The Sennheiser HD 560S are wired open-back headphones meant for neutral listening. They deliver a well-balanced sound profile that should suit most musical genres and deliver audio consistently. They're also very comfortable, with a relatively lightweight design and plenty of plush padding. Like most open-backs, they're poorly suited for use on-the-go, with terrible noise isolation, high levels of audio leakage, and a bulky construction. Otherwise, if you're looking for a pair of comfortable headphones with a neutral sound profile, they're a great option.
Our Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 560S are great for neutral sound. While they're slightly lacking in low-bass, most mixes should still have adequate body and warmth. Vocals and lead instruments are present, detailed, and clear in the mix, and audio is delivered with impressive consistency. They have a decently immersive soundstage, too.
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Very well-balanced sound profile.
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Impressive stereo imaging performance.
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Comfortable, relatively stable fit.
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Consistent audio delivery.
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No sound profile adjustment features.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are poor for commuting and traveling. They're very bulky and barely block out any noise, so you're likely to hear the rumble of bus and plane engines as well as the chatter of fellow commuters. Thankfully, they're very comfortable, even during extended listening sessions.
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Comfortable, relatively stable fit.
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High audio leakage.
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No on-board controls.
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Bulky design.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are sub-par for sports and fitness, though they aren't meant for this purpose. While they offer a surprisingly stable fit, they're still quite bulky and don't have any sort of on-board controls to make playback adjustments. Their audio cable can also snag on something while you're on the go.
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Comfortable, relatively stable fit.
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No on-board controls.
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Bulky design.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are a poor choice of office use. They don't block out much background noise and leak a lot of audio. Their wired-only connection also limits their range of connectivity. Thankfully, they're comfortable enough to wear throughout the entire work day.
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Comfortable, relatively stable fit.
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Terrible noise isolation.
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High audio leakage.
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Wired-only connection limits versatility.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are wired-only headphones and aren't suitable for this use.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are an okay choice for wired gaming, as long as you don't plan on using a mic. They're very comfortable and have a well-balanced sound profile that gives equal emphasis to both sound effects and in-game dialogue. Their open soundstage and great stereo imaging performance generate an immersive listening experience, while their wired-only connection guarantees latency-free audio.
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Very well-balanced sound profile.
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Impressive stereo imaging performance.
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Comfortable, relatively stable fit.
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No on-board controls.
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No included microphone.
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No sound profile adjustment features.
The Sennheiser HD 560S don't come with a microphone and aren't suitable for this use.
- 8.3 Neutral Sound
- 3.8 Commute/Travel
- 5.5 Sports/Fitness
- 4.6 Office
- 4.6 Wireless Gaming
- 6.7 Wired Gaming
- 1.6 Phone Calls
- Updated Jan 23, 2023: Added a comparison between the Sennheiser HD 560S and the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x in the Passive Soundstage box.
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Jan 12, 2021: We incorrectly reported their headphone type as 'on-ear' and have corrected it to 'over-ear'.
- Updated Nov 13, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Nov 09, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Oct 21, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Oct 19, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Oct 07, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sennheiser HD 560S only come in one variant: 'Black'. You can see its label here.
If someone comes across a different variant of these headphones, let us know in the discussions below so that we can update our review.
Compared To Other Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 560S are open-back headphones designed for neutral listening. Their sound profile is very neutral, and they're comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time without discomfort. Unfortunately, they're quite bulky and don't have any sort of on-board playback controls. If you're looking for alternatives, take a look at our recommendations of the best audiophile headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best open-back headphones.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better headphones for neutral sound than the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO. The Sennheiser are more comfortable, have a more neutral sound profile, and have a better passive soundstage performance. However, the Beyerdynamic feel better built.
The Sennheiser HD 599 and Sennheiser HD 560S are closely-matched in regards to neutral sound. The HD 599 are more comfortable, have a better-balanced treble range, and a more spacious soundstage. The HD 560S offer a more stable fit, a more neutral bass and mid-range, better stereo imaging performance, and demonstrate slightly less distortion at high volumes.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are slightly better headphones for neutral sound than the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO. The Sennheiser are open-back headphones with a much better passive soundstage performance. They're much more comfortable and have a more consistent bass delivery. On the other hand, the Beyerdynamic have a closed-back design. Their bass response is more accurate, they leak less audio, and isolate you from a bit more ambient sound. They also have a significantly better build quality.
The Philips Fidelio X2HR and Sennheiser HD 560S have different strengths in regards to neutral listening but share similar overall sound profiles. The Sennheiser have a more stable fit, better peaks and dips performance, and exhibit less audio distortion. Conversely, the Philips are more sturdily built and have better stereo imaging performance as well as a more expansive soundstage.
