Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones Review: The Audiophile’s Gateway to Analytical Sound

For years, I was chasing a phantom. I bounced from one pair of consumer-grade headphones to another, each promising a more “immersive” or “powerful” experience. What I got was a revolving door of boomy, exaggerated bass that bulldozed over delicate midrange details and artificially sharp treble that grew fatiguing after just one album. It felt like I was listening to a caricature of my favourite music, not the music itself. The problem was clear: these headphones were designed to colour the sound, not reveal it. This journey for unvarnished truth is what leads many of us—producers, gamers, and critical music listeners alike—to the world of reference-grade studio headphones. The goal isn’t just to hear the music; it’s to understand it, to deconstruct it, and to hear what the artist heard in the studio. This is where a product like the Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones enters the conversation, promising a linear, analytical sound without the four-figure price tag often associated with such precision.

What to Consider Before Buying Studio Headphones

A pair of Studio Headphones is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for anyone who needs to hear audio without alteration. For music producers and audio engineers, they are an indispensable tool for mixing and mastering, revealing flaws in a recording that consumer headphones would mask. For audiophiles, they are a window into the truest form of a song. For competitive gamers, they provide the precise spatial awareness needed to pinpoint an opponent’s location. The main benefit is accuracy. You get a flat frequency response that doesn’t artificially boost bass or treble, allowing for critical listening and decision-making, whether you’re adjusting an equalizer or listening for footsteps in a game.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the frustration of inaccurate sound reproduction. This includes home studio producers on a budget, dedicated music lovers who want to hear every nuance of a recording, or gamers seeking a competitive edge. It’s for the person who finds mainstream headphones “muddy” or “boomy.” Conversely, these might not be suitable for those who prioritize earth-shaking bass for genres like electronic dance music or hip-hop in a casual listening context. They are also not for someone who needs to listen in a noisy environment, as their open-back design intentionally leaks sound in and out. For those users, a pair of closed-back, noise-cancelling headphones might be a more practical, albeit less sonically pure, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Design & Sound Isolation: Studio headphones primarily come in two flavours: open-back and closed-back. The Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones are, as the name implies, open-back. This design allows air and sound to pass through the earcups, creating a wider, more natural soundstage that feels less “in your head.” The trade-off is zero noise isolation, making them suitable only for quiet, private listening environments.
• Performance & Drivability: Key metrics include frequency response, impedance, and sensitivity. The HD 560S boasts a vast 6 Hz to 38 kHz frequency range, but the more important figure is its 120-ohm impedance. This means that while a smartphone can power them, they will perform significantly better and reach their full potential when connected to a dedicated headphone amplifier or audio interface. You can explore its full technical specifications here to see if it matches your current setup.
• Materials & Durability: Build quality dictates longevity. Many studio headphones, including the HD 560S, use a high-quality plastic construction to keep weight down for long sessions. While metal components might feel more premium, a well-engineered plastic design can be incredibly durable. Pay attention to the earpads (velour is common for comfort and breathability) and whether the cable is detachable for easy replacement.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great pair of headphones should be “set and forget.” Comfort is paramount. Look for an adjustable headband, large earcups that fit around the ear (circum-aural), and a low clamping force. For maintenance, removable and replaceable earpads and cables are a huge plus, ensuring you can keep your investment in top condition for years to come.

Navigating the world of studio headphones can be complex, with countless models each offering a slightly different take on “neutral.” Making the right choice is critical for your work and enjoyment.

While the Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Utilitarian Design, Pure Performance

Unboxing the Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones is a refreshingly straightforward affair. There are no lavish materials or unnecessary flair; the packaging is simple and focused, much like the headphones themselves. Inside, you find the headphones, a detachable 1.8-meter cable terminating in a 6.3mm plug, and a screw-on 3.5mm adapter for connecting to standard consumer devices. The first thing we noticed upon picking them up was their incredible lightness. At just 240 grams, they feel almost non-existent compared to many rivals. The build is entirely matte black plastic, which might underwhelm those accustomed to more premium materials, but it feels sturdy and well-assembled, a hallmark of Sennheiser’s HD 5-series lineage. The large, oval-shaped earcups, fitted with soft velour pads, immediately signal that comfort is a top priority. There’s no complex assembly; you just plug in the proprietary twist-lock cable to the left earcup, and you’re ready to go. The initial clamping force is firm but not uncomfortable, promising a secure fit that we found relaxes perfectly after a few hours of use.

