Sony WH-1000XM6
Sennheiser HD 560S
What Buyers Say
Sony WH-1000XM6
The Sony WH-1000XM6 earns praise for its exceptional noise cancellation, clear sound quality, and comfortable fit for many users, with several calling it the best headphones they've owned. However, a significant number of reviews highlight serious drawbacks: uncomfortable clamping force and shallow earcups causing pain, buggy multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, a fingerprint-prone finish, and disappointing customer service regarding warranty repairs and promised free gifts. While the ANC and audio are top-tier, comfort and reliability issues prevent it from being a universal recommendation.
Pros
- Exceptional noise cancellation
- Clear and detailed sound quality
- Comfortable for many users
- Long battery life
- Foldable design
Cons
- Uncomfortable clamping force
- Shallow earcups causing pain
- Buggy multipoint Bluetooth
- Fingerprint-prone finish
- Poor customer service
Sennheiser HD 560S
The Sennheiser HD 560S is widely praised for its exceptional clarity, comfort, and value at around $200. Users highlight the warm bass, detailed mids and highs, and lightweight open-back design that minimizes fatigue during long sessions. A few note the all-plastic build feels less premium and the high range can occasionally be harsh, while one reviewer experienced intermittent static and channel imbalance with the jack. Overall, it is considered a steal for audiophile-grade gaming and music listening, especially when paired with a DAC/amp.
Pros
- Exceptional clarity and detail
- Warm, inviting bass without overpowering
- Extremely comfortable for long sessions
- Lightweight open-back design
- Great value for money at ~$200
Cons
- Plastic build feels less premium
- Highs can be harsh at times
- Intermittent static and channel imbalance on some units
- Requires amplifier for optimal volume
- Sound leakage due to open-back design
Scores
Specifications
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Sennheiser HD 560S | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | open |
| Foldable | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Weight | 0.25 kg | 0.24 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | synthetic leather | Velour |
| Headband | synthetic leather | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 mm | 38 mm★ |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 4 Hz★ | 6 Hz |
| Freq Max | 40 kHz★ | 38 kHz |
| Impedance | 48 Ω | 120 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 103 dB | 110 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Codecs | LDAC | Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Over-Ear Wired Headphones – Neutral, Natural Sound for Music, Gaming, and Content Creation, Black |
| Surround | Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones, HD NC Processor QN3, 12 Microphones, Studio-Quality, New Sandstone Color | Sony WH-1000XM6 The Best Noise Cancelling Wireless | Sony | Sa | — |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓★ | ✗ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | — |
| Transparency | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3★ | — |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, PBP | — |
| Multipoint | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cable Length | 1.2000000476837158 m | 1.7999999523162842 m |
| Range | 10 m★ | — |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 30 hrs★ | — |
| Charge Time | 3 hrs★ | — |
| Fast Charging | 3 minutes for 3 hours playback | — |
| Charging | USB-C★ | — |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Mic Count | 6★ | — |
| NC Mic | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri, Google Assistant | — |
| Touch Controls | ✓★ | ✗ |
| App | Sony | Sound Connect | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Water Resistance | Waterproof | — |
Pros & Cons
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Strong connectivity (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average user sentiment (22nd percentile)
Sennheiser HD 560S
- Strong social proof (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong sound (76th percentile)
- Strong build (76th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (72nd percentile)
- Below average mic (15th percentile)15th %ile
- Below average anc (32nd percentile)
Pricing
Sennheiser HD 560S offers 2.2x better value for money
Verdict
Scores 96 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 19 of 41 specs.
