How this comparison was made: MoleMarket did not hands-on test either headphone. This is a research-based comparison built from Sennheiser's official specification sheets, independent review publications (including RTINGS, SoundGuys, and Stereophile), and long-running audiophile community discussions (Head-Fi, Audio Science Review, WhatHiFi forums). Every listening impression below is attributed to the reviewer who reported it — we never present someone else's ears as our own. Recommendations describe research-based findings, not personal experience.
The Direct Answer
This comparison pits Sennheiser's flagship open-back — the HD 800 S — against one of the most celebrated mid-range values in audiophile history — the HD 560S. They share a design philosophy (open-back, angled drivers, neutral-leaning tuning) but serve very different buyers:
- Buy the Sennheiser HD 800 S if you are building a serious home listening setup, already own (or will buy) a proper desktop headphone amplifier, and your top priority is the widest, most speaker-like soundstage and the finest detail retrieval in a dynamic headphone. It is a flagship-tier purchase whose real cost includes amplification.
- Buy the Sennheiser HD 560S if you want the core of the neutral, analytical Sennheiser sound at a mid-range price — an outstanding first audiophile headphone, a strong competitive-gaming option (with a separate mic), and a headphone that runs respectably from a laptop or desktop without a dedicated amp.
- The honest caveat: reviewers and community listeners consistently report that the gap between these two is a classic case of diminishing returns. The HD 800 S is the better headphone on staging and refinement — but the HD 560S delivers a large share of the neutral-reference experience, and some listeners question whether the flagship premium is justified for their genres. Read the "which genres" notes below before you decide.
Neither headphone suits commuters, office use, bass-forward genres as a primary, or anyone who needs wireless. Both are wired, open-back designs that leak sound and let the room in.
Quick Picks
Short on time? These are our top recommendations.
Spec Comparison: HD 800 S vs HD 560S
All figures are Sennheiser's published specifications, not our measurements. Where sources conflicted, we chose Sennheiser's official figures and noted the discrepancy.
| Specification | Sennheiser HD 800 S | Sennheiser HD 560S |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 56 mm ring-radiator dynamic (Sennheiser describes it as the largest driver in a dynamic headphone design) | Dynamic, open; angled E.A.R. transducers (Sennheiser does not publish the driver diameter) |
| Frequency response | 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz | 6 Hz – 38,000 Hz (-10 dB) |
| Impedance | 300 Ω | 120 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB (1 V) | 110 dB (1 kHz / 1 Vrms) |
| Total harmonic distortion | < 0.02% (1 kHz, 1 Vrms) | < 0.05% (1 kHz / 90 dB SPL) |
| Weight (without cable) | 330 g | 240 g |
| Cable | 3 m — two included: 6.35 mm unbalanced + 4.4 mm balanced Pentaconn | 3 m detachable single-sided: 6.35 mm plug + 3.5 mm adapter |
| Earpads | Velour, circumaural | Velour, circumaural |
| Key technology | Absorber technology taming the ~6 kHz resonance peak of the original HD 800 | E.A.R. (Ergonomic Acoustic Refinement) angled drivers; bespoke polymer-blend driver membrane |
| Extras in box | USB stick with the individual unit's measured frequency response; serialized headband | Quick guide and safety guide |
| Check Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
On mobile this table stacks one headphone per card (spec name first, then each headphone's value) — see gutenberg-layout.md. Note on the 560S weight: 240 g is Sennheiser's widely cited launch figure; some regional refurbished listings quote 280 g, which we treat as a packaging variance and do not use.
Sennheiser HD 800 S — Detailed Review
coming soon
Sennheiser HD 800 S
Sennheiser's flagship open-back: the widest, most speaker-like soundstage and finest detail retrieval in the dynamic lineup, per RTINGS and SoundGuys — for a dedicated home rig with a proper desktop amplifier.