Deep Dive: Deconstructing the Sennheiser HD 560S Experience

After spending dozens of hours with the Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones, putting them through their paces with everything from high-resolution FLAC files and vinyl records to intense gaming sessions and mixing projects, we can confidently say they live up to their “reference-grade” billing. This isn’t a headphone that tries to impress with tricks; it’s an honest tool that aims to get out of the way of the audio, and in doing so, it becomes truly impressive. It’s a headphone that teaches you how to listen all over again.

The Sound Signature: A Pursuit of Unvarnished Truth

The heart and soul of the HD 560S is its sound. Sennheiser aimed for a linear acoustic profile, and our testing confirms they’ve succeeded spectacularly. This is not the V-shaped signature of a typical consumer headphone. Instead, you get a sound that is remarkably flat and revealing. The bass is the most discussed aspect, and it’s here that expectations must be set correctly. If you’re looking for pounding, visceral slam, look elsewhere. What the HD 560S delivers is bass that is incredibly tight, fast, and articulate. It extends deep into the sub-bass frequencies (down to a claimed 6 Hz), allowing you to hear the lowest rumbles in a film score or the texture of a synth bassline with absolute clarity. We found this to be a revelation, confirming what many users noted: the “mid-bass bloat” common in other headphones is completely gone, preventing any muddiness from creeping into the midrange. This exceptional bass control is a feature that truly sets it apart for analytical work.

Where these headphones truly sing is in the mids and treble. Vocals are presented with a natural, forward presence that is both intimate and detailed. One user described them as “buttery smooth,” and we wholeheartedly agree. Every breath, every subtle inflection is laid bare. This clarity extends to instruments; we were able to pick out individual layers in complex orchestral pieces and dense rock tracks that were previously smeared together. The treble is bright and airy, lending a brilliant sparkle to cymbals and strings without ever becoming harsh or sibilant, though on some poorly recorded tracks, we could see why a user might find it a “bit bright.” This is the headphone’s honesty at work—it will mercilessly reveal the flaws in a low-quality recording. For gaming, this translates into phenomenal imaging and directional cues. In titles like Overwatch 2 and Apex Legends, as one user pointed out, we could create a precise mental map of enemy positions based on footsteps and gunfire, providing a tangible competitive advantage over closed-back, bass-heavy gaming headsets.

Design and Comfort: Built for the Long Haul

A reference headphone is useless if you can’t bear to wear it for more than an hour. Sennheiser clearly understands this, and the ergonomics of the HD 560S are simply superb. The 240-gram weight is a critical factor. During our marathon listening and mixing sessions, there were times we genuinely forgot we were wearing them. There’s no neck strain and no sense of a heavy object clamped to your head. The design is utilitarian, but every element serves a purpose. The large, circum-aural earcups completely envelop the ears, preventing any uncomfortable pressure on the pinna. The velour earpads are breathable and soft, and we experienced none of the heat or sweat build-up common with leather or pleather pads. As one user aptly put it, there’s “no fatigue from listening for a long time.”

The clamping force out of the box is firm, ensuring the headphones stay in place even when you move your head. However, we found that it eased into a perfect, secure-yet-gentle pressure after a few days of use. The all-plastic build is a point of contention for some who equate price with heft and metal. However, we see it as a masterful piece of engineering. The plastic is high-grade and flexible, showing no signs of stress or creaking. This is the same design philosophy seen across the legendary HD 5-series, known for its longevity. A user familiar with the line noted that one can bet on “real solidity over many years.” Furthermore, the practicality of this design is enhanced by the modularity; the earpads and the crucial detachable cable can be easily replaced, ensuring a long and productive lifespan for your investment.

Connectivity and Power: Driving the Detail

The Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones have an impedance of 120 ohms, which places them in a middle ground that can cause confusion. Can you run them from a phone or laptop? Absolutely. Will you be hearing them at their best? No. During our testing, we plugged them directly into a laptop and a smartphone. The sound was good—clear and detailed—but it lacked dynamic impact and felt slightly constrained. The volume was adequate but didn’t have much headroom.

The real transformation happened when we connected them to a modest headphone amplifier (in our case, an iFi ZEN DAC). The soundstage opened up, the bass gained a palpable authority (without losing its tightness), and the overall presentation became more dynamic and effortless. This confirms the experience of several users, one of whom noted they sound “awesome” when paired with an iFi hip dac2, and another who correctly stated that while they work without an amp, “they won’t be so good.” We believe a dedicated DAC/amp is not just a recommendation but a near-necessity to unlock the true potential of the HD 560S. It doesn’t need to be a high-end, expensive unit; even an entry-level device will make a world of difference. The included 1.8m cable is practical for desktop use, and the clever screw-on 6.3mm adapter is a robust solution for connecting to studio gear, a detail we appreciate. For those seeking this level of audio fidelity, it’s worth seeing if the price and feature set make it a worthy upgrade for your setup.

