[SOLVED!] The Search For Sonic Bliss: Sennheiser HD 598 CS Vs. Sennheiser HD 598 SE

Nowadays, the market for headphones consists of products made by various brands but in most of the cases, Sennheiser models stand out from the rest. Designed from the ground up to deliver an immersive audio experience, Sennheiser headphones prove popular and the Sennheiser HD 598 series is not an exception. Still, like some of its contemporaries, the Sennheiser HD 598 series include a number of variants which often cause confusion. If you need a detailed summary on the topic of Sennheiser HD 598 CS vs. Sennheiser HD 598 SE, our article is for you. 

Introduction 

Sennheiser HD 598 CS

Released in 2016, Sennheiser HD 598 CS is still the go-to headphones for those looking for high-quality headphones but cannot drop big bucks. It is a closed-back model which means its ear cups wrap around the ears of the wearer and the sounds it plays can only be heard by the wearer. It’s accompanied by a cable consisting of a 3.5mm jack on one end and a 2.5mm jack on the other. Despite being part of the HD 598 Series, it closely resembles models from the 500 series rather than the original HD 598. 

You can usually find Sennheiser HD 598 CS on sale for around $100 – $140.

Sennheiser HD 598 SE

For your information, the original Sennheiser HD 598’s first debut on the market was in 2011. Make no mistake: it was by far one of the best open-back headphones at the time. A few years later, Sennheiser released HD 598 SE – Special Edition – that came alongside a cable and an adapter. 

At under $200, you won’t be disappointed by Sennheiser HD 598 SE as it still packs quite a punch despite its age.

Reviews 

Builds

Sennheiser HD 598 CS makes use of a lightweight plastic design instead of premium, cumbersome materials to keep the weight down. In spite of the plastic construction, Sennheiser HD 598 CS still manages to appear elegant and feel nice to the touch. Long-term users will also appreciate the lightweight construction as it is more comfortable for the wearer’s head. 

In times of need, it’s possible to tweak Sennheiser HD 598 CS to match all noggins sizes. Since the headband can extend about 2 inches and each ear cup rotates vertically, it helps maximize user’s comfort. Aside from that, the ear pads have a suede texture that matches the exterior. While that is aesthetically pleasing, it is also very prone to accumulate dust, especially in an area that’s hard to remove.

About HD 598 SE, it is also made from plastic minus one exception (metal grilles). A combination of polished wood accents and leatherette headband make it quite charming. The hinges, the headbands and headband adjuster feature incredible flexibility as well as sturdiness. That is why you don’t have to worry too much about the leather peeling off or parts breaking even after months. 

Overall,  Sennheiser HD 598 CS vs. Sennheiser HD 598 SE have similar builds ranging from the lightweight plastic design to the impeccable durability. Both headphones permit adjustments for a comfortable fit as well. 

Sound

Naturally, good sound quality is the most important thing you’d expect from headphones and Sennheiser models do not fail to live up to their brand names.

Since Sennheiser HD 598 CS is closed-back, you can use it in public areas at your leisure. Conversely, noises from outside won’t reach you so noise isolation is tip-top. On the other hand, the open-back design of HD 598 SE improves the audio clarity and makes the sound more real. Of course, whenever you use HD 598 CS, you can hear others and others can hear you. 

Conclusion 

Both HD 598 CS and HD 598 SE provide excellent sound quality. The former provides bass extension and crisp upper mids that sound a touch brighter while the latter put together very smooth and natural sounds. As a result, it comes down to preference: If you want your sounds to be slightly more exciting, HD 598 CS is your best bet. If you want your sounds to be as accurate as can be, HD 598 SE is the way to go.

Rundown 

	Sennheiser HD 598 CS	Sennheiser HD 598 SE
Build Material	Mainly Plastic	Mainly Plastic
Headphone Type	Close-back	Open-back
Durability	Excellent	Excellent
Weight	Lightweight	Lightweight
Sound	Slightly Enhanced Mids and Highs	Natural, Accurate
Price	$100 – $140	<$200