- 56 mm ring-radiator driver with 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz frequency response (Sennheiser spec sheet)
- Widest soundstage and instrument localisation RTINGS has measured in a Sennheiser open-back; SoundGuys highlight the illusion of space in recordings
- Two 3 m cables included: 6.35 mm unbalanced and 4.4 mm balanced Pentaconn
Important limitation: It needs a proper amplifier — 300 Ω impedance at 102 dB sensitivity means a phone or laptop jack will not drive it properly (RTINGS is explicit). Low-bass output is lean for EDM/hip-hop, and the open-back design gives zero isolation and leaks sound.
- Impedance: 300 Ω
- Frequency response: 4 Hz – 51,000 Hz
- Weight: 330 g (without cable)
Best for: Listeners building a serious home setup who already own (or will buy) a desktop headphone amplifier.
What it is
The HD 800 S is Sennheiser's flagship open-back headphone and the refinement of the legendary HD 800. Its defining engineering feature is a 56 mm ring-radiator driver — the largest Sennheiser has put in a dynamic headphone — mounted at an angle inside deep, hemisphere-shaped earcups so the sound arrives at the ear the way it would from loudspeakers. The "S" revision added absorber technology to tame the original HD 800's much-discussed ~6 kHz treble peak, along with a touch more low-end reach (4 Hz vs the original's 6 Hz on paper).
This is unambiguously a home-listening instrument: two long 3 m-class cables (6.35 mm and balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn), no 3.5 mm short cable, no Bluetooth, no microphone, no noise isolation. The serialized headband plate and the USB stick carrying your individual unit's measured frequency response underline the flagship positioning — Sennheiser is telling you this is a precision device, not a lifestyle product.
What reviewers report
Soundstage and imaging are the headline. RTINGS calls the HD 800 S the best open-back Sennheiser they have tested, with a "wide, spacious, and natural soundstage" and instrument localization as a highlight. SoundGuys' reviewer describes the headphone as recreating "the illusion of space in recordings," crediting the huge angled drivers and deep cups for using the listener's own outer ear to preserve spatial cues. Stereophile's John Marks, reviewing the original HD 800 (the line's lineage, not the S), called its soundstaging "remarkable" — an orchestra spread convincingly wall to wall — and the 800 S keeps that character with a smoother treble.
Tonality is reference-neutral with extended treble. Reviewer consensus (SoundGuys, homedjstudio.com, equipboard community summaries) describes a flat, detailed, analytical signature: transparent mids, articulate bass that stays controlled rather than emphasized, and airy, extended highs. The absorber technology makes the treble noticeably less peaky than the original HD 800, though equipboard's community summary still notes the ~6 kHz region can sound slightly boosted to some ears.
Comfort is a genuine strength. Despite 330 g, SoundGuys' reviewer wore them for over four hours "without any discomfort," crediting the enormous contact area that spreads weight. RTINGS agrees on long-session comfort, with the caveat that smaller heads may find the earcups oversized.
Limitations (honestly stated)
- It needs a proper amplifier — budget for one. 300 Ω impedance with 102 dB sensitivity means a laptop or phone jack will not show you what this headphone can do. RTINGS is explicit: they "need an amp to drive them." Treat the amp as part of the purchase price, not an optional extra.
- Bass is accurate, not abundant. Like most open-backs, low-bass output is lean. Equipboard's community cons list flags "lacks low-end punch" and sub-bass "considered too lean"; homedjstudio.com calls the lows "the weakest element" for bass-heavy electronic music. If your library is mostly EDM, hip-hop, or cinematic scores, this headphone will sound restrained where you want impact.
- It reveals everything, including flaws. homedjstudio.com notes that "sloppy productions have nowhere to hide" with this level of transparency. Poorly mastered or heavily compressed tracks can sound worse, not better.
- Zero practicality outside a quiet room. Open-back means sound leaks out and noise leaks in. No isolation, no folding, long cables, proprietary connectors. This is a stationary home headphone.
- The treble, while improved over the HD 800, is still present. Treble-sensitive listeners should audition first if possible.