The Sennheiser HD 560S and the Philips SHP9500 have different strengths, and you may prefer either. Both models are great for neutral sound, but the Sennheiser have a more neutral bass response, which some listeners may prefer. On the other hand, the Philips are more comfortable, so they can be less fatiguing to wear for long listening sessions, and their passive soundstage seems more immersive.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better headphones for neutral sound than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. The Sennheiser are open-back headphones that are more comfortable, have a more neutral and accurate sound profile, and a significantly better passive soundstage performance. However, the Audio-Technica are closed-back headphones that are better built.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are slightly better headphones for neutral sound than the Sennheiser HD 600. The HD 560S are more comfortable, deliver audio more consistently, and have a more neutral sound profile. However, the HD 600 feel better built.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better headphones for neutral sound than the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X. While headphones have a decent passive soundstage that feels open, the Sennheiser are more comfortable and have a more neutral sound profile. However, the Beyerdynamic are better built.
Depending on your preferences, you may want to check out either the Sennheiser HD 560S or the HiFiMan HE400se, which are both comfortable audiophile headphones. The Sennheiser are dynamic headphones with more thump and rumble to their sound. They can reproduce vocals and instruments with better clarity and detail. However, the HiFiMan are planar magnetic headphones with better build quality. They can also create a wider, more natural-feeling passive soundstage to help immerse you in your audio.
The HiFiMan Sundara 2020 are better for neutral sound than the Sennheiser HD 560S. The HiFiMan deliver audio more consistently and have a better passive soundstage performance. They also have a much better build quality. However, the Sennheiser have significantly better bass accuracy, so they may be more suitable for genres like EDM and hip-hop. They also have a more stable fit.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better for neutral sound than AKG K702. They have a more neutral sound profile, a more stable fit, and are less prone to inconsistent bass and treble delivery. On the other hand, the AKG are better-built and create a more open-seeming, speaker-like passive soundstage.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better for neutral sound than the Beyerdynamic DT 880. The Sennheiser have an open-back design, a more neutral default sound profile, and a better passive soundstage performance. They're also much more stable on your head. On the other hand, the Beyerdynamic have a significantly better build quality and come with a soft case to protect them from minor scratches and splashes.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are slightly better headphones for neutral sound than the Sennheiser HD 6XX. The 560S are more comfortable, have a neutral and accurate sound profile, and their passive soundstage performance is a bit better. However, the 6XX are better built.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are slightly better for neutral listening than the Sennheiser HD 660 S. The HD 560S have a better-balanced bass and treble range, a more natural soundstage, and a more comfortable fit. However, the HD 660 S are better-built, deliver a slightly more neutral mid-range, and provide superior stereo imaging performance.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better for neutral sound than the Drop + Sennheiser PC38X. While both headphones are comfortable, the Sennheiser have a more neutral sound profile and a slightly better passive soundstage performance. However, the Drop are better if you like to game with others. They have a flippable boom mic with excellent recording quality and feel better-built.
The Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee and Sennheiser HD 560S are pretty evenly-matched open-back headphones. The HD 58X are more sturdily built and have a better-balanced mid-range with superior stereo imaging performance. Meanwhile, the HD 560S are more comfortable, exhibit less audio distortion, and have more neutral bass and treble responses.
The Sennheiser HD 650 are better for neutral sound than the Sennheiser HD 560S. The 650 have a more accurate bass response, a passive soundstage that seems more open, and a more comfortable, stable fit. However, the 560S's build quality is significantly better.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better audiophile headphones than the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x. The Sennheiser have more low-bass and a better-balanced treble range, giving the mix a fuller sound and crisper sibilants. They're slightly more stable than the Audio-Technica as well, but the Sennheiser's open-back build doesn't create as open and natural-sounding of a soundstage as the Audio-Technica.
The Sennheiser HD 560S are better headphones for neutral sound than the Meze Empyrean. While both headphones are very comfortable, the Sennheiser have a more neutral sound profile with better bass accuracy, and they come with a 1/4" to 1/8" TRS adapter, which some users may prefer. However, the Meze have significantly better build quality, can create a more immersive passive soundstage, and come with a carrying case to help protect the headphones when you're not using them.
The Beats Solo Pro Wireless and the Sennheiser HD 560S have different strengths, and you may prefer either one. The Sennheiser are open-back over-ear designed for audiophiles. They have a more comfortable fit, neutral sound profile, and a natural-sounding, open, and spacious passive soundstage. However, the Beats are more suitable for casual use. The Beats are better-built, have an ANC system that isolates significantly more noise around you, and an integrated mic, so you can take calls on the go. They also have a wireless design and last roughly 24 hours continuously.
