Sennheiser HD 560S Review

Two and a half years of near-daily use. That's how long one Reddit reviewer ran the HD 560S as their main headphone before writing a comparison against some serious competition — the HiFiMAN Ananda Nano, Arya Stealth, and several others. And at the end of it all? The 560S was still the baseline they measured everything else against. That tells you something.

What Kind of Sound Are We Talking?

The HD 560S is a neutral, analytical headphone. Not warm. Not bassy. Not forgiving. If you're coming from consumer headphones or something like the HD 599, the tuning will feel lean and precise by comparison — and that's entirely intentional. The 599 is described by the community as "warmer, smoother, fuller, and more relaxed," while the 560S is "neutral, accurate, detailed, and analytical." Sennheiser themselves position the newer HD 505 Copper as "analytical" and compare it favorably to the 560S — which gives you a sense of where the 560S sits in the family tree.

For genres like Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Punk, and Rock, community reviewers found it clean and clear with excellent separation. For gaming — particularly immersive single-player titles like Resident Evil, Dead Space, and Silent Hill — the open-back staging makes it surprisingly capable. Classical and acoustic music also shine here. If your main diet is bass-heavy pop or hip-hop and you want something fun rather than reference-like, the 560S may feel cold to you.

Build Quality That Defies First Impressions

It's all plastic. You pick these up and your first instinct might be to worry. Don't. After two-plus years of almost daily use, one long-term reviewer reported the headphones were still "as good as new." The all-plastic construction is light — a genuine comfort advantage over heavier metal-frame competitors — and it holds up to real-world use in a way that justifies the material choice.

Clamp force is worth mentioning. Multiple sources flag it as stronger than newer Sennheiser offerings. The HD 550 and HD 505 Copper both have "clearly less clamping force out of the box" compared to the 560S. For most people it's fine — the long-term reviewer said it never bothered them — but if you're sensitive to clamp pressure, be aware. The upside is a secure, stable fit even during active sessions.

Easy to Drive — But Not a Pushover

At 120 ohms impedance, the HD 560S sits in a middle ground. It's easier to drive than the HD 600 (300 ohms) but demands slightly more than the HD 599 or the new HD 505 Copper. One Reddit user noted that when testing fake HD 600s, the fakes felt "similar in drive requirements to my HD 560s" — meaning a modest DAC/amp will do the job, but you'll get better results from dedicated hardware than from a phone headphone jack alone. A basic USB DAC or headphone amp is the recommended pairing at this level.

How Does It Stack Up Against the Competition?

The honest answer: remarkably well for its price. The community regularly reaches for it as a comparison point when reviewing headphones that cost significantly more. Against the HD 599, it trades warmth and ease of drive for technical accuracy — which one is "better" depends entirely on what you want. Against the newer HD 550, the 560S is positioned as more aggressive in clamp and tuning but similarly capable overall. The HD 490 Pro, R70X, and TYGR 300R have all been compared against it in community reviews, with the 560S holding its own as a value anchor in a lineup that scales into hundreds more dollars.

At £64 after a voucher — or around $38 when someone spotted a BestBuy deal — it becomes borderline absurd value. Even at full price, this is frequently cited as one of the best entry points into reference-grade open-back headphones.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy This

• Buy it if: You want a reference-grade sound signature for critical listening, gaming immersion, or music production. You're stepping up from consumer headphones and want to hear music as it was recorded, not flavored.
• Skip it if: You want fun, warm, or bass-emphasized sound. You're sensitive to high clamp force. You need a fully closed-back design for use in noisy environments — this is open-back, so it leaks and doesn't isolate.
• Consider alternatives if: You listen primarily to bass-heavy genres and want something more engaging — the HD 599 is the obvious step sideways. If you want to go further up the analytical ladder, the HD 600 or HD 505 Copper are worth considering.

Final Verdict

The HD 560S isn't trying to impress you at a demo station. It's trying to be useful every day for years. Based on what the community reports after extended ownership, it succeeds at exactly that. It's not the most exciting headphone in the world, and it won't flatter poorly recorded music — but as a long-term workhorse for anyone who cares about accuracy over hype, it earns its reputation honestly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Sennheiser HD 560S worth it for gaming?

A: Yes, particularly for immersive single-player games. The open-back design creates a natural, spacious soundstage that works well for survival horror and atmospheric titles. Multiple community reviewers specifically tested it in games like Dead Space, Silent Hill 2, and Resident Evil and found it compelling.

Q: Do I need an amp for the HD 560S?

A: At 120 ohms, it's not the hardest headphone to drive, but a basic USB DAC or headphone amp will noticeably improve the experience compared to a phone's headphone jack. You don't need anything expensive — a budget DAC/amp combo is sufficient.

Q: HD 560S vs HD 599 — which should I choose?

A: It comes down to taste. The HD 599 is warmer, smoother, and easier to drive — better for casual listening and bass-friendly genres. The HD 560S is more neutral and analytical — better for critical listening, reference use, and genres like rock, metal, classical, and acoustic.

Q: How is the long-term durability of the HD 560S?

A: Very good. Despite being all-plastic, at least one community reviewer used it as their daily driver for over two and a half years with no degradation in build quality or sound. The light weight also reduces fatigue during long sessions.

Q: Is the clamp force on the HD 560S too tight?

A: It's noticeably stronger than Sennheiser's newer HD 550 and HD 505, and some users find it uncomfortable initially. However, long-term users generally report adapting to it, and the secure fit has practical benefits. If you're particularly sensitive to clamp pressure, factor this into your decision.

— Tech Lead Editor, CPrice