Who should skip it
Skip the HD 800 S if you primarily listen to bass-forward genres, if you won't buy a dedicated desktop amp, if you need one headphone for commuting or the office, or if you're buying your first audiophile headphone and haven't yet confirmed you enjoy neutral, analytical tuning. In any of those cases, your money buys more enjoyment elsewhere.
Sennheiser HD 560S — Detailed Review
coming soon
Sennheiser HD 560S
The core of the neutral, analytical Sennheiser sound at a mid-range price: an outstanding first audiophile headphone that runs respectably from a laptop or desktop without a dedicated amp.
- Neutral, revealing tuning with wide soundstage and clean imaging for its tier (audiogr.com, reviewatlas.co)
- 120 Ω impedance and 110 dB sensitivity — drivable from a laptop/desktop; an amp is recommended, not mandatory
- Angled E.A.R. transducers and velour pads; 240 g with a detachable 3 m cable plus 3.5 mm adapter
Important limitation: Entirely plastic build with no carrying case, and the 6–8 kHz elevation that gives it clarity can sound bright or harsh on poorly mastered recordings (geekman.in). Open-back: no isolation, audible leakage, no mic or Bluetooth.
- Impedance: 120 Ω
- Sensitivity: 110 dB (1 kHz / 1 Vrms)
- Weight: 240 g (without cable)
Best for: First-time audiophile buyers and competitive gamers (with a separate mic) who want neutral sound without an amp purchase.
What it is
The HD 560S is Sennheiser's mid-range open-back reference headphone, designed — in Sennheiser's own words — "for the analytical audio enthusiast," with linear acoustics aimed at long, fatigue-free critical-listening sessions. It inherits its enclosure, headband shape, and E.A.R. angled-driver concept from the HD 599 line, but with a bespoke driver Sennheiser says uses a specialised polymer-blend membrane for linear excursion and improved response above 10 kHz. The package is deliberately no-frills: a 3 m detachable single-sided cable with a 6.35 mm plug and a 3.5 mm adapter, velour pads, a plastic frame, and no case.
What reviewers report
Neutrality is the whole point. son-video.com's review (translated from French) found an "extended linear response" reproducing "each register without coloration," with controlled bass that "knew how to be punchy when necessary." audiogr.com (2026) describes neutral tuning, transparent mids, and detailed treble, with imaging accuracy and stage width that "exceed many competitors at the price point." geekman.in (2026) puts it memorably: the bass is "not weak, flat" — extended and tight, with clearly separated bass notes and detailed texture, but less physical slam than bass-forward rivals.
Soundstage is a strength for the tier. reviewatlas.co highlights the wide soundstage and clean imaging as reasons the 560S works well for competitive shooters; son-video.com describes a "coherent and pretty wide" stereo image with "nice texture and depth."
Drivability is a real advantage. At 120 Ω with 110 dB sensitivity, the 560S is "reasonably easy to drive from a laptop or desktop" (reviewatlas.co), with an amp recommended but not mandatory. For a first audiophile headphone, that matters: the total cost of ownership stops at the headphone.
The honest counterpoint
Not every reviewer is a fan. daemonxar.com published a sharply dissenting 2026 review calling the 560S "a rare miss from Sennheiser," questioning the midrange balance ("weirdly (un)balanced midrange"), rating detail retrieval merely "fine," and finding the soundstage "fine; nothing to write home about" — no better than the HD 6XX. We include this because it captures something real: the 560S's reputation leans on its neutrality and value, not on being a giant-killer in every dimension, and treble-forward tuning (geekman.in notes the 6–8 kHz elevation and possible sibilance on poor recordings) won't suit everyone.
Limitations (honestly stated)
- Open-back caveats apply fully. No noise isolation, audible sound leakage — reviewatlas.co is blunt: not for commuting, and people nearby will hear your music.
