Sennheiser HD560S Review | HD6XX Killer?

The HD560S is one of the most hyped headphone releases of 2020. A new audiophile focused product from Sennheiser is usually excited. This time an even more updated version of a HD500 series headphone. Many have hailed this as the HD6XX killer, but is it actually?
Big thanks to The Source AV with giving me a discount on these!
Check out their shop if you live in the LA area:
www.thesourceav.com/
HD560S:
www.thesourceav.com/product-d...
Twitter:
/ maxsettingsyt
Want to loan me a headphone or contact me?
Email: [e-mail]
Where I get my music:
www.epidemicsound.com/

[@maxsettings7884]

Sorry this one is a little longer with more rambling than usual, but I felt like this one deserved some discussion.

[@omni6409]

Always find your review useful, Max.

[@nxxxxzn]

6:40 sound

[@osxar7188]

nice to see a different opinion on these cans.

[@dudinacas]

Awesome videos, been binging all of them lately. Can't wait to see you rip in to the Hi-X55 lol

[@mrfrosty3]

My first full size headphone was an open back Sennheiser of all modular plastic construction. It was nothing much to look at but it survived my very clumsy and heavy handed daily use for over 12 years with one replacement cable of ridiculous length. Dropped it, fell asleep drunk wearing it. Sounded great, discovered a lot of music using it in my 20s. I miss owning a full size Sennheiser and I think this 560s may be suited to my ear.

[@derekd4349]

I prefer the comfort and weight of these over something like the Sundara's. There is nothing wrong with the plastic construction at least with Sennheiser imo.

[@PH-gm2qe]

@@derekd4349 Agree. These hp will last for decade without issue... But they are light and comfortable and very good sound wise. I pick them over th HD600 because of bigger sound stage. I just hate when all sound is in between my ears.

[@blank-jo1xp]

I've been comparing the 560s to the 58x, and to me, the biggest difference that people aren't discussing is the way the sound is presented to you. 58x sounds more like a typical headphone experience, 2 nearby walls of sound. The 560s has more of an airy sound, like you're sitting in a room listening to speakers.

[@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797]

The angled drivers contribute to that effect I think

[@galacticraymond]

THIS! I have the same experience comparing my newly purchased hd560s to the he4xx I owned for 2 years+, The 560s feels like listening to speakers with sounds coming more from the front, the he4xx sounds like they are coming from the sides and center.

[@samithranramesh]

@blank Which do you prefer Hd58x or 560s For gaming , movies , music , editing yt vdos I will use them with audient evo 4

[@blank-jo1xp]

​@@samithranramesh I preferred the 560s. They have a flat sound signature that works well no matter what context

[@11clouds]

exactly the comparison i was looking for thank you

[@unalloyedbee8691]

Thanks, this helped alot

[@sabergoli3518]

What are the benefits of being internally balanced? Solid vid max- *I buttoned the like and liked the sub*

[@SuperSeltzer]

I had both but sold off 6XX...so your mileage will vary. True, 560s lacks a bit in terms of natural decay and timbre but I couldn't get over the Sennheiser veil on 6XX.. some say Sennheiser veil is a myth but if someone perceives muffled sound and got annoyed by it, for any reason, then it is there for that person, regardless of the debate. I love my HD560s on Darkvoice. Much of that cold metallic sound is gone with a tube amplifier.

[@TattooMyBones]

dude fr

[@detodotv6405]

Friend, this 560s model can use the pads of any model of the Sennheiser 500 series? I'm looking for the spare part but I can't find it and I don't want to put one that isn't the right one and change your response frequently, thanks

[@joefilter2923]

How is this one compared to the 58X?

[@Jamesomnipotent]

How does the 560s compares to HD6XX and HD800s regarding sound stage and image?? Is there a huge difference among them ?

[@kedasbeats]

for mix and mastering wich one is better?

[@manuchaves9511]

your opinion better hd 560s or the hifiman he400se?

[@busywl69]

Will the soundstage be as good as the Phillips X2HR? I love the Phillips for movies n gaming, but was wondering would the 560S would be better for pure music enjoyment. I listen to music mostly with my Senns HD25s (yes the DH headphones)

[@Elazarko]

I haven't tried the headphones so I don't know this for a fact but from what I hear the 660s are pretty much the most relaxed pair followed by the 58x The 560s are for flat I think.

