Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs Sennheiser HD 560S
Quick take: The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x costs $11 less.
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Sennheiser HD 560S |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$159 | ~$170 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wired & Studio | Wired & Studio |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | — | — |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | — | — |
| Codecs | — | — |
| Bluetooth | — | — |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | 45 mm | — |
| Weight | 285 g | 280 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | No | No |
Pros & cons
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- ✓Runs happily from a phone dongle at 38 ohms
- ✓Legendary durability — years of backpack abuse, still working
- ✓Folds flat with three detachable cables included
- ✓Punchy tuning flatters hip-hop and electronic
- ✓Cheap replacement pads make it effectively immortal
- ✓Decade-plus default first studio headphone for a reason
- ✗Coiled cable is heavy enough to tug your head
- ✗Pleather pads run hot and flake by year two
- ✗Clamp is firm on larger heads
- ✗Mid-bass bump and forward treble aren't mixing-flat
- ✗Trails the DT 770 for long-session comfort
Sennheiser HD 560S
- ✓Reference-grade neutral tuning with bass extension the HD 600/6XX lack
- ✓Excellent imaging and a relatively wide stage — superb for gaming
- ✓110 dB sensitivity means dongles and interfaces drive it fine
- ✓Light 280g with roomy earcups for long sessions
- ✓Detachable 1.8m cable plus 6.3mm adapter
- ✓Very low distortion (<0.05% THD) at the price
- ✓Frequently discounted well below its $200 list
- ✗Elevated treble with occasional sibilance — the usual first EQ target
- ✗All-plastic build feels cheap next to how it sounds
- ✗Open back: no isolation, full leakage
- ✗Revealing tuning is unkind to bad masters
- ✗Included cable terminates 2.5mm at the cup, limiting aftermarket options