- Plastic build, basic accessories. The frame is entirely plastic and the box has no carrying case. Sennheiser cut costs in the right places (packaging, materials) to protect the driver budget, but don't expect a premium unboxing.
- Treble can bite on bad recordings. The 6–8 kHz elevation that gives the 560S its clarity can render bright or harsh on poorly mastered tracks (geekman.in). This is a revealing headphone, not a forgiving one.
- No mic, no Bluetooth, no controls. Gamers need a separate microphone; everyone else needs to accept a wired-only, 3 m-cable lifestyle.
Who should skip it
Skip the HD 560S if you need any noise isolation, if you're treble-sensitive and mostly listen to bright modern pop or poorly mastered streams, if you want wireless or a built-in mic, or if your taste runs warm and bassy — the neutral tuning will read as thin until your ears adjust, and for some listeners it never does.
Buying Guide: How to Decide Between the HD 800 S and HD 560S
1. Start with the amplifier question, not the headphone
This is the single biggest practical difference. The HD 800 S at 300 Ω is a headphone that requires proper amplification to show its quality — plan a desktop DAC/amp as part of the purchase. The HD 560S at 120 Ω will run from a laptop, desktop, or decent dongle DAC, with an amp as a nice-to-have upgrade later. If the thought of buying a separate amp makes you hesitate, that hesitation is your answer: the 560S.
2. Budget the total system, not just the headphone
The HD 800 S sits in the flagship tier and its real cost is headphone + amplifier (+ ideally a decent DAC and lossless source material). The HD 560S sits in the mid-range tier with no mandatory extras. Be honest about which budget you're actually shopping in — "stretching" to the 800 S but driving it from a laptop jack is the classic way to buy flagship disappointment.
3. Match the headphone to your genres
The 800 S earns its keep on classical, jazz, acoustic, orchestral, and well-recorded vocal music — genres where soundstage, imaging, and micro-detail are the whole game. Both headphones are neutral in the bass, so if your library is bass-forward (EDM, hip-hop, modern pop, cinematic scores), neither is the natural pick — see the alternatives section. The 560S's slightly forward upper mids flatter vocals and acoustic instruments; the 800 S's extended treble flatters air and detail but punishes bright recordings.
4. Consider your room
Both are open-back. Both leak sound in both directions. They need a quiet, private listening space to make sense. If you share a room, work in an office, or listen near a partner watching TV, an open-back flagship is the wrong tool regardless of price.
5. Understand diminishing returns — then decide what they mean to you
This is the uncomfortable truth the audiophile community itself debates (see the Audio Science Review and WhatHiFi threads in our research notes): with EQ and careful listening, the gap between the 560S and the 800 S narrows on pure tonality, and the 800 S keeps its clearest advantages in soundstage scale, treble refinement, and build. Some listeners find that gap worth the flagship tier; others, quite reasonably, do not. Neither camp is wrong — but buy knowing which camp you're in, not hoping the price tag will decide for you.
6. If you can audition, do — with your own music
Headphone preference is personal enough that forum threads on this exact comparison end with "it depends on your ears." Bring tracks you know intimately, including one poorly mastered favorite: the headphone that makes your real library sound better — not the one that makes a demo track sound impressive — is the right one.
Understanding the Technology: Open-Back Design, Impedance, and Amps
Open-back vs closed-back
Both the HD 800 S and HD 560S are open-back: the outer earcups are vented grilles that let air and sound pass freely. The payoff is a wider, more natural soundstage and less pressure buildup (better long-session comfort). The price is near-zero noise isolation and audible sound leakage. Closed-back headphones (and especially noise-cancelling models) do the opposite: isolation and privacy at the cost of a more "in-your-head" stage. If your environment is noisy or shared, stop here and read our noise-cancelling guides instead —.