[@Elazarko]

660 most relaxed and best I think. It is much more expensive tho

[@mirkalf3148]

Would love to see a video discussing technicalties in detail.

[@divinecurrent9053]

Nice review. Yeah, the timbre/tonal balance is kind of off to me on the 560S, especially in the treble. The 6XX just sounds way smoother and more realistic. I also found it quite a bit brighter than the 6XX, but also more uneven.

[@jamesbittle2138]

The 560s has a bit of a treble peak. Apparently, it bothers some folks, but I don't have any issue with it. I have all of the popular Sennheisers, and I think this review is spot on. The biggest advantage to the 560s compared to the other models is the bass extension. To me, that makes it worth the price of admission.

[@0megalul309]

560 treble is more transparent than the 6xx in terms of treble.

[@brownchair2698]

Do you still hold this opinion about them? Is the 6xx really that much more detailed or do you just prefer its sound signature? I'm hearing conflicted options about the 6xx. Some think it's overrated some do not. Maybe that's due to its sound signature?

[@justina9914]

6xx scales

[@brownchair2698]

@@justina9914 But you see. I knew a guy with a 430ha. He found the 6xx to be overrated even then. And he likes the hd 600. A few others I know shared the same opinion of the 6xx being overrated.

[@MisTTwisted]

It's personal bias and exaggeration like with anyone and anything in life. Audiophiles tend to exaggerate things more than a lot of other communities. "Much more", "Significantly " means 1-10% difference in the audiophile world.

[@brownchair2698]

@@MisTTwisted Rip.

[@jandekker6008]

What's the closest match to the 6XX? I can't get them in the UK without getting screwed for customs/tax, so need an alternative. Would that be the 660S?

[@tinocabral4201]

650 and 6XX are identical

[@6643bear]

Hi great interesting video, bought mine at £125 , it does great at this price point , I do agree the cable is rubbery, probably I will change it. It’s quite comfortable the spec for mine is 12hz up to 38kHz, and distortion is 0.05%. I have an older he 575 although it’s more comfortable but spl is 101dB freq range 18-30000hz but it’s 0.2% . I only bought these as I recently got a dac and now steaming in high res from my iPhone . Regards mark

[@TheMaurob1979]

hi.. in your opinion better hd 560 or the massdrop x hifiman he4xx... in terms of sound quality and soundstage..

[@maxsettings7884]

560S

[@TheMaurob1979]

@@maxsettings7884 thanks..

[@marcotestarmata]

Just ordered the 560s, it was €130 vs €430 for the 660s I'll only use them with my Clavinova digital piano. The best headphones i own are the Sony WH1000XM4, they are not bad but they miss something with the piano sample. I hope the 560s will be a step up.

[@xenomyr]

What's your opinion after a month ?

[@marcotestarmata]

@@xenomyr I could not be happier. Kawai sound through the speaker is very very nice, i can't say which i like more, but through the headphones both CFX and Bosendorfer are in a different league I really like the action.

[@xenomyr]

@@marcotestarmata bosendorfer pianos sounds the best in my opinion. Thanks for your feedback.

[@JayNL]

Still can't make a decision between the 599 and 560s, anyone had both?

[@bugsbunny3400]

560s all the way

[@Reeeepicheep]

Hi, in your opinion, which is better, the 6XX or HD 600?

[@soulfulfool]

buy cheaper one and add money to amp or you will be talking bullshit like others about veil etc. fools got rubbish source and want to talk about quality of sound

[@jandekker6008]

What's 'three-blob'?

[@CardinalsFanever]

Thanks, great job. Baby DMS is Sennheiser co-worker

[@john-cn7yj]

I own the hd558 should i upgrade to the 560s for gaming?

[@phanatic23608]

I highly recommend for gaming, especially if you have an amp. I wouldn’t suggest without an amp. The imaging is by far the best, compared to gaming headphones. I pair mine with a Sound Blaster G6 for gaming and with the Ifi Zen Dac for music and multimedia usage.

[@ThatGuy-rp1ly]

If it's JUST for gaming, probably go for the pc37x or 38x no?

