Sennheiser HD 490 Pro Plus Reference Studio Headphones
Achieve perfect clarity, complete accuracy, and zero guesswork in your mixes with the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro Plus 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. The Plus edition includes a premium suite of studio accessories—such as a durable hard travel case, an extra long-run cable, and an additional headband pad—ensuring your reference monitoring setup remains protected and versatile wherever your work takes you.
Dual-Purpose Engineering: Producing vs. Mixing
One of the standout features of the HD 490 Pro series 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
- Premium Plus Accessory Bundle: Upgrades your monitoring toolkit with a rugged, form-fitting premium case, an extra 3m straight cable for longer studio runs, and an extra headband pad for renewed comfort over time.
- 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? (Plus Edition)
- Sennheiser HD 490 Pro Headphones
- Premium Rigid Transport Case
- 1.8m Straight Cable (3.5mm jack)
- 3.0m Straight Cable (3.5mm jack)
- 6.3mm (1/4") Screw-On Adapter
- 1 Pair of Producing Earpads (Velour)
- 1 Pair of Mixing Earpads (Fabric)
- Additional Replacement Headband Pad
- DearVR MIX-SE Activation Code
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Plus — Frequently Asked Questions
What extra accessories are included in the PRO Plus version?
The PRO Plus edition upgrades your monitoring toolkit with a rugged, form-fitting premium travel case, an extra long-run 3-meter straight cable (in addition to the standard 1.8-meter cable), and an additional replacement fabric headband pad for renewed long-term comfort.
Are the sonic characteristics of the PRO and PRO Plus identical?
Yes. Both versions utilize the exact same German-engineered 38mm neodymium transducers, open-back architecture, and switchable earpad architecture. The only difference is the premium accessory bundle included with the Plus package.
Are the earpads and headband pads washable?
Yes. Both the producing (velour) and mixing (fabric) earpad sets, as well as the headband cushioning, can be detached and washed to maintain absolute hygiene and comfort during marathon studio sessions.
Does the PRO Plus include the virtual mix room software?
Yes. Just like the standard edition, the PRO Plus includes an activation code for the dearVR MIX-SE plugin, allowing you to turn your monitoring setup into a virtual, world-class stereo and spatial mix room.
