Sennheiser HD 560S Review | 93 Data compared

The Sennheiser HD 560S are wired, open-back headphones designed for neutral, analytical listening, offering a highly accurate, flat sound profile and excellent driver matching. They provide a comfortable, stable fit with velour padding suitable for long sessions, though their bulky, non-folding design and lack of on-board controls limit portability. Their open-back construction results in poor noise isolation and high audio leakage, making them unsuitable for loud or public environments. Additionally, they lack a built-in microphone and feature a long, non-detachable cable that can be cumbersome.

Mark Sparrow's Forbes review praises the Sennheiser HD 560S open-back headphones for delivering an exceptional, neutral sound profile with a wide soundstage and refined, deep bass at a $200 price point. The headphones feature angled drivers, an ultralight chassis, and ventilated velour earpads designed for comfort and accurate, detailed audio reproduction during long listening sessions. Conversely, the open-back design results in significant sound leakage and a total lack of noise isolation, making them unsuitable for commuting or noisy environments. While the bass is highly detailed, casual listeners might find them less "punchy" than consumer-tuned alternatives, and they perform best when paired with a dedicated amplifier.

The Sennheiser HD560S is a lightweight, open-back headphone priced at $170 that offers exceptional comfort due to its large earcups (73mm x 45mm) and angled drivers. In terms of performance, the review highlights its highly accurate frequency response that aligns closely with the target curve right out of the box, meaning that equalization (EQ) is not mandatory for high-quality playback. The headphone features extremely low high-frequency distortion and a medium, variable impedance that makes it easier to drive via an amplifier than higher-impedance models like the HD650. Furthermore, it handles a broken seal remarkably well, making it highly suitable for users who wear glasses. Despite these strengths, the review notes a few notable drawbacks. The primary weakness of the HD560S is its rapid rise in bass distortion at higher volume levels, which restricts how much the lower frequencies can be boosted via EQ before causing audible driver distortion and clicking. Additionally, it lacks deep sub-bass energy and has a small amount of excess energy above 4 kHz, resulting in a slightly bright sound character. While the build provides great physical...

The Sennheiser HD560SGo review on Medium highlights these open-back headphones for their exceptional efficiency (110dB sensitivity, 120-ohm impedance), enabling easy driving from basic sources. They are noted for providing a neutral, flat frequency response with impressive sub-bass and a detailed soundstage, all within a comfortable 240g chassis. Medium· Conversely, the review notes a, "cheap" feeling plastic construction and a lack of modern features like wireless functionality. Furthermore, the open-back design allows significant sound leakage with no noise isolation, while the initial clamping force is quite high.

The Sound & Signal review highly praises the Sennheiser HD 560S as an outstanding, budget-conscious choice for mixing, mastering, and critical listening. Retailing around £160–£180, these open-back, over-ear headphones deliver exceptional, reference-grade accuracy that punches far above their price point. Key pros highlighted in the review include a flat and neutral frequency response (6 Hz – 38 kHz) and a wide, spacious soundstage driven by angled transducers that provide highly accurate spatial imaging. Additionally, the headphones are noted for being incredibly lightweight at just 240 grams, featuring velour-padded ear cups that ensure long-lasting comfort during extended studio sessions. The design also incorporates a practical detachable 3-meter cable with a 1/4” plug and an included 1/8” adapter. However, the review outlines several specific cons that limit the headphones' versatility outside of a controlled, quiet room. Due to their open-back construction, they provide zero noise isolation and leak substantial sound, making them entirely unsuited for recording vocal tracks or tracking instruments where microphones could pick up the bleed. Their physical build is noted to be mostly plastic, which feels less premium than...

The Headfonia review characterizes the $199 Sennheiser HD 560S as an exceptional, budget-friendly open-back headphone offering neutral, accurate tuning with high clarity, fast transients, and a spacious soundstage. Key pros include realistic vocal reproduction, impressive sub-bass extension, and a lightweight, easy-to-drive design suitable for various sources. However, the review notes the build relies heavily on lightweight plastic, lacking premium materials, and features a basic unboxing experience without a carrying case. Additionally, while technically impressive for the price, the HD 560S lacks the complex soundstage depth and layering found in higher-tier models.