Sennheiser HD 490 Pro Headphone Review

[Audiophilia]

Ha, yeah, I've got a K702 with an aftermarket cable that has a long steel mini-XLR connector and on rare occasion with certain head movement I sometimes feel something, but rare - as the others have said it depends on your anatomy - how close your ear is to your shoulder & how much your shoulders slope, all that crazy stuff! Munchkins with short necks & square shoulders are most affected!

AKG is def not a good example since the connector is placed slightly outward/upward, but those that has the connector at the bottom of the cup will cause issues depending on how you sit and position your head. The point is, why cant Sennheiser slap the same connector from HD560S/HD400 Pro or 2-Pin from HD6XX,the market is already flooded with many of those cables (balanced/unbalanced).

BTW I placed the order today, got it for 250 USD in my country. Coming from DT880 Edition, comfort is my 1st priority so returned the 560S and bought this instead. I can handle this little annoyance as long as it sounds as good as 560S.

 

[Robbo99999]

AKG is def not a good example since the connector is placed slightly outward/upward, but those that has the connector at the bottom of the cup will cause issues depending on how you sit and position your head. The point is, why cant Sennheiser slap the same connector from HD560S/HD400 Pro or 2-Pin from HD6XX,the market is already flooded with many of those cables (balanced/unbalanced).

BTW I placed the order today, got it for 250 USD in my country. Coming from DT880 Edition, comfort is my 1st priority so returned the 560S and bought this instead. I can handle this little annoyance as long as it sounds as good as 560S.

Looking at K702 the connector is slightly forwards on the cup compared to HD490 (and is attached to the "central hub" of the cup rather than the very bottom), so yeah that would mitigate the issue vs 490. Yeah, strange design choice on 490, probably should have had a shorter connector on it.

 

[Audiophilia]

Alright, i take my words back. Sennheiser used Low profile Mini-XLR cable with the HD490 Pro, hence there is no rubbing shoulders/collarbone issue whatsoever. Also this is probably the first ever Sennheiser Headphone under 250 USD that was made to fit nice and comfy.

 

[Robbo99999]

Alright, i take my words back. Sennheiser used Low profile Mini-XLR cable with the HD490 Pro, hence there is no rubbing shoulders/collarbone issue whatsoever. Also this is probably the first ever Sennheiser Headphone under 250 USD that was made to fit nice and comfy.

Ah right, I thought you already had the headphone when you mentioned collarbone rubbing earlier - no issues with it then - good!

 

[Leonm771]

can someone tell me how to remove the pad lol
I read the manual then you can see WTF in my face.

edited: OK I found a video of how to do it .

jesus christ dude sennheiser please add some hashtag in your video or clip it to the homepage of hd490pro.

 

[Leonm771]

I like both producer and mixer pad , I can call it is a real upgrade of 560s.
Happy to recommend it .

 

[trolliferous]

Anyone try using an impedance adapter to tune these? I picked up a cheap 220ohm adapter off of amazon and I find that coupled w/mixing pads these sound quite good. Brings the bass up a bit -- which while not as good as an actual bass shelf -- is definitely a noticeable improvement. And the comfort on these is to die for.

 

[numgis]

I picked up a pair of HD490 Pro's this weekend for general music listening and so far really enjoying the sound and comfort. A huge step up in sound quality from my old Sony and Beyerdynamic headphones. The bass is tight and clean, could be a bit more thump yes. The mids and highs are great without anything shouting at me. I can also listen to them for hours without my ears getting tired, perhaps that's why the bass is not so heavy? I tried a bunch of headphones in several music stores and found the HD490 Pro the best of the bunch, even better than all $1k+ headphones I tried. I did like the FiiO FT5, it had a lot of bass but not so good on the mids and highs.. but I also could not compare them side by side as the same store did not have both. Now that I purchased the HD490 Pro's I may take them to that store to compare directly to the FiiO FT5 and also the new FT1 Pro's. The same store also carries the Dan Clark Audio Noire X set which is a bit out of my price range but apparently very good. Any other sets you guys recommend I try? I still have time to return the HD490 Pro's...

