Droc Three Wired Headphones Compared: MDR-7506, ATH-M50x and HD 560S
Three Wired Headphones Compared: MDR-7506, ATH-M50x and HD 560S
Start with the Sony MDR-7506 if you want a straightforward closed-back wired headphone at the lowest published price in this comparison. Choose the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x when detachable cables and different cable lengths are important. Choose the Sennheiser HD 560S for a quiet home listening space where an open-back design fits the room and the people around you.
The comparison below uses published specifications and U.S. prices checked November 5, 2026. It focuses on fit, connections, and intended use. Try the physical fit and your own playback device before committing, because those details can decide whether a technically suitable headphone works for you.
Compare the features that affect everyday use
| Model | Design | Useful hardware detail | Manufacturer-listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony MDR-7506 | Closed-ear, wired | 40 mm drivers; folding construction; 3.5/6.3 mm adapter | $114.99 |
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Closed-back, wired | 45 mm drivers; three detachable cables; 38-ohm impedance | From $159.00 |
| Sennheiser HD 560S | Open-back, wired | 120-ohm transducer; detachable 1.8 m cable; 3.5 mm plug and 6.3 mm adapter | $279.95 |
Prices exclude any applicable tax or delivery. The M50x page includes several finishes, so compare the selected color’s checkout price. Keep the model suffix exact: wireless versions and similarly named products can have different features.
Sony MDR-7506: start here for a lower-cost closed design
Sony lists folding construction, 40 mm drivers, a carrying pouch, and an adapter for 3.5 mm and 6.3 mm connections. At its listed $114.99 price, it is the first option in this group to compare for a wired desk or home listening setup with a conventional headphone output.
Check the space around that output and how the cable will run to your seat. If a phone has only USB-C or Lightning, include a compatible audio adapter in the plan. An amplifier’s line output is a different connection from its headphone output; use the latter or a suitable headphone amplifier.
Try the headband adjustment and ear-cup fit while wearing the glasses you normally use. Move your head as you would at the desk. If pressure or cup size becomes distracting, a different fit is more useful than insisting on a model because its price is attractive.
ATH-M50x: choose it for flexible cable arrangements
Audio-Technica supplies the wired M50x with a 1.2 m straight cable, a 3 m straight cable, and a coiled cable extending from 1.2 to 3 m. Its detachable connection is useful when the headphone moves between a nearby portable source and a more distant desk or stereo.
The model has swiveling ear cups and folds for storage. Its 38-ohm impedance is one specification to consider alongside sensitivity and the output capability of your source. Use the actual device during a trial instead of deciding that a single impedance number guarantees a particular listening level.
Choose the shortest supplied cable that comfortably reaches the source without pulling on the connection. Keep spare cables and the adapter together. A cable that fits loosely or is not fully seated can produce intermittent sound, so inspect the connection before assuming the headphone has failed.
HD 560S: choose it for a quiet, stationary setup
The HD 560S uses an open-back design and a 120-ohm transducer. Sennheiser’s current listing specifies a detachable 1.8 m cable with a 3.5 mm plug and a 6.3 mm screw-on adapter. Its listed price is $279.95.
An open design is best considered where outside sound and sound leakage are acceptable. For example, a private listening room presents a different need from a shared office, a library, or a bedroom where someone else is sleeping. Try that practical situation before choosing the design.
Connect the headphone to the source you intend to keep. Check that the source provides sufficient clean output at your preferred listening level with comfortable adjustment range. If it does, a separate amplifier may be unnecessary. If it does not, assess the source and headphone together before adding equipment.
Choose the room before choosing open or closed
Make a short list of your listening places: desk, living room, travel, or shared room. Mark where you need to reduce sound reaching other people and where surrounding noise is a problem. A closed enclosure can be the more practical starting point for shared spaces, but its passive isolation varies with design and fit.
These three are wired listening headphones. If active noise cancellation, wireless movement, or built-in call controls are essential, make those requirements part of a different shortlist. Avoid buying an otherwise attractive wired model and discovering that it does not meet your main use case.
For long sessions, consider the parts that touch you and the parts that wear: pads, headband, cable, and connectors. Check the manufacturer’s service and replacement-part options for the exact model before treating it as a long-term purchase.
Compare with a small, consistent listening set
Use three or four familiar recordings and keep the version consistent. Include a vocal recording, a track with sustained bass notes, and music with both quiet and louder passages. Begin at a low volume and increase only to a comfortable level.
Keep equalizer and other processing settings the same during the comparison. Listen for the aspects you care about, then write specific notes: whether the fit stays comfortable, whether the cable gets in the way, and whether the source’s volume range is suitable.
Take breaks and avoid turning up one headphone just to make it seem more impressive. If possible, compare over more than a quick shop demonstration, within the seller’s return conditions. Your normal listening environment is part of the decision.
Check the complete purchase and maintenance plan
Add any required adapter, source upgrade, or replacement accessory to the total. Check the seller, exact model, condition, warranty terms, and return procedure. Refurbished and used listings can be worthwhile comparisons when their condition and included parts are clear.
Follow the maker’s cleaning instructions. Keep liquid away from drivers and connectors, and store the headphone where the cable is not crushed or tightly bent. Replace worn pads using suitable parts because fit and sealing can change as they deteriorate.
The Sony is the lower-price starting point here, the M50x offers the most included cable choices, and the HD 560S serves the quiet-room open-back use case. Choose the one that meets your connection and comfort requirements, then use a moderate listening level. The concert hearing-protection guide also explains why loudness and duration deserve attention across your listening day.