Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Over-Ear Wired Headphones Neutral
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A brutally honest, open-back headphone that reveals everything in your mix for a shockingly low price. Skip it if you need a mic or noise cancelling, but for pure sound, it's a steal.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Incredibly neutral, detailed sound that punches way above its price 81st
- Wide, natural soundstage makes music and games feel spacious 74th
- Lightweight 280g build with velour pads you can wear all day
- Detachable cable with included 6.35mm and 3.5mm options
Cons
- Build quality feels a bit plasticky and falls behind the competition
- Absolutely useless for calls with a mic score in the 20th percentile
- Open-back design leaks sound like a sieve, zero isolation
- Needs a bit of power to really sing, not ideal straight from a weak phone jack
The proof
Performance
The soundstage is what surprised us most. At this price, you usually get a choice between accurate tuning or a wide presentation, but the HD 560S delivers both. The 38mm drivers push out a 6Hz to 38kHz range that digs deep without ever sounding bloated, and the 120Ω impedance means they scale nicely with a decent amp. In our database, the sound quality sits in the 81st percentile, which is a standout result for a headphone that doesn't cost a fortune. The clarity in directional audio for gaming is a real treat, letting you pinpoint footsteps in a competitive match without the usual closed-back muddiness.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | open |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | Velour |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 38 |
| Freq Min | 6 |
| Freq Max | 38000 |
| Impedance | 120 |
| Sensitivity | 110 |
| Codecs | Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Over-Ear Wired Headphones - Neutral, Natural Sound for Music, Gaming, and Content Creation, Black |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 3 |
Features
| Gaming Mode | Yes |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Sony ULT WEAR or Bose QuietComfort Ultra, the Sennheiser is playing a completely different game. Those are wireless, ANC-packed commuter cans, while the HD 560S is a wired, open-back specialist for a quiet room. The Sony and Bose will serve you better on a plane, but they can't touch the Sennheiser's natural soundstage and neutral tuning for critical listening. The Apple AirPods Max offer a more premium build and seamless integration for Apple users, but they cost nearly three times as much and still don't sound as accurate. If you're cross-shopping the Technics EAH-A800, you're looking at a more versatile wireless option, but you'll sacrifice the raw, open clarity that makes the Sennheiser special.
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Over-Ear Wired Headphones Neutral | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B | Apple AirPods Max Midnight | Technics EAH-A800 | JBL Tune 670NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | on-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 38 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 32 |
| Impedance Ohms | 120 | - | 314 | 16 | 34 | 32 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | open | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 30 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 70 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Over-Ear Wired Headphones Neutral | 33.3 | 20.3 | 37.4 | 81.3 | 51.4 | 74.2 | 54 | 52.9 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Compare | 98.4 | 99.5 | 96 | 99.4 | 81.1 | 61.2 | 98.2 | 98.6 |
| Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B Compare | 98.4 | 88.8 | 80.7 | 96.8 | 81.1 | 61.2 | 99.2 | 89.2 |
| Apple AirPods Max Midnight Compare | 98.4 | 87 | 93.3 | 94.8 | 76.3 | 34.5 | 88.5 | 98.6 |
| Technics EAH-A800 Compare | 95 | 98.8 | 80.7 | 97.9 | 88.9 | 61.2 | 98 | 65.3 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.4 | 74.3 | 80.7 | 88.3 | 95.4 | 90.8 | 99.4 | 98.6 |
Price
Value & Pricing
For $213, this is a no-brainer if sound quality is your only priority. You're getting a level of detail and tuning that usually costs significantly more. The value proposition falls apart if you need wireless, a good mic, or noise cancelling, but for a dedicated wired setup at a desk, it's one of the best deals in audio right now.
Read more
Overview
The Sennheiser HD 560S is the pair of headphones you buy when you're done messing around with bloated bass and want to hear what your music actually sounds like. For around $213, you get a shockingly neutral, open-back sound that pulls apart dense mixes and lays them out in front of you with surgical precision. The one thing to know is this: if you want a fun, bass-heavy headphone for the gym, keep scrolling. If you want a reference tool that doubles as a genuinely enjoyable listening experience for critical music sessions and immersive gaming, you've found it.
Common Questions
Q: Do I need a headphone amp to use the HD 560S?
You can get sound out of a phone or laptop, but you won't get the full picture. The 120Ω impedance means they really wake up with a dedicated amp or a decent audio interface. Without one, they'll sound a bit thin and quiet.
Q: Can I use these for gaming and hear footsteps clearly?
Absolutely. The open-back design and accurate tuning make positional audio a breeze. You'll hear exactly where shots are coming from, and the wide soundstage gives a more immersive experience than most closed-back gaming headsets.
Q: How much sound do these leak to people around me?
A lot. These are open-back, so they bleed sound like crazy. Someone sitting next to you in a quiet room will hear your music almost as clearly as you do. They're strictly for solo listening in a private space.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a do-it-all headphone with wireless, a decent mic, and noise cancelling for your commute, this isn't it. Go get the Sony ULT WEAR or Bose QuietComfort Ultra instead. The HD 560S is a terrible travel companion and a nightmare for open offices.
Verdict
Buy these if you have a quiet space and want to hear every layer in your music without spending a fortune. The HD 560S is a reference headphone that doesn't suck the joy out of listening, which is a rare and wonderful thing. Just don't expect to take a call on them or block out your roommate's keyboard clacks.
