a profound impact on the listening experience. By allowing the sound waves to interact with the environment, the open-back design creates a wide and immersive soundstage. Imagine being able to pinpoint the location of each instrument in an orchestra, or feeling the singer’s voice resonate as if they were standing right in front of you. This is the magic of the HD 579’s open-back architecture. It’s like stepping out of that confined, padded room and into the spaciousness of a concert hall. You’re no longer just listening to music; you’re experiencing it in its full, natural glory.
 Sennheiser HD 579 Open Back Headphone

4.2 Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R): Precision Sound Guidance

Sennheiser’s Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement (E.A.R.) technology takes the open-back concept a step further. E.A.R. is a specialized design that involves precisely angling the transducers within the ear cups. This careful angling directs the sound waves directly into your ears, much like a finely tuned waveguide or a beam of focused light. This minimizes unwanted reflections and diffractions that can muddy the sound, resulting in exceptional clarity, detail, and a more accurate representation of the original recording. With E.A.R., you hear the music as the artist intended, with every nuance and subtlety preserved. It is a perfect partner for the open-back design.

4.3 Proprietary Transducers: The Engine of Sonic Excellence

At the heart of the HD 579 lie Sennheiser’s proprietary 38mm, 50-ohm dynamic drivers. These are the engines that convert electrical signals into the sound waves you hear. With a frequency response of 15-28,000 Hz, the HD 579 can reproduce a wide range of sounds, from the deepest bass notes to the highest trebles. The 50-ohm impedance means that these headphones can be driven by a variety of devices, from smartphones to dedicated headphone amplifiers, without requiring excessive power. But what truly sets these transducers apart is their low distortion and high efficiency. This translates to a clean, accurate, and powerful sound that remains faithful to the original recording. Every note, every breath, every detail is rendered with remarkable precision.
 Sennheiser HD 579 Open Back Headphone

4.4 Supreme Comfort: Designed for Extended Listening Pleasure

A truly immersive listening experience requires not only exceptional sound but also supreme comfort. Sennheiser understands this, and they’ve designed the HD 579 to be a joy to wear, even during extended listening sessions. The lightweight design reduces pressure on your head, while the large, plush, velour-covered earpads provide a soft, luxurious feel around your ears. The padded headband further enhances comfort, ensuring that you can lose yourself in your music without any distractions. Whether you’re enjoying a quick album or settling in for a marathon listening session, the HD 579 will remain comfortable and unobtrusive.
 Sennheiser HD 579 Open Back Headphone

4.5 Built to Last: Durability Meets Replaceability

The HD 579 is built to withstand the rigors of daily use. Its robust construction and use of high-quality materials ensure that it can handle the demands of even the most enthusiastic listener. But Sennheiser has gone a step further by making the earpads and cable replaceable. This means that if these components show signs of wear and tear over time, you can easily replace them, extending the lifespan of your headphones and ensuring that they continue to deliver optimal performance for years to come. The HD 579 is not just a purchase; it’s an investment in long-term listening enjoyment. The earpads are not only replaceable but also readily available on Amazon, for example, making maintenance hassle-free. The detachable cable, while featuring a 6.3mm jack with a 3.5mm adapter, is another testament to the HD 579’s longevity. Although some users have found the adapter bulky, the ability to replace the cable itself ensures that a simple cable issue won’t render your headphones unusable.

The Legacy of Sennheiser: A Tradition of Audio Innovation

Sennheiser’s legacy in the audio industry is one of innovation and a relentless pursuit of sonic perfection. For over 75 years, they have been at the forefront of audio technology, developing groundbreaking products that have shaped the way we listen to music. The HD 579 is a continuation of this legacy, embodying Sennheiser’s commitment to delivering exceptional sound quality and a truly immersive listening experience.

 Sennheiser HD 579 Open Back Headphone

Conclusion: Embrace the Open Sound Experience

The Sennheiser HD 579 is more than just a pair of headphones. It’s an invitation to rediscover your music in a whole new light. With its open-back design, E.A.R. technology, proprietary transducers, and focus on comfort and durability, the HD 579 delivers a listening experience that’s both immersive and authentic. So, if you’re ready to break free from the confines of traditional headphones and embrace the open sound revolution, the Sennheiser HD 579 is waiting to transport you to a world of sonic bliss. The HD 579 stands as a testament to Sennheiser’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of audio technology. It’s a headphone that not only sounds exceptional but also feels like a natural extension of your senses. While it’s no longer in production, its impact on the audiophile world remains. For those fortunate enough to own a pair, or for those who manage to find one, the HD 579 offers a unique and rewarding listening journey.