Sennheiser HD-490 PRO

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.

After a decade producing and mixing with the Sony MDR-V700s, they finally gave out and I needed a single pair of headphones that could handle mixing, mastering, and producing without needing to switch between sets. I unfortunatley don't have the freedom to use monitors as I work from a home studio in my apartment, so I need the best I can get in terms of headphones. After way too much research, I landed on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro, and after a week of use, I can confidently say they’re exactly what I was looking for - what an upgrade!

These are the lightest studio headphones I’ve used, and easily the most comfortable. The padding is soft and breathable, the headband is highly adjustable, and the generously swiveling earcups make for an effortless fit. The build feels sturdy, with a mix of metal and fiberglass-reinforced plastic that feels tough yet light. I also think they look great - sleek, simple but refined.

I was torn between these and the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X. These were my top two contenders for open-back hybrid mixing / production hearphones, but the pretty easily 490s won me over, mostly because of sheer comfort. They sound very similar to be honest, with the 900s being a touch brighter. However, the 490s are dramatically more comfortable: lighter, less clampy, and with larger ear cups. I can wear them all day, even with glasses, with zero fatigue.

They come nicely packaged, and the ability to swap between two sets of pads is a great touch. I prefer the “producing” pads as they deliver more low end while still sounding clean. Despite being velour, they stay pretty cool on my ears and are incredibly soft. The ear cups are very roomy, making for a spacious, open feel without awkward rubbing or feeling clamped in.

A small but impactful feature is the swappable cable port. I love being able to connect to either ear cup. My old headphones had a fixed cable on that always got in the way / crossed my body.

Sonically, these are crisp, balanced, and full, with surprisingly generous bass for open-backs. As a producer and sound designer, I feel I can trust the low end without needing a second reference. Mix issues are far clearer now than they were on my older headphones - I should’ve upgraded a long time ago.

While the HD 600 or 650 might rival or even slightly outshine these in pure sound quality (I haven't tried them but many on Reddit / forums say so), the modern design, superior comfort, and long-session wearability of the 490s make them a clear winner for me personally, not to mention the powerful bass extension. With these I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything. I can work 10+ hours without fatigue or pressure points - sound is one thing but if one pair is more comfortable than another, as long as the sound is generally good, I'll reach for them 9 times out of 10.

My only minor gripe is the price. If these were under €300, they’d probably be considered as the best value on the market. At their current price, they feel slightly more aimed at professionals or audiophiles. Still, for me, the €110 premium over the DT 900 Pro X was worth it for the comfort alone - I use headphones all day, every day, so this is a cost I'm willing to spend. You really have to try them to appreciate what ~100g less and thoughtful ergonomics can do!

Overall, I’m extremely satisfied.

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!

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.

I compared these to the HD 600 and some Beyerdynamic headphones.
The sound is very detailed and wide, with excellent representation across the frequency spectrum.
However, I have a big issue with the earpads: inside each pad, there are "R" and "L" markings which are not flat. Part of my right ear touches the "R" letter inside the right earpad, which becomes really annoying over time and feels somewhat itchy. It is a bit better with the producer pads but still I am not sure if I can work with them like this, so most probably will be returning them.
Most of the users do not seem to have this problem, but there are some reporting to have same issue. Never had this issue with any other model of headphones.