Audio T Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 560S are headphones for people who want to hear what is actually happening in a recording. Their open-back construction, angled transducers and deliberately linear tuning produce a wide, precise presentation with excellent insight into vocals, instruments, mixes and the equipment driving them.
They are especially strong at the price if you enjoy comparing recordings, sources or amplifiers. Bass reaches impressively low for an open headphone but avoids being artificially inflated, while the midrange and treble remain clear and revealing. At 120 ohms they are also less demanding than Sennheiser's 300-ohm HD 600-series models, although a good headphone output will still help them perform at their best.
The newer HD 550 offer a slightly more relaxed all-round proposition, but the HD 560S remain the obvious choice if accuracy and analytical listening come first. They are revealing without costing reference-headphone money, which is precisely why they remain such a useful model in the Sennheiser range.
Important: Fully Open-Back Headphones
The HD 560S deliberately allow sound to pass through the rear of the earcups. This creates their spacious presentation but provides very little isolation from outside noise, and people nearby will hear some of your music. They are designed primarily for quiet home listening rather than commuting, flights or shared environments where sound leakage could be a problem.
Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones
The Sennheiser HD 560S are open-back around-ear headphones developed for listeners who prioritise natural tonal balance, accurate bass and the ability to hear fine differences within recordings and audio equipment.
The dynamic transducers use a specialised polymer-blend diaphragm engineered for highly linear movement, together with a high-strength magnet and a voice coil developed to work effectively across a wide range of playback equipment.
Sennheiser's Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement, or E.A.R., angles the transducers towards the ears to recreate more closely the listening geometry of properly positioned loudspeakers. The result is a wide and articulate stereo image without relying on digital spatial processing.
- Open-back around-ear hi-fi headphones
- Dynamic transducer design
- Specialised polymer-blend diaphragm
- High-strength magnet system
- E.A.R. angled transducer positioning
- Natural and accurate reference-oriented sound
- 6Hz to 38kHz frequency response
- 120-ohm impedance
- 110dB SPL at 1V RMS
- Less than 0.05% THD
- Extended and controlled low-frequency response
- Wide stereo soundstage
- Soft velour earpads
- 280g headphone weight
- Detachable cable
- Current 1.8m cable
- 3.5mm stereo connection
- 6.3mm adapter supplied
- Compatible with optional 4.4mm balanced cable
- Compatible with optional HD 500 BAM microphone
- Replaceable cable and earpads
- No battery or wireless electronics
Designed for Analytical Listening
The HD 560S were developed with a different goal from headphones designed primarily to create an immediately impressive or deliberately coloured sound.
Sennheiser tunes the transducers for accuracy, making the HD 560S particularly useful when you want to investigate what is actually contained within a recording.
That can include differences between:
- Original releases and remasters
- Different digital masters
- Streaming-quality settings
- DACs
- Headphone amplifiers
- Source components
- Different mixes of the same recording
Natural Rather Than Artificially Enhanced
The HD 560S are not designed around heavily boosted bass, recessed midrange or artificially elevated treble.
The objective is a comparatively linear presentation that allows tonal differences already present in the recording to remain audible.
This makes them an excellent option for listeners who would rather hear the character of the music and equipment than have every recording pushed towards the same headphone sound.
Open-Back Acoustic Design
The rear of each transducer is open to the surrounding air rather than enclosed inside a sealed earcup.
This allows sound waves generated behind the diaphragm to disperse naturally instead of reflecting around a closed chamber and potentially interacting with the driver again.
The open construction contributes substantially to the HD 560S's spacious and unforced presentation.
Why Open-Back Headphones Sound Different
Removing much of the acoustic enclosure behind the driver can provide several benefits when headphones are used in a suitable environment.
- Wider stereo imaging
- More natural sense of recording space
- Greater air around instruments
- Less enclosed presentation
- More believable ambience
- Excellent positional information
The trade-off is that an open headphone neither keeps much environmental noise out nor keeps your music completely in.
Open or Closed-Back?
Choose an open headphone such as the HD 560S when sound quality, spaciousness and natural imaging matter most and you have a quiet place to listen. Choose a closed-back model when isolation or keeping your music private is more important. You can find out more in our Audio T guide to open and closed-back headphones.
Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement
Sennheiser's E.A.R. system angles the transducers towards the listener's ears rather than mounting them completely parallel with the sides of the head.
The idea is to recreate more closely the angle at which sound arrives from a properly positioned pair of stereo loudspeakers.
This helps the HD 560S generate a convincing sense of:
- Left-to-right image placement
- Soundstage width
- Front-to-back depth
- Separation between performers
- Recording-space ambience
No Digital Spatial Processing Required
The HD 560S create their stereo image acoustically through the transducer position and open earcups.
