These include interchangeable ear pads that adjust the sound quality for your production and mastering needs.
Sennheiser launched the HD 490 Pro and HD 490 Pro Plus headphones at the NAMM 2024, marking a new chapter in studio monitoring. These open-back headphones are designed to meet the demands of modern music production, offering detailed and accurate sound reproduction, and comfort for extensive audio work.
HD 490 Pro Features
Here’s what you can expect from the new Sennheiser HD 490 Pro:
Sound Quality
The core of the HD 490 Pro features a state-of-the-art neodymium magnet and an innovative low-frequency cylinder. Together, they aim to deliver full, accurate bass, essential for resolving low-end frequencies that often cloud clarity in mixes and masters.
Equipped with a 38 mm dynamic transducer, the headphones also offer an expansive frequency response ranging from 5 Hz to 36 kHz. This was made to address the need to capture and reproduce the finest details in audio in audio mixing.
Finally, the HD 490 PRO headphones are also designed with Sennheiser’s Open-frame Architecture. It allows for a comprehensive and well-defined audio experience, crucial for resolving panning placement and conflicting frequencies.
Virtual Mixing Plugin
Each pair of HD 490 Pro headphones comes with the full version of DearVR Mix SE plugin created by Dear Reality, powered by Sennheiser AMBEO.
This plugin transforms any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) into a superior virtual mixing environment. It simulates the acoustics of ideal mixing studios, helping achieve a balanced mix across various listening environments.
The plugin also offers four loudspeaker positions and three studio rooms, each with meticulously designed acoustics.
Users have the flexibility to tailor the virtual mix room with AMBIENCE and FOCUS parameters. These parameters allow control over diffusion and balance, providing a realistic and customizable mixing experience.
Design
The HD 490 PRO headphones are also engineered for comfort and durability. They feature a lightweight, flexible, and sturdy design, with precision-engineered ergonomics that eliminate pressure points.
Additionally, they come with two sets of switchable ear pads, each offering a unique sound signature for extended mixing and producing sessions.
The producing pads, made from velvet-like material, add warmth to the low end, reducing ear fatigue. On the other hand, the denim-like mixing pads offer a more analytical response (up to 1K), essential for critical mixing decisions.
The headphones also include geometrically angled earcups and a patented cable coil structure to block cable-borne noise.
Comparing the HD 490 Pro and Pro Plus
The HD 490 Pro Plus shares the same core design and performance characteristics as the HD 490 Pro. However, these headphones add some significant extras.
In addition to the standard 1.8m cable, producing ear pads, and mixing ear pads found with the HD 490 Pro, the Pro Plus edition includes a longer 3m cable, an additional headband pad, and a semi-hard travel case.
Availability and Pricing
The HD 490 Pro are priced at $399.00, while the HD 490 Pro Plus come with a price tag of $479.00. For those interested in purchasing these models, they are available directly from Sennheiser’s official website. The HD 490 Pro can be found at this link, and the HD 490 Pro Plus at this link.
Technical Specifications
- Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.2 % (1 kHz, 100 dB SPL)
- Transducer principle: Dynamic, open
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz to 36 kHz
- Wearing Style: Circumaural
- Max Sound Pressure Level: 128 dBSPL (1 kHz @ 5% THD)
- Connector: 3.5mm / 6.3mm
- Operating Relative Humidity: 10 to 80 %, not condensing
- Operating Temperature: +0°C to +50°C
- Sensitivity: 105 dBSPL (1 kHz/ 1 Vrms), 96 dBSPL (1 kHz/ 1 mW)
- Impedance: 130 ohms (1 kHz)
- Weight: 260 g. (w/o cable)
- Cable Length: 1.8m (HD 490 PRO Plus: 1.8m & 3m)