Home Headphones Apple Airpods Max Vs. Sennheiser Hd 560S

A Review By Comparison of the Apple Airpods Max Vs. Sennheiser Hd 560S

Last updated on Mar 14, 2023   7 min read
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Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max

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Reasons why you might like the Apple AirPods Max

Overall Score 3.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Weight of 384.8 g
  • Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)
  • Battery Life of 20 hours
  • Can Be Used Wirelessly
  • Has Ambient Sound Mode
VS
Sennheiser HD 560S

Sennheiser HD 560S

See price on Amazon

Reasons why you might like the Sennheiser HD 560S

Overall Score 2.4 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.

  • Weight of 240 g

A summary of the review by comparison

Category Features Apple AirPods Max Sennheiser HD 560S
DESIGN weight 384.8g 240g
has a detachable cable
has a tangle free cable
has an open-back design
cable length 3meters
has an over-the-ear foam
has stereo speakers
SOUND QUALITY has active noise cancellation (anc)
has passive noise reduction
lowest frequency 6Hz
highest frequency 38000Hz
sound pressure level 110dB/mW
driver unit size 40mm 38mm
impedance 120Ohms
has a neodymium magnet
POWER battery life 20hours
charge time 2hours
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery
CONNECTIVITY can be used wirelessly
bluetooth version v5
maximum bluetooth range 10meters
has a 3.5mm male connector
MICROPHONE number of microphones 9only
has a noise-canceling microphone
EXTRAS has ambient sound mode
control panel placed on a device
can be used as a headset
warranty period 1years
travel bag is included
has dolby atmos
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A breakdown of the review per specifications

Design

Weight

Apple AirPods Max 384.8g
Sennheiser HD 560S 240g

The Apple AirPods Max have a weight of 384.8g, these are higher than 320g, which we consider as the highest average a headphone should weigh for comfort during long use. We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to transport.

The Sennheiser HD 560S, at 240g weigh less than the Apple AirPods Max by -144.8g

Has A Detachable Cable

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Detachable cables are cables that have connectors on both ends. One end goes into your headphone earpieces, while the other end is inserted into a source device. Some new headphones, and not just the expensive ones, are coming with detachable cables, Sennheiser HD 560S are one of those.

Has A Tangle Free Cable

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Twisted headphone cables can be a great source of annoyance and inconvenience, Sennheiser HD 560S's cable is designed to minimize tangling. Constant twisting of the cables can also lead to microfractures in the copper wires, affecting sound quality, or rendering your headphones defective.

Has An Open-Back Design

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Headphones that are designed to allow air to pass through their ear cups from the rear of the speaker driver unit are known as open-back. This design provides a very natural and accurate sound, Sennheiser HD 560S have this kind of design which means that resonances and low-frequency that tend to build up caused by the rear enclosure are no longer a concern.

Cable Length

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S 3meters

A long cable ensures more freedom of movement, but remember that every cable based on the conducting material used has a certain amount of parasitic resistance, inductance, and capacitance. How much depends on the length and construction. Sennheiser HD 560S comes with a 3meters cable.

Has An Over-The-Ear Foam

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Over-ear headphones have larger earpads that fit around your entire ear Apple AirPods Max have a comfortable full-size form with earcups that fully enclose your ears. This design is loved for its increased sound isolation and the fact that it won't leak sound to your neighbors.

Sennheiser HD 560S with this design offer potential for maximum bass and loudness levels.

Has Stereo Speakers

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Apple AirPods Max have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience.

The Sennheiser HD 560S also have stereo speakers

Apple AirPods Max
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Sound Quality

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Active noise cancellation uses more advanced technology to reduce unwanted ambient sounds. How it works, it listens to the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and then inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 outside (noise from your surrounding) and adding -1 inside (counter sound within the device) to make 0 hence "diluting" the noise.

Apple AirPods Max allow you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue as you don't have to crank up the volume to overcome background noise.

Has Passive Noise Reduction

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Passive Noise Cancellation uses well-designed ear cups to seal out environment noise. This is used for both in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones where the headphone itself will keep surrounding noise out. The Apple AirPods Max sits tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that reduces background noise and prevents your music from leaking out.

Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that also the Sennheiser HD 560S isolates you from ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.

Lowest Frequency

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S 6Hz

Low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio device reproduces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sennheiser HD 560S's lowest frequency is at 6Hz, the lower the low-frequency response, the stronger and juicier the bass.

Highest Frequency

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S 38000Hz

High frequency response measures if and how well an audio device reproduces high audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sennheiser HD 560S's highest frequency is at 38000Hz, the higher the high-frequency response, the clearer and crispier the treble.

