If you want a fun, wide, bass-rich open-back headphone for Xbox sessions and long movie nights, choose Philips Fidelio X2HR; if you need neutral, analytical reference sound for spotting every footstep and mixing your own audio, choose Sennheiser HD 560S. That's the short version. Both are wired, open-back, over-ear designs built for people who care about sound more than wireless convenience — and if you've been hunting through with mic gaming headphones for Xbox, wireless earbuds for Xbox, or even foldable sleep headphones for Xbox, you already know how rare it is to find a serious pair that actually delivers on a console setup. Neither of these two has a microphone or wireless mode, and that's exactly the point: they're pure listening tools. Here's how they actually differ.
• Philips Fidelio X2HR — biggest strength: 50 mm neodymium drivers with an open-back architecture and an extremely wide 5 Hz–40,000 Hz frequency range, giving a big, immersive, bass-forward presentation that's genuinely fun for games and film.
• Philips Fidelio X2HR — biggest trade-off: It's the heavier of the two at 13.4 ounces, and with only a 3.5 mm detachable cable you'll need the included adapter for gear that wants a 6.3 mm plug.
• Sennheiser HD 560S — biggest strength: Angled E.A.R. driver alignment and a neutral, linear tuning (6 Hz–38 kHz) that makes positional audio easy to read and A/B comparisons trustworthy.
• Sennheiser HD 560S — biggest trade-off: 120 Ohm impedance and a 6.3 mm jack with only a 3.5 mm adapter mean it wants more clean power than a controller's headphone out can comfortably give.
• Pick the X2HR if you want comfort, warmth and scale for casual Xbox play and music enjoyment.
• Pick the HD 560S if you want accuracy, a lighter fit and a tool for critical listening or competitive gaming.
The X2HR is the enthusiast's fun headphone. Its 50 mm high-definition neodymium drivers paired with an acoustic open-back architecture and double-layered, pre-tilted ear shells are designed to throw a wide, airy stage with real low-end presence. The 5 Hz–40,000 Hz range and Hi-Res Audio certification tell you Philips built this for people who want to feel a soundtrack as much as analyze it. On an Xbox, that translates to explosions with weight, ambient detail that surrounds you, and dialogue that stays clear — the kind of presentation that makes a long campaign session fly by.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Comfort is where it quietly wins. The self-adjustable hammock suspension with 3D mesh and a genuine leather outer band spreads the weight across your head rather than clamping it, and the replaceable memory foam ear pads with breathable velour stay cool over hours. The 3.5 mm detachable oxygen-free cable runs 3 m, which is generous for couch-to-console distance, and Philips includes a 6.3 mm adapter and a cable management clip.
Who should skip it? Anyone who wants a neutral, "flat" reference sound, and anyone who needs a mic or wireless freedom. There's no microphone and no Bluetooth audio path here despite the connectivity listing — it's a wired headphone. At 13.4 ounces it's also noticeably heavier than the Sennheiser, so if neck fatigue is a real concern, keep reading.
The HD 560S is the analytical one. Sennheiser tuned its transducers for accuracy and linear performance, with the E.A.R. angled driver alignment recreating the triangular listening position of a proper hi-fi speaker setup. The result is a wide, articulate soundstage without needing a treated room. If you want to hear the neutral version of your music — and reliably tell one component, remaster or file format from another — this is the design philosophy that gets you there.
For gaming, that neutrality matters more than it sounds. Sennheiser explicitly frames the open-back design as suited to extended gaming sessions, with an analytical sound that emphasizes high frequencies so you can pinpoint direction. In practice that's a competitive advantage: footsteps, reloads and distant cues sit exactly where they should. The ventilated around-ear cups stay cool without touching your ears, and the velour pads keep contact points soft. At 240 g it's the lighter of the two, which matters across a marathon session.
The trade-offs are real. Impedance is 120 Ohm with 110 dB sensitivity, so it's more demanding than the 30 Ohm X2HR — a dedicated headphone amp, audio interface or good PC output will show it at its best. The cable terminates in a 6.3 mm jack with a 3.5 mm adapter supplied, which is the reverse arrangement of the Philips. And like the X2HR, it has no microphone and no wireless mode.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for immersive, bass-rich gaming and movies → Philips Fidelio X2HR. The 50 mm drivers and wide 5 Hz–40,000 Hz range give more scale and warmth.
• Best for long-session comfort → Sennheiser HD 560S. At 240 g it's lighter than the 13.4 oz X2HR, and both use breathable velour.
• Best for plugging straight into a controller or phone → Philips Fidelio X2HR. Its 30 Ohm impedance is far easier to drive from modest outputs.
• Best for use with an amp, DAC or audio interface → Sennheiser HD 560S. The 120 Ohm load rewards proper amplification.
• Best for a big, roomy soundstage → Sennheiser HD 560S. The E.A.R. angled alignment is purpose-built for that triangular speaker-like presentation.
• Best for cable reach across a living room → Philips Fidelio X2HR. The detachable cable runs a full 3 m.
• Best for critical listening and A/B testing → Sennheiser HD 560S. Linear tuning is the whole design brief.
• If you need a mic or wireless → neither. Look elsewhere; both are wired, mic-free, open-back headphones.
In my opinion, the Sennheiser HD 560S is the better buy for most people who are serious about hearing their games and music accurately. It's lighter, its neutral tuning is more versatile across genres and competitive play, and the angled drivers deliver a soundstage that's hard to beat at this level of design intent. The catch is amplification — pair it with something that can drive 120 Ohm properly.
But I'd genuinely recommend the Philips Fidelio X2HR to a different buyer: the one who wants a plug-and-play, bass-rich, supremely comfortable headphone for Xbox nights, straight out of a controller or laptop, with no amp in the chain. If that's you, the X2HR is the more forgiving and more immediately enjoyable choice. For most Xbox players reading this, my nod goes to the HD 560S — provided you're willing to feed it clean power. Either way, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since both sit in a similar bracket and the value shifts over time.
It depends on your priority. The X2HR is easier to drive at 30 Ohm and gives a warmer, more cinematic sound straight from a controller. The HD 560S is more accurate for positional audio but benefits from an amp. For casual Xbox play, I'd lean X2HR; for competitive, HD 560S.
No. Both are wired, open-back headphones with no built-in microphone and no wireless audio. If you specifically need with mic gaming headphones for Xbox, wireless earbuds for Xbox, or foldable sleep headphones for Xbox, these aren't the right products — you'd need a separate mic or a different headset entirely.
The HD 560S is lighter at 240 g versus the X2HR's 13.4 ounces, which favors it over very long stretches. The X2HR counters with a self-adjustable 3D mesh hammock and leather headband that distribute weight well. Both use breathable velour pads, so heat buildup is minimal on either.
The Philips Fidelio X2HR, clearly. Its 30 Ohm impedance and 100 dB sensitivity make it far more forgiving of modest outputs. The Sennheiser HD 560S at 120 Ohm and 110 dB wants more voltage, so a headphone amp, DAC or audio interface is the better match.
The X2HR doesn't strictly need one. The HD 560S is the one that benefits most — it will play from weaker sources, but a dedicated amp lets its neutral, linear tuning show what it was designed to do.
• our ElecGear Game Card Reader vs Orzly Switch 2 pick
• JIAMQISHI Headset vs xinwld Earbuds
• POLVCDG Bone Conduction Headphones vs Laoziniu Bone Conduction Swimmin
• HAOMUK Replacement Ear Pads vs Duyfioa Replacement Ear Pads
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.