 

[Vitali]

Any other sets you guys recommend I try?

Neumann NDH30

 

[starence]

Any other sets you guys recommend I try? I still have time to return the HD490 Pro's...

No, the 490 Pros sound great and they're light and comfortable. I would just enjoy them.

 

[Robbo99999]

I picked up a pair of HD490 Pro's this weekend for general music listening and so far really enjoying the sound and comfort. A huge step up in sound quality from my old Sony and Beyerdynamic headphones. The bass is tight and clean, could be a bit more thump yes. The mids and highs are great without anything shouting at me. I can also listen to them for hours without my ears getting tired, perhaps that's why the bass is not so heavy? I tried a bunch of headphones in several music stores and found the HD490 Pro the best of the bunch, even better than all $1k+ headphones I tried. I did like the FiiO FT5, it had a lot of bass but not so good on the mids and highs.. but I also could not compare them side by side as the same store did not have both. Now that I purchased the HD490 Pro's I may take them to that store to compare directly to the FiiO FT5 and also the new FT1 Pro's. The same store also carries the Dan Clark Audio Noire X set which is a bit out of my price range but apparently very good. Any other sets you guys recommend I try? I still have time to return the HD490 Pro's...

Hifiman HE400SE with Oratory EQ, or if you're not gonna use EQ then Sennheiser HD560s.

 

[pieterv1]

Just ordered the HD-490's (B-stock with an additional discount, at €379 incl VAT). I've had my eyes on them since the launch and it seems like people have really grown fond of them in the meantime. I'm currently using a Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT in the studio so it'll be my first serious open-back headphone. I'm especially looking forward to how comfortable the Sennheisers are supposed to be.

Question: I have a Motu 828x, which is still a pretty serious audio interface I suppose. Should it be able to drive the HD-490's easily?

I'm willing to Invest in a active monitor controller with headphone output or maybe a hifi headphone amp with balanced audio passthrough (and separate volume control for the line-outs and headphones). Open to suggestions!

 

[solderdude]

Question: I have a Motu 828x, which is still a pretty serious audio interface I suppose. Should it be able to drive the HD-490's easily?

Yes, no problem.

 

[pieterv1]

Whoa like I said, this is my first serious open-back listening/mixing headphone, but man this thing sounds awesome!
Very happy with my purchase! Got a 2nd hand FiiO KA17 on the way or 80 euros as well. I think I'm good for a while.

Would it be worthwhile to grab Sennheiser's balanced cable?

 

[staticV3]

Would it be worthwhile to grab Sennheiser's balanced cable?

Try the 3.5mm cable first.

If it doesn't get loud enough, consider buying the balanced cable (+50% volume on most Amps).

 

[Somafunk]

Whoa like I said, this is my first serious open-back listening/mixing headphone, but man this thing sounds awesome!
Very happy with my purchase! Got a 2nd hand FiiO KA17 on the way or 80 euros as well. I think I'm good for a while.

Would it be worthwhile to grab Sennheiser's balanced cable?

They/you don’t “need” a balanced cable but I bought one anyway as I disliked the standard cable with the coil and the feel of the cable wasn’t to my liking, this is what I bought below in 4.4mm, standard black cable - very happy with it as it weighs nothing and is extremely supple in use

RPL-HC-8: Female 4-pin mini-XLR headphone cable for HD 490 and Drop DT177X GO Heapdhones

This is a 4.5 ft [F] 4-pin mini-XLR cable serving as a great replacement (Upgrade) over the stock cable that came with the popular Beyerdynamic DT177X GO headphones. The standard version of this cable is terminated to a threaded 3.5mm TRS connector and comes with a 1/4" screw on adapter. use the...

hartaudiocables.com

 

[pieterv1]

They/you don’t “need” a balanced cable but I bought one anyway as I disliked the standard cable with the coil and the feel of the cable wasn’t to my liking, this is what I bought below in 4.4mm, standard black cable - very happy with it as it weighs nothing and is extremely supple in use

RPL-HC-8: Female 4-pin mini-XLR headphone cable for HD 490 and Drop DT177X GO Heapdhones

This is a 4.5 ft [F] 4-pin mini-XLR cable serving as a great replacement (Upgrade) over the stock cable that came with the popular Beyerdynamic DT177X GO headphones. The standard version of this cable is terminated to a threaded 3.5mm TRS connector and comes with a 1/4" screw on adapter. use the...

hartaudiocables.com

Personally, I have no issues with the supplied short cable (with the small coil).
There seems to be a small selection of TRRS to mini XLR cables on Aliexpress as well (for specific AKG headphones). All around the 35 - 40 euro mark.

