The Sennheiser HD 559 is the entry point to Sennheiser’s 500-series home-listening line: an open-back, over-ear headphone built for an evening on the couch rather than a commute. Sennheiser positions it as the blend of all-round performance and comfort for home entertainment — deep, satisfying bass, a wide-open presentation and velour pads you can wear for hours. Our verdict after analyzing the specs, published reviews and owner feedback: the HD 559 is a genuinely enjoyable first step into open-back listening, easy to drive from a laptop or phone dongle, with the classic Sennheiser warmth. Just know its quirks going in — the 6.3mm plug ships with no 3.5mm adapter, and the all-plastic build is honest budget fare.
A quick note on how this review is built: SoundMavericks scores are based on our analysis of manufacturer specs, published third-party reviews and long-term owner feedback — not on a test bench of our own. The verdict below is our own; outside reviewers are credited only where their reporting adds something specific.
The verdict up front
| Sound Quality | 8.4 |
| Build Quality | 7.8 |
| Comfort | 8.8 |
| Value | 8.6 |
| Ease of Driving | 8.5 |
| In-Box Accessories | 6.5 |
Sennheiser HD 559 specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Driver | 38mm proprietary Sennheiser transducer, dynamic |
| Design | Open-back, circumaural (over-ear) |
| Frequency response | 14–26,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 50 ohms |
| Sensitivity (SPL) | 108 dB (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) |
| THD | < 0.2% (1 kHz, 100 dB) |
| Cable | 3 m detachable, 6.3mm straight gold-plated plug (no 3.5mm adapter included) |
| Comfort | Soft replaceable velour earpads, large circumaural cups, E.A.R. ergonomic design |
Specs are manufacturer figures from Sennheiser.
Design and comfort: built for the couch
The HD 559 is unapologetically a home headphone. The construction is lightweight plastic — sturdy enough, but it won’t win any premium-materials awards — and the payoff is comfort: big circumaural cups, soft replaceable velour pads and Sennheiser’s E.A.R. (Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement) geometry that angles the drivers toward the ear. Owners consistently report multi-hour comfort with no hot spots, which matters because this is a headphone designed for albums and movie nights, not quick sessions.
The practical annoyance is the cable: a thick, durable 3 m detachable lead terminating in a 6.3mm plug, with no 3.5mm adapter in the box. If your source is a laptop, phone dongle or controller, budget for a separate adapter — MajorHiFi’s review called this omission out specifically, and we agree it’s a strange corner to cut on a home-entertainment headphone.
Sound: warm, deep and easy to enjoy
The HD 559’s tuning is classic entry-level Sennheiser: a deep, resounding low end with good control and minimal bleed, a clear and detailed midrange, and highs that stay sharp and articulate without turning piercing. It’s an immediately enjoyable signature — rock, hip-hop and electronic music all land with satisfying weight, which is exactly what Sennheiser promises for “home entertainment.”
The caveats are real but modest at this level. Reviewers note slight compression in the upper mids that can take a little life out of some vocals, and the very top of the treble rolls off early — classical and intricate acoustic music lose a touch of air compared to pricier open-backs. Soundstage depth and placement are decent rather than arresting. None of this undermines the core appeal: this is a fun, non-fatiguing listen that flatters everyday recordings. Being open-back, it leaks sound freely and isolates nothing — for the trade-off in full, see our open-back vs closed-back guide.
Easy to drive, easy to live with
At 50 ohms and 108 dB sensitivity, the HD 559 runs happily from a laptop, a phone dongle or a controller — no dedicated amp required, though a modest one won’t hurt. That plug-and-play nature is a big part of the value proposition: unlike the 300-ohm flagships, there’s no hidden system cost. If you later catch the upgrade bug, our headphone amp guide covers sensible next steps.
HD 559 vs the 500-series siblings
The HD 559 sits at the bottom of the open-back 500 series, below the HD 579 and the range-topping HD 599 — each step up buys refinement in the treble and mids plus nicer materials. If you need isolation instead of openness, the Sennheiser HD 569 is the closed-back sibling with a similar brief. And if this review has you curious about how far the Sennheiser house sound goes, the HD 6XX remains the classic next rung on the ladder. Shoppers comparing the whole affordable over-ear field should also browse our best affordable over-ear headphones.
HD 559 vs HD 569 vs HD 599: the 500-series lineup
The HD 559 launched alongside three siblings, and the differences are straightforward:
| Model | Design | Frequency range | Impedance | Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HD 559 | Open-back | 14–26,000 Hz | 50 ohms | 108 dB |
| HD 569 | Closed-back | 10–28,000 Hz | 23 ohms | 115 dB |
| HD 599 | Open-back | 12–38,500 Hz | 50 ohms | 106 dB |
The HD 569 is the closed-back twin for anyone who needs isolation — same family, sealed cups, and the easiest to drive of the three. The HD 599 is the range-topper with the widest response, lowest distortion and the most refined treble. The HD 559’s case is simple: it delivers the core open-back 500-series experience — warm, deep, comfortable — at the most accessible point in the lineup.
Who should buy the HD 559 — and who shouldn’t
Buy it if: you want your first open-back headphone for music and movies at home, you value comfort and an enjoyable warm tuning over analytical detail, and you’ll listen from a laptop or receiver. Skip it if: you need isolation (office, commute, shared dorm — open-back leaks both ways), you want a portable or phone-first headphone (that 6.3mm plug and 3 m cable say otherwise), or you’re chasing treble air and micro-detail — step up the 500 series instead.
Sennheiser HD 559 FAQs
Is the Sennheiser HD 559 good for beginners?
Yes — it’s one of the most beginner-friendly open-backs: comfortable, easy to drive at 50 ohms, and tuned for enjoyable everyday listening rather than demanding critical attention.
Does the HD 559 need an amplifier?
No. At 50 ohms and 108 dB sensitivity it plays loudly and cleanly from laptops, phone dongles and receivers. An amp can add a little control, but it isn’t required.
Why doesn’t the HD 559 include a 3.5mm adapter?
Sennheiser ships the HD 559 with only a 6.3mm plug and no 3.5mm adapter — an oft-criticized omission. You’ll need a separate 6.3mm-to-3.5mm adapter for laptops, phones and controllers.
Is the HD 559 open-back or closed-back?
Open-back. Sound flows freely in both directions, giving a spacious presentation but zero isolation — it’s for quiet rooms, not commutes or offices.
Is the HD 559 good for gaming and movies?
For single-player gaming and movies at home, yes — the deep bass and open soundstage suit cinematic content. The lack of a mic and zero isolation make it a poor pick for competitive voice chat or noisy rooms.
What is the difference between the HD 559 and HD 599?
The HD 599 is the range-topping 500-series open-back: more refined treble and mids, lower distortion and nicer materials. The HD 559 is the entry-level alternative with a warmer, bass-friendlier tuning.
Is the Sennheiser HD 559 discontinued?
Some regional listings mark the HD 559 as discontinued and retail availability has thinned — but the Amazon listing we link to was live and purchasable at the time of writing. Check the listing for current availability before deciding.
I am the founder of Sound Mavericks, where I provide the polite truth about audio equipment. I started this site because consumer electronics reviews are often too technical. Instead of using a silent lab, I test headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth speakers in the real world – like on a noisy subway or in a busy coffee shop.
To stay independent, I buy my own review units (mostly from the United States) rather than accepting free gifts from brands. Once I finish testing a product, I sell it locally to our community. My goal is to help you understand sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), and battery life without the marketing hype.