There is no surround-processing algorithm, app or digital signal processing built into the headphones themselves.
This makes them particularly useful when you want to hear the spatial information already contained within the recording.
Specialised Polymer-Blend Diaphragm
The transducer membrane uses a specialised polymer blend designed to provide highly linear excursion.
In simple terms, the aim is for the diaphragm to follow the incoming electrical signal accurately rather than adding excessive behaviour of its own as it moves backwards and forwards.
This helps the HD 560S maintain control across both low and high frequencies.
High-Strength Magnet System
The transducer also uses a high-strength magnet to provide precise control of the moving assembly.
Combined with the lightweight diaphragm and carefully developed voice coil, this allows the HD 560S to reproduce fast changes within music without excessive overhang.
6Hz to 38kHz Frequency Response
Sennheiser specifies a frequency response extending from 6Hz to 38kHz.
The extension beyond the conventionally quoted limits of human hearing should not be interpreted as meaning you need to hear frequencies approaching 38kHz.
What matters more is the ability of the transducer to reproduce the audible spectrum without operating close to its limits throughout normal listening.
Deep Bass Without Deliberate Bass Boost
The HD 560S were engineered to extend convincingly into the lowest frequencies while maintaining the analytical nature of the overall balance.
Sennheiser specifically highlights the region between approximately 20Hz and 50Hz, where smaller loudspeakers and some open-back headphones can begin to lose useful output.
This allows the HD 560S to reveal low-frequency information in:
- Electronic music
- Orchestral recordings
- Film scores
- Organ recordings
- Low synthesiser notes
- Kick drums
- Bass guitar and double bass
Hear Bass Pitch as Well as Weight
A good low-frequency response is about more than how hard the headphones can thump.
The HD 560S place strong emphasis on bass definition and control, making it easier to distinguish individual notes and textures rather than turning everything below the midrange into one broad area of warmth.
Clear Midrange
A comparatively neutral midrange makes vocals and acoustic instruments particularly informative through the HD 560S.
There is little attempt to hide poorer recordings behind warmth or deliberately smooth over differences between sources.
That honesty is one of the main reasons they work so well as analytical listening headphones.
Treble Detail Above 10kHz
Sennheiser specifically developed the HD 560S transducer to retain clarity into the upper frequencies.
This helps preserve information such as cymbal decay, room reverberation, string texture and the subtle spatial cues used by the ear when interpreting a recording environment.
Exceptionally Low Distortion
Total harmonic distortion is specified below 0.05% at 1kHz and 90dB SPL.
This is a particularly strong figure at this level of the range and supports the HD 560S's focus on analytical listening.
Lower unwanted distortion means more of the detail you hear belongs to the recording rather than being generated by the headphone itself.
120-Ohm Impedance
The HD 560S have a nominal impedance of 120 ohms.
This makes them considerably lower in impedance than 300-ohm Sennheiser models such as the HD 600 while remaining very much a hi-fi headphone rather than a low-impedance portable design.
Sennheiser developed the voice coil specifically to make the HD 560S practical with a broad selection of sources.
110dB SPL Sensitivity
Sennheiser specifies a sound pressure level of 110dB at 1V RMS.
Combined with the 120-ohm impedance, this means the HD 560S can reach useful listening levels from many competent headphone outputs.
The quality and available voltage of the source still matter, particularly if you want maximum dynamic headroom.
Do I Need a Dedicated Headphone Amplifier?
Not necessarily. The HD 560S are deliberately more accommodating than some high-impedance reference headphones. A decent integrated amplifier, audio interface or DAC with a capable headphone output may be entirely sufficient. A good dedicated headphone amplifier can still improve headroom, control and overall performance as the rest of the system improves.
Ideal for Comparing Hi-Fi Equipment
The revealing nature of the HD 560S makes them particularly useful when assessing changes elsewhere in a system.
Headphones remove the listening room and loudspeaker positioning from the equation, making it easier to concentrate on differences between:
- DACs
- Streamers
- Headphone amplifiers
- Digital sources
- Recording formats
- Streaming services
Useful for Mixing and Editing
Although the HD 560S are part of Sennheiser's consumer hi-fi range rather than a dedicated professional studio series, their linear approach makes them useful for checking mixes, edits and other audio work.
The open soundstage and controlled bass can make it easier to identify tonal balance and stereo placement than headphones deliberately voiced for casual portable listening.
Useful for Gaming
The same characteristics that make the HD 560S useful for analysing recordings also translate well to gaming.
The open-back design and angled transducers provide precise positional information, while the passive wired connection avoids Bluetooth audio latency.
