Sennheiser HD 579 (HD 500) Specifications, Tests and Review

The Sennheiser HD 579 (HD 500) are wired headphones. In the case of studio and professional DJ headphones, a wired connection is a standard and a necessity. In this case, connecting via cable reduces audio transmission delays and prevents unwanted battery drain as it would be in case of wireless headphones. The same is de facto true for gaming headsets. In case of headphones for normal music listening, the cable is rather a relic, although it still has its fans. However, the wireless option is much more popular for everyday use in today’s world.

This type of headphones has a design that surrounds the entire ear to improve isolation from external noise. As a result, they provide a great quality of listening without interference. However, unlike on-ear headphones, they are usually heavier and less suitable for frequent wearing.

The sound quality can be affected by many factors. When it comes to frequency range, a wider range will allow more detail to be heard during your listening session. However, it is important to note that the ability to perceive frequencies varies from person to person. The average person is able to hear frequencies in the range of 16 to 20 000 Hz. That is why headphone manufacturers usually focus on the 20 to 20 000 Hz range. If the lower values are lower, headphones are better able to reproduce bass tones, as these represent frequencies up to approximately 256 Hz. Conversely, values from 2 048 Hz upwards are treble. Thus, headphones with a high upper limit will provide a much more accurate reproduction of high tones. Headphones Sennheiser HD 579 (HD 500) have a frequency range of 15 - 28000 Hz. Overall, these headphones can reproduce sound up to 106 dB. However, be careful. Repeatedly playing music continuously at really high volumes can damage your hearing.

The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 50 Ohm value. Total Harmonic Distortion of these headphones is Audio Output | Total Harmonic Distortion. The value quoted by the manufacturer is usually the average distortion over all reproducible frequency bands. This is not a crucial parameter to decide on when making a decision, but on the other hand, keep in mind that higher harmonic distortion can negatively affect sound quality.

The design of the headphones and their earcups can also affect the quality of the audio output. The open design ensures better sound reproduction with less distortion. On the other hand, it lets ambient noise in, but also lets sound from the headphones out. Therefore, choose the open design for home use or in quiet environments.