Sennheiser HD 569 Review

Specs

Drivers: 38mm

Type: Dynamic Closed-Back

Frequency Range: 10Hz-28kHz

Impedance: 23Ω

THD: <0.2%

Weight: 1.6lbs

Wired Connectivity Options: Gold Plated ⅛” TRS (3.5mm) Jack

Design

Looks and Build Quality

At a glance, the Sennheiser HD 569 looks very promising, and you can always tell that it’s a Sennheiser headphone from a mile away. The ear cups are quite large up close and they do a pretty decent job of covering the ears. The padding on these headphones is not as thick as most conventional headphones but they are dense enough to provide a good seal around the ears. On top of that, the velour lining also helps add to a very comfortable experience.

Like many of the Sennheiser HD 500 series headphones, the headband is large and very well padded. There’s the same velour lining on the underside of the headband. Even though there are no metal reinforcement parts, this pair of headphones have a “weight” to them and feel very sturdy.

Even though Sennheiser managed to cut the costs down with this pair of headphones, they didn’t compromise on the aesthetics, the finishing on these headphones is quite impressive and they manage to give off a very premium vibe. Unfortunately, these headphones do not get praise for being one of the most durable headphones, because when it comes to bumps and scrapes: the weight and sturdiness of these headphones can also be their downfall. (especially if it’s down after falling accidentally)

Comfort and Portability

As you’ve already gathered by now, these headphones are pretty comfortable for long-term wear. Even though they weigh 1.6lbs (which isn’t exactly lightweight) the headphones are very well-balanced and padded enough so that users won’t feel the extra weight hanging over them. (You can thank the well-padded humongous headband for that)

Although Sennheiser designed these wired closed-back headphones to be used out on the road, they are not very easy to carry around. For starters, the ear cups are big, cannot fold, and are very stiff, so carrying them on your neck is not a viable option. On top of that, you don’t get a dedicated carry case or pouch right out of the box, so you might need to spend an extra $20 or more on a headphone case. (make sure they fit before you commit.)

One thing that is provided right out of the box: is the 3.9 ft (1.2m) aux cord for ⅛” TRS (3.5mm) jacks. These allow you to connect the headphones to your phone or laptop for listening to music or watching a movie. On top of that, there’s a 10ft cord with a ¼” TRS jack on the source end for more professional applications.

Controls and I/O

Also, like many budget headphones that are more focused on professional work, these pairs of headphones lack advanced controls and I/O options. These headphones only support a 3.5mm (⅛” TRS) headphone jack and don’t have advanced USB connectivity or direct ¼” TRS. In terms of controls, the inline microphone has a single button that can pause/unpause audio when it is playing and answer calls when the phone is ringing.

With multiple taps, you can also skip tracks or go back to the previous track. Unfortunately, the single button configuration cannot support volume control, so I recommend getting an affordable headphone amplifier and/or controlling the volume using the source device itself.

Sound

Bass, Mids, and Highs

Clarity is the name of the game, and the Sennheiser HD 569 does a tremendous job of maintaining it. With songs that have a lot of sub-bass, you won’t have trouble getting a clean and accurate response. The bass isn’t powerful by any means and most bass heads won’t enjoy it. Nevertheless, it manages to reproduce the bass as it was meant to be enjoyed without any fancy bells or whistles.

These headphones do a great job of emphasizing the mids and highs. Just like the bass, everything is clean, crisp, and played the way they were meant to be played. Unfortunately, some may not like this near-perfect rendition, but that’s just how the Sennheiser HD 569 does things to keep everything as true and natural as possible.

With that being said, if you don’t mind spending a little extra, check out our list of the top 10 closed-back headphones for everyday use.

Noise Isolation and Sound Leakage

Since these are closed-back headphones, the noise isolation capabilities are pretty decent. The over-ear design and moderately padded ear cups manage to seal the sound in and prevent outside noise from getting inside. Unfortunately, things can get a little hot inside your ears, especially when they are cooped up inside for long hours.

What We Like

• A Surprisingly accurate sound reproduction on all frequencies
• Beginner-friendly price tag
• Premium aesthetic and build quality

Know Before Buying

• Natural Bass reproduction can be boring for bass heads
• Lacks in-built microphone
• Bulky and awkward to carry around

Conclusion

Sennheiser wanted to give beginners a shot at experiencing studio-grade neutral audio quality with these closed-back headphones. On top of that, they tried their best to accommodate a “daily driver” experience. Unfortunately, these Sennheiser HD 569 wired closed-back headphones are best left to the studio/indoor entertainment system as it is too bulky to carry around and lacks volume controls to be taken outside for working out and traveling.