Philips Fidelio X2HR vs Sennheiser HD 560S

Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 560S, if you are buying new. The Philips Fidelio X2HR measures as well as it (#4 vs #5 of 134 over-ear headphones, 4.5/5 vs 4.5/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Sennheiser HD 560S is still sold new at $199.95.

Why pick the Philips Fidelio X2HR: Its preference score of 94 comes from a smooth response within about 1.3 dB of the Harman target, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the midrange all within a dB of target. The catch: Sub-bass is about 4.6 dB below target, so the lowest notes in electronic and hip hop tracks lack impact.

What the Sennheiser HD 560S does well: It scores 93 on the Harman preference model, with the midrange and presence region (200 Hz to 6 kHz) within about 0.2 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound very natural. Watch for: Bass is lean, with sub-bass about 5 dB under target and 60 to 200 Hz about 1.2 dB under, which can sound thin on pop, hip hop and electronic music.

Buy the Sennheiser HD 560S new; the Philips Fidelio X2HR is no longer sold new, so it only makes sense as a used find.

Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.

Specifications Side By Side

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The Two Headphones In Full

Philips Fidelio X2HR: $159.95 Discontinued Amazon eBay

Pros: Its preference score of 94 comes from a smooth response within about 1.3 dB of the Harman target, with bass from 60 to 200 Hz and the midrange all within a dB of target. The slightly warm tilt suits listeners who find bright headphones fatiguing. At 30 ohms and 100 dB/mW it runs from a phone without a separate amp, and the 50 mm dynamic driver delivers it at a modest price compared with the Sennheiser HD 560S.

Cons: Sub-bass is about 4.6 dB below target, so the lowest notes in electronic and hip hop tracks lack impact. Treble from 6 kHz up is slightly recessed, with a 5 dB dip near 11.9 kHz, which takes some sparkle off cymbals. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation, and at 380 g it is on the heavier side. Discontinued.

Full Philips Fidelio X2HR review and specifications →

Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	1.27 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Drivers	1 x 50mm dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	5Hz - 40kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	94 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	30 ohms
Sensitivity	100 dB/mW
Tonal Tilt	-0.29 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.8 lbs (380 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.4 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+7.8 dB	0.70
Peak	64 Hz	-7.1 dB	0.68
Peak	4,982 Hz	+4.2 dB	0.79
Peak	5,096 Hz	-8.2 dB	2.97
Peak	29 Hz	+1.2 dB	4.24
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-1.2 dB	0.70
Peak	1,660 Hz	-2.7 dB	4.61
Peak	261 Hz	-1.0 dB	5.02
Peak	2,026 Hz	+0.9 dB	4.49
Peak	2,996 Hz	+1.2 dB	6.00

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Philips Fidelio X2HR (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Philips Fidelio X2HR vs HIFIMAN Edition XS

Sennheiser HD 560S: $199.95 Amazon eBay

Pros: It scores 93 on the Harman preference model, with the midrange and presence region (200 Hz to 6 kHz) within about 0.2 dB of target, so vocals and instruments sound very natural. At 240 g it is the lightest of the top group, and the open design gives a wide soundstage. Its 120 ohm impedance is still manageable from most modern sources.

Cons: Bass is lean, with sub-bass about 5 dB under target and 60 to 200 Hz about 1.2 dB under, which can sound thin on pop, hip hop and electronic music. Treble is also pulled back, with a deep 8.5 dB dip near 9.8 kHz that softens cymbals and sibilance. The open back leaks sound and provides no isolation.

Full Sennheiser HD 560S review and specifications →

Released	Sep 2020 (6 years ago)
Back	Open
Connection	Wired
Deviation From Target	1.58 dB standard deviation
Driver Type	Dynamic
Form Factor	Over-ear
Frequency Response	6Hz - 38kHz (Manufacturer specified)
Harman Preference Score	93 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ)
Impedance	120 ohms
Sensitivity	110 dB SPL (1 kHz, 1 V)
Tonal Tilt	+0.08 (negative is warmer, positive brighter)
Weight	0.5 lbs (240 g)

EQ preset to match the Harman target

Set a preamp of -6.6 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.

Filter	Frequency	Gain	Q
Low shelf	105 Hz	+9.0 dB	0.70
Peak	8,983 Hz	+4.4 dB	2.63
Peak	54 Hz	-5.4 dB	0.48
Peak	1,148 Hz	-1.5 dB	2.38
Peak	491 Hz	+0.6 dB	1.23
High shelf	10,000 Hz	-3.9 dB	0.70
Peak	7,451 Hz	+2.0 dB	3.91
Peak	4,502 Hz	-1.7 dB	6.00
Peak	1,937 Hz	+0.9 dB	3.93
Peak	5,639 Hz	-0.9 dB	6.00

• Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
  • AutoEQ results for the Sennheiser HD 560S (oratory1990 measurement)
• Head-to-Head Comparisons
  • Sennheiser HD 560S vs HIFIMAN Ananda Nano