[@blank-jo1xp]

​@@ThatGuy-rp1ly For high level competitive application, the extra level of detail is completely worth it. The 560s is the first headphone I've used that I felt gave me a real competitive advantage. PC38x is better for casual, immersive gaming, because of the bass tuning. It makes everything sound like 7.1

[@ThatGuy-rp1ly]

@@blank-jo1xp good to know, thanks for the imput

[@rderubeis]

whats better for gaming music and movies the best al around 6xx or 560s ? I also have dt880 dt990 and 58x are 1 of those worth it

[@ludwig2952]

880

[@rderubeis]

@@ludwig2952 what about out of dt990 or 560s

[@ludwig2952]

@@rderubeis For all around use go for 880 if you have a powerful amp, if not 560s is better. 990 sounds harsh to most ppl.

[@rderubeis]

@@ludwig2952 so for pure competative gaming does the 560s beat dt880 if not im gonna sell the 560s. I have both 560s and dt880 im trying to find a reason to keep the 560s but seems like 880 isa better at everything ? does 560s win in pure gaming ?

[@disco4535]

@@rderubeis If you have them why are you asking others what is better for your application lol? Just test them out yourself. Headphones are extremely subjective.

[@SeriousBoot]

560S needs some love. (Hybrid / Tube AMP + neutral sounding DAC with volume control) I use Topping E30 + Xduoo MT602 + 6J38P-EV tubes. But I also enjoy my 10+ years old HD600 with Dekoni Elite Fenestrated Sheepskin pads. However for gaming especially the HD560S is a great addition. I couldn't pass it up for the price.. oh and I also slapped a Antlion ModMic Wireless on it :)

[@PH-gm2qe]

Yep, you are right. Similar setup here. Topping E30II + LittleDot II with Voskhod drive tubes. So far the best tubes I have oportunity to try compatible with Little Dot.

[@happyduck1424]

Is this good for mixing?

[@godogid]

Yeah, made for it

[@MyouKyuubi]

I'm sorry my man, "much more texture, much more detail"? it has 5% better imaging, and 4 % better frequency consistency, that isn't "much" or "a lot" in any definition of the words, lol, not to mention it loses to the HD 560s in ALL other measurable aspects. :P

[@MisTTwisted]

That's just how headphone nerds are. If I learned anything in the last two months of informing myself which headphones to buy, it would be that audiophiles tend to extremely exaggerate things. Literally like you said, few % difference in something and to them it's like that difference is 70%. Not to mention placibo effect with amps and cables etc.. Even if there is some difference, we are talking about below few %. That would be like having 120 fps in a game instead of 118 fps. Or having 5% more contrast on the screen. Unless you are comparing those stuff side by side, it would be really hard to tell a difference and it's hard to imagine that stuff would make extreme difference to someone to the point of unusability. But that's just how some people are. Exaggeration and overthinking on top of chronic lack of ability to be satisfied with things. It's just insanity.

[@MyouKyuubi]

@@MisTTwisted Exactly... Human ears can not ear a 5% difference anyway... The same way human eyes cannot tell the difference between 115 fps, and 120 fps. xD This is a classic case of the term "Audiophile gibberish".

[@soulfulfool]

@@MisTTwisted if you cant hear difference between solid state and tubes you are deaf, amp make biggest change of sound

[@bravestarr8857]

HD6XX currently costs £450 on UK Amazon!

[@soulfulfool]

dear lord thats alot, UK peoples are rich

[@PartySpock]

The 500 series last longer as some of the very expansive Focal,s The 560s is better as the 650(6XX).Thank you very much.

[@roo3434]

Wow. Your opinion on this matter was one of the most impactful and meaningful pieces of information that humans around the world could ever ask for. You're just so right. About it all. About everything. I don't know how your parents raised you, but I am glad they chose to raise you to be so special, thoughtful, and resourceful. You are absolutely brilliant. Your insights and wisdom will lead the future of humans to places we've only dreamed of. To the stars, and well beyond! I cannot help but feel ashamed that you are surrounded by brainless sheep like us. All of us. We're all so many pages behind you- I can only hope we understand your meaning when you speak your golden opinions. You're The One that we've all waited for. We're all so proud to have you. Here. With us. On this planet. To you, way up there... I thank you.

[@dagohoyting2417]

AMEN

[@albertweedsteinthethuggeni7797]

My fav headphones reviewers: Max Settings Honest Audiophile DMS Joshua Valour Resolve Reviews

[@shadouxg7150]

X2

[@shadouxg7150]

The most informatives are max and resolve

[@jorgbornefeld1689]

The 560 s is only good with eq. Without eq it is nearly unlistenable because of the pearcing upper mids or deep treble at about 5 kHz. But there are many people who don't have a problem with that issue because of their pinna resonance frequencies which maybe differ from mine. So first hear, then buy.

