The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are open-back, over-ear headphones. While Sonova acquired Sennheiser's consumer audio division in 2022, Sennheiser have remained in charge of their pro audio division, releasing products designed for professional applications. These headphones are emblematic of this shift; they're designed as an analytical listening tool that can aid you in all manner of audio-related work. As a result, they come with two sets of earpads: one for 'Producing' and another for 'Mixing,' with the aim of making these over-ears as versatile as possible. Other useful features include a dual-jack, detachable cable design that allows for greater freedom of movement while wearing them.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are excellent for neutral sound. With their 'Producing' pads, they boast an impressive bass extension for open-back headphones, with only a small amount of low-bass roll-off, so basslines and kicks have plenty of punch and slam. Their mids and highs are also quite balanced, though they lack detail in the upper-mid. Their somewhat inconsistent treble response can render sibilants both dull and piercing, depending on their tonality. However, they excel at delivering audio consistently, even if you have thick hair or wear glasses. Their decent passive soundstage performance adds depth and openness to their sound, though it's not quite on par with higher-end audiophile headphones. Overall, factoring in the added versatility of their swappable pad design, they're a great studio Swiss army knife.
The Sennheiser HD490 PRO are poor for commuting and travel as they're not designed for this purpose. Their bulky design makes it challenging to sling them in a backpack challenging while ensuring they're not damaged in transit. Their open-back design also means they have a terrible noise isolation performance that won't provide any attenuation against engine rumble or passenger conversations while on your commute. Plus, they leak a lot of audio, so you risk bothering others in transit.
The Sennheiser HD490 PRO are disappointing for sports and fitness use, though they're not designed for this use. While they're lighter on the head than some open-backs and are very comfortable, they're still quite bulky and will easily fall off your head if you decide to take them on a run. Their open-back design also means their components are more susceptible to damage from sweat or moisture.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are poor for office use. While they're very comfortable, they're bulky, and their open-back design provides minimal isolation against background noise in the office. They also leak a lot of audio, so if you work in a quiet office setting, others around you will likely hear your audio, even at regular listening volumes.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are wired-only headphones; you can't use them wirelessly.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are okay for wired gaming. While the slight low-bass roll-off will rob explosions of some of their intensity, the bass range is neutral enough that footsteps are rendered clearly. Their detailed mid-range helps bring out dialogue-driven cut scenes, too. However, their inconsistent treble response can cause sibilants to sound dull or harsh depending on their tonality. They have a decent passive soundstage performance that can help create an immersive gaming experience, and they're comfortable enough to wear for long gaming marathons. However, you'll need a standalone mic to communicate with your teammates.
The Sennheiser HD490 PRO don't have an integrated microphone, so you can't use them to take phone calls.
The following test groups have been updated after Test Bench 1.8: Sound Profile, Raw Frequency Response, Bass Profile: Target Compliance, Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance, Treble Profile: Target Compliance, and Peaks/Dips. Associated text changes have been made to match results from Test Bench 1.7 to Noise Isolation - Full Range and Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios. Text changes have also been made throughout the review to match these results.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO come in one color variant: Black. However, you can also purchase the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Plus. This isn't a variant per se but rather an option to purchase the same headphones with an extra 9.8 ft (3 m) cable, extra padding for the headband, and a case for an additional price. You can see our unit's label.
If you encounter another variant of these headphones, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are wired open-back headphones designed for a range of pro audio applications. They have a unique swappable pad design that helps them stand out from other similarly priced audiophile headphones, as it lets you tailor the sound profile and pad material to suit different stages of the audio creation process or to accommodate different listening preferences. Their bulky frame means they're not a natural choice to soundtrack a commute or run, but if you're using them in the studio or for at-home listening, you'll appreciate their comfortable fit with the velour 'Producing ' pads.
