Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX vs Sennheiser HD 560S
Quick take: The Sennheiser HD 560S costs $30 less.
Which one to buy
Owners argue about this pair constantly, and it's an honest split: the HD 6XX for warmth and the HD 560S for accuracy. Both are open-back Sennheisers that leak sound freely, with firm clamps that need breaking in, both cost around $200 or less, and both have replaceable pads and cables. The rest is about what you want music to sound like and what you'll plug them into.
The 6XX is an HD 650 in different paint, with the same drivers and the same Ireland production line. It's lush in the mids, polite in the bass and tuned for zero fatigue; fans call it liquid, and critics call it the Sennheiser veil. It forgives bad recordings and low-bitrate streams. The 560S is the measurement crowd's budget reference. It's neutral, with sub-bass that reaches where the 6XX rolls off and a wider, more precise stage, which makes it the family's gaming pick. Its treble is detailed to the point of brightness, and a small EQ cut around 5-6kHz is a common fix among treble-sensitive owners. Harsh recordings sound harsher on it.
Power is the practical split. The 6XX is 300 ohms and sounds flat and lifeless straight from a phone, so owners treat a modest amp or strong dongle as the minimum. The 560S is 120 ohms and sensitive, so a decent dongle gets it loud and an amp adds headroom rather than a transformation. If you don't own an amp, add one to the 6XX's real cost.
On build, owners say the 6XX's Sennheiser-made construction lasts a decade with part swaps, while the 560S's shiny plastic feels a class below its sound. The 6XX also has a buying quirk: in the US it's sold only through Drop, so returns and warranty go through Drop rather than Sennheiser.
Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX
If you listen mostly to jazz, rock, vocals or acoustic music, want something relaxing for long evenings, and have or will buy an amp. It forgives imperfect recordings.
Sennheiser HD 560S
If you want neutral sound for checking mixes, deeper bass extension, a wide stage for games, or a headphone that works properly from a dongle without an amp.
| Spec | Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX | Sennheiser HD 560S |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$200 | ~$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 | — | — |
| Weight | 260 g | 280 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | No |
| App EQ | No | No |
Pros & cons
Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX
- ✓Identical acoustics to the HD 650 at a fraction of the price
- ✓Rich, non-fatiguing tuning that flatters most genres
- ✓Renowned Sennheiser midrange for vocals and acoustic music
- ✓Parts (pads, cables, headband) interchangeable with HD 650
- ✓Comfortable 260g frame once the clamp breaks in
- ✓Frequently on sale well under $200
- ✓Detachable cable with 6.3mm adapter
- ✗300-ohm impedance sounds flat and quiet without a proper amp
- ✗Laid-back treble reads as 'veiled' if you want detail and air
- ✗Sub-bass roll-off typical of the HD 6-series
- ✗Narrow soundstage for an open-back
- ✗Open design leaks sound and isolates nothing
- ✗1.8m cable is short for some desk setups
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
Drop x Sennheiser HD 6XX vs Sennheiser HD 560S: common questions
Do I need an amp for the HD 6XX but not the HD 560S?▾
Mostly, yes. At 300 ohms the 6XX sounds anemic from a phone, so owners treat a modest amp or strong dongle as the minimum. The 560S is 120 ohms and sensitive, so a decent dongle drives it, and an amp only adds headroom.
Is the HD 560S's wider stage better than the HD 6XX for gaming?▾
The HD 560S. Its angled drivers give a wider, more precise stage where footsteps and pan positions land clearly. Owners call the 6XX's soundstage small and intimate, which is lovely for vocals and weak for competitive games.
I'm sensitive to bright treble. Should I pick the HD 6XX or the HD 560S?▾
The HD 6XX. Its relaxed treble is built to avoid fatigue. Owners describe the 560S's top end as bright on hot recordings, and some EQ it down a little around 5-6kHz.
Is the HD 6XX built better than the plastic HD 560S?▾
The HD 6XX. It shares the HD 650's construction and modular parts, and long-term owners report years of daily use with only pad wear. The 560S works fine, but owners call its hard plastic toy-like for the price.