Sennheiser HD-490 PRO

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Studio Headphones

Wired headphones
Circumaural
Open
Dynamic
Frequency range: 5 - 36,100 Hz
Impedance: 130 Ohm
Sound pressure level: 105 dB (@ 1 Vrms @ 1 kHz)
Maximum sound pressure level: 128 dB
Driver size: 38 mm
Max. input level: 300 mW
Distortion factor: < 0.2%
Velour ear pads (washable at 30°)
Detachable, smooth and single-sided 1.8 m cable
Connection: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
Weight (without cable): 260 g
Colour: Black
Including 3.5 mm to 6.3 mm jack stereo adapter, 1 pair of producers ear pads, 1 pair of mixing ear pads, download code for dearVR MIX-SE software

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

3-Year Thomann Warranty

Available since January 2024

Item number 581283

Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

Design Over-Ear

System Open

Impedance 130 Ohms

Frequency range 5 Hz – 36100 Hz

Adapter Yes

Replacable Cable Yes

Marrone/Argento Black

Max. SPL 128 dB

Sensitivity 128 dB

Type Of Connector Jack, mini-jack

Adaptor Yes

Weight 260 g

Replaceable Cable Yes

Colour Black

4.555 kr

All prices incl. VAT

Sales Rank

in HiFi Headphones

Reference-class headphones

In the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, the German audio expert Sennheiser has created a professional-quality set of reference headphones specifically designed for mixing and mastering in the studio. Their open construction allows them to reproduce a very broad, spatially accurate soundstage. Potential sources of audio interference can be localised precisely, enabling genuinely analytical mixing; to this end, the HD 490s also provide a wholly colourless frequency response across the entire spectrum. Practically, they come with removable ear pads that are even machine washable, providing many years of hygienic use. This set as sold includes two different pairs of ear pads and a download code for the Dear Reality dearVR mix SE plugin, which can be used to simulate a virtual mixing environment. All told, the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO headphones are a robust, studio-grade solution that will ensure successful mixes in many professional settings.

Man wearing the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO headphones

Sophisticated technology

The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, with its high-end 38mm drivers, is capable of reproducing a frequency range of no less than 5Hz to 36.1kHz – an unusually wide spectrum, even for reference headphones. The sound profile has been further optimised thanks to numerous very sophisticated design elements: For instance, the HD 490s' clearly defined, full bass response has been achieved by integrating a special low-frequency cylinder system. Harmonic distortion, on the other hand, is kept to a minimum by an innovative open-frame architecture, which results in a particularly clear and precise sound and minimises resonance. The resultant distortion factor is less than 0.2%, which is as low as it sounds. The ergonomic design, with velour and fabric ear pads, ensures comfort even when mixing for several hours. The impedance of the headphones is 130 ohms.

Flexible, functional, comfortable

The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO headphones not only offer a clear, neutral sound profile and reliable German workmanship, guaranteeing accurate and versatile audio mixing, but they've also been designed to be especially comfortable, too. Sennheiser really has brought its decades of experience to bear in developing these reference headphones, and they're bound to impress even the most exacting sound engineers. In addition to a 1.8m long cable with strain relief collars, the HD 490s also come with two sets of ear pads, one of which is designed for a warmer sound when producing music, while the other is best suited to mixing, with a deliberately neutral sound. The Dear Reality dearVR mix SE plugin can also be used to simulate a virtual mixing environment, allowing audio pros to work on the go and still produce outstanding results.

About Sennheiser

In June 1945, Prof. Fritz Sennheiser founded the Wennebostel Laboratory, which initially produced measuring equipment. Commissioned by Siemens in 1945, the young company developed the MD-1 microphone, which was launched in 1946. After the development of further microphones, the company was renamed Sennheiser Electronic in 1958. Two years later, Sennheiser introduced the MD 421 dynamic microphone, which is still in production today and still held in high esteem by many sound engineers. Further groundbreaking developments, such as the HD 414 headphones and the classic MD 441 microphone, hugely enhanced the company's international reputation, eventually making Sennheiser one of the leading manufacturers of microphone and headphone systems in the world.

Connect to any DAW

In addition to a 1.8m cable, a 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter is also provided, so the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO can be used flexibly. For example, users can connect them directly to the headphone socket of a laptop to perfect their mixes while travelling; it's in cases like this that the Dear Reality dearVR mix SE plug-in, which can be used to simulate a virtual mixing environment, really comes into its own. The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO can also be connected via audio interface to a professionally equipped recording studio, where they can be used to create binaural headphone mixes of the user's productions in 3D audio, a format ideal for digital distribution.