Impedance and sensitivity, plainly explained
Impedance (measured in ohms, Ω) is the headphone's electrical resistance; sensitivity (dB) is how loud it gets from a given signal. The HD 800 S's 300 Ω impedance means it needs more voltage to reach the same volume — which is why reviewers insist on a desktop amplifier. The HD 560S's 120 Ω impedance and higher 110 dB sensitivity mean ordinary laptop and desktop outputs can drive it to satisfying levels. Neither number tells you how a headphone sounds; they tell you what it needs upstream.
Do you need a DAC/amp?
- HD 800 S: yes — a desktop amp at minimum. Every serious review (RTINGS, SoundGuys, HIFICRITIC) treats amplification as mandatory, not optional.
- HD 560S: not strictly. A laptop or desktop works; a basic USB DAC or entry-level amp is a worthwhile later upgrade for dynamics and control (reviewatlas.co).
- Either way, feed them decent source material: lossless files or high-bitrate streaming make an audible difference on revealing headphones like these.
Dynamic vs planar (a note, since alternatives mention it)
Both Sennheisers use dynamic drivers — a voice coil moving a diaphragm, the oldest and most common headphone driver type. Planar-magnetic drivers (used by brands like HiFiMan) move a thin film with magnets across its surface, which some listeners prefer for transient speed and instrument separation. It's a different flavor, not a hierarchy — and it matters because one popular alternative to both Sennheisers is planar.
Comparisons to Alternatives
Neither the HD 800 S nor the HD 560S exists in a vacuum. Here's how the nearby options fit:
Sennheiser HD 600 / HD 650 (and the HD 6XX)
Sennheiser's classic mid-range studio headphones. Reviewers (audiogr.com, daemonxar.com) describe them as warmer and more intimate than the 560S — more forgiving, more vocal-focused, with a narrower, closer soundstage. Choose the HD 600 line if you want warmth and musical forgiveness; choose the 560S if you want neutrality and a wider stage; the 800 S out-stages them all but costs multiples more. Note: at 300 Ω, the 600/650 also want an amp.
Sennheiser HD 660S2
The step-up within Sennheiser's mid-range: deeper sub-bass response than the 560S, aimed at music lovers rather than analysts. SoundGuys calls it "a great option" but "decidedly inferior to the HD 800 S." Consider it if the 560S sounds too lean but the 800 S tier is out of reach.
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro
The studio-clinical alternative (audiogr.com): built for critical assessment with a robust pro design. Pick it if your priority is mixing work and you value the Beyerdynamic build and accessory ecosystem; pick the Sennheisers if soundstage and listening pleasure matter more.
HiFiMan Sundara
The planar-magnetic alternative at a similar tier to the 560S (audiogr.com): faster transients, even-handed extension, a different timbral character that some listeners prefer for acoustic and orchestral music. Choose Sundara if you're curious about planar sound; choose the 560S if you want the safer, better-supported Sennheiser ecosystem (pads, cables, parts availability).
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
RTINGS names this as the cheaper alternative to the HD 800 S for buyers who want open-back comfort and accuracy without the flagship tier: "They don't sound as immersive, but they're just as comfortable." A sensible middle step if the 800 S tempts you but the budget doesn't.
If you need isolation or wireless
You're shopping the wrong category entirely — neither headphone here will help. See our noise-cancelling headphone guide () or watch for our planned closed-back roundup ().
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying the HD 800 S for bass. Both headphones are neutral; the 800 S is lean in the sub-bass. Bass-forward listeners will be disappointed — choose a bass-capable alternative instead.
- Driving the HD 800 S from a laptop jack. 300 Ω with 102 dB sensitivity needs a desktop amp. An under-driven flagship sounds flat and lifeless, and you'll blame the headphone for the chain's weakness.
- Buying either for commuting, the office, or travel. Open-back headphones leak sound outward and let noise inward. Your coworkers will hear your music, and you'll hear everything else.
- Trusting gamified "versus" spec-score pages. Some comparison pages assign points per spec (lower impedance "wins," lighter weight "wins") — a scoring system that would rank a travel earbud above a flagship. Impedance and weight aren't better-or-worse; they're design choices with trade-offs. Buy on use-case fit, not point totals.