Sound Pressure Level

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S 110dB/mW

Sound pressure is the average variation in atmospheric pressure caused by the sound, the sound level .i.e how loud something is can be perceived differently by different people so we need to have a way of getting an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.

The sound pressure level, SPL, is the pressure level of a sound, measured in decibels, dB, Sennheiser HD 560S's measurement is 110dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.

Driver Unit Size

Apple AirPods Max 40mm
Sennheiser HD 560S 38mm

The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, its size dictates the loudness of the headphone. Apple AirPods Max driver unit is 40mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful and can produce better bass.

Sennheiser HD 560S driver unit is 38mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Apple AirPods Max by 2mm , many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.

However, large drivers usually have difficulty reproducing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they deliver better sound.

Impedance

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S 120Ohms

Impedance is the device's resistance to the electromagnetic current, when electricity flows through a conductor, it faces electrical resistance that counters the flow of current. The resistance of a wire is measured in ohms. Sennheiser HD 560S's impedance is 120Ohms, the lower the impedance, the easier it is to get higher volume and requires less power.

Has A Neodymium Magnet

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Neodymium magnets if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output using less power to do so. They can help produce music at quite a high sound pressure level, SPL, with the use of high magnetic flux. The Apple AirPods Max have this type of magnet.

Power

Battery Life

Apple AirPods Max 20hours
Sennheiser HD 560S

If your headphones play wirelessly, cancel ambient noise, or enhance your listening experience with active features, their battery life will reduce over time. The device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and have to charge the device less often. Apple AirPods Max's battery life is 20 hours

Charge Time

Apple AirPods Max 2hours
Sennheiser HD 560S

It takes 2 hours to fully charge the Apple AirPods Max's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the headphones for the first time or when they have been unused for extended periods.

Has A Battery Level Indicator

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Apple AirPods Max have a battery level indicator, an indicator shows you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights show the charging status of your headphones.

Has A Rechargeable Battery

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

A rechargeable battery is a type of electrical battery that can be charged, discharged into a load, and recharged many times, as opposed to a disposable or primary battery, which is supplied fully charged and discarded after use. Apple AirPods Max's battery can be recharged and used over again.

Apple AirPods Max
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Connectivity

Can Be Used Wirelessly

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Apple AirPods Max can be used wirelessly, wireless devices allow users more freedom of movement.

Bluetooth Version

Apple AirPods Max v5
Sennheiser HD 560S

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data transfers between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves. Apple AirPods Max has a v5

Maximum Bluetooth Range

Apple AirPods Max 10meters
Sennheiser HD 560S

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances. The Apple AirPods Max can connect at a 10meters distance via Bluetooth or infrared to another device.

Has A 3.5Mm Male Connector

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Being an industry standard audio plug, a standard 3.5mm male connector is suitable for use with all MP3 players and computer sound cards. This means that it is commonly used in stereo headphones to your phone or connecting your phone to an external amplifier, sound bars, your car radio, etc. Sennheiser HD 560S has this connector giving it a wider range of connectivity with most of the sound devices out there. All plugs have at least a tip and sleeve with the number of rings that stand as a differentiating factor.

Microphone

Number Of Microphones

Apple AirPods Max 9only
Sennheiser HD 560S

Apple AirPods Max have only 9 microphones, more microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise.

Has A Noise-Canceling Microphone

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Apple AirPods Max use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are designed to filter out background noise from the desired sound. Especially useful in noisy environments.

Apple AirPods Max
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Extras

Has Ambient Sound Mode

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Apple AirPods Max support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to pass through ambient noises so that they can still be heard. It’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic.

Control Panel Placed On A Device

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

There is a control panel on the Apple AirPods Max body, so you can easily access the volume control or remote without having to interact with a cable or another device it's connected to.

Can Be Used As A Headset

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Apple AirPods Max can be used as a headset. A headset is one headphone or pair with a built-in microphone. Headsets can be used for apps that require communication i.e. Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, games with voice chat, mobile phones, etc.

Warranty Period

Apple AirPods Max 1years
Sennheiser HD 560S

The period of time that warrant free repair and adjustment services in case of a malfunction occurring under normal use that has followed instruction manuals. When covered under the manufacturer’s warranty it is possible to get a replacement in the case of a malfunction. Apple AirPods Max have a warranty period of 1 years

Travel Bag Is Included

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Carrying headphones without a case, or putting them in bags without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. The Apple AirPods Max come with their own special case or pouch, which is useful for safe transportation.

Has Dolby Atmos

Apple AirPods Max
Sennheiser HD 560S

Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology that allows sounds to be interpreted as three-dimensional objects. Apple AirPods Max have Dolby Atmos, which allows them to have immersive, 360-degree sound.

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