If you want rich, detailed audio for relaxing at home or focusing on a fishing trip from the bank, choose Sennheiser HD 599; if you need waterproof bone conduction for swimming and staying connected while in the water, choose H2O Audio Interval Swim Headphones.
These two devices sit at opposite ends of the audio spectrum. One is designed to deliver an immersive, open-back listening experience that prioritizes soundstage and tonal balance, while the other is built specifically to survive total submersion and keep you aware of your surroundings through bone conduction technology. The choice isn't about which brand is better overall, but rather which tool fits the specific environment where you intend to use it.
• Sennheiser HD 599: Delivers exceptional spatial performance with plush velour comfort and a classic open-back design; however, it is strictly wired and offers no protection against water or sweat.
• H2O Audio Interval: Provides IPX8 waterproofing and secure fit for underwater sports with Bluetooth connectivity; yet it sacrifices high-fidelity audio detail for durability and situational awareness.
• Who should buy Sennheiser: Audiophiles, commuters, and anglers who fish from shore and want noise isolation without active cancellation.
• Who should buy H2O: Swimmers, triathletes, and anglers who need to fish directly off a boat or in the water while keeping their ears dry and safe.
The Sennheiser HD 599 Special Edition is engineered for the listener who values the nuance of music over portability. This headphone utilizes proprietary transducer technology with aluminum voice coils to achieve extremely low distortion and excellent dynamics. The result is a natural tonal balance that reveals details often missed by lesser drivers. Because it features an open-back design, it creates an impressively "open" spatial presentation, making it feel like the music is coming from all around you rather than inside your head. This makes it ideal for critical listening sessions at home or in a quiet environment where external distractions are minimal.
Comfort is a central pillar of this product's identity. It features large ear cups fitted with plush velour cushions and a padded headband that distribute weight evenly across the top of the head. At just 9.17 ounces, the lightweight build ensures that even extended listening sessions do not lead to fatigue. The inclusion of two detachable cables—a long 3-meter cable with a 6.3-mm jack for home entertainment systems and a shorter 1.2-meter cable with a 3.5mm jack for mobile devices—adds significant versatility for different setups. You can easily transition from a desktop setup to a laptop or phone without needing adapters.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
This headset is perfect for someone who fishes from the riverbank or a dock and wants to enjoy a podcast or audiobook while waiting for a bite. The passive noise cancellation provided by the over-ear design helps block out ambient wind and chatter without completely isolating you from safety concerns. However, it is crucial to understand that this device is not weather-resistant. The plastic enclosure and electronic components cannot handle moisture, meaning you must keep it dry. If you plan to wear these while splashing in the water or during heavy rain, they will fail. They are also wired only, so there is no wireless freedom once you leave the range of your source device.
In stark contrast, the H2O Audio Interval Swim Headphones are built for one primary purpose: surviving the elements while delivering audio. With an IPX8 certification, these earbuds can withstand total submersion in up to 12 feet (3 meters) of water, making them suitable for serious swimming, surfing, and other aquatic sports. The design philosophy here is entirely different; instead of trying to block out the world with sealed cups, they utilize bone conduction driver technology. This allows sound to travel through the cheekbones to the inner ear, leaving the ear canal open. This is a game-changer for safety in the water, as you can hear approaching boats, waves, or swimmers while still enjoying your music.
Durability and fit are paramount for this product. The unit is designed to sit flush against the ear, which reduces drag significantly when you are moving through the water. It comes with five sets of elastomer earplugs in sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large, ensuring a secure seal that prevents water ingress regardless of ear shape. The case features integrated goggle loops, allowing you to clip it directly onto swim goggles for easy access and low drag. Control is handled via touch sensors and physical buttons, letting you manage volume, play, pause, and track skipping without ever needing to fumble with a screen.
For an angler, this device opens up possibilities that traditional headphones simply cannot match. You can wear them while casting from a boat, and if you accidentally drop them in the lake, they will likely float and function perfectly upon retrieval. The battery life averages seven hours, which is more than enough for a full day on the water or multiple training sessions. However, users must accept trade-offs. Bone conduction does not offer the deep bass or the isolated clarity of a closed-back dynamic driver. The sound quality is warm and clear, but it lacks the sonic depth of the Sennheiser. Furthermore, because the ear canal remains open, wind noise can be a factor depending on the conditions, though the sound-isolating feature helps maintain a decent signal-to-noise ratio.
• Best for sound fidelity: Sennheiser HD 599 wins hands down with its 38-millimeter dynamic drivers and frequency response ranging from 12 Hz to 38,500 Hz.
• Best for water activities: H2O Audio Interval is the only viable option here due to its IPX8 waterproof rating and submersion capability.
• Best for battery life: H2O Audio Interval offers a robust 7-hour average battery life compared to the Sennheiser, which relies entirely on being plugged in.
• Best for comfort during long sessions: Both excel, but Sennheiser uses velour cushions for breathability, while H2O uses silicone plugs for a watertight seal.
• Best for wireless freedom: H2O Audio Interval supports Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, whereas Sennheiser requires a physical cable connection.
• Best for situational awareness: H2O Audio Interval keeps your ears open for safety in water environments; Sennheiser provides passive isolation which blocks more outside noise.
• Best for home entertainment: Sennheiser includes a 6.35mm jack for high-quality home theater integration, a feature absent in the H2O model.
• Best value for durability: H2O Audio backs its product with a one-year warranty specifically covering defects in materials under normal use, including water exposure.
I would personally choose the H2O Audio Interval Swim Headphones if my primary goal is fishing in or near the water. While the Sennheiser HD 599 offers superior audio engineering, it is fundamentally limited by its lack of water resistance. For anyone planning to fish from a boat or engage in water sports, the risk of damaging the Sennheiser is too high. The H2O Audio Interval solves the problem of how to listen to music safely while submerged, offering bone conduction that keeps you alert to your surroundings. If you are fishing from a dry bank and never plan to get wet, the Sennheiser is the richer listening experience, but for the specific intent of fishing where water is involved, the H2O Audio is the practical winner.
Neither product is designed for active noise canceling sleep. The Sennheiser offers passive isolation via velour cups, while the H2O Audio uses open-ear bone conduction, which is generally unsuitable for sleeping due to the open ear design.
No, the H2O Audio Interval connects via Bluetooth and can pair with any smartphone or device that supports Bluetooth transmission, not just Apple products, though it is optimized for pairing with Apple Watch.
Absolutely not. The Sennheiser HD 599 is an indoor, dry-environment headphone with no water resistance rating. Exposure to rain or moisture will damage the internal electronics.
The Sennheiser HD 599 delivers a much deeper and more accurate bass response thanks to its 38-millimeter dynamic drivers and open-back acoustic refinement, whereas the H2O Audio focuses on clarity and situational awareness over deep bass.
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