- Confusing the HD 800 with the HD 800 S. The original HD 800 has a more prominent ~6 kHz treble peak; the S revision's absorber technology specifically tames it. Advice and reviews about the original don't fully transfer — check which model a review covers.
- Assuming price equals enjoyment. The audiophile community's own threads on this comparison are full of listeners who prefer the cheaper headphone for their genres. The 800 S is the more capable instrument; it is not automatically the more enjoyable purchase.
- Ignoring head size and clamp. RTINGS notes the 800 S's earcups can feel large on smaller heads. If possible, check fit — a flagship you can't wear comfortably is money wasted.
- Expecting wireless-era convenience. No Bluetooth, no mic, no controls, 3 m cables. These are stationary listening tools. If that sentence annoys you, you want a different product category.
- EQ'ing blindly. Community discussion (Audio Science Review) shows EQ can narrow the tonal gap between these models — but random EQ presets can also wreck what makes each good. If you're new to EQ, learn the basics before touching a flagship's tuning.
- Skipping the audition when spending flagship money. At the 800 S tier, personal preference dominates. Reviews narrow the field; your ears make the call.
Bad Advice to Ignore: A SERP Danger Rebuttal
Our SERP research for this keyword surfaced several recurring claims worth rebutting:
- "The HD 560S beats the HD 800 S — it scored more points." Gamified spec-comparison pages award points for lower impedance, lower weight, and feature checklists. Those metrics reward portability and efficiency, not sound quality. A 300 Ω impedance isn't a defect to lose points over — it's a deliberate design choice that assumes proper amplification. Judge headphones by use-case fit, not point totals.
- "Just buy the HD 800 S; it's the best, price aside." Price is never aside — and neither is the mandatory amp, the quiet room, or your genre taste. For bass-forward libraries, gaming, or unamped laptop listening, the flagship is the worse purchase.
- "The HD 560S is 90% of the HD 800 S." Percentages like this are invented precision. What reviewers and community listeners actually report: the 560S captures much of the neutral-reference tonality (especially with EQ), while the 800 S keeps a meaningful edge in soundstage scale, treble refinement, and build. That's a qualitative gap, not a number.
- "Open-backs are fine for the office if you keep the volume low." No — leakage is a physical property of the design, not a volume setting. Your colleagues will hear your music.
- "You don't need an amp for the HD 800 S in 2026; modern dongles are enough." A dongle DAC may reach adequate volume, but every serious review of this headphone treats a proper desktop amp as the intended pairing. Don't spend flagship money to bottleneck it at the source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question provenance: the core comparison intent behind this article's primary keyword ("sennheiser hd 800 s vs sennheiser hd 560s", ~1,900 US monthly searches); debated in Audio Science Review and WhatHiFi community threads.
It depends on what you value and what you'll feed it. Reviewers credit the HD 800 S with a materially wider soundstage, finer treble refinement, and better build — but community listeners note the HD 560S gets surprisingly close on tonality (especially with EQ), and question the flagship premium for bass-forward genres. The upgrade makes sense for dedicated critical listening with a proper amp; for gaming, casual listening, or unamped setups, the 560S is the saner buy.
Question provenance: real FAQ phrasing from reviewatlas.co's HD 560S guide; common in Head-Fi threads.
Not strictly. Their 120 Ω impedance and 110 dB sensitivity make them "reasonably easy to drive from a laptop or desktop" (reviewatlas.co). An entry-level USB DAC or headphone amp will improve dynamics and control, so it's a worthwhile later upgrade — but unlike the HD 800 S, the 560S doesn't require one to sound good.
Question provenance: asked across RTINGS, SoundGuys, and virtually every HD 800 S review.
Yes. At 300 Ω and 102 dB sensitivity, the HD 800 S needs a proper desktop headphone amplifier to perform as designed — RTINGS states plainly that they "need an amp to drive them." Budget the amp into the purchase; driving them from a laptop jack wastes the investment.
