OVER-EAR HEADPHONES

Why this, not something else

We tested across the $50-$600 range. The Bluetooth/noise-cancelling crowd has real winners (Sony XM5, Apple AirPods Max) but we kept coming back to one truth: if you care about sound, wireless compression is a tax you're paying in fidelity. The HD 560S is the wired answer for people who don't want to manage another cable — it uses standard 3.5mm, not proprietary.

What we tested

• Frequency response curves against reference tracks
• Long-session comfort (4+ hour wearing test)
• Build quality at the headband joint (the failure point on most headphones)
• Detachable cable replaceability (critical for longevity)

What we rejected

The Sony XM5 is the right answer if you want noise cancellation and don't care about absolute fidelity. It's not wrong. It's just solving a different problem. The Hifiman Sundara ($300) sounds better in a quiet room — worse in anything with ambient noise. The Beyerdynamic DT 770 is exceptional for monitoring but too heavy for casual listening.

The wireless argument

Yes, Bluetooth codecs have improved. AAC and LDAC are genuinely good. But we tested the same tracks through the Sony's LDAC mode and the Sennheiser's direct analog connection. The difference is measurable and audible. If you listen to compressed Spotify, you may not care. If you stream Tidal or Qobuz, you will.