Sennheiser HD 560S Review

Sennheiser HD 560S Review: Audiophile Performance on a Budget

For decades, Sennheiser has been a powerhouse in the world of professional and audiophile-grade audio gear. With their HD 600 and HD 650 series dominating the mid-to-high-end open-back market, many wondered if the brand could offer that same level of acoustic fidelity at a more budget-friendly price. Enter the Sennheiser HD 560S—a headphone designed for critical listening, music production, and home audio enthusiasts who crave neutral, honest sound reproduction without breaking the bank.

Priced under $200, the HD 560S aims to bring reference-class performance to a wider audience. Let’s take a deep dive into its design, performance, and whether it lives up to its promise as the “entry-level audiophile” headphone of choice.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Sennheiser HD 560S follows the familiar design language of other Sennheiser open-back models: understated, functional, and comfort-focused. It doesn’t scream “premium” like some boutique audiophile cans, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing—form follows function here.

The headphones are built almost entirely from plastic, which contributes to their extremely light weight at around 240 grams. While this makes them highly wearable for long listening sessions, it also means they don’t have the luxurious feel of models like the HD 600 or HD 660S. However, the build doesn’t feel fragile. The headband and ear cups are flexible and well-constructed, with no creaks or rattles.

The large velour ear pads are a dream for long sessions. They’re breathable, soft, and spacious enough to accommodate most ear sizes. The clamping force is mild, which enhances comfort, though some may find the fit slightly loose during rapid head movement.

A detachable cable with a 6.3mm (¼ inch) plug and a 3.5mm adapter is included—a thoughtful addition for those switching between audio interfaces, amps, and portable sources.

Sound Quality: Clean, Clear, and Honest

Where the HD 560S truly shines is in the sound department. Designed for critical listening, Sennheiser engineered these headphones with a neutral frequency response and wide soundstage in mind—two things any budding audiophile or audio engineer will immediately appreciate.

Bass

The bass on the HD 560S is tight, clean, and natural. Unlike consumer-grade headphones that often overemphasize low-end thump, the 560S provides a true-to-source representation of bass. Sub-bass rolls off slightly but mid- and upper-bass frequencies are present and well-controlled. This makes them ideal for genres like jazz, classical, folk, or acoustic music, where detail is more important than raw punch.

That said, EDM and hip-hop lovers might find the low end lacking in fun factor—but that’s by design.

Mids

The mids are the star of the show. Vocals are clear, uncolored, and forward, making them great for vocal-heavy tracks and podcasts. Instruments like guitars, strings, and pianos come through with precision and emotional weight. There’s a noticeable transparency that helps convey the intent behind a mix or performance.

This makes the HD 560S an excellent tool for mixing and mastering as well as analytical listening.

Treble

The treble is crisp and detailed, without sounding piercing or harsh. There’s a sense of airiness in cymbals, hi-hats, and strings that gives recordings a natural sparkle. However, extremely treble-sensitive listeners may find a hint of sharpness in certain tracks, especially with poor source material.

Still, for most listeners, the treble is well-tuned and contributes to the headphone’s clear and open character.

Soundstage and Imaging

One of the most surprising aspects of the HD 560S is its impressive soundstage for a headphone in this price range. Sennheiser’s use of E.A.R. (Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement) technology helps angle the drivers to simulate a more speaker-like experience. The result is a wide and spacious sound field that offers excellent instrument separation and spatial imaging.

For classical music or live recordings, the depth and dimensionality allow the listener to hear subtle positional cues, such as where a violinist is seated in an orchestra or how a room’s reverb affects vocals.

While it’s not quite on the level of higher-end open-backs like the HD 800S or HIFIMAN Arya, the HD 560S punches well above its price point in this regard.

Amplification and Source Requirements

One of the HD 560S’s best qualities is its easy drivability. With an impedance of 120 ohms and decent sensitivity, it performs well on mid-tier interfaces, headphone amps, and even laptops or smartphones with a competent DAC.

That said, pairing it with a good desktop amp/DAC combo like the iFi Zen DAC or Schiit Modi/Magni stack unlocks more dynamic range and detail. It doesn’t need high-end gear to shine—but it scales nicely with it.

Use Cases: Who Should Buy This?

The HD 560S is ideal for:

• Aspiring audiophiles looking for an affordable entry point.

• Home studio engineers needing a neutral reference headphone.

• Music students and instrumentalists wanting a clear representation of their recordings.

• Long-session listeners who value comfort and clarity over booming bass.

It’s less suitable for:

• Bass-heads seeking club-style impact.

• Commuters or noisy environments (due to the open-back design).

• Those wanting luxury aesthetics or high-end materials.

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Neutral, transparent tuning ideal for critical listening.

• Lightweight and comfortable for long wear.

• Wide soundstage with accurate imaging.

• Detachable cable with both ¼" and 3.5mm adapters.

• Scales well with better amps but also sounds great out of the box.

• Excellent value for audiophile-grade performance under $200.

❌ Cons:

• Bass lacks punch for modern music genres.

• Plastic construction feels budget (though durable).

• Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation.

• Might be too clinical for casual or bass-preferred listeners.

• Cable is long and stiff, not ideal for portable use.

Final Verdict

The Sennheiser HD 560S is one of the best deals in the audiophile world today. It delivers honest, uncolored sound with excellent spatial presentation and does so at a fraction of the cost of other reference headphones. While it may lack the luxury materials or fun tuning of pricier models, it compensates with raw performance, comfort, and utility.

If you’re starting your audiophile journey or need a reliable mixing reference at home, the HD 560S should be at the top of your list. It doesn’t try to impress with flash—it wins you over with substance.

Rating: 9/10