Question provenance: central to the "vs" search intent; staging is the HD 800 line's signature trait per Stereophile, RTINGS, and SoundGuys.
The HD 800 S, by a clear margin. Its 56 mm angled drivers in deep earcups produce what RTINGS calls a "wide, spacious, and natural soundstage" with standout instrument localization — widely regarded as the benchmark for dynamic headphones. The HD 560S has a good stage for its tier ("coherent and pretty wide," per son-video.com), but reviewers don't put it in the same class.
Question provenance: frequent confusion in forums and retailer Q&As; addressed by benchchem's technical comparison and reviewer summaries.
The S is a refinement, not a redesign: same 56 mm ring-radiator platform, but with absorber technology taming the original's ~6 kHz treble peak, slightly extended low-end response (4 Hz vs 6 Hz on paper), and a balanced 4.4 mm cable included. If a review praises or criticizes the original HD 800's treble peak, that finding transfers only partially to the S.
Question provenance: real FAQ from reviewatlas.co; common in gaming-audio communities.
Yes, particularly for competitive shooters — the wide soundstage and clean imaging help localize footsteps and positional cues, and the open-back design sounds more natural than most closed gaming headsets. The catch: there's no microphone, so you'll need a separate mic (a desk mic or a clip-on), and they leak sound, so they're for quiet rooms only.
Question provenance: real FAQ phrasing from reviewatlas.co ("Can you wear the HD 560S outside or while commuting?").
No — neither of them. Both are open-back: they provide essentially no noise isolation, they leak your audio to everyone nearby, and their 3 m cables are impractical on the move. For travel or office use, see our noise-cancelling headphone guide ().
Question provenance: treble complaints in WhatHiFi forum threads; sibilance caveat in geekman.in's review.
They can be, on the wrong material. The 560S's slight 6–8 kHz elevation delivers its clarity and detail, but geekman.in notes it can sound bright or sibilant on poorly recorded tracks, and some forum listeners describe excess treble. On well-recorded music the treble is detailed without fatigue (son-video.com). If you're treble-sensitive or mostly stream bright modern pop, audition first — or consider the warmer HD 650 instead.
Question provenance: the 560S's "reference headphone for analytical listening" positioning (Sennheiser); studio-use questions in Head-Fi threads.
For students and budget-conscious producers, the HD 560S: flat, revealing, honest, and no amp required. For professional critical listening where staging and micro-detail matter — and where a treated room and proper chain exist — the HD 800 S is the reference-grade tool (gearspace.com's pro-audio community counts it among mastering tools). Both demand a quiet room; neither isolates, so tracking with microphones nearby is out.
Final Verdict
The Sennheiser HD 800 S is the better headphone in absolute terms — a wider, more speaker-like soundstage, finer detail retrieval, and flagship build — and it remains the pick for dedicated home listening rigs with proper amplification. The Sennheiser HD 560S is the better purchase for most people — a genuinely neutral, analytical open-back that runs without an amp, games well, and asks a mid-range price.
Buy the flagship if you're building a system around it. Buy the 560S if you want superb sound without rebuilding your desk. And whichever you choose, give them a quiet room and decent source material — that's where both Sennheisers earn their reputations.
Final Recommendations
Best for soundstage and detail: Sennheiser HD 800 S — the flagship choice for staging and detail when a proper amp is part of the system
Best value open-back: Sennheiser HD 560S — a large share of the neutral-reference experience at a fraction of the flagship tier
Related Guides
- Best Noise Cancelling Headphones — for travel, office, and commuting, where open-backs can't go — - Closed-Back Audiophile Headphones Compared (planned) — when you need the Sennheiser sound without the leakage — - Headphone Amplifier Buying Guide (planned) — what the HD 800 S actually needs upstream — - Open-Back vs Closed-Back Headphones Explained (planned) — the design trade-off behind this entire comparison —