[@Vaxeri]

This is why people love 6XX. It never sounds harsh.

[@Tripokaridos22]

For those that want more proof that HD 650 is better headphone just EQ them both on Oratory 1990 and listen how more resolving faster and tighter is the HD 650.

[@ad240p]

oratory tells you not to use his EQ on the HD 6X0 series bruh

[@Tripokaridos22]

@@ad240p Personally i prefer the stock EQ way more, its all about taste. But if its capable ? Yeah Sure HD 6 line and 660s for sure is capable to hit low notes. HD 5 line cant , also Focal Line like Elex Clear cant , they are already on the limit.

[@estelle4778]

@@ad240p link? to source

[@nikolaygramchev]

6XX = rolled off bass, rolled off highs, closed stage, often veil over replay... So what is left is doing vocals very well. 560s has far more benefits which look not significant only to Max.

[@soulfulfool]

I wonder what not rolled off headphones did you heard to say this lol

[@nikolaygramchev]

@@soulfulfool Let's start with: a/ Sennheiser - hd250 linear, hd560 reference, hd700, hd800s; b/ Beyerdynamic: dt880, dt1990; c/ Denon 5200-9200; d/ Hifiman Sundara, Arya; d/ any Stax;....

[@soulfulfool]

@@nikolaygramchev I see so you clearly like your treble. Have you ever heard Audio-Technica ADX5000? Those make everything sounds veiled, take them over anything except Stax from your list

[@nikolaygramchev]

@@soulfulfool Treble is bad iif the chain is not the right on. TT2 - Feliks Euphoria and the treble is melody. Do not like ATH.

[@soulfulfool]

@@nikolaygramchev It has nothing to do with ATH :) different division/drivers. My treble is melody lol Feliks Elise with all tubes rolled

[@thomaskohler5181]

For me they sounded like the 599. But wider. Don't like the Sennheiser sound signature.

[@maxsettings7884]

I don't think you really can say there is a "Sennheiser signature" the 600 series stuff is similar but either than that most of their headphones vary so much I don't think you can assign them a house sound.

[@thomaskohler5181]

I can only speak for the 500 series here. And this one sounds pretty much the same to me. Maybe a small comparison: My reference headphone is always the DT880 600 Ohm. With that I can simply listen forever. Compared to the DT880, the sound of the 560s is a bit muffled, as if there was a veil in front of it. Does this have something to do with the midrange? Podcasts sound super clear with the DT880, with the 560s kind of unnatural. But why?

[@jamesbittle2138]

@@thomaskohler5181 Personal preference. I've tried/owned several Beyers (including the 600ohm 880s) and didn't love them. The HD 560s aren't my favorite pair of Sennheisers, but they sound good to me.

[@josephnevin]

@@thomaskohler5181 but doesn't each model from the same 5xx series differ vastly in their tuning and sound signature? Like the 599 is catered more toward critical listeners while the 559 has a more bassy signature and the 579 seem to have a balance of both the 559 and 599. The 598se seems to have a entirely different sound signature which is a departure from all of the models mentioned above. So I wouldn't categorise the Sennheiser models to having a particular sound signature.

[@Leonhart_93]

@@thomaskohler5181 It means that you are used to headphones with treble peak, and 880 is certainly one of them. There is basically no Beyer that doesn't have boosted treble. Hell, people that come from HD 650 are saying that HD 560s are kind of sharp in the treble. That isn't really true though, as they measure almost perfectly. I like them like that, I want to listen to music in the most accurate form possible, without having to break the bank.

[@error4159]

What does "texture in the bass" mean in regular english, lol

[@PartySpock]

The 6XX is the 650. So you can say worth, at least 650 dollar.Strange, exactly trhe same headphones.👍

[@soulfulfool]

not really 600/650/6xx got different foams inside... 600 thin, 6xx medium, 650 thick

[@kirjuschaks]

Axel Grell would laugh about that headphone... At the same time we would laugh about the hd660S/hd700 he created...

