Best Headphones

Head to head · for music listening

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO vs Sennheiser HD 560S

More people recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO overall (75 vs 35). Only 1 of the 29 comments naming both explicitly choose one (0 for the Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO, 1 for the Sennheiser HD 560S), too few to call a winner.

Comments naming both
29
Say they own both
0
Choose the DT 990 PRO
0
Choose the HD 560S
1

Counted across 15 review videos, harvested Sep 2026. A comment counts as a choice only when it says so in plain words (prefer X over Y, upgraded from Y to X); questions never count. Quotes are whole sentences of 12 words or fewer, linked to where they were said. How we count.

At a glance the better number on each row is highlighted
Beyerdynamic DT 990 PROSennheiser HD 560S
Typical price$200$180cheaper
Overall rank#8higher#20
People who recommend it75more35
Say they own it112more36
Mentions775more384
Typeopen-back wiredopen-back wired
Known forOpen-backBass and trebleBuilt to lastAccurateHomeFirst serious pair
Best forBig, spacious sound on a budget for people who like sparkle and do not mind an amp.The safe first serious open-back for accurate music listening at home.
BuyAmazon · $200DirectAmazon · $180

#8 overall

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (250 ohm)

2 of the 29 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Wide, open soundstage with sharp imaging; owners who came from gaming headsets call it a revelation
  • Very comfortable velour pads; owners keep them for 5-7 years
  • Built like the DT 770 and repairable: pads, headband and cable are replaceable

The complaints

  • The treble: bright to sharp, the most repeated complaint of any Beyer; some EQ it down
  • Bass is present but not deep
  • 250 ohm version wants an amp; the Pro X or 80 ohm editions are easier to drive
  • US service and repair experiences are poor

In their words

#20 overall

Sennheiser HD 560S

0 of the 29 comments naming both come from people who say they own this one.

What owners love

  • Still the default open-back under $200 on Head-Fi; the 2024 thread asked if anything had replaced it and nobody named a clear successor
  • Neutral, accurate sound that works across genres
  • One Steve Hoffman owner calls it the most comfortable audiophile headphone he owns, out of five pairs

The complaints

  • No microphone, so it fails for people who also want calls
  • Plain plastic build
  • Neutral tuning can feel unexciting to bass lovers

In their words

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