Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Headphones - The New Reference? - SonicLAB Review

The frequency graphs must be telling the truth to some degree. To which end, a 10dB disparity from 1.2K to 3K is a LOT. Too much for me to trust in a mix situation. By comparison, the HD-600s only boast a 4dB disparity in that range, and I don't mix much below 40Hz, so... Cheers!

Since we can plug the cable 3.5mm on either side, is it possible plug a 4.4mm balanced cable in both sides? Thanks

good review

You need a US affiliate link for those of us across the pond. 😊 looking at the curve the Producer earpads look like it follows the Harmon curve and the Mixing earpads seems like it has a bit less bass and a bit more shouty, which makes sense as it may create a more v curve when mixing which a lot of listeners like.

What is the difference between HD 490 Pro and HD 490 Pro Plus?

Is this a headphone for analytical listening film music and classical music? And how did they sound compare to the DT 880 600ohm?

Are they trying to sell me better built DT880 for 3x price?🤔

HD820 vs 490 pro?

Comparison to the Neumann-NDH-30 please.

are these things quiet as hell like the Beyerdynamic

Some really nice features on these.

I wonder how they compare sound wise to the 600s / Bd DT 990 Pros

Wird der HD600 noch von der Familie Sennheiser hergestellt oder gehört dieser Kopfhörer auch schon zur verkauften Consumer-Sparte?

Und wie sieht das mit dem neuen 490 aus?

Excellent video. I was wondering, what headphone stands are those they look nice

They aren`t bad, but the Neumann NDH30 were the final choice for my mastering room. They just nail the transients way better.

Sounds like their great... but do they need a seperate headphone amp, or will your typical desk/interface/instrument drive these well? I was hoping it would have been mentioned by the close of the review... if anybody knows please reply :)

I had no idea the ear pads effected the sound you're hearing. Washable is really great. Thanks Sennheiser.

The breatheability of the ear pads is definitely important, i switched to IEM's in a large part because i used to get ear infections regularly in the warmer months as my ears were just too warm.

I wish this came in a closed back version.

Thx for this great video. But damn, now I need to buy the HD490. And retire my 650.

after complete trash deadphones hd660s2 i dont trust Sennheiser anymore, I will buy Sony MDR-MV1 instead of HD490. I just want to listen to the reasoning of this clown on why they destroyed this legendary company.........................ironically for an employee of a legendary company his audio sounds terrible, quick tip just buy Sure SM58 and Focusrite audio interface and you will sound 100 times better for half the price of your fancy Sennheiser headset................lol

I love my HD 600 — been using em for a decade and they’re still going strong. I’ll probably upgrade to these if mine ever fail.

Following along and these test songs are bangers lol

WHAT, THE SENNHEISER GUY IS WEARING WHAT DURING THE INTERVIEW??? ;-;

Are they better than 660S2?

Received my HD 490 and was hooked instantly. Most of my previous mixes sound OK. Some did not. That is the product doing what it is intended to do. I can say with certainty I can confidently mix on these!

"correcter audio" LMAO

I have HD 380 pros and i used them for mixing for years. They are closed back and my ears do fatigue after a few hours. Will the sound quaility be similar with the hd 600 or hd490. I know open back will be better for longer listening times.

Have you tested the ndh 30s as well? If so have you an opinion on differences between them for production and mixing?

What a great video and review.
Thanks a lot guys, you nailed it, that was really interesting and informative.
True professionals.
Big salut 🫡 from France and again, MERCI !!
ViNZ.

The changeable headband pads are a game changer. It's surprising how few headphone manufacturers consider this feature.

will give 'em a try, currently I like Sony MDR-MV1.....

Good review, since I own the Sonys and Senn 600's. Might splurge for the 490's now. Thx

sony mdr is a warm headphones with deeper bass . sens are generally very nuetral

It was great hearing from the manufacturer to hear directly from them on their product intent.

I tried these in the shop, compared them to the Sennheiser HD600 and the Hifiman Sundara. I like the HD 490 quite a lot. For enjoyable listening, I like them with the producer pads, the bass is very full. But for mixing, I'd use the other non-velour pads. It reigns in the bass toward neutrality. And then they are like a more refined, more comfortable HD600 with better soundstage, clearer less congested midrange and fuller bass (though not as overly full as with the velour pads). Interested to compare them to the Focal Hadenys. Which, might be their competition, though they do cost 200 more.

I am just listening to music and playing games... but these look very inviting comfort wise and I've been looking around for open back comfy headphone for long gaming sessions comfort.
That said, I don't want something super boring and analytical... I do value good audio quality though.
Are these hard to drive? Would you use these outside of production environment ?
And you can wash the pads!

about the senn interview - how is the person creating/mixing a track supposed to know what sounds he is putting in there if this headphone is "flat" and cannot represent bass and sub bass?
Does he reach for other headphone when mixing low end?
edit: amazing video with the interview, thanks

Nicely informative & elegant experience to be able to learn more directly from the Sennheiser product manager. Though there were moments where your questioning was on the border of hazing the Sennheiser representative over their strategically fantastic decision to provide two pairs of ear pads...

I understand the motivation behind it. You just seemed a bit strangely irritated at the lack of corresponding information provided there within.

This is just good faith feedback that it lost its way at some point during that stretch of the interview. Certainly more of an ad-hoc communication moment(s) than anything nefarious. You pretty quickly recovered, and it's nothing more than a blip.

It's clear that the overall intent was to highlight what differentiates the product, & then educate as much as possible. Personally, I couldn't be more appreciative of you and your Sennheiser guest doing just that.

PLEASE , sincerely, remove the comment below alluding to some juvenile "farting" on the product. It's disgusting & completely out of place for this venue. And if it's not, then I am.

Thanks

Interesting and informative video. Thanks, Man.

Nice review gents 👏 😊

How is the attack and punch of the 490? Not bass, but quickness of the drivers? Dynamics
Are they as good as the beyerdynamic 1990? ( EQed of course)

do you recommend 490 for gaming on PS5 Pro? does it have spatial sound?

Does anyone know what the headset microphone that Sonicstate is using, is called? Also, what is the microphone / headset used by Gunnar Dirks? Thanks if anyone can answer these questions!

Would love to see these compared to the Sony MDR MV-1, which are more of a direct competitor.

I ended up picking these up after watching this video. I spent all of 2024 producing, mixing, and mastering with the HD 490 Pro's exclusively. They are fantastic and I have had great results. I rarely have to make large adjustments to mixes when I work with these headphones. When testing songs on different consumer speakers and devices they just seem to come out better with no change to my production methods. They are easily one of best purchases I have made for my work.

Great video! 😎👍
Interesting to hear from Sennheiser R&D directly.
I’m a HD650 user since decades. A couple of weeks ago I did an A/B test with HD490 Pro. Such a huge difference!
I agree on all the findings and opinions in the video. Personally, I’m most impressed by the transients and the sound stage, including depth.
I ordered the Pro Plus kit from Thomann last week. Looking forward to get used to a new pair of reference headphones.
Keep up the good work! 🎧

Excellent review and discussion. Appreciated as always.

Excellent video and very well conducted interview. All important questions were addressed. That was very helpful. I will be ordering a pair to compare them to my beloved HD600.