Sennheiser itself includes the HD 560S within its audiophile-gaming recommendations.
Optional HD 500 BAM Microphone
The HD 560S can now be converted into a wired headset using Sennheiser's optional HD 500 BAM boom-arm microphone.
The accessory replaces the normal headphone cable and incorporates a 10mm cardioid condenser microphone, inline volume adjustment and microphone mute control.
This allows one pair of headphones to handle:
- Hi-fi listening
- PC gaming
- Console gaming
- Video calls
- Voice chat
- Remote working
No Wireless Latency
Because the HD 560S are passive wired headphones, there is no Bluetooth encoding and decoding stage between the source and your ears.
This can be useful for gaming, video editing and other applications where close synchronisation between picture and sound matters.
Current 1.8m Detachable Cable
The current production HD 560S are supplied with a detachable 1.8m cable terminating in a 3.5mm stereo plug.
This is a more practical arrangement for many modern headphone amplifiers, computers and portable DACs than the longer cable originally supplied when the model first launched.
A screw-on adapter is included for equipment with a full-sized 6.3mm headphone socket.
Why Do Some Older HD 560S Specifications Mention a 3m Cable?
The HD 560S originally launched with a 3m cable terminating in a 6.3mm plug and a short 3.5mm adapter. Current Sennheiser specifications list a 1.8m cable with a 3.5mm plug and 6.3mm adapter. Audio T supplies the current package specification applicable to our stock.
3.5mm and 6.3mm Connections
The standard 3.5mm plug covers a wide range of modern headphone equipment, while the supplied 6.3mm adapter adds compatibility with traditional hi-fi headphone sockets.
Suitable equipment can include:
- Integrated amplifiers
- Dedicated headphone amplifiers
- DAC/headphone amplifiers
- Audio interfaces
- AV receivers
- Desktop computers with suitable outputs
- Portable players and DACs with sufficient output capability
Optional 4.4mm Balanced Cable
Sennheiser also offers a compatible 1.8m HD 500-series balanced cable terminating in a 4.4mm Pentaconn connector.
This gives the HD 560S additional flexibility with headphone amplifiers offering a suitable balanced output.
A balanced connection is not automatically superior simply because it uses a different plug. The design and performance of the headphone amplifier itself remain more important.
HD 500-Series Twist-Lock Connection
The detachable cable attaches to the headphones using Sennheiser's HD 500-series 2.5mm twist-lock connection.
This prevents the plug from being pulled out accidentally during normal use while still allowing the cable to be replaced or changed when required.
Replaceable Cable
A detachable cable is valuable on a headphone intended for long-term ownership because cables are naturally exposed to considerably more mechanical wear than many other components.
If the cable eventually becomes damaged, it can be replaced separately rather than writing off the complete headphones.
Replaceable Earpads
Sennheiser also continues to list replacement earpads for the HD 560S.
Earpads are wear items and gradually compress with prolonged use, so replacement helps extend both the physical and acoustic life of the headphones.
Soft Velour Earpads
The around-ear cushions use soft velour material rather than a heavily sealed synthetic-leather covering.
Combined with the ventilated open earcups, this helps reduce heat build-up during extended listening sessions.
Around-Ear Fit
The circumaural cushions sit around rather than directly on the ears.
This spreads contact over a larger area and avoids continuously pressing the outer ear against a small on-ear cushion.
280g Weight
The current Sennheiser specification gives a weight of approximately 280g.
That keeps the HD 560S relatively light for a full-sized open-back hi-fi headphone and helps make them practical for longer analytical listening sessions.
HD 560S or HD 550?
HD 560S
- Open-back around-ear design
- 120-ohm impedance
- 6Hz to 38kHz response
- 110dB SPL at 1V
- Less than 0.05% THD
- E.A.R. angled transducers
- Highly analytical tuning
- Excellent A/B comparison ability
- Strong bass definition
- 280g
- 1.8m detachable cable
- 3.5mm plus 6.3mm adapter
- 4.4mm balanced cable available
- HD 500 BAM compatible
HD 550
- Open-back around-ear design
- Custom 38mm transducers
- 150-ohm impedance
- 6Hz to 39.5kHz response
- 106.7dB SPL at 1V
- Less than 0.2% THD
- Angled transducers
- Balanced, smooth overall tuning
- Extended sub-bass
- Reduced clamping force
- 237g
- 1.8m detachable cable
- 3.5mm plus 6.3mm adapter
- HD 500 BAM compatible
Which Should You Choose?
Choose the HD 560S if your priority is analytical listening, very low distortion and the ability to expose subtle differences between recordings and equipment.
