Sennheiser HD 560S Reference-Grade Headphones - Black

I cannot say enough how amazing these headphones sound. The clarity, openess (due to the open back design) and frequency response from deep, tight bass to crisp highs give me more pleasure when casual listening or when concentrating on a piece of music. The effortless way the sound hits my ears means I don't get ear fatigue even after wearing them for 3 or 4 hours. I've bought Sennheisers from the mid 80s & I'll have these to the grave ( unless Sennheiser manage to improve upon them or I win the lotto).I relied upon a multitude of reviews to guide me as I don't have the time or energy to audition a wide range of products & the huge support for the headphones made them a no brainer when Pbtech had them with $80 off (the free momox headphone stand is incredibly ... MoreI cannot say enough how amazing these headphones sound. The clarity, openess (due to the open back design) and frequency response from deep, tight bass to crisp highs give me more pleasure when casual listening or when concentrating on a piece of music. The effortless way the sound hits my ears means I don't get ear fatigue even after wearing them for 3 or 4 hours. I've bought Sennheisers from the mid 80s & I'll have these to the grave ( unless Sennheiser manage to improve upon them or I win the lotto).I relied upon a multitude of reviews to guide me as I don't have the time or energy to audition a wide range of products & the huge support for the headphones made them a no brainer when Pbtech had them with $80 off (the free momox headphone stand is incredibly useful).They're open backed which means there is some sound leakage - it's pretty minor and means you can also hear people nearby talking quite clearly which may be useful as you don't have to take them off for a quick chat but also means your environment can impact upon your listening. No problem for me so far but then my house is pretty quiet & I don't wear them out of the house.Comfort is superb - they sit nicely on my (small) head & I've never found them uncomfortable. My ears fight completely inside the cups which feels very comfortable & is always remarked upon by friends trying them (I must note that the friends have all had a look of incredulity the moment sound starts playing through them as they can't believe the quality of the sound). The velour pads can feel a bit itchy when it's hot - but then I don't think I'll be wearing headphones covering my ears if the temperature gets high.I highly recommend these headphones - unless you're buying them for commuting where you'd probably be better off getting closed back 'phones. The only drawback I haven't mentioned is that they might make all your other hifi equipment feel lacking.

Amazing studio headphones for the price

Like many people, I’ve ended up with a lot of headphones. For pure listening in a quiet environment, music or videos, the HD 560S is easily my go-to set.First, the build. Yes, they’re made of plastic and, no, they don’t fold for storage or travel. Still the plastic makes them lightweight and, while not luxurious, they do not feel cheap in any way. They come with a long cable. Like, really long. Like, long enough to trip over when you move. I pulled out just what I needed and left the rest wrapped up, but someday I’ll probably have to get a shorter replacement.And that takes us to the sound. This is the reason the 560S was made. The sound is simply remarkable, every sound, every note, is heard with clarity and precision. This includes the music you were supposed ... MoreLike many people, I’ve ended up with a lot of headphones. For pure listening in a quiet environment, music or videos, the HD 560S is easily my go-to set.First, the build. Yes, they’re made of plastic and, no, they don’t fold for storage or travel. Still the plastic makes them lightweight and, while not luxurious, they do not feel cheap in any way. They come with a long cable. Like, really long. Like, long enough to trip over when you move. I pulled out just what I needed and left the rest wrapped up, but someday I’ll probably have to get a shorter replacement.And that takes us to the sound. This is the reason the 560S was made. The sound is simply remarkable, every sound, every note, is heard with clarity and precision. This includes the music you were supposed to hear as well as the sound of a bow hitting a muted string or someone in the studio covering a cough. The open air design gives them a very wide soundstage. It doesn’t sound so much like you’re listening to a recording as it does like you’re surrounded by instruments. The effect when watching movies can be startling, as that car that pass3 doesn’t just move from left to right, it seems headed right out of the room.This would be the place to mention that if you like headphones that color the sound, like Bose or Beats or most any consumer model, then you’ll probably hate these. They’re not designed to give you a specific listening experience, but to bring out what was recorded with complete and uncompromising accuracy.

