If you want a roomier, bass-friendly open-back headphone for a big head, choose Philips Fidelio X2HR; if you need a more neutral, analytical sound for focused listening, choose Sennheiser HD 560S. Both are wired, open-back, around-ear designs, so neither is meant to block outside noise or keep your listening private.
Philips Fidelio X2HR vs Sennheiser HD 560S at a Glance
• Philips Fidelio X2HR strength: 50 mm drivers, open-back construction, and a self-adjusting hammock headband; trade-off: its sound is less explicitly tuned for neutral, analytical listening.
• Sennheiser HD 560S strength: a neutral, detail-focused presentation suited to comparing recordings; trade-off: its 120-ohm impedance is higher than the X2HR’s 30 ohms.
• Fit: The X2HR’s hammock headband offers a useful self-adjusting design; the HD 560S has a ventilated around-ear fit with soft velour pads.
• Connection: Both are wired. The X2HR includes a detachable 3.5 mm cable and a 6.3 mm adapter; the HD 560S uses a 6.3 mm jack and includes a 3.5 mm adapter.
• Choose the X2HR if you want a comfortable, lively home-listening headphone with a self-adjusting headband.
• Choose the HD 560S if you want a more neutral sound for close listening, music analysis, or gaming.
The Fidelio X2HR is the more compelling fit-first option for someone concerned about headband pressure or a large head. Its lightweight self-adjusting hammock sits beneath an outer headband, rather than relying on a conventional adjustable slider. That design may be appealing if you want the headband to settle into place without repeatedly adjusting it. The ear pads are replaceable memory foam with a breathable velour finish, another practical detail for longer listening sessions.
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
Its 50 mm neodymium drivers and open-back architecture point toward spacious home listening rather than isolation. The published frequency range is 5 Hz to 40,000 Hz, and the 30-ohm impedance is lower than the HD 560S’s. Those figures describe the headphones, but they do not establish that every source will sound identical; your device and recording still matter. A detachable 3.5 mm cable, 3.5-to-6.3 mm adapter, and cable clip are included.
I’d consider the X2HR if comfort and an engaging everyday listening setup matter more to you than strict neutrality. Skip it if you need closed-back isolation, wireless listening, a microphone, or the most explicitly analytical tuning of these two. Its open construction lets sound pass through, so it is better suited to a home or other setting where that is acceptable.
The HD 560S is aimed at listeners who want to hear recordings in a more neutral, revealing way. Its angled drivers are designed to approximate the listening position of speakers, and Sennheiser describes its tuning as linear and accurate. That makes its design a natural match for comparing mixes, remasters, or audio components—not because it guarantees a particular result, but because the stated goal is clarity across the recording rather than a deliberately emphasized presentation.
The open, around-ear design uses velour earpads and is intended to keep the cups ventilated during extended listening. Its frequency range is listed as 6 Hz to 38 kHz, with 120-ohm impedance and 110 dB sensitivity. The package includes a cable and a 3.5 mm adapter for the 6.3 mm connection. Those details make it a wired listening tool, not a travel headset with a microphone or noise control.
Choose the HD 560S if careful listening, gaming sound cues, and a reference-style presentation matter most. Its open-back build is not the right choice for blocking nearby conversation or keeping audio from leaking out. And if you are choosing mainly for a big head, the X2HR’s self-adjusting hammock is a more distinctive fit feature; the HD 560S’s stated strengths are its sound approach and ventilated earcups.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best fit feature for a big head → Philips Fidelio X2HR. Its self-adjusting hammock headband is the standout design advantage for this concern.
• Best for a lower-impedance headphone → Philips Fidelio X2HR. It is listed at 30 ohms, compared with 120 ohms for the HD 560S.
• Best for comparing recordings or remasters → Sennheiser HD 560S. Its reference-focused sound is designed to make differences and details easier to assess.
• Best for replaceable ear pads → Philips Fidelio X2HR. The X2HR’s memory-foam pads are specified as replaceable.
• Best for a ventilated fit during long listening → Sennheiser HD 560S. Its open, around-ear cups are designed to remain cool without touching the ears.
• Best for a detachable cable → Philips Fidelio X2HR. The supplied 3.5 mm cable detaches, and the package also includes a cable clip.
• Best for a straightforward gaming use case → Sennheiser HD 560S. Its sound design is described as suitable for extended gaming and identifying the direction of sounds, though it has no listed microphone.
Neither headphone solves every headset need. If you are searching for with microphone true wireless earbuds for big head, extra bass kids headset for big head, or wireless clip on earbuds for big head, these two products are a different category: both are wired, open-back headphones, and neither has a listed microphone. The X2HR may appeal more if you want a fuller, less strictly analytical listening character, but the provided specifications do not establish a specific bass boost. For children, wireless use, or hands-free calls, check the product features carefully rather than assuming either headphone covers those needs.
The open-back design also deserves a practical note. Both headphones are more appropriate for a quiet room than a commute or shared space where you need to contain sound. Neither lists noise control, and neither is a wireless option. Their differences are about fit design, sound intent, and connection details—not isolation or call features.
My Verdict
The X2HR has a self-adjusting hammock headband, which gives it a specific fit feature worth considering for a big head. The HD 560S has an around-ear design and velour pads, but its listed standout design focus is its angled drivers and neutral sound.
The HD 560S is the clearer match for neutral, analytical listening: its sound is described as linear and accurate. The X2HR is also designed for detailed listening, but its product information does not frame it as explicitly around reference neutrality.
Neither product lists a built-in microphone, and both are wired open-back headphones. If calls or wireless use are essential, look for a model that specifically lists those features.
The product details provided do not establish which one offers better value for your needs. Compare their current price on Amazon, then weigh that against the feature you care about most: the X2HR’s self-adjusting headband and detachable cable, or the HD 560S’s reference-focused tuning.
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