They carry on the lineage of the Sennheiser HD 660S2, a similarly priced pair of open-backs from the same manufacturer, but the HD 490 PRO have the advantage of extra ear pads. While other competitors like the Audeze MM-100 use planar magnetic drivers, which create a more immersive soundstage, these drivers add extra weight to the frame, resulting in a less comfortable fit than the Sennheiser.
If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best studio headphones, the best headphones for music, and the best open-back headphones.
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro and the Sennheiser HD 560S are both open-back, over-ear headphones that perform similarly. Both headphones have balanced sound profiles; the HD 490 Pro have a stronger bass response, but the HD 560S provide more detail in the mid and treble ranges. However, the HD 490 Pro have swappable pads that subtly alter the sound profile depending on what you're working on. Both are comfortable enough to wear for long periods and have great soundstage performances. That said, the HD 560S's soundstage is a touch more open and more immersive.
While the Sennheiser HD 600 are audiophile headphones, the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are more suited to professional use in the studio. The HD 490 PRO are more comfortable, deliver audio more consistently, and can reproduce stronger bass frequencies. They also come with two different sets of earpads that you can switch between depending on the task at hand. That said, the HD 600 have a more balanced mid and treble response that matches our target very well, bringing out more detail in vocals and lead instruments. They're also built more solidly and have a slightly more open-sounding soundstage.
While the Sennheiser HD 660S2 and the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO share the same manufacturer name, the latter is a product of Sennheiser's pro audio division, which translates to a better performance for analytical listening. The HD 490 PRO are more comfortable, and you can even swap out their pads to change the sound profile somewhat. Plus, their passive soundstage is a bit more immersive. However, the HD 660S2 are well-built with a slightly more stable design. They also come with a case that can help you transport them on the go.
The Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO and the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro are both open-back over-ears designed for analytical listening in the studio. While both headphones have a similarly open-sounding soundstage, the Sennheiser deliver your audio more consistently. They're also more comfortable, and you can choose between the two sets of pads provided to alter the sound profile, depending on the task at hand. The Beyerdynamic are better built though, with more metal involved in their construction.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO offer a more consistent frequency response than the Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee. The HD 490 PRO are also more comfortable and include swappable ear pads. On the other hand, the HD 58X Jubilee offer great value and can be used for similar applications like audio production.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are open-back headphones, and they have a better passive soundstage than the closed-back Sennheiser HD 620S. The HD 490 PRO supply a much more consistent sound. They also include an extra set of ear pads and particularly perform better than the HD 620S for people who wear glasses. The HD 620S are well-made and comfortable with a sparser set of accessories. Their noise isolation makes them more suitable to wear in different environments. Sadly, their bass response is highly impacted by their inconsistent frequency response.
The Sennheiser HD 660 S and the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are similar open-back, over-ear headphones. The HD 490 PRO have a more speaker-like passive soundstage. They're also designed for audio professionals and come with two sets of pads: one for producing and one for mixing. While the HD 490 PRO are the superior headphone, the HD 660 S are slightly cheaper and still a worthy set of well-made audiophile headphones.
The Audeze MM-100 and the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are both open-back, over-headphones designed for studio use. They have some differences in design that might cause you to prefer one over the other. The Audeze use planar magnetic drivers, and the Sennheiser use dynamic neodymium magnets and, as a result, the Audeze have a wider, more immersive soundstage. They're also much heavier, though, and less comfortable on the head. The Sennheiser also come with two sets of pads, so you can swap them out to alter the sound profile slightly. However, the Audeze have a higher build quality that will translate to better durability in the studio.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO have a sleek look reminiscent of headphones in Sennheiser's consumer audio line. They have perforated metal grilles similar to those of the Sennheiser HD660S2, with glossy, black plastic yokes, ear cups that resemble the MOMENTUM series, and an adjustable padded headband. They come with two different sets of earpads. The 'Producing' pads are made of a black velvet-like material, while the 'Mixing' pads are made from a rougher, gray, cloth-like material. Their design also means you can plug in the audio cable on either ear cup, allowing greater flexibility and range of motion. They come in one color variant: 'Black'. It's also possible to pick up the 'Pro Plus' variant, which comes with additional headband padding.