Bare minimum for excellent sound

I used to think that there were plenty of mainstream headphones that were good enough for me, mainly sticking to Sony and a couple other brands since I used to be a bass head (No, I never owned Beats, huge waste of money)But now I have seen just what I'm actually supposed to be hearing and these headphones helped me out a lot. Keep in mind that I have owned other open back headphones before this, the Philips SHP9500 and 9600, Koss KPH30i and Grado SR80e. But these are the first pro-ish headphones I have had and they are worth every scent of their $200, in fact I would say that you're getting these for a steal.However, the first complaint that I have is that there is only one cable in the box, and it's an incredibly long and coiled cable. Now, I understand that ... MoreI used to think that there were plenty of mainstream headphones that were good enough for me, mainly sticking to Sony and a couple other brands since I used to be a bass head (No, I never owned Beats, huge waste of money)But now I have seen just what I'm actually supposed to be hearing and these headphones helped me out a lot. Keep in mind that I have owned other open back headphones before this, the Philips SHP9500 and 9600, Koss KPH30i and Grado SR80e. But these are the first pro-ish headphones I have had and they are worth every scent of their $200, in fact I would say that you're getting these for a steal.However, the first complaint that I have is that there is only one cable in the box, and it's an incredibly long and coiled cable. Now, I understand that these are meant to be run off an amp or desktop hardware, but the very least they can do is include a shorter cable. Out of the box, the clamp pressure is high, not so much that it's unbearable but enough to give me a headache after 20 minutes. I suggest stretching these out with a stack of books. Yes, they are made of plastic, but it's a high quality plastic that is perfectly acceptable. What I especially love is the color scheme, full matte black.The sound signature is the most interesting part about this headphone - completely flat with slight emphasis on the treble. Now some mainstream listeners would not like this, but if you find a song that has bass mixed into the track, you can still hear it. However these headphones are meant more for different types of music, mainly instrumental or lighter music. Don't get me wrong, Pop, Rap and House music will sound great there, but these headphones focus on the mids and highs and leave the bass a bit behind. In fact it could even be argued that these headphones can be used to mix and monitor music and audio.So for me, as long as you listen at a desk or have a portable amp dac, these are highly enjoyable headphones for those that want something that isn't mainstream and can provide a very different experience with the music you're already familiar with.

Great Sound and Comfort

I was looking to purchase a pair of high quality wired headphones for my mixer/gaming station, but I was skeptical about spending several hundred for the super hi-fi headphones like Sony or Senheiser makes. I came across these entry level headphones on sale, and decided to give them a try.I was initially a little disappointed that they felt a little cheap - with plastic parts and felt ear cups. However, once I started listening to music or playing games with these, I was immediately impressed. The sound feels like it comes from all around you, and there is a nice balance of bass (maybe not the most for some people who like it really heavy) that blends really well with the rest of the music. They were also great for gaming and let me hear footsteps and sounds that ... MoreI was looking to purchase a pair of high quality wired headphones for my mixer/gaming station, but I was skeptical about spending several hundred for the super hi-fi headphones like Sony or Senheiser makes. I came across these entry level headphones on sale, and decided to give them a try.I was initially a little disappointed that they felt a little cheap - with plastic parts and felt ear cups. However, once I started listening to music or playing games with these, I was immediately impressed. The sound feels like it comes from all around you, and there is a nice balance of bass (maybe not the most for some people who like it really heavy) that blends really well with the rest of the music. They were also great for gaming and let me hear footsteps and sounds that I didn't hear with even my other Bose headphones.After gaming and listening for several hours, I was surprised at how I almost forgot I was wearing them. The cheap feel that I initially thought, turned into extreme comfort over extended periods. The felt-like ear cups also didn't get hot and the headband did not dig into my head like some other headphones. It's obvious that the plastic material was a decision based on weight and comfort, and is in fact quite durable. They are not built to be sound cancelling, nor do they block all outside sound, but this adds to the comfort and longevity for use - I find that noise cancelling makes me sick and I don't like walking away from listening to headphones with my ears ringing from headphones that don't have a balance between outside/inside sounds.Overall, I Highly recommend these based on the overall sound quality and comfort. My only drawback is that there is not a replaceable/detachable cord.

HD560S: A Great Value

The HD560S is the second headphone that I ordered through HeadAmp. (Thanks, HeadAmp, for the great service.) I'm relatively new to high(er)-end audio equipment, and so will forego any attempts to speak to the depth of some other reviewers. Relative layperson’s review here. This is the second 560S headphone that I have owned. The 560S was actually my very first high(er)-end headphone, the first pair of which I purchased a couple years ago. I had, back then, upgraded from the 560S to the 660S. The 660S and I never hit it off. I had never stopped really enjoying the 560S, but I had felt/thought that there was just something missing with the 560S, and I wanted different/more. In time I sold both the 560S and the 660S, and upgraded to the Arya Stealth, purchased through ... MoreThe HD560S is the second headphone that I ordered through HeadAmp. (Thanks, HeadAmp, for the great service.) I'm relatively new to high(er)-end audio equipment, and so will forego any attempts to speak to the depth of some other reviewers. Relative layperson’s review here. This is the second 560S headphone that I have owned. The 560S was actually my very first high(er)-end headphone, the first pair of which I purchased a couple years ago. I had, back then, upgraded from the 560S to the 660S. The 660S and I never hit it off. I had never stopped really enjoying the 560S, but I had felt/thought that there was just something missing with the 560S, and I wanted different/more. In time I sold both the 560S and the 660S, and upgraded to the Arya Stealth, purchased through HeadAmp 1-2 years ago. Love the Arya’s. Fantastic headphone. I really appreciate having them to enjoy for almost all genres of music. Fast-forward to about a month ago when I purchased the 560S for the second time. Why re-purchase the 560S when I love the Arya’s, themselves out-performing the 560S technically? I missed how the 560S handles certain genres of music, particularly early Blues and Jazz, live recordings, as well as some Noise music. The 560S is flat frequency-wise. It is appreciably transparent with a good (kind of unique) soundstage. It is flat. It is well-balanced in my opinion, and it portrays sound to my brain in a way that my mind interprets and accepts as quite honest. It is flat. I had missed the 560S. I am somewhat confused by the $150-$200 price of this headphone. It sounds like it costs more than that. The 560S is a great value in my opinion, and I appreciate once again having it to enjoy for the strengths that it offers.

