No need for any introduction here. Sennheiser is a well respected brand name in the audio industry and its headphones and in-ears are known to be loved by audiophiles. The new HD 598 headphones are an over the ear headphones with an open-air design. I'll get more into the open-air design later.

I recently reviewed the Sennheiser HD595 and, with sufficent (4-5 days) burn in, I quite liked it. I was using it quite frequently in the office whenever closed headphones were not convenient (eg., when I needed to be able to hear my phone ringing).

Wide soundstage; open/airy; forward presentation; single-end detachable cord; comfort

Construction; styling/color may be gaudy for some; little isolation (if you need it

The new HD 598's "wow" styling updates the classic Sennheiser look, and the sound has more detail and higher resolution than previous models. We recommend these cans to anyone looking for a pair of headphones with precision sound quality and a wide-open soundstage.

Lightweight German design is extremely comfortable; highly dynamic and detailed sound; 3.5mm headphone plug adapter

No storage case included

Sennheiser HD 598 feels really comfortable in the ear and according to me, it is the most comfortable headphone set I have ever seen to date. I had it on for several hours along with my iPod Touch and my ears didn't feel any fatigue at all.

The Sennheiser HD598's high-gloss burled wood accents, thickly padded headband, and ear cushions all lend a luxurious feel to the design. The tan-and-beige colour scheme is a nice alternative to Sennheiser's usual grey or black finishes.

Lightweight German design is extremely comfortable; Highly dynamic and detailed sound; 3.5mm headphone plug adapter

No storage case included

The open-backed Sennheiser HD 598 headphones offer a jazzed-up take on the HD 595, which have been part of Sennheiser's over-the-ears range for more than five years. They're more visually striking than their predecessors, but anyone spending around ￡160 on headphones is probably going to care more...

Wide "open-back" sound; Well-measured; powerful bass; Good with movies and games too

Eye-catching looks an acquired taste; The look comes at a slight premium

The Sennheiser HD 598 are a timely update of the older Sennheiser HD 595 over-the-ear headphones and come with a nice designer twist. The cream and brown plastic and leather look is off-set by a nice Burl Wood veneer trim that certainly helps these cans stand out from the crowd.

In terms of style and build quality, these have to be some of the best looking and well-built headphones around; From the metal grills of these open-backed cans to the plastic and real leather lining of the headstrap, they're a joy to wear.

The Sennheiser HD 598 may have an innovative twist-and-lock cable fitting but the 3 metre cable itself is too long for use on the street; while the audio converter means it's too large for comfortable pocket stuffing

Sennheiser is one of the world?s leading headphone brands. Their new HD 598 headphones offer a jazzed-up take on the HD 595 and while they are not cheap they do offer something a little different in both looks and sound quality.

Wide "open-back" sound; Well-measured, powerful bass; Good with movies and games too

Eye-catching looks an acquired taste; The look comes at a slight premium

Call us boring, but we're not sure we prefer the bold colour scheme of the Sennheiser HD 598 to the standard black and grey, but any qualms blew away once we donned these headphones.

Wide "open-back" sound; Well-measured, powerful bass; Good with movies and games too

Eye-catching looks an acquired taste; The look comes at a slight premium

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Comfortable; Durable; Good Value; Great Mids; Great Sound; Precise imaging; Spacious soundstage; Staggering looks; Stylish

Bass can be a bit light; Unportable