Today, leading headphone manufacturer Sennheiser has unveiled a brand new addition to their professional headphone line, the HD 490 PRO. Harnessing decades of Sennheiser engineering expertise, HD 490 PRO headphones are equipped to handle all the complexities of today’s music production, mixing, and mastering. 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 needed for your most critical mixing decisions. For those who remember, the original 490s debuted years ago.
HD 490 PRO FEATURE OVERVIEW / HIGHLIGHTS
- Backed by decades of Sennheiser engineering, technology, research and development
- Uncolored frequency response for honest, dynamic sound reproduction across the full spectrum
- Two unique sets of washable, replaceable ear pads for producing or mixing help eliminate ear fatigue and pinpoint frequencies
- Open-back design with an extremely wide, dimensional sound stage and ultra-precise localization
- Innovative low-frequency cylinder system for full, accurate, and clearly defined low-end
- Precision-engineered ergonomics eliminate pressure points and deliver supreme, flexible, lightweight comfort
- Sennheiser Open-frame Architecture reduces total harmonic distortion (THD) and minimizes resonance, improving audio accuracy
- Includes Dear Reality dearVR MIX-SE plugin, turning your DAW into an ultimate virtual mixing environment via advanced spatial audio technology
MY EXPERIENCE
I’ve been using the various Sennheiser headphones for years now. My first pair was the 650, which I used extensively for production and mixing. These are a top choice for many audiophiles and artists, as they provide a very accurate and balanced sound. Then I got a pair of HD 25s for DJing and have been my main choice ever since. I say this to point out that I’m a big fan of their products, so it’s safe to say I was keen to get my hands on these. My current working pair of headphones is the Neumann NDH 30s, another open-back design, and I’ve become quite comfortable with their sound.
Upon pulling the 490s out of their surprisingly nice case, I first noticed how incredibly lightweight they were. Like shockingly light, bordering on feeling cheap. I suppose that’s to be expected though, because I’ve yet to find a pair from them that’s actually heavy. The Nuemanns are a bit dense and heavy so that added to my surprise. The 490 PROs are extremely comfortable, and as their official description says, they are most definitely wearable for hours on end. I don’t know if I have a sensitive head or what, but these are some of the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn.
In terms of sound, it’s as you’d hoped. Balanced and, like the company says, extremely wide. I do think it’s almost a little too wide, as it seems a little thin compared to others. When it came to the earpads, to be honest, I couldn’t tell any real difference, other than I thought that the velour pads were more comfortable. Plus I’m not sure why you’d want to change the sound of the headphones for different uses. There’s a slight difference in the EQ curve, with a more sustained dip from about 1500hz to 6k. Again, I couldn’t hear much of a difference, but maybe others would.
FINAL THOUGHTS
As with most Sennheiser products, I’m very impressed with the new 490 PRO headphones. They are some of the most comfortable I’ve ever worn, and the sound is flat without being dull. The additional earpads are a nice touch but don’t add much. It takes time to fully understand a new pair of headphones, but I feel comfortable doing most of my mixing in these even after only about a week with them. The hard case is also a very nice bonus.
Price: $399
For more information, click here.