I'm a music snob now?

I have never purchased a pair of "audiophile" headphones before; I've only had Beats, Bose, various "high-end" gaming headsets, but all of those pale in comparison to these. I've never experienced music like I am with the HD560s, especially now that I have paired these with the Audio-Quest Dragon-Fly Red USB DAC. I subscribed to Tidal music and am listening to music in lossless format which has made me appreciate songs that I never thought twice about listening to.These headphones will allow you to pry into the world of music creation and determine whether or not songs were actually mixed and mastered well. Songs I once loved I can no longer listen to with these because I can actually hear how badly they were made. The opposite of that is also true, where there ... MoreI have never purchased a pair of "audiophile" headphones before; I've only had Beats, Bose, various "high-end" gaming headsets, but all of those pale in comparison to these. I've never experienced music like I am with the HD560s, especially now that I have paired these with the Audio-Quest Dragon-Fly Red USB DAC. I subscribed to Tidal music and am listening to music in lossless format which has made me appreciate songs that I never thought twice about listening to.These headphones will allow you to pry into the world of music creation and determine whether or not songs were actually mixed and mastered well. Songs I once loved I can no longer listen to with these because I can actually hear how badly they were made. The opposite of that is also true, where there are tracks that I never really cared for but these headphones have given me an appreciation for just how well they were done.I can't believe how amazing music sounds now. I can finally understand why people would consider themselves to be audiophiles. I haven't listened to music this frequently since I was in college, and that was nearly a decade ago. It is like seeing for the first time, a breathtaking experience that I am so happy to be able to have.Buy a headphone amp, buy these headphones, and listen to music in a lossless quality format. It will change your appreciation for music - I guarantee it. Headphones this inexpensive shouldn't sound this good. They are crystal clear. They are comfortable. They are INCREDIBLE.

It's like a Like a better HD569

This headphone improves upon all of the obvios flaws of the Sennheiser HD569.First off, I bought these headphones "open box" and they arrived in absolutely perfect condition.Thanks for saving me money on this purchase! (As a Canadian)Bass: Texural qualities nd resolving different styles of bass...excellent!Midrange: Tonality and depth of vocals - Wonderful for tracking vocals accurately.Treble: Sightly hazy or too soft like most Sennheiser headphones I've heard.Brilliance: Lacking some air uptop that lends itself to the low treble being hazy.Soundstage: Great for figuring out placement and acoustic effects of a recording.Imaging: Awesome with live performances and tracks that are dynamic in nature.Overall: A somewhat warm-sounding reference quality ... MoreThis headphone improves upon all of the obvios flaws of the Sennheiser HD569.First off, I bought these headphones "open box" and they arrived in absolutely perfect condition.Thanks for saving me money on this purchase! (As a Canadian)Bass: Texural qualities nd resolving different styles of bass...excellent!Midrange: Tonality and depth of vocals - Wonderful for tracking vocals accurately.Treble: Sightly hazy or too soft like most Sennheiser headphones I've heard.Brilliance: Lacking some air uptop that lends itself to the low treble being hazy.Soundstage: Great for figuring out placement and acoustic effects of a recording.Imaging: Awesome with live performances and tracks that are dynamic in nature.Overall: A somewhat warm-sounding reference quality headphone that performs well for the price.It will sit atop my top headphone rack par excellence, accompanying some of my other reference headphones.It should not be used for audio foresenics in a recording to lower a sharp snares or cymbals etc. in levels accurately in level, or small intricacies in a recording. While audio fidelity is very good overall, it also lacks some detail retrieval that is only present in the most resolving headphones on the market. For this reason, you can mix and do tracking with this headphone and achieve excellent results; but I would not suggest using it for mastering complex recordings or tracks/vocal recordings with many inherent flaws. The HD560s is a solid effort from Sennheiser that I believe redefines what is possible at this fairly low price point. Hope this helps you choose.