In the spotlight

Dear Reality dearVR mix SE

The Dear Reality dearVR mix SE plugin comes ready to simulate three professional studio environments, each with four mono and stereo configurations. In addition, six further monitoring environments can also be simulated, making mixing particularly flexible. The Spatial Headphone Compensation mode supports as many as 55 different headphone models, making this plugin compatible with almost any professional device. For the best mixing results, users can adjust the parameters for their exact monitoring position and separation, with separate settings for reverb and low frequencies. The dear Reality dearVR Mix SE plugin is available in AAX, VST, and AU formats, so it can be used with any DAW.

This is what customers who viewed this product bought

Sennheiser HD-490 PRO Plus

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44 Customer ratings

5 34 Customers 4 8 Customers 3 1 Customer 2 1 Customer 1 0 Customers

4.7 / 5

sound

comfort

quality

Review guidelines

39 Reviews

Perfect

K.Zed 27.02.2024

Very rarely do I review anything and even less so after only 1 day of use. I have to say this headphone is perfect for me. I already like the Neumann speaker sound. With the mixing earpads, it's very close to my pair of KH 150 speakers. I came over from using primarily Beyerdynamic headphones for several years. I can say that the Sennheiser/Neumann sound is something I prefer greatly. If you like that sound signature as well, it's worth looking into.

Comfort is also another thing worth noting. I wear glasses and these are the most comfortable headphones I've tried. Very little clamping force yet it doesn't feel like it will fall off.

Only downside I can find is that the build feels a bit flimsy, so you really got to care for it.

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Just what I was looking for!

ANDREWRC 20.02.2024

Super lightweight and comfortable headphones. They have a very detailed and clean sound without any of the sibilance & grittiness of the HD560s or the laid back veil of the HD6X0 series.

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Finally can trust the sub on headphones!

The.professor 29.02.2024

I was looking for some trusty headphones for producing/mixing/mastering and having tried the Audio Technica R70x before, i knew those were the ones to get as i liked the way they sounded in the mid and high frequencies, the space, even though i had noticed the lack in low and sub frequencies (as always with open back headphones). By the time I checked they were out of stock and I did some research for any better, new options. It was the right time because it was 2-3 weeks from the release of Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. They looked very promising and i was willing to pay a little bit more for something newer. I got them and i have to say i am very happy that i did. The first time i get the low end precise on open back headphones with the producer earpads. I loved it. It’s clear and punchy without being overwhelming at all. At first I expected them to be more “airy” in the highs, they don’t give you that sparkle in the highs as you would expect from headphones in this price range, but after listening/working on them for 2-3 days I adapted to the sound and i made a few mixes that translated very well. I have to say they sound better combined with a good preamp (listening through Motu M4 interface i could feel slightly a deeper sound wider soundstage and more clear highs). The mixing earpads tend to be more flat and have a little bit more highs but i prefer the producer earpads for the nice sub translation.
The sound quality is the main focus for me when it comes to headphones but i have to say, the comfort on these is another 5 stars, i worked on them for hours and i forgot i was wearing headphones after a while!

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Detailed and pleasant sounding

s0ren 05.01.2025

I contemplated for about a year whether I should try them, wondering if they would deliver a worthy upgrade over the classic DT 770 (considering the higher price) - Luckily they do!

I never found the DT 770 pleasant for listening, but I like their detail when producing. I am pleased that the HD 490 not only excels in both scenarios, it is also vastly superior. It ought to be given the higher price, but you never know. They do not feel as durable, but on the other hand they are lighter.

The HD 490 sounds very natural. Detailed but pleasant. Gone is the odd 4k dip and harsh high end. The stereo field is wider and the low end more precise / less muddy. In my opinion DT 770 is not good for mixing, but the HD 490 is. They cannot replace a set of good speakers (never tried headphones that could), but they do an excellent job.

One slight concern is that the headband cannot be extended very far. If you have a big head, voluminous hair or wear a cap, they might not extend far enough to fit over your ears. These are the first headphones I have ever owned where I have to extend to the maximum possible position.

Tested with a MOTU M6 interface.

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Sennheiser HD-490 PRO

Studio Headphones