Test Results
The Sennheiser HD 560S share a passing resemblance to other headphones in the manufacturer's HD5 lineup, like the Sennheiser HD 598 and Sennheiser HD 599. Similar features include its swept-back ear cup mounts and oval-shaped ear cups.
These headphones are very comfortable. The headband and ear cups feature liberal amounts of plush padding. They feel quite lightweight and shouldn't apply too much pressure to the sides of the head, even for people who wear glasses. Overall, they should be comfortable enough to wear for extended listening sessions.
These headphones have no on-board controls.
These over-ears aren't very portable. While their audio cable does detach, which reduces the chances of the plug getting caught on something, the ear cups don't swivel flat and the headband doesn't fold, so they have a pretty bulky footprint.
These headphones are decently well-built. Their headband and ear cups are made of dense matte plastic, and the audio cable is detachable and replaceable. Unfortunately, the yokes and ear cup hinges feel a little flimsy, and represent weak points in their overall construction. If you're looking for better-built audiophile headphones, check out the Meze Empyrean or the Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X.
These headphones have a stable fit. They shouldn't fall off your head even with severe head movements due to their somewhat tight, but not uncomfortable, fit. However, it should be noted that they're clearly not designed for workouts.
- Sennheiser HD 560S headphones
- 1/8" TRS to 1/4" TRS audio cable
- 1/4" TRS to 1/8" TRS adapter
- User pamphlet
The Sennheiser HD 560S have a well-balanced sound profile. Like most open-back headphones, they're slightly lacking in low-bass. However, their mid and treble ranges are very well-balanced overall, yielding clear, present, and detailed vocals and lead instruments. Overall, they should be very well-suited for listening to different types of audio content.
The frequency response consistency is great. Aside from a little bit of variance in the treble range, you should be able to achieve a consistent listening experience on separate occasions, even if you have long hair or wear glasses.
The bass accuracy is great. They're slightly lacking in low-bass, which may displease fans of genres like EDM or hip-hop. That said, the mid and high-bass range are mostly flat and neutral, so most tracks should sound full-bodied and warm.
These over-ears have superb mid accuracy. Vocals and lead instruments should sound full-bodied, present, and clear in the mix, absent of any thinness or harshness.
The treble accuracy is impressive. Aside from a slight rise in the mid-treble range that makes some notes sound a little piercing, sibilants and cymbals should be perceived as detailed and clearly articulated.
The peaks and dips performance is great. There's a dip in the right driver in the high-mid range that slightly weakens some vocals and lead instruments, but this isn't too noticeable overall. Peaks in the low and mid-treble range make some notes sound a little harsh and piercing too. Other than that, however, the rest of the frequency range is quite flat.
The Sennheiser HD 560S's stereo imaging performance is great. Their weighted group delay falls beneath the audibility threshold, yielding tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. The L/R drivers are well-matched in regards to amplitude and phase response, with very minor frequency mismatch. Objects should be accurately localized within the stereo image, which is important in creating an immersive listening experience. It should be noted that these results are only valid for our test unit, and yours may perform differently.
These over-ears have a decent passive soundstage. Due to their open-back enclosure, it should be perceived as being speaker-like and open, but also a little small. If you're looking for open-back headphones with a wider and more natural soundstage, check out the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x.
These headphones have no virtual soundstage features.
The weighted harmonic distortion is excellent. There are no spikes across the frequency range, so audio reproduction should be clean and pure.
These are the settings used to test the Sennheiser HD 560S. Our results are only valid when they're used in this configuration.
Like most open-back headphones, the Sennheiser HD 560S have terrible noise isolation. They let in ambient noise across the frequency spectrum, so you should hear everything from the low rumble of bus engines to the higher-pitched hum of an AC unit, not to mention the chatter of people nearby.
These over-ears leak a lot of noise, which is normal for open-back headphones. You're likely to disturb people nearby if you listen to your music in a crowded room.
These headphones don't have a microphone. If you're looking for Sennheiser headphones with a mic for gaming, check out the Drop + Sennheiser PC38X.
These headphones don't have a microphone.
These over-ears don't have a microphone.
These headphones are wired-only and don't have a battery.
These headphones don't have a companion app.
These over-ears are wired-only.
These headphones don't support any wireless connections.
The Sennheiser HD 560S have a 1/8" TRS to 1/4" TRS cable for latency-free audio. They also come with with a 1/4" TRS to 1/8" TRS adapter.
These headphones only receive audio when you plug their 1/4" TRS cable into an Xbox One controller.