The Sennheiser HD 550 are worth considering if you want similarly spacious open-back performance but place greater emphasis on low weight, relaxed comfort and a slightly broader music, film and gaming role.
Neither is simply better in every circumstance. They represent two different approaches within the same Sennheiser open-back family.
HD 560S or HD 599?
The Sennheiser HD 599 share the familiar HD 500-series open-back architecture but have traditionally been aimed more towards enjoyable, spacious home listening.
The HD 560S place greater emphasis on neutrality and analytical accuracy, making them the stronger choice if you regularly compare recordings, mixes or equipment.
HD 560S or HD 600?
The Sennheiser HD 600 sit further up the traditional reference hierarchy and use a different 300-ohm 600-series platform.
The HD 560S provide an easier and more affordable entry into analytical Sennheiser listening, with a particularly wide stereo image and lower 120-ohm impedance.
The HD 600 remain the more established reference choice where midrange naturalness, long-term system matching and the classic 600-series presentation take priority.
Excellent Entry Into Serious Headphone Listening
The HD 560S make a particularly good first serious open-back headphone because they expose what higher-quality playback can achieve without immediately demanding an expensive specialist system.
They are resolving enough to benefit from better sources and amplification later, so an upgrade elsewhere in the system does not necessarily mean replacing the headphones at the same time.
No Batteries, Apps or Firmware
The HD 560S are entirely passive.
There is no rechargeable battery to deteriorate, wireless codec to become outdated, app required for setup or firmware that needs maintaining.
Connect them to a suitable headphone output and their performance is determined by the recording, headphones and equipment driving them.
Who Are the Sennheiser HD 560S For?
- Listeners wanting neutral open-back headphones
- People entering serious hi-fi headphone listening
- Listeners comparing recordings and remasters
- Customers comparing DACs and headphone amplifiers
- Listeners who value accurate bass rather than exaggerated bass
- Music production and editing checks
- Desktop headphone systems
- Hi-fi systems with a capable headphone output
- Gamers wanting accurate positional information
- Users wanting optional boom-microphone compatibility
- Listeners wanting replaceable cables and earpads
- People wanting optional balanced connectivity
- Quiet home listening
Who Are They Not For?
- Commuters needing isolation
- Listeners wanting Active Noise Cancellation
- People wanting wireless headphones
- Shared spaces where sound leakage would disturb others
- Very noisy environments
- Listeners specifically wanting heavily boosted bass
- Customers wanting a microphone included as standard
- People looking for compact folding travel headphones
Key Features
- Sennheiser HD 560S
- Article number 509144
- Open-back hi-fi headphones
- Over-ear / circumaural fit
- Dynamic transducer principle
- Specialised polymer-blend diaphragm
- High-strength magnet system
- Voice coil designed for broad source compatibility
- E.A.R. angled transducer alignment
- Wide stereo soundstage
- Natural reference-oriented tuning
- 6Hz to 38kHz frequency response
- 120-ohm nominal impedance
- 110dB SPL at 1V RMS
- Less than 0.05% THD
- Deep and controlled bass extension
- Accurate midrange reproduction
- Detailed high-frequency response
- Soft velour earpads
- Ventilated open earcups
- 280g weight
- Detachable cable
- Current 1.8m cable
- 3.5mm stereo jack
- 6.3mm adapter supplied
- HD 500-series twist-lock connection
- Optional 4.4mm balanced cable
- HD 500 BAM microphone compatible
- Replaceable earpads
- Replacement cables available
- No Bluetooth
- No battery
- No Active Noise Cancellation
- No app required
- 24-month manufacturer's warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Sennheiser HD 560S still current?
Yes. They remain part of Sennheiser's current wired, HD Series and audiophile headphone ranges.
Are the HD 560S open-back?
Yes. They use a fully open acoustic design.
Do the HD 560S block outside noise?
Very little. Their open earcups deliberately provide minimal isolation.
Can other people hear my music?
Yes. Open-back headphones allow considerably more sound to escape into the room than closed-back headphones.
What is E.A.R.?
E.A.R. stands for Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement. Sennheiser angles the transducers towards the ears to recreate more closely the listening geometry of stereo loudspeakers positioned in front of you.
What is the frequency response?
6Hz to 38kHz.
What impedance are the HD 560S?
120 ohms.
How sensitive are they?
Sennheiser specifies 110dB SPL at 1kHz and 1V RMS.
What is the THD?
Total harmonic distortion is specified below 0.05% at 1kHz and 90dB SPL.
Are the HD 560S bass-light?
