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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If audio quality is your top priority, especially for music, the Sennheiser 560S offers a superior listening experience but at a higher cost. For a more budget-friendly option that still delivers decent sound and has a better microphone for calls, consider the Sennheiser HD 400S. The HD 400S also has a closed-back design that isolates noise better, making it more versatile for various environments, whereas the open-back 560S has a broader soundstage which is great for home listening but not for noisy surroundings. Neither model is ideal for exercise due to their size and design. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Sennheiser 560S
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
7.1
The Sennheiser 560S is best in class for music, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Gaming
6.9
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Sennheiser 560S is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser 560S is poor.
TV and Video
9.1
7.6
The Sennheiser 560S is excellent for TV and video, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
5.3
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Sennheiser 560S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Sennheiser HD 400S is somewhat better.
Cost
$180
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Sennheiser 560S has a price of $180 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $50.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser 560S to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is good.
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
The Sennheiser HD 400S and Sennheiser 560S both have very good build quality.
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How the Sennheiser 560S and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser 560S | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$180 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.5/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.9/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 244.9 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sennheiser 560S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | March 2022
"Sennheiser made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Sennheiser 560S or the Sennheiser HD 400S
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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