[@tomlathrop4094]

Bought one of these to replace my Grado 325x. Oops taught me not to buy until I listen again

[@tomlathrop4094]

@@CaptainDarrick The Grados were not necessarily better but didnt feel that the 560S represented much of an upgrade. Of course that is me. I only suggest you listen to them and compare to equally priced alternative and some that are a little pricier if you want to go there. I ended up splurging and going for a Focal Clear MG in favor of comparably priced planars.

[@tomlathrop4094]

@@CaptainDarrick glad your happy. Just curious what dac/amp are you using?

[@allansh828]

6XX is kinda like the gateway drug to more hifi gears because it needs a decent amp to sound loud enough

[@cryptogymbro]

Everything killer these days

[@miladesn]

I would buy this for $99 at some black friday sale in future as a beater pair.

[@roo3434]

You talk a lot about technical proficiency in audio. May I ask what you do for a living?

[@Tripokaridos22]

HD600 HD650 and the best HD660s are all better Headphones than HD 560s , there are a lot of reasons for that its already debated on head fi. Other than that HD 560s Are AMAZING for harman lovers...

[@MTheoOA]

I saw you everywhere LOL. I think you have all the 58x, 600 line and 560s. Can you still reccomend the 58x (if i am right about it)?

[@Tripokaridos22]

@@MTheoOA Yes thank u i love Sennheisers . Yeah for the price HD58X are amazing and honestly they do 90% of what HD660s can .. Its just that some people willing to pay way more for that 10%. If u dont hear them side by side maybe u dont even get the difference. So yeah get the 58X and where them on a pillow so they can open up a bit ... The clamp force is high at first for people with big head. Also u have to wait for the pads to brake in some weeks do get softer ... When pads get soft u get more better bass extension trust me i know and way better comfort. Other than thay u have to know that these are opem backs and to really hear the good quality u need low noise environment.

[@MTheoOA]

@@Tripokaridos22 Thanks man, i appreciate it! I'm looking towards him a long time ago. I bought other headphones, like AKG k612, but i'm still interested in the 58X... I saw a lot of people complaining about 58x clarity, and that 560S smash him and competes with 6-line, lesser mids and more soundstage. But i think there's some people which doesn't listened to this phones and are commenting as they had, because i saw a lots of people saying very contraditory things, like -''560s have no body and does not compete with detail against HD 600, or doesn't have that good imaging''- and other guys telling ''this surpasses the detail of HD600 with better soundstage and detail, but sounds more thin''. Things like that. ^^ GL with your senns!

[@disco4535]

@@MTheoOA The dude loves his 660s so much he's commented on EVERY 660s review I;ve seen, AFTER he already bought them lol. Like, is he trying to justify the purchase to himself lol?

[@MTheoOA]

@@disco4535 Let him to be happy! If i had all the lineage like him, maybe i would come back to spread the word too. Just to people choice it better. LOL, maybe i will spend the 500 dollars to 660s too, and forget the 58x. I think Mpamphs is not ''justifying his purcharse'', i just think he's hyped and want's to defend the honour of 660s haha.

[@BunnyslippersEUC]

Damn it. I need to watch the whole video before replying. D'oh. I am not worthy!!

[@chuckyfox9284]

I think the reason a lot of people think so little of the 6xx is that it needs high quality sources to not be a bloated mess.

[@adrianmorrish8494]

I havenever heard tge 6xx called a bloated swollen mess😂😂😂

[@soulfulfool]

agree with that, just cant understand what those poor peasants are talking about, it sounds really great and I can compare them vs ~3000$ headphones

[@carldaniel3155]

I had the Sennheiser HD560s, but was disappointed in the lack of bass! Bought the Beyerdynamic DT770 pro 32ohm model.... just wow. I love it... the detail and clarity and weight in the bass is just incredible (tried the 250 ohm model - had the same sound signature as the 32ohm model) - the clamp pressure is better than the HD560s also. Love the DT770 pro 1.6m short fixed lead. The frequency response sounds so linear (very natural) on the DT770 pro 32ohm. Instrument separation is so much better than the HD560s - the nuances in the music on the DT770 are just incredible. Really really impressed. My wife listened to both and also agrees on my findings. I hope this helps in anyone making a headphone choice. ps the sub bass on Hans Zimmer 2049 distorted and popped on the HD560s, but the DT770 go super low and play cleanly with a big kick and presence. IMO.

[@luizengrazia5169]

Heretic!