If you want open, wired over-ear listening for a relaxed session, choose Sennheiser HD 598; if you need wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation for commuting, choose Technics HiFi True. For side sleepers, neither is an obvious match: the Sennheiser has full over-ear cups, while the Technics sits inside the ear. The decisive difference is how you listen: spacious, detailed audio at home, or compact wireless convenience on the move.
• Sennheiser HD 598: Its open-back, over-ear design and velour cushions suit long listening sessions; its wired connection and lack of noise control limit it in noisy or mobile settings.
• Technics HiFi True: Active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and multipoint for three devices suit commuting and calls; its in-ear fit may not suit everyone, and its listed battery life is 7.5 hours.
• Choose the Sennheiser if you want wired, open-back headphones for focused music listening at home.
• Choose the Technics if you want wireless earbuds for travel, calls, and switching between devices.
The HD 598 is an over-ear, open-back headphone with a wired 3.5 mm connection. Its design is aimed at listening rather than blocking outside sound: the open back contributes to its tonal balance and detail, while Sennheiser’s E.A.R. arrangement directs audio toward the ears for a more spatial presentation. The listed frequency range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and the driver is dynamic. Those specifications describe the format and range, not a guarantee that every listener will hear the same result.
Comfort is a central part of the design. The ear cushions are covered in velour, and the padded headband uses leatherette. At 270 g, it is a substantial over-ear product, though its lightweight description and soft contact materials point toward extended seated listening. The burl wood accents and metal mesh give it a distinctive, traditional headphone look rather than the compact, low-profile feel of an earbud.
This is the more suitable pick for someone who listens at a desk, settles in for an album, or wants a wired connection without managing a battery. The 3.5 mm jack also makes the basic connection straightforward for compatible audio equipment. But the HD 598 has no wireless connection and no noise control listed. Its open-back design is a poor fit for someone trying to keep sound contained or shut out a busy commute.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-22 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
Who should skip it: Skip the HD 598 if you need Bluetooth, active noise cancellation, or a small earbud-style fit for travel and sleep.
The Technics HiFi True is a set of in-ear wireless earbuds with Bluetooth 5.2 and active noise cancellation. The listed driver is a 6 mm dynamic driver, and the frequency range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. LDAC compatibility is included for hi-resolution audio over a compatible setup. In practical terms, this is a feature-rich portable listening option, not a wired over-ear alternative to the Sennheiser.
Its everyday strengths go beyond music. Multipoint lets the earbuds connect with up to three devices, which can help someone move between a computer and mobile devices during a workday. Beamforming and dual MEMS microphones are designed to support clearer voice pickup in noisy settings. Touch controls and an app offer access to listening adjustments, including bass, treble, EQ, and spatial audio, as well as ambient and attention modes.
The in-ear fit comes with four silicone tip sizes: XS, S, M, and L. That gives buyers a few options for finding a secure, comfortable seal, though no set of tip sizes can promise a comfortable fit for every ear. The earbuds have an IPX4 sweat-resistance rating, and the listed battery life is 7.5 hours, with a two-hour charging time for the earbuds and 2.5 hours for the case. The product information also describes a wireless charging case.
Who should skip it: Skip the Technics if you prefer an open over-ear design, want a wired 3.5 mm connection, or dislike wearing anything inside your ears.
• Best for open-back listening → Sennheiser HD 598. Its open-back construction is intended to support a natural, spatial presentation, but it does not provide noise control.
• Best for active noise cancellation → Technics HiFi True. ANC is useful when you want to reduce distracting background noise while travelling.
• Best for a wired setup → Sennheiser HD 598. It connects through a 3.5 mm jack and does not rely on Bluetooth.
• Best for switching between work and personal devices → Technics HiFi True. Its three-device multipoint connection is designed for moving among a computer and mobile devices.
• Best for calls in noisy surroundings → Technics HiFi True. Beamforming and dual MEMS microphones are included to help capture the speaker’s voice.
• Best for long, seated listening → Sennheiser HD 598. Velour-covered cushions and a padded leatherette headband are built around over-ear comfort.
• Best for exercise or light sweat exposure → Technics HiFi True. It has an IPX4 rating and a snug in-ear design with four tip sizes.
• Best for side sleepers → neither is a clear winner. The Technics avoids a large over-ear cup, but its in-ear fit may press against the ear when lying on one side. The Sennheiser’s over-ear cups are likely to be more intrusive against a pillow.
Buying Considerations
Start with where you plan to listen. If most of your time is spent seated in a quiet room, the HD 598’s open-back construction, 3.5 mm connection, and soft contact materials make a coherent combination. It is not built around calls, portable noise reduction, or quick movement between devices. Its appeal is a more traditional headphone setup where a cable is acceptable and outside sound is not the main problem.
If your listening happens on a train, bus, or between meetings, the Technics matches that routine more closely. ANC addresses background noise, multipoint supports switching among connected devices, and its microphones are designed for calls. Bluetooth range is listed as 10 meters, though real-world connection conditions can vary. The 7.5-hour battery figure also means that charging is part of ownership; it is not a device you can simply plug into a 3.5 mm headphone jack and keep using.
Fit deserves particular attention, especially for side sleepers. The Technics includes four silicone tip sizes, which helps accommodate different ears, but an in-ear product can still feel uncomfortable under pressure from a pillow. The Sennheiser’s velour cushions and padded headband are relevant to comfort during ordinary listening, yet its over-ear cups are not a low-profile sleeping design. Neither product sheet gives a specific side-sleeping feature or a guarantee of comfort in bed.
Sound preferences are another dividing line. The Sennheiser’s open-back design is associated with detail and tonal balance, while the Technics offers LDAC compatibility and app-based EQ adjustments, including bass and treble controls. That gives the Technics more listed ways to tailor the sound, but it does not prove it will suit every listener better. If you want to weigh the overall purchase, check the current price on Amazon and compare it with the features you will actually use; the product specifications alone do not settle value for every buyer.
My Verdict
I would choose the Technics HiFi True for everyday portability because ANC, three-device multipoint, and call-focused microphones solve more situations away from home. That is my pick for a buyer who wants one compact wireless option for travel and work. For side sleepers, though, I would not call either a sure fit: the Technics avoids over-ear cups, but comfort on a pillow is not established. I would choose the Sennheiser instead for relaxed, wired listening in a quiet room.
FAQ
For commuting, the Technics has the more relevant features: Bluetooth, active noise cancellation, and an in-ear design. The Sennheiser is wired, open-back, and has no noise control listed, so it is better suited to quieter listening.
Neither product is specifically described as a side-sleeping design. The Technics is smaller than an over-ear headphone, but its in-ear buds may still press against the ear; the HD 598 has full over-ear cups that can meet the pillow.
The Technics app includes bass and EQ adjustments, so users can change the sound profile. The available specifications do not establish a fixed bass level or prove that it delivers more bass than the Sennheiser.
The HD 598 is listed as wired and uses a 3.5 mm jack. Bluetooth and wireless operation are not listed for it, while the Technics connects over Bluetooth and has no headphone jack.
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