What Other Users Are Saying

The general consensus among users is overwhelmingly positive, with most praising the Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones for their incredible value and sonic accuracy. One user, who had tried several popular V-shaped headphones like the Philips X2HR, found the HD 560S “sublime,” falling in love with the flat sound signature and “buttery smooth” vocals they previously thought would be boring. Another audiophile calls them an “excellent choice for those looking for a top-level listening experience,” highlighting the linear frequency response and unparalleled clarity. The comfort and lightweight design are recurring themes, with many, including a competitive gamer, noting their suitability for long, fatigue-free sessions.

On the critical side, the feedback is consistent and fair. The most common point is that they are “not for Bass heads.” This isn’t so much a flaw as it is a characteristic of their design, a fact most reviewers acknowledge. A small number of users found the all-plastic build to feel less than premium for the price, though this is often counterbalanced by praise for its resulting lightness. We did find one outlier review that described the sound as “muddy” and “dull,” which stands in stark contrast to the vast majority of experiences, including our own, suggesting a potential issue with their source gear or a simple mismatch with personal preference.

Alternatives to the Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones

While the HD 560S excels in analytical clarity, certain scenarios might call for a different tool. Here’s how it stacks up against three notable alternatives in the studio headphone space.

1. SAMSON SR850 Wired Headphones

The Samson SR850 is a legendary budget option often recommended for those just starting to build a home studio. Like the HD 560S, it features a semi-open-back design that provides a decent soundstage. However, its sound signature is not as clinically flat as the Sennheiser’s, exhibiting a brighter treble and a slightly less refined midrange. The build quality is functional but can’t match the ergonomics and long-term comfort of the HD 560S. For someone on an extremely tight budget who needs a step up from basic consumer headphones for monitoring, the SR850 is a valid choice, but the Sennheiser offers a significant leap in technical performance, detail retrieval, and comfort for a higher investment.

2. beyerdynamic DT 770 M Studio Headphones

The Beyerdynamic DT 770 M represents a different philosophy entirely. As a closed-back headphone with high passive noise isolation, it is designed for tracking and monitoring in noisy environments where sound leakage is unacceptable. Its sound signature is also different, featuring a more pronounced bass and a famous “sparkle” in the treble. While excellent for its intended purpose, it doesn’t offer the wide, natural soundstage of the open-back HD 560S, making it less ideal for final mixing decisions or immersive, open-world gaming. If your primary need is isolation—for recording vocals or drumming, for example—the DT 770 M is the superior choice. For critical listening and mixing in a quiet room, the HD 560S’s transparency is hard to beat.

3. Behringer BH 470 Studio Headphones

Similar to the Samson, the Behringer BH 470 is an entry-level studio monitoring headphone aimed at the budget-conscious creator. It is a closed-back model, offering some passive noise isolation. Its primary selling point is its extremely low price. However, in terms of sonic performance, it cannot compete with the resolution, speed, and accuracy of the Sennheiser HD 560S. The BH 470 can serve as a functional monitoring tool for basic tracking, but it lacks the nuance and flat frequency response required for serious mixing, mastering, or audiophile listening. The HD 560S is in a completely different league of performance, and the price difference reflects a substantial upgrade in every aspect from sound quality to comfort.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Sennheiser HD 560S Worth It?

After extensive testing, we can say without hesitation that the Sennheiser HD 560S Open-Back Headphones represent a landmark achievement in their price category. They deliver a level of analytical clarity, detail retrieval, and sonic neutrality that was once the exclusive domain of much more expensive headphones. They are an exceptional tool for the aspiring audio engineer, a revealing companion for the critical audiophile, and a powerful asset for the competitive gamer. Their lightweight design and outstanding comfort make them a joy to wear for hours on end.

They are not for everyone; those who crave thunderous, exaggerated bass or need to listen in noisy environments should look elsewhere. But for anyone whose goal is to hear music, games, and audio projects with unvarnished, transparent honesty, the HD 560S is not just a great option—it’s arguably the new benchmark. They don’t just let you hear your audio; they help you understand it. If you are ready to take your listening to the next level and value accuracy above all else, we cannot recommend them highly enough. You can check the latest price and discover more user reviews right here.