They are not deliberately bass-boosted, but Sennheiser has engineered them for extended low-frequency reproduction down to a specified 6Hz, with particular emphasis on retaining useful information in the deep-bass region.
Do I need a headphone amplifier?
Not necessarily. Their 120-ohm impedance and 110dB sensitivity make them compatible with many capable headphone outputs, although a good dedicated amplifier or DAC/headphone amplifier can provide additional headroom and performance.
Can I use them with an integrated amplifier?
Yes, provided it has a suitable headphone output.
Can I use them with a computer?
Yes, using a suitable headphone output, audio interface or external DAC/headphone amplifier.
Can a phone drive the HD 560S?
Potentially, but the result depends on the phone or headphone adapter. Many modern phones require an external USB-C or Lightning DAC, and output capability varies considerably between adapters.
What cable comes with the current HD 560S?
The current Sennheiser specification lists a detachable 1.8m cable terminating in a 3.5mm stereo plug.
Why do some websites say the HD 560S have a 3m cable?
The original version launched with a 3m cable terminating in a 6.3mm plug. Sennheiser's current retail specification uses a 1.8m 3.5mm cable instead.
Is a 6.3mm adapter supplied?
Yes. The current package includes a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.
Is the cable detachable?
Yes.
Can I buy replacement cables?
Yes. Sennheiser continues to offer compatible HD 500-series cables for the HD 560S.
Can I use a balanced cable?
Yes. Sennheiser offers a compatible 1.8m HD 500-series balanced cable with a 4.4mm source connector.
Can the earpads be replaced?
Yes. Replacement earpads are available.
How much do the HD 560S weigh?
Approximately 280g.
Do the HD 560S have a microphone?
No microphone is supplied as standard.
Can I add a microphone?
Yes. Sennheiser's optional HD 500 BAM boom microphone is specifically compatible with the HD 560S.
Are the HD 560S good for gaming?
Yes. Their wide open soundstage, accurate positioning and zero wireless latency make them particularly well suited to gaming in a quiet environment.
Can I use them with PlayStation or Xbox?
The headphones can be used through suitable compatible controller or system headphone outputs. The optional HD 500 BAM is also designed for compatible gaming systems where microphone functionality is required.
Are they suitable for mixing?
The HD 560S are consumer hi-fi headphones rather than a dedicated professional studio model, but their linear tuning and low distortion make them useful for analytical listening, A/B comparisons and checking mixes.
Are they suitable for commuting?
No. Their fully open design provides little isolation and leaks sound into the surroundings.
Do they have Bluetooth?
No.
Do they have Active Noise Cancellation?
No.
Do they need charging?
No. They are entirely passive wired headphones.
What is the difference between HD 560S and HD 550?
The HD 560S place particularly strong emphasis on analytical accuracy, extremely low distortion and A/B comparison. The HD 550 offer a newer, lighter 237g design with reduced clamping force and a slightly broader music, film and gaming focus while retaining a neutral open-back approach.
What is the difference between HD 560S and HD 599?
Both belong to the open-back HD 500 family. The HD 560S are tuned more specifically for analytical accuracy and neutral reference listening, while the HD 599 have traditionally offered a warmer and more relaxed home-listening presentation.
What is the difference between HD 560S and HD 600?
The HD 600 use a different 300-ohm 600-series platform and sit higher in Sennheiser's traditional reference hierarchy. The HD 560S offer a more accessible 120-ohm route into neutral open-back listening with a particularly wide soundstage.
How long is the manufacturer's warranty?
The HD 560S fall within Sennheiser's current 24-month consumer warranty category, subject to the applicable warranty terms and proof of purchase.
What comes in the box?
The current package includes the HD 560S headphones, 1.8m cable with 3.5mm plug and a 3.5mm to 6.3mm adapter.
Related Sennheiser Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy the Sennheiser HD 560S From Audio T?
The HD 560S are revealing enough that amplifier quality, source equipment and even the listening environment can make a meaningful difference. Audio T can help you compare them with models such as the HD 550, HD 599 and HD 600 and decide which Sennheiser presentation best suits the way you listen.
We can also advise on headphone amplifiers, DACs, balanced connections, the optional HD 500 BAM microphone and whether an open-back headphone makes sense for your particular listening space.
- Friendly headphone advice
- HD 500-series comparisons
- HD 560S and HD 550 comparisons
- Open and closed-back headphone guidance
- Headphone amplifier matching
- DAC and headphone amplifier advice
- 120-ohm headphone guidance
- 4.4mm balanced cable advice
- HD 500 BAM compatibility guidance
- Hi-fi system matching
- Headphone demonstrations where available
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to arrange a demonstration or discuss whether the Sennheiser HD 560S are the right headphones for your system.