Sennheiser HD 490 Pro Reference Studio Headphones
Achieve perfect clarity, complete accuracy, and zero guesswork in your mixes with the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro open-back studio headphones. Designed to handle the complexities of modern music production, these reference headphones deliver an ultra-wide, true-to-life soundstage and precise audio reproduction. Whether you are tracking, mixing, or mastering, the HD 490 Pro gives you the professional-grade precision needed to make critical audio decisions with absolute confidence.
Dual-Purpose Engineering: Producing vs. Mixing
One of the standout features of the HD 490 Pro is its innovative dual-earpad system. Sennheiser includes two distinct sets of washable, geometric earpads designed to structurally alter the acoustic response of the headphone to suit your current workflow:
- Producer Earpads (Velour): Provides a slightly warmer acoustic response with a punchier low-end response, perfect for staying inspired during creative production and tracking sessions.
- Mixing Earpads (Fabric): Offers an ultra-flat, analytically precise response across the entire frequency spectrum, ensuring you hear every detail for accurate mixing and mastering.
Key Features
- Open-Back Architecture: Delivers an exceptionally wide, dimensional soundstage with localized imaging, helping you place elements perfectly within the stereo field.
- Neodymium Transducers: Advanced German-engineered 38mm drivers offer linear frequency response and maximum transient clarity without distortion.
- Ergonomic Lightweight Design: Engineered for grueling, marathon studio sessions with a lightweight, flexible headband that minimizes pressure points on the skull.
- DearVR MIX-SE Plugin Included: Turn your headphones into a virtual world-class mix room using the included DearVR software to ensure translation across spatial formats and stereo systems.
- Smart Cable Routing: The detachable cable can be plugged into either the left or right ear cup, adapting seamlessly to any desk or rack hardware layout in your studio.
Technical Specifications
- Design: Open-back, circumaural (over-ear)
- Transducer Principle: Dynamic, 38mm with neodymium magnets
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 36,000 Hz
- Impedance: 130 Ohms (highly compatible with professional studio headphone amplifiers)
- Sensitivity: 105 dB SPL (1 kHz / 1 Vrms)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.2% (1 kHz, 100 dB SPL)
What's in the Box?
- Sennheiser HD 490 Pro Headphones
- 1.8m Straight Cable (3.5mm jack)
- 6.3mm (1/4") Screw-On Adapter
- 1 Pair of Producing Earpads
- 1 Pair of Mixing Earpads
- DearVR MIX-SE Activation Code
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Producing and Mixing earpads?
The included geometric earpads change the acoustic response of the headphones. The Producer pads (velour) offer a slightly warmer response with a punchier low-end to keep you inspired while creating. The Mixing pads (fabric) provide an ultra-flat, analytically precise soundstage for accurate critical listening and mixing decisions.
Can the cable be plugged into either side of the headphones?
Yes. The HD 490 PRO features a smart, patented cable routing system that allows you to connect the detachable cable to either the left or right ear cup, seamlessly adapting to your specific studio desk layout and hardware geometry.
Do these headphones require a dedicated headphone amplifier?
With an impedance of 130 Ohms and highly efficient neodymium transducers, the HD 490 PRO performs exceptionally well when driven by standard professional audio interfaces and mixing consoles. While a high-end headphone amplifier will maximize headroom, it is not strictly required for everyday production work.
What is the dearVR MIX-SE plugin that comes in the box?
It is an advanced spatial audio software plugin by Dear Reality. It inserts into your DAW master bus to simulate the ideal acoustics of a world-class mix room through your headphones, ensuring your mixes translate perfectly to car stereos, club PAs, and consumer speaker systems.
