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The Sennheiser HD 560S is a wired, open-back headphone best suited to analytical listening in a quiet room—not commuting or listening beside people who need quiet. What Hi-Fi? praised its spacious, detailed, tonally balanced sound, comfort, and build, while noting that it lacks some punch and energy. Its open construction also lets sound escape and offers little isolation.
What kind of headphone is the HD 560S?
The HD 560S is an over-ear headphone with a dynamic, open-back design and wired 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm connections. Sennheiser introduced it for analytical listening, including evaluating recordings and comparing mixes, sources, and media formats. That is the manufacturer’s intended use, not proof that every listener will hear it as perfectly neutral.
Open earcups are the defining practical trade-off. They allow sound to leak out and provide limited isolation from surrounding noise. The model is therefore a stronger fit for a quiet listening room than a shared office, public transport, or any setting where you need to keep your listening private or block outside sound.
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What Hi-Fi?’s 2026 summary of its four-star review describes the HD 560S as spacious, detailed, and tonally balanced. It also praises the headphone’s comfort and build, but says the presentation could use more punch and energy. Those are the publication’s listening judgments, rather than laboratory measurements.
#1 Best Overall
- Premium, around-ear, open back headphones: Audiophile sound combined with premium design and materials
- Padded headband and luxurious velour covered ear pads perfect for long listening sessions with no pressure on the ears
- Multiple connectivity options: Robust 3 meter detachable cable and 6.3 millimeter jack and additional 1.2 meter detachable cable with 3.5 millimeter Jack
- Timeless design cues: Ivory color, matte finish together with the brown headband stitching and matte metallic detail convey quality at first glance
- Premium Components: Sennheiser engineered transducers use aluminum voice coils delivering high efficiency, excellent dynamics and extremely low distortion
Sennheiser says the open earcups and angled driver alignment contribute to an expansive soundstage. That explanation supports the model’s analytical positioning, but specifications and brand descriptions alone cannot establish whether its tonal balance will suit your preferences.
HD 560S specifications
The following figures are Sennheiser Hearing’s manufacturer specifications on a support page updated 11 August 2026. They are not independent measurements.
Rank #2
- Dynamic, closed ear headphones with up to 32 dB attenuation of outside sound
- Lightweight and comfortable, ergonomic design, Cord Length 3.3 9.8 feet Coiled
- Extended frequency response and warm, natural sound reproduction
- Around the ear design with padded earcups
- Earpads, headband padding, and audio cord are easily replaceable, ensuring long life
| Specification | HD 560S |
|---|---|
| Design | Over-ear, dynamic, open-back |
| Connections | 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm |
| Frequency response | 6 Hz–38,000 Hz, stated by the manufacturer |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB SPL at 1 kHz / 1 Vrms |
| Total harmonic distortion | Below 0.05% at 1 kHz / 90 dB SPL |
| Weight | 280 g |
| Dimensions | 198 × 111 × 300 mm |
| Impedance | 120 Ω, stated in Sennheiser’s 2020 launch announcement |
Do you need an amp or DAC?
A dedicated headphone amplifier is not automatically necessary. Sennheiser’s official support information says amplification is not required and that most portable players should provide sufficient power, though an amplifier may benefit some setups, including listening to high-dynamic-range tracks. Consider one only if your source cannot reach your desired listening level or you have a particular system requirement. A DAC is likewise not an assumed purchase requirement based on the available manufacturer guidance.
What comes in the box?
Cable details differ between Sennheiser’s sources and may vary by market or package. The current regional product page lists a 1.8 m cable with a 3.5 mm plug and a 3.5-to-6.3 mm adapter. The 24 September 2020 launch announcement instead described a detachable 3 m cable. Check the listing and package contents for your region before buying, especially if cable length matters to your setup.
Rank #3
- High sensitivity due to lightweight aluminium voice coils
- Capable of handling very high sound pressure levels
- Very lightweight and comfortable, even if used for long periods of time
- Tough, detachable, single-sided cable
Is the Sennheiser HD 560S worth buying?
It is worth considering if you want a wired open-back headphone for focused listening or recording evaluation, value an expansive and detailed presentation, and can listen in a quiet space. It is a less suitable choice if you need noise cancellation, strong isolation, or a headphone that will not disturb people nearby. If you prefer a more forceful presentation, What Hi-Fi?’s note about limited punch and energy is a reason to compare listening impressions before choosing.
Price and stock depend on location and date. Sennheiser’s original UK launch MSRP was £169 in 2020, and What Hi-Fi? reported a UK offer of £89 on 26 January 2026; neither figure establishes today’s price. Check a current local listing for the amount you would actually pay.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- High sensitivity due to lightweight aluminium voice coils
- Capable of handling very high sound pressure levels
- Very lightweight and comfortable, even if used for long periods of time
- Tough, detachable, single-sided cable
- Rotatable capsule for single-ear listening
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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