Just what I needed & sound great

I pair an old pair of closed-back Sennheiser headphones for years (decades, even maybe) and they finally broke. they still sounded good but the headband finally let me down. Since I edit videos, I thought these would be a better choice.At first I thought the fit was a little tight, but that was because I was used to my old units, which had become quite loose due to the fracturing headband. These are much lighter than my old ones, too, so they should be comfortable over long sessions.They sound great, which is what matters. I couldn't justify spending many hundreds of dollars, but I also didn't want something so cheap that they would give me an incorrect "view" of what I was editing/mixing. These hit the sweet spot, I think.They are, of course, terrible for ... MoreI pair an old pair of closed-back Sennheiser headphones for years (decades, even maybe) and they finally broke. they still sounded good but the headband finally let me down. Since I edit videos, I thought these would be a better choice.At first I thought the fit was a little tight, but that was because I was used to my old units, which had become quite loose due to the fracturing headband. These are much lighter than my old ones, too, so they should be comfortable over long sessions.They sound great, which is what matters. I couldn't justify spending many hundreds of dollars, but I also didn't want something so cheap that they would give me an incorrect "view" of what I was editing/mixing. These hit the sweet spot, I think.They are, of course, terrible for listening in areas with loud background noise, being open-backed. But if that's the situation you're in, these aren't for you. Period.

The most comfortable headphones ive owned.

Ive been through plenty of headphones i. The search of the “one”. I recently upgraded to a UA Volt 1 audio interface and not longer had the necessity for wireless heaphones. The headset i had before this was the Arctis Nova Pro wireless. A great headset as it should be for the price. These, although do lack in the bass department, feel great on head. They lack the low end of other options but man are they comfortable. I get little to jo head fatigue while wearing these for hours on end. The openback nature of the headset also makes it a bit easier on the ears. Ive had plenty of headphones in the past and have experimented with all brands but i do really love these. If your on pc (which i assume you are) a mild EQ brings these to life. Steel series sonar software is ... MoreIve been through plenty of headphones i. The search of the “one”. I recently upgraded to a UA Volt 1 audio interface and not longer had the necessity for wireless heaphones. The headset i had before this was the Arctis Nova Pro wireless. A great headset as it should be for the price. These, although do lack in the bass department, feel great on head. They lack the low end of other options but man are they comfortable. I get little to jo head fatigue while wearing these for hours on end. The openback nature of the headset also makes it a bit easier on the ears. Ive had plenty of headphones in the past and have experimented with all brands but i do really love these. If your on pc (which i assume you are) a mild EQ brings these to life. Steel series sonar software is a great way to tune these to your liking. Overall great headphones for the money and unbelievably comfortable. If youre looking for a bassy headphone look elsewhere. Otherwise, these are a great option.

Very very good

Hmmm. Not sure about these. I am using Cambridge Audio M200 and Tidal Master subscription. Currently listening to Nina Simone Montreux Years. These are lovely and neutral which I think is important especially if you are trying to listen to things as intended. They are for me very comfortable which has to be a big consideration otherwise you won't enjoy your listening experience. I also have a lower midrange vinyl hifi setup 2k region in my house but I can't always use it so I wanted a setup in the living room and headphones made sense. Headphones are obviously a different listening experience and I didn't want to spend lots on my first outing. These are very good, good detail retrieval, good but not perfect instrument separation and I would say this ever so slight ... MoreHmmm. Not sure about these. I am using Cambridge Audio M200 and Tidal Master subscription. Currently listening to Nina Simone Montreux Years. These are lovely and neutral which I think is important especially if you are trying to listen to things as intended. They are for me very comfortable which has to be a big consideration otherwise you won't enjoy your listening experience. I also have a lower midrange vinyl hifi setup 2k region in my house but I can't always use it so I wanted a setup in the living room and headphones made sense. Headphones are obviously a different listening experience and I didn't want to spend lots on my first outing. These are very good, good detail retrieval, good but not perfect instrument separation and I would say this ever so slight blurry image at the lower end would.make me reconsider and ask the question what would £300-400 get me. Richer sounds unfortunately didn't have many to try and that's fine they've been great in the past. I did get told there isn't a great range of wired headphones anymore which turns out just isn't true. Conclusion - if you are serious about headphones maybe even as an alternative to a system then forget BT buy a DAC and headphone amp and then if you are between these and perhaps the next model up (the 600 or even 800 series) i think I'd stretch to the next level. If you've got something else in the house to deliver great music then these are really very good as an alternative.