If you want a closed-back, sound-isolating wired headphone for a big head, choose Audio-Technica ATH-M50X; if you need an open-back headphone for spacious, analytical listening, choose Sennheiser HD 560S. The ATH-M50X is the more practical fit for noisy rooms and one-ear monitoring. The HD 560S is designed for a more open presentation and extended listening, but it does not isolate outside sound.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X vs Sennheiser HD 560S at a Glance
• Sennheiser HD 560S strength: Open-back construction and angled drivers support a spacious, analytical sound; trade-off: it offers no noise control, so nearby sounds can remain part of the listening environment.
• ATH-M50X fit: A practical choice for monitoring, commuting between quiet spaces, or listening where outside noise is a concern.
• HD 560S fit: A strong match for focused listening, music analysis, and gaming in a quiet room.
• For a big-head purchase: Compare the over-ear fit and headband comfort carefully; the supplied specifications do not state headband size or adjustability, so neither model can be declared a guaranteed fit.
The ATH-M50X is a wired, closed-back, over-ear headphone built around 45 mm dynamic drivers. Its stated frequency range is 15–28,000 Hz, and Audio-Technica describes its presentation as clear across an extended range, with deep, accurate bass. The circumaural cups sit around the ears and provide passive isolation, a useful distinction if you listen near other people or in a room with everyday background noise.
Its 90-degree swiveling earcups add a practical monitoring option: one cup can turn aside for one-ear listening. That can make sense for someone moving between a recording setup and ordinary listening, or for a listener who wants to hear the room without removing both cups. The listed construction also includes professional-grade earpad and headband materials, though the sheet does not give a fit range or a durability test result.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-21 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
I would point a buyer toward the ATH-M50X if they value isolation, bass response, and the flexibility of one-ear monitoring more than an open soundstage. For someone shopping for big-head comfort, the over-ear shape is relevant, but it does not settle the question: no dimensions or headband range are provided. Skip it if your priority is an open-back design that lets sound and air move freely around the ear.
The HD 560S takes the opposite design approach. It is an open-back, over-ear wired headphone with dynamic drivers, a stated frequency range of 6 Hz to 38 kHz, and 120-ohm impedance. Sennheiser positions it for natural, accurate listening, with linear acoustics and smooth bass. Its angled driver alignment is intended to create a broad, articulate presentation that supports careful listening and comparisons between recordings or audio components.
The open cups are also described as ventilated, with velour earpads and a fit intended to feel light and unobtrusive. Those details may appeal during a long listening session in a quiet space. The design also suits gaming where hearing directional details matters. But open-back construction has a clear everyday consequence: the HD 560S provides no noise control, so it is a poor match when you need to block surrounding sound or avoid letting your audio spill into a shared room.
I’d consider the HD 560S for someone who listens at a desk, studies recordings, or plays games in a relatively quiet environment. Its 6.3 mm jack comes with a 3.5 mm adapter, which gives it more than one connection option. If you need a sealed cup for isolation, or want one-ear monitoring from swiveling cups, choose the ATH-M50X instead. For a big head, the light-feeling design and around-ear shape are useful clues, not a guarantee: the available details do not specify headband measurements or a maximum fit size.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for passive isolation → Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. Its closed-back circumaural design is specifically described as providing isolation from exterior noise. The HD 560S is open-back and has no noise control.
• Best for one-ear monitoring → Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. Its earcups swivel 90 degrees, giving it a feature the HD 560S does not list.
• Best for analytical listening → Sennheiser HD 560S. Its stated purpose is accurate, linear playback that helps reveal detail and makes comparisons between recordings easier.
• Best for bass-focused listening → Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. Its product information specifically highlights deep, accurate bass response; the HD 560S is described as having smooth bass within a more neutral presentation.
• Best for gaming in a quiet room → Sennheiser HD 560S. Its open design is described as suited to extended gaming and makes directional details easier to pick out. For a noisy room, the ATH-M50X’s isolation is the more relevant feature.
• Best for a big-head buyer who needs a fit guarantee → Neither based on the listed specifications. Both are over-ear, but neither sheet gives headband dimensions or an adjustment range. Check the fit details from the seller or manufacturer before deciding.
• Best for a shared or noisy space → Audio-Technica ATH-M50X. Its closed cups offer passive isolation; the HD 560S’s open design is better reserved for environments where sound leakage and outside noise are acceptable.
For a big-head buyer choosing between these two, I’d buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X if everyday practicality is the priority.
Its closed-back isolation, bass-oriented description, and swiveling cups make it the more flexible pick for monitoring and mixed listening situations.
I would choose the Sennheiser HD 560S instead for quiet-room listening where openness and analytical detail matter more than isolation.
Neither model’s listed fit information guarantees comfort on a big head, so I’d verify fit before committing.
FAQ
Both are over-ear designs, but the available product details do not provide headband dimensions or an adjustment range. I would not promise that either one fits every big head. Confirm the fit information before choosing.
No. It is open-back and lists no noise control. That design supports an open listening presentation, but it is not the right choice when you need passive isolation from nearby sounds.
The product information identifies the ATH-M50X as wired, with a 3.5 mm jack. Although a Bluetooth version field appears in the supplied details, the listed style and connectivity describe a wired headphone, so I would not buy it expecting wireless listening.
The HD 560S is described as having a ventilated open cup, soft velour pads, and a barely-there feel, making it a compelling option for long sessions in a quiet room. The ATH-M50X is the more sensible pick when isolation matters more than ventilation.
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