These open-backs have a very comfortable fit when using the 'Producing' pads, even if you wear glasses. The pads have a supple, velvet-like padding that feels great on the skin. While these headphones feel light on the head, they also feature soft, comfortable padding on the headband that minimizes pressure on the top of your head. The 'Mixing' pads are less comfortable but will still allow you to achieve a solid fit if you wear glasses.
These headphones aren't particularly portable, which is normal given that the manufacturer markets them as studio headphones that aren't designed for on-the-go use. While their ear cups swivel so they can lay flat, they're still very bulky and will take up a lot of space in a bag or backpack. They also lack a case to protect them from damage while they're being transported.
These headphones have a good build quality. Although they're mostly made of plastic and look cheap at first glance, this material keeps them lightweight yet sturdy. The ear cups have a nice depth, and the two sets of washable pads seem durable enough. The 'Producing' pads are made of a soft, velvety material, while the 'Mixing' pads are constructed from a coarser, cloth-like material. The headband is also easily adjustable, with replaceable padding that provides a good amount of cushion. However, the construction is let down by flimsy plastic yokes that feel less solid than the other components. Our unit also has two screws fall out of the left hinge, but this doesn't seem to be the norm for other units.
The Sennheiser HD490 come with two sets of pads designed to facilitate different professional audio applications. As a result, switching between the two sets of pads results in a different sound profile. We tested these headphones with both sets of pads, but we derived our scores from the tests carried out with the 'Producing' pads, which scored better according to our methodology. Overall, these pads have a more pronounced bass response, while the 'Mixing' pads feature a slightly boosted mid-range that can be useful if you're trying to listen analytically. It's great to have this versatility, as the increased comfort and more exciting sound profile can be useful when arranging and building a track up from the ground. You can then turn to the 'Mixing' pads, with their underemphasized bass and boosted mids, to fine-tune your mix.
With the 'Producing' pads equipped, these headphones have a fairly balanced and slightly warm sound profile. They have a surprisingly good bass response for open-back headphones, though the low-bass frequencies are de-emphasized in favor of some extra high-bass boom on kick drums. While the low and mid-mids are also somewhat elevated, leading to easily intelligible lead instruments, the high-mid response sounds a little distant. This dip carries over to the low-treble range, meaning the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments sound a little dull and lack a bit of detailed articulation. The rest of the treble range is more excited, so there's plenty of air and high-end brilliance.
The frequency response consistency is amazing. Once you find a good fit, you can achieve consistent bass and treble delivery. Both sets of pads perform similarly in this regard, too, so even if you wear glasses or have thick hair, audio delivery consistency won't change if you switch out the pads. You can see a graph of the frequency response consistency with the 'Mixing' pads.
The bass target compliance is remarkable, especially for open-back headphones with dynamic drivers. While the low-bass is slightly underemphasized, meaning your mixes lack low-end rumble, the rest of the range offers a healthy dose of bass. Kicks and basslines still have plenty of punch and slam for applications like sound production. On songs like Massive Attack's Teardrop, the kick sounds punchy and has a fast attack while still allowing the bassline to sound clear and present. You can see the same graph for bass with the 'Mixing' pads.
The mid-range target compliance is impressive. The response is virtually flat, though tilted to favor the low-mids, which beefs up bass instrument harmonics and rhythm guitars a bit. In the center of the mids, it's very flat for clear leads and speech. The top of the high-mid range is somewhat recessed, though, which can dull the upper harmonics of vocals and lead instruments. You can see a graph of the mid-range's target compliance with the 'Mixing' pads.
