The Sennheiser HD 560S makes most sense as a dedicated home headphone. It directs the budget toward a passive open-back design and a replaceable cable, with none of the battery, wireless or noise-canceling features that make a travel headphone convenient. A quiet place to listen is part of the setup.
Its appeal is strongest when you want a broadly even listening reference without building a complicated system around it. That does not make it the right choice for every music preference, and it does not isolate you from a computer fan, conversation or street noise.
Sound
- 38 mm dynamic drivers
- Open-back
- 120 Ω impedance
RTINGS measured a broadly flat presentation from its HD 560S sample, with reduced deep bass and some unevenness in the treble.1 That supports its role as a general listening reference, while leaving a clear preference question for someone who wants strong sub-bass impact. An open design does not promise the physical rumble of a speaker system.
For editing, use the HD 560S alongside recordings you know well and, where possible, another playback system. A headphone can reveal problems without being a complete prediction of how a mix will sound in a room. Software equalization is an option at the source, but there is no onboard app profile stored in the headphone.
The room remains an audible part of the experience. Turning up the volume to compete with nearby noise defeats much of the reason to buy an open listening headphone. If the main listening position is busy or shared, changing the headphone type is more useful than chasing a small specification difference.
Design and Comfort
- Over-ear frame
- Replaceable ear pads
- Detachable cable
The large open cups and padded headband are intended for stationary listening. They do not fold into a compact travel shape, and the exposed grilles should be treated as part of an indoor audio product. A dedicated place on the desk or a suitable stand is more practical than repeatedly packing it loose with other equipment.
Comfort should be checked over the length of a normal session. Ear shape, glasses and headband adjustment matter more than a small difference in advertised mass. Sennheiser sells replacement pads and cable accessories, so worn contact parts need not determine the useful life of the entire headphone.
Connectivity
- Analog listening
- 3.5 mm / 6.3 mm connections
- No included microphone
A compatible headphone output is all that is required for playback. The 120-ohm rating alone does not determine whether an amplifier is necessary: the output’s available voltage, the recording level and your listening level matter together. Try a suitable existing source before buying extra equipment to solve a problem you have not encountered.
The current US package lists a 1.8m cable with a 3.5mm plug and a 6.3mm screw-on adapter. Earlier stock came with a longer cable and the opposite plug arrangement, so check the actual package if cable length matters to the desk layout. Both serve the same analog listening role.
There is no included microphone, wireless connection or battery. For voice chat, a separate microphone or an explicitly compatible microphone accessory is needed. A phone or computer with only USB-C also needs an audio adapter; a passive shape-changing connector is not sufficient when the source requires a DAC.
Alternatives
The HD 560S was introduced as an analytical addition to the open-back range, rather than a clearly documented direct replacement for one older model. If an existing open headphone already provides the fit and balance you like, compare a specific shortcoming before treating the newer model name as an upgrade.
The HD 599 is a relevant same-brand alternative, especially when its actual price is lower. Its 50-ohm rating is a different electrical specification, not a quality score. For recording near a microphone or listening where some passive separation is needed, the closed-back ATH-M50x is the more relevant change of design.
Verdict
The HD 560S is a focused choice for a quiet desk and attentive listening. It asks the buyer to accept sound leakage, a cable and a restrained deep-bass presentation in exchange for a straightforward passive design. Buy it for that environment, and add an amplifier or microphone only when the rest of the setup actually needs one.