Over the next few weeks I will have a good deal of headphone and audio coverage, which I have been working on for a while. Most of the headphones are open-back designs, as they are considered the ultimate for sound quality and serious listening. Starting us off is an excellent accessory that can be used to improve the sound of all your wired headphones and earphones.

iFi GO Link Max: In a recent column I discussed the importance of the audio source. The better the quality of the output from the source, be it a turntable, CD player, streamer or digital converter, the better the sound, and the difference can be profound. Many listeners mistakenly believe the phone or tablet is the source when used with a USB-C headphone adapter. The minuscule adapter contains a digital-to-analog converter as well as a tiny amplifier that powers the headphones. The adapter's digital-to-analog converter is considered the source in the case.

The iFi GO Link Max has a top-of-the-line digital converter and packs about 10 times the amplification power of the Apple headphone adapter. This enables it to effortlessly unlock all the inherent sound quality of your headphones, and the better your headphones, the more pronounced the improvement will be. Many premium headphones are lauded for their sound quality but tend to be a challenge for underpowered headphone adapters. The GO Link Max fixes this.

I used the iFi GO Link Max to evaluate all the headphones and wired earphones you will be reading about in the coming weeks. The extra amplifier power makes music come through effortlessly without a hint of strain or harshness, and the purity of sound from the digital circuitry is a joy to experience. For only $79 it is well worth the investment, and if buying new headphones adding the GO Link Max to the cart will ensure you get the most from your purchase. ifi-audio.com

Q. I have read your recent articles and was surprised you didn’t include Sennheiser headphones in your reviews. I own a pair of Sennheiser 560S headphones, which I find to deliver high-quality sound. Sennheiser also has much more expensive headphones that presumably deliver even better sound.

—B.J., Los Gatos, California

A. I have written about many Sennheiser headphones in the past, especially their wireless headphones for television watching, which are unmatched in the product category. You are correct that it has been a while since I evaluated Sennheiser products, and your message prompted me to try the HD599 open-back headphones. I am very glad I did!

The Sennheiser HD599 headphones have great visual appeal, with high-quality ivory-colored plastic and brown padding and accents that look stylish and exude luxury vibes. They are extremely comfortable to wear, and my only criticism unboxing them is they do not include a carrying case or bag.

Powered by the iFi GO Link Max, the HD599 headphones come alive with natural sound that is slightly on the warm side, with very good clarity and excellent detail. The balance is near-perfect from bass to treble, and the bass is natural without unwelcome boominess. This means if you want headphones with thumping bass, the HD599 may not be for you. If you want bass that is true to the music, you will be satisfied.

The Sennheisers accurately re-created the proper sense of space and I was especially impressed with vocals, which had excellent dynamics that draw you in to the performance.The Sennheiser HD599 headphones list for $239.95 but are currently available for $189.95 direct from Sennheiser and retailers such as Amazon, Nordstrom and Best Buy. us.sennheiser-hearing.com

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