Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Open-Back Professional Headphone

Product Description:
Experience the perfect mix of clarity, comfort, and reliability. HD 490 PRO studio reference headphones are built to handle all the complexities of today’s music production. Featuring an open-back design that delivers an extremely wide, dimensional sound stage and ultra-precise sound reproduction, HD 490 PRO gives you the clarity you need for your most critical mixing decisions. Handcrafted and German-engineered with built-to-last components and a lightweight, comfortable design, HD 490 PRO lets you feel the music and forget about the headphones. Meticulously engineered ergonomics eliminate pressure points while the open-back design provides natural ventilation, making hours in the music feel like minutes. Two sets of switchable ear pads, each with a unique sound signature for long hours of mixing and producing, eliminate ear fatigue and are designed with sustainability and durability in mind — they’re both washable and replaceable. HD 490 PRO also includes the innovative dearVR MIX-SE plugin from Dear Reality, placing you in the “sweet spot” and turning your DAW into an ultimate virtual mixing environment. DearVR MIX-SE simulates the carefully designed acoustics of mixing studios, helping you ensure a balanced, consistent translation of your mix on different systems. HD 490 PRO helps you achieve your full creative vision, eliminating audio blind spots, putting you in full control of every detail, and ensuring accurate playback beyond the studio. HD 490 PRO includes: 1.8 m cable, mixing ear pads, producing ear pads.
Open-back design with an extremely wide, dimensional sound stage and ultra-precise localization
Uncolored frequency response for honest, dynamic sound reproduction across the full spectrum
Sustainability-inspired with washable, replaceable pads and FSC-certified, forest-friendly packaging
Includes Dear Reality dearVR MIX-SE plugin, turning your DAW into an ultimate virtual mixing environment via advanced spatial audio technology
Two unique sets of ear pads for producing or mixing help eliminate ear fatigue and pinpoint frequencies

Product Summary:

Item Details:

Products Reviews:

Reviewer: Chris M.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: My Favorite Heaphones so far.
Review: I bought these on an impulse really. I am not a pro of any kind, I am just looking for the good stuff. So I saw new Sennheiser’s actually being marketed to working professionals instead of their usual “cool guy” marketing I decided it give it a go. Reviews on the usual sites like rtings were good too.I have to say these things are fantastic. They are actually MORE comfortable than Hifiman Edition XS. In part because they weigh less than half those weigh. My ears are on the large size and they fit in the cups just fine. And I listen to music all day long while working, and so far these clear 8 hours a day with comfort. Oh and I have a huge head. Like I have to get the largest sizes for hats. They fit me fine, no hot spots.Now onto build. The new adjustment mechanism is very nice, the headband is spring steel, and the earcups and hinges are fiberglass-reinforced polymer. So the stuff they make tools and firearms out of. Sure it doesn’t feel all that nice to the touch, its a bit like fine sandpaper, but the stuff is 2nd only to steel in terms of durability. This is a HUGE step up from the usual simple plastics of my other headphones. This gives me hope these headphones will stand up well without physically breaking like a few have over the years.I also really like the standard 4 pin mini-XLR connector. This means these are balanced capable right out of the box. And you can switch sides. Now at present its hard to find these since not many companies offer it for headphones, but it means the cable will be easily replaceable when it inevitably breaks. Speaking of cables, the little coil near the headphones really does eliminate “microphonics” from the cable rubbing your shirt.Now for the big one. Sound. I am no pro, and I don’t have a fancy set up. But I can say I really like these. I am using the velour “producer” pads because I enjoy that softer sound profile. First of all these ARE producer/mixer headphones. Meaning they are flat, and rather uncompromising. Despite that, they manage to deliver an enjoyable listening experience directly out of my DAC/amp. I can’t say the same for some of the Beyerdymanics or Sony production headphones I’ve tried. They also are sensitive enough to run off typical audio devices like your laptop without an amp, but they do appreciate an amp.What really shines here? They are bright and detailed on the top end yet extend nicely down to give a rich, full bass. Quite possibly the strongest, best bass you are going to find in open-backed dynamic driver headphones. Its deep, rich, clean, and with a nice bit of thump/punch. I find I notice more high end details in my songs wearing these. All while avoiding the piercing, sibilant nature found in so many production headphones. They manage to keep that characteristic “Sennheiser veil” which makes these easy to use and enjoy.The bass its rich, deep, and full. Bass has always been a weakness of open back headphones. These extend down deep and loud like closed backed headphones. It even honestly thumps when the song was mixed for it. And despite this I have never felt the bass was muddy or distorted. Honestly these sound like quality planar magnetic headphones, all while using dynamic Drivers.These also have amazing sound stage, making both games and music a joy to enjoy with these. This is probably the best spatial audio I have ever heard. In games the location of audio is so good I have to resist instinctively looking over my shoulders, and I have been honestly confused if it was storming outside for real, or it was just the game until I checked the game.I have about 6 different pairs of headphones in the $400 range. These are BY FAR my favorite and the ones I keep going back to. I am not sure I am going to find better headphones unless I am willing to spend double the price they go for.I think we can rest easy that Sennheiser Pro still has their magic.
Reviewer: (((k)))
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good, features, sound, and comfort.
Review: I have tried a multitude of headphones over the last 2 years trying to find something that suits my audio taste, comfort, and features. Some include (all returned for various issues) Air Pods Max, Focals, Audiotechnica, Grado. Many of these are either very heavy, uncomfortable, or power hungry and hard to drive. Some have ergonomics or packaging issues. Some had frankly unreasonable attached cable lengths and comfort issues. Sennheiser has made the best overall design of everything I’ve tried.Likes:-Reasonably easy to drive on all of my gear including phone, Quedelix 5K, laptop.-Good ergonomics and impressive articulation. The actual driver cups move in every direction and are very cleverly engineered.-Good build quality and materials.-Light weight-The single end output cable is a nice feature and it can be placed on the L or R side, the cable is also nice quality and the coil in the cable is a nice touch.-To me the sound is very clear and well balanced and there is impressive bass when it’s present in media.-The fit of these is secure and the cable does not stick down from the driver in an obtrusive way. They feel well proportioned and at times I forget I am wearing them.Dislikes:-The pads are proprietary and although good and there is 2 to choose form in the box, there are no aftermarket options.-Sort of spendy. I did not choose the plus because of its limited usefulness to me however I wish a had the case could not justify the already high prices.I wear headphones for many hours and the most important thing for me is weight and comfort. These are good in that regard and the lower impedance then many in the category is welcome too. I am not hyper critical about sound although I could be. I find that over time I will acclimate unless there is some noticeable issue. The sound is not fatiguing to me and I find them enjoyable.Looking forward to many years of use and I’m glad Sennheiser released something with these features.
Reviewer: Kaedin
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: crazy good headphones, with comfortability to match with subtle looks. Highly recommended
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: After seeing people rave about this headset, i wanted to try it, i own a hd598 for almost 10 years and it’s been amazing.The headset in question, is very light and the fact that it is plastic… although reinforced… it’s scary to think long term.The sound quality is amazing, the hd 598 has a bit of “mush?” where things all sort of colide at moments, for example, running in a game with loud background audio and stepping in water, it all combines whereas on the hd 490 you can clearly hear both sources. The sound stage is also incredible so for FPS games, it’s amazing.Unboxing, this is where my first concern was, watching all the reviews who i believe are US/Germany and what not, i expected to unbox them and wear them, instead i was met with creaking, the earcups have a U join made out of the same plastic material and the bit that inserts into the earcup, seems to have quality control issues, just touching that bit will cause creaks and it’s transferred into your ear when moving your head or talking while wearing them.It’s a shame because if not for the creaks that can happen multiple times in minutes… or be an hour apart, they are super comfy, even with glasses, you don’t realise they’re on your head at all and they clamp really well.Having the headphones on my head, and grabbing each earcup gently, if i push on the ear cup so it goes inwards at the top, which is how they’re designed… they creak, yes i don’t sit there pushing on my earcups in real use but i am getting creaking in normal use and this proves that the design is flawed or it has to be some UK batch issue.I have tried MULTIPLE of these headsets too, months ago i tried 2 or 3 pairs elsewhere because Amazon did not have them, then when amazon got them finally i tried both the hd 490 pro and the plus version, i can say, the plus version had was less issues making me think it is transit vibrations effecting the plastic joins… because the packing in the box is non existant and the plus version come in a hard carry case.
Reviewer: Greg Lassalle
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This item was used for a total of 3 hours at a moderate listening level while in my possession. I understand that the return “window” was closed 4 days prior to one side not working, but considering what I paid for this, what do I do now? This is crazy and frustrating. They sound great, but I’m now stuck with a $500 paperweight.
Reviewer: Kirill Hinev
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I ordered these headphones after 6 years using AudioTechnica ATH-50x. I really love this, it sounds very clean, frequencies are well balanced, headphones are very light and very very comfortable.
Reviewer: Ashman Brar
Rating: 1.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Received used product, It has scratches and dust on it, Changeable head foam is also missing,