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1 / 10Sennheiser
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
Sound
3.6/ 5
SoundMDAQS OverallMDAQS Overall — measured in the SoundGuys lab.
Key specs
Acoustic Design
Open-backClosed-back57%Open-back35%Semi-open8%
Open-back appears on 35% of the 65 studio & professional headphones we've cataloged (of 68).
Impedance
130 ΩAbove average130 Ω
18 Ω120 Ω
above average for studio & professional headphones — based on 51 of 68 we've cataloged.
Frequency Response
5-36000 HzConnection Type
Most commonWired-3.5mm91%Wired-6.35mm9%
Wired-3.5mm is the most common — on 91% of the 66 studio & professional headphones we've cataloged (of 68).
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Open-back
- Impedance
- 130 Ω
- Frequency Response
- 5-36000 Hz
- Driver Size
- 38 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Frequency Response High Hz
- 36000 Hz
- Frequency Response Low Hz
- 5 Hz
- Max Spl
- 128 dB SPL
- Sensitivity
- 96 dB/mW
Connectivity
- Connection Type
- Wired-3.5mm, wired-6.35mm
- Cable Type
- 3.5mm single-ended, 6.3mm
Design
- Weight
- 260 g
- Color Options
- Black
- Ear Pad Type
- Velour, fabric
- Detachable Cable
- Yes
- Foldable
- No
- Headband Type
- Adjustable over-head
Build
- Material Chassis Primary
- Plastic, metal
Identity
- Model Number
- 700286
Microphone
- Microphone
- No
Release
- Date
- 2024-01
- Msrp Usd
- 399.99 USD
- Year
- 2024
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›SOUNDGUYS rating
Reviewed byChase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerReviewed March 2024
6.8/ 10
Worth a lookIsolation2.4
Comfort & fit9.5
Connectivity6.5
Design9.0
Portability5.0
Features8.0
The verdict
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO are a great option for anyone doing professional audio work. The design is tailored for producers and mixing engineers, with swappable ear pads providing sound and comfort options. With durability, versatility, and excellent sound quality, you can't go wrong with these if you want open back headphones.
✓What we like
✓Neutral sound
✓Two ear pad options
✓Lightweight and comfortable
✓Free dearVR MIX-SE plugin
✕What could be better
✕Difficult to swap the ear pads
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Sennheiser HD 490 PROSoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB) against the SoundGuys house target — the dashed curve. The closer the measured line tracks the target, the more neutral the tuning; peaks ride above the target, dips fall below it.
Frequency response — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -7.2 |
| 25 | -5.7 |
| 32 | -4.2 |
| 40 | -3.2 |
| 50 | -2.6 |
| 63 | -2.5 |
| 80 | -2.4 |
| 100 | -2.5 |
| 125 | -2.8 |
| 160 | -3.2 |
| 200 | -3.3 |
| 250 | -3.2 |
| 315 | -2.9 |
| 400 | -2.5 |
| 500 | -2.2 |
| 630 | -1.4 |
| 800 | -1.2 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 1.0 |
| 1600 | 1.1 |
| 2000 | 2.4 |
| 2500 | 5.9 |
| 3150 | 7.5 |
| 4000 | 9.8 |
| 5000 | 7.5 |
| 6300 | 8.6 |
| 8000 | 4.2 |
| 10000 | 2.1 |
| 12500 | -1.0 |
| 16000 | -3.6 |
| 20000 | -25.0 |
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
Passive isolation — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -0.0 |
| 26 | -0.0 |
| 33 | -0.1 |
| 41 | -0.0 |
| 52 | -0.0 |
| 65 | 0.1 |
| 82 | -0.1 |
| 103 | -0.1 |
| 130 | 0.0 |
| 163 | -0.1 |
| 205 | -0.1 |
| 259 | -0.1 |
| 325 | 0.0 |
| 410 | -0.3 |
| 516 | -0.2 |
| 613 | -0.3 |
| 772 | -0.7 |
| 972 | -1.2 |
| 1220 | -2.2 |
| 1540 | -0.7 |
| 1940 | 2.0 |
| 2440 | 1.3 |
| 3070 | 3.7 |
| 3870 | 9.9 |
| 4870 | 17.6 |
| 6130 | 21.8 |
| 7720 | 13.3 |
| 9720 | 5.9 |
| 12200 | 11.2 |
| 15400 | 12.7 |
| 19400 | 2.9 |
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
3.7
3.6
2.9
3.6
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
Features & Opinions
More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
I've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Studio & Professional Headphones
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