These headphones have great treble target compliance. While the response never deviates greatly from our target curve, there are some inconsistencies across the entire range. There's a dip in the low-treble range that weakens the details of vocals and lead instruments a bit. The upper frequencies of the low-treble into mid-treble response trend towards exaggeration, which adds zing and attack to acoustic guitars and the bells of ride cymbals. For a warmer treble response, the 'Mixing' pads, as shown in this treble target compliance graph, are worth consideration.
The peaks and dips performance is great, and these headphones control their own sound profile handily for the most part. The bass and mids are very flat up until a small drip in the high-mid and low-treble, which robs instruments and vocals of their upper harmonics of detail. A series of small peaks and dips in the low treble into the mid-treble results in sibilants that alternate between sounding a little dull and bright, depending on their pitch. Finally, a sharp peak at the top of the mid-treble adds a harsh, piercing quality to higher-pitched sibilants.
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro have great imaging. Imaging performance generally indicates good ergonomics and quality control, which we expect from Sennheiser's professional line. Our unit's left and right drivers are well-matched in group delay, ensuring that bass response is tight and treble reproduction is transparent. They're also well-matched in phase and frequency, although there were some slight mismatches in their amplitude. This kind of imaging performance ensures that objects are well localized within the stereo field. However, imaging tends to vary between units.
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro have a decent passive soundstage performance. Their open-back design helps create a soundstage that sounds open and spacious, especially compared to closed-back headphones. However, they still sound a little unnatural. They aren't as immersive as top-of-the-line audiophile headphones like the Sennheiser HD 800 S, as their design doesn't facilitate audio interaction with the outer ear in quite the same way. You can see a graph of the soundstage with the 'Mixing' pads.
The weighted harmonic distortion performance is great. There's a sharp high-treble peak in the right driver when listening at regular volumes, but this will be difficult to notice with regular audio content as we lose sensitivity to this range over time. Otherwise, all frequencies fall within good limits, producing clean and pure audio at moderate and high volumes.
These are the settings used to test the Sennheiser HD490. We used the 'Producing' pads for all tests. Our results are only valid when used in this configuration.
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro's full range noise isolation performance is terrible, which is normal for open-back studio headphones. As a result, they block almost no bass or mid-range noise by virtue of their design. So if a drummer is rehearsing in the studio next door, lower-pitched elements of the kit, like the kick and snare, will make their way into your audio. They provide a slight amount of passive isolation against higher-frequency noises, like fridge hum, but it's minimal. In this case, the open-backed housings have a much greater impact on their lack of noise isolation than the ear pads, both of which isolate roughly the same amount.
The open-backed headphones are terrible at isolating noise in common scenarios. Very high-pitched sounds are slightly muffled, but keystrokes and HVAC noises still reach your ears unimpeded.
The leakage performance is terrible. While these headphones don't leak quite as much audio as other open-back models, like the Sennheiser HD 660S2, their design still means that others near you can very easily hear what you're listening to. Escaping audio is primarily concentrated in the high-mid and treble ranges, so it sounds quite tinny. If you plan to use these exclusively in a quiet studio environment, this will be fine, but if you take them on the bus or train, others around you will hear your audio at regular listening volumes.
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO come with a 1.8m (5"9') audio cable, with a 1/8" audio jack on one side and a proprietary connection type on the other that plugs into the headphones. They also come with a 1/4" adapter, so you can use them with professional-end devices, like soundcards and headphone amps. Latency via analog connection is virtually non-existent; this is great if you ever need to use them for tracking instruments like synthesizers, as you won't experience any delay between your keystrokes and the audio signal.
You can connect these open-backs to your PC via their audio cable. However, you can't send audio to your PC without purchasing a standalone mic.
These headphones are compatible with PlayStation-family consoles; you can plug their cable directly into your controller. However, they don't have a mic, so you can't send audio.
These open-backs are compatible with Xbox-family consoles if you connect them to the controller's AUX port. However, you'll need a standalone mic to communicate with your teammates.