Is the Sennheiser HD 560S worth buying?

Reviewers unanimously praise the HD 560S for its neutral tuning, excellent detail retrieval, and a soundstage that actually beats the legendary HD600 series. While the all-plastic build and frustrating 10-foot cable are minor annoyances, the sheer audio performance makes it an unbeatable entry point into high-end audio.

Who is the Sennheiser HD 560S best for?

Budget-conscious audiophiles, gamers needing accurate spatial audio, and analytical listeners.

Bassheads looking for heavy punch, or users who want premium metal build materials.

Sennheiser HD 560S Review — An unassuming budget headphone unexpectedly fixes the biggest flaw of its legendary older siblings

Name: Sennheiser HD 560S Review — An unassuming budget headphone unexpectedly fixes the biggest flaw of its legendary older siblings
Item: Sennheiser HD 560S
Author: Jordan Kim

Sennheiser's plastic $200 underdog just beat their legendary HD600 series in soundstage. It is a rare moment in the audiophile world where a budget-friendly newcomer doesn't just compete with the titans of the industry—it actually makes them look like they’re missing a piece of the puzzle.

What you're actually getting

If you’ve spent any time in the audiophile rabbit hole, you know the HD600 series is practically royalty. But the HD 560S manages to pull off a magic trick: it fixes the infamous "three-blob" soundstage effect that has plagued Sennheiser’s high-end open-backs for years. When you put these on, you aren't just hearing music; you’re hearing the space between the instruments. As The Headphone Show noted, "Where you would expect to hear certain things, there was just a gap there. With the 560S, that's not the case."

Living with these for a year, the first thing you’ll notice is how they disappear on your head. At 240g, they are featherlight. You can wear them through an entire workday, a gaming session, and a late-night listening stint without ever feeling that dreaded "headphone fatigue." While the build is undeniably plastic and feels a bit rickety compared to the premium metal-and-velour tanks of the world, that plastic is exactly why you can wear them for eight hours straight. As cheapaudioman jokingly put it, "If your headphone weighs too much, do some neck exercises. Don't let the headphones win."

The sound signature is clinical, neutral, and incredibly detailed. It doesn't color the music to make it sound "fun" or "warm"—it just tells you exactly what’s on the recording. If you’re looking for a bass-heavy experience that rattles your skull, look elsewhere. These are for people who want to hear the breath of the vocalist or the specific decay of a snare drum. They are, as SoundGuys put it, "Some of the best audiophile headphones on a budget released in the last 10 years."

Performance — what reviewers actually measured

Metric	Value	Context
Weight	240g	Extremely light for long-term comfort
Impedance	120 ohms	Needs a decent source for full volume
Sensitivity	110 dB	Efficient, but don't rely on weak laptop jacks
Cable Length	10 feet	Too long for desk use; requires management

Where it actually wins

The primary victory here is the soundstage. Most headphones in this price bracket struggle to create a sense of depth, often sounding like the music is trapped inside your skull. The HD 560S pushes the sound out, creating an airy, expansive presentation that makes them surprisingly capable for competitive gaming where spatial awareness is king.

The value proposition is equally hard to ignore. You are getting a level of detail retrieval that usually costs double or triple the price. Sennheiser managed to balance the frequency response so well that it doesn't suffer from the harsh peaks that often ruin cheaper "analytical" headphones. It’s a rare "buy it and forget it" product for anyone who wants to stop chasing gear and start listening to music.

Where it falls short

The build quality is the most obvious compromise. When you pick these up, they don't scream "luxury." They feel like a tool, not a piece of jewelry. If you are the type of person who needs your gear to feel indestructible, the all-plastic construction will likely leave you wanting more.

Then there is the cable situation. Sennheiser included a 10-foot cable that feels like it was designed for a studio in 1995, not a modern remote-work desk. It terminates in a 1/4-inch plug, meaning you’ll almost certainly need to use the included pigtail adapter to plug it into your computer or DAC. It’s clunky, it’s long, and it’s a constant reminder that Sennheiser cut corners here to keep the price under $200. Furthermore, if you are a "basshead," you will find the low-end lacking in slam. It’s accurate, but it’s polite—it won't give you that visceral punch you might crave for electronic music or hip-hop.

Should you buy it?

Buy if you

Want a neutral, analytical sound that reveals details you’ve missed in your favorite tracks.
Prioritize long-term comfort and lightweight design for all-day wear.
Need a reliable, accurate pair of headphones for competitive gaming or critical listening.

Skip if you

Are a basshead who wants a "fun," punchy, or colored sound signature.
Want a premium, metal-heavy build that feels like a luxury item.
Have a very weak audio source and don't want to invest in a dedicated amp or high-quality dongle.

The HD 560S is a lightweight, highly detailed open-back headphone that redefines sub-$200 audiophile value.

Sources consulted

The Headphone Show — Sennheiser HD560S Review - Is this the best value headphone in 2020?
SoundGuys — Sennheiser HD 560S Review in FIVE MINUTES: Best BUDGET AUDIOPHILE headphones?
cheapaudioman — All the Headphone You'll Ever Need? Sennheiser HD560s Headphone Review
Super Review* — REVIEW! Sennheiser HD 560S - Legit... But Better?

Synthesis combines independent reviews above. Verdicts and quotes attributed to original creators. Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon links.