HeSuVi + Sennheiser HD 560S: Setup Guide
The HD 560S is the community’s favorite budget reference headphone — and arguably the best HeSuVi partner under $200. Setup, profile, and EQ.
Why This Pairing Works
The HD 560S (~$200, often less on sale) is loved for three HeSuVi-relevant traits: excellent imaging out of the box, a neutral tuning that takes AutoEq correction gracefully, and an open-back soundstage that layers beautifully with virtual surround. It is the headphone r/headphones recommends most for gaming — and HeSuVi makes it better.
Setup
- Install Equalizer APO + HeSuVi per the setup guide.
- In HeSuVi’s Equalizer tab, load the AutoEq preset for ‘Sennheiser HD 560S’ — it is in the built-in library.
- Pick a dry GSX profile for competitive play or an Atmos capture for cinematic single-player.
- The 560S is easy to drive — no amp required, though a basic DAC/amp cleans up noisy onboard audio.
Recommended Tuning
- Competitive: AutoEq + GSX + +2 dB at 2–4 kHz for footsteps.
- Music: AutoEq only, surround off — the 560S’s stock tuning is already excellent.
- Movies: AutoEq + Atmos capture + slight sub-bass lift (the 560S is bass-light by design).
Limitations to Know
- Bass-light: open-back + neutral = modest sub-bass. EQ helps; physics has limits.
- Sound leakage: open-back — not for shared rooms or commuting.
- If you need closed-back isolation, see our DT 770 guide instead.
The Bottom Line
HD 560S + HeSuVi is the price/performance king of headphone surround: reference imaging, free AutoEq, and your pick of 150+ surround profiles — for the cost of the headphones alone.
More pairings: HD 600, DT 990, DT 770. New to HeSuVi? Download it here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HD 560S good for gaming?
Excellent — top-tier imaging and soundstage for its price. HeSuVi’s virtual surround builds on that strength.
Does the HD 560S need an amp with HeSuVi?
No — it runs fine from onboard audio; a DAC/amp is optional cleanup.
What EQ should I use for HD 560S in HeSuVi?
The built-in AutoEq preset for the HD 560S, then small seasonal tweaks per use case.