Video Chat with a Pro Audio Expert - Live

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Professional Reference Open-Back Studio Headphones

BH #SEHD490PRO • MFR #700286
Print
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Professional Reference Open-Back Studio Headphones
Key Features
  • For Mixing, Producing & Content Creation
  • Accurate and Precise Sound Reproduction
  • Open-Back Design for Natural Soundstage
  • Comfortable for Long Listening Sessions
Engineered to deliver accurate mixes for demanding professionals, the Sennheiser HD-490 PRO Headphones provide musicians, producers, engineers, and content creators with an open-backed headphone monitoring solution that's ready for today's workflows. Everyday mixes now routinely demand massive computing power, surgically precise parameter automation, and dramatically enhanced audio resolutions. With this increased creative horsepower comes increased complexity and the potential for audio blind spots like crowded, muddy mixes with competing frequencies—making your choice of headphones critical. The HD 490 PRO advanced headphones are designed to capture all the subtleties that could make or break your mix, ensuring your work sounds as good to listeners in the real world as it does in your production studio.
More Details
In Stock
No Store Display
Free 2-Day Shipping
Protect Your Gear
Add a protection plan from $59.99
Ask an Expert
800-606-6969

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Overview

Headphones Built for Today's Music
Engineered to deliver accurate mixes for demanding professionals, the Sennheiser HD-490 PRO Headphones provide musicians, producers, engineers, and content creators with an open-backed headphone monitoring solution that's ready for today's workflows. Everyday mixes now routinely demand massive computing power, surgically precise parameter automation, and dramatically enhanced audio resolutions. With this increased creative horsepower comes increased complexity and the potential for audio blind spots like crowded, muddy mixes with competing frequencies—making your choice of headphones critical. The HD 490 PRO advanced headphones are designed to capture all the subtleties that could make or break your mix, ensuring your work sounds as good to listeners in the real world as it does in your production studio.
The Perfect Mix of Clarity, Comfort, and Reliability
  • Harnessing decades of Sennheiser engineering expertise, the HD 490 PRO headphones are equipped to handle all the complexities of today’s music production, mixing, and mastering.
  • Featuring an open-back design that delivers an extremely wide, dimensional soundstage and ultraprecise sound reproduction, the HD 490 PRO studio headphones give you the clarity you need for critical listening, so you can make important mixing decisions with confidence.
Full-Spectrum Audio Accuