Is Sennheiser asking for too much for their latest headphones?
Joshua Valour, a well-known YouTube reviewer, recently took a close look at the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro headphones. His review touched on every aspect of the headphones, from their design and comfort to their sound quality in comparison with other models.
However, one major question loomed over his entire review: Is the high price of the HD 490 Pro really worth it?
The Pros: Build and Comfort
In his review, Valour praised the headphones for their build quality and comfort. He noted they outperform the beloved HD 600 series in these areas.
According to him, the HD 490 Pro offer deeper ear pads, a softer headband, and less pressure around the head. Combined, these make them more comfortable to wear for long periods.
HD 490 Pro vs Pro Plus: Should You Upgrade?
Despite their advantages, Valour questioned the $400 price tag for the Pro version and the $480 for the Pro Plus version.
The Pro Plus version is priced a bit higher only because of the included additional ear pads, cable, and carrying case. But, he found it hard to justify the extra cost for the Pro Plus version.
He mentioned that the case is a convenient addition. But, since these are made for mixing and producing, users will most likely only use the headphones mainly at home.
Valour also criticized some design decisions, such as the headphone case, which requires adjusting the headphones to their smallest size for storage. This detail, though minor, reflects the overall user experience with the product.
He also reviewed the sound performance of the different ear pads provided in the Pro Plus version. For this, he concluded that the $80 premium for these accessories does not improve the listening experience enough to justify the extra cost.
“Personally, I just stick with the stock pads most of the time. The $80 extra dollar is not worth it for these pads specifically.” he shares.
“They don’t sound substantially different, and they definitely don’t sound better overall. So, I just wouldn’t necessarily recommend getting it just for these pads alone.”
Can the Sound Justify the Price?
As for the sound quality, Valour compared the headphones with other Sennheiser models like the HD 560 and HD 600 series.
During this, he acknowledged their good bass response. He noted that the headphones deliver a thumpier and stronger performance, especially when paired with the velour pads, which add a slightly warmer tilt to the audio.
He also praised the soundstage. But, even these highlights still didn’t justify the price.
The Verdict
As he ended the review, Valour recognized the HD 490 Pro’s strengths in comfort and certain sound qualities. But, he firmly questioned whether these merits justify the high price.
He suggests that these headphones should be considered a lateral move from other models in the Sennheiser lineup. This is because the HD 490s offer a different sound signature and improved comfort but not enough to validate the higher expense.
This critique invites potential buyers to carefully consider their options and priorities before investing in the HD 490 Pro.
The Community Reaction
Many viewers echoed Valour’s concern about the cost, with comments highlighting the ongoing debate about the product’s value.
Some also speculated that the HD 490 Pro’s price might drop over time, suggesting that buying early could mean paying more than necessary.
“I splurged quite far past my target budget to get this headphone, thinking I might get the perfect headphone for me… But for me it was quite uncomfortable because my ears touched rough surface inside the cups… I had to return them because of that.” shared one viewer.
“I also figured it might be significantly cheaper down the road. I might still get it then if there would be a way around that inside of the headphone.”
However, others also gave a different perspective.
One user criticized Valour for comparing the headphones with higher-priced models while scrutinizing the price tag.