It looks like going with the Sennheiser cable, bought at a EU-based webstore where I can get a proper invoice, will still be my cheapest option.

 

[Mr Swing King]

Personally, I have no issues with the supplied short cable (with the small coil).
There seems to be a small selection of TRRS to mini XLR cables on Aliexpress as well (for specific AKG headphones). All around the 35 - 40 euro mark.

It looks like going with the Sennheiser cable, bought at a EU-based webstore where I can get a proper invoice, will still be my cheapest option.

If you don’t have any issues with the stock cable, then why search for a balanced one?
This headphone is very easy to drive (high sensitivity), so unless you are experiencing hum/noise there really is no need to go balanced.
I know the big thing in audio with regards to amps and headphones these past 10 years has been balanced drive, but there is really no evidence that suggests any sonic differences compared to single ended under normal circumstances. Sure if you are running your 300 metres worth of cables through a recording studio or a Metallica concert, you just might need a balanced cable to weed out the noise…but for normal usage? I wouldn’t bother.

 

[pieterv1]

If you don’t have any issues with the stock cable, then why search for a balanced one?
This headphone is very easy to drive (high sensitivity), so unless you are experiencing hum/noise there really is no need to go balanced.
I know the big thing in audio with regards to amps and headphones these past 10 years has been balanced drive, but there is really no evidence that suggests any sonic differences compared to single ended under normal circumstances. Sure if you are running your 300 metres worth of cables through a recording studio or a Metallica concert, you just might need a balanced cable to weed out the noise…but for normal usage? I wouldn’t bother.

I meant the feel & finish of the stock cable specifically

I will first try unbalanced, yes! I get plenty of volume from my WiiM Ultra's built-in headphone out, MacBook and Motu 828x indeed. And I don't see myself swapping the cable each time between using it at my desk vs with the FiiO.

 

[Chota]

I bought th HD 490 Pro for testing, cause so many influencer, youtuber and self-proclaimed experts said, this is their perfect headphone even better then HD 800S (which I dont own)
First I am 55, bit ear damage from to much motorcycle riding so I loose some treble.
I bought it for music, blues, jazz, vocals and yes gaming. all this should he do perfectly.
I am no expert nor can I use all these nice adjective for describing.

My goal was and is to find the best headphone/IEM for me, my needs and my money. I thougt, paying double the price must be double in sound, he must be better.

You can laugh no, that I dont have any audiophile knowledge, that could be right, I give nothing of curves, doenst matter if it calles Harman or any thing else.
I listen to music and say: Ok I like it, or love it and my music sounds awesome to me.

The HD490Pro has for me to much bass, which sounds dull and muddy and not clear. No chrytal clear most describe.
Soundstage yes it has sure, but not as most reviews I saw/read. Not near what I expect.
Imaging, any headphone should do this so the 490pro does.

I cant describe it but it sounds to me like I hear the music throuhg a wool sheet. that from bass to treble. Interesseting.
For 360€ you get no cover bag, only one cable.

I compare it to my Fostex T60RP. I know lot of dont like them but compared to the HD490pro I see no need to change to the 490 pro cause no improvement.
If I would have no headphones and search my first even then I would look some in range from 200-250€ maybe less.

For gaming, the dull sound is not for everyone. Maybe you have to EQ it, but for that price I wont EQ it, my old Superlux HD681 sound cleare dirctions are better to spot.

In short, it is not easy fo find a headphone that you like and fits your need and you say: wow.
I will return them.
Its not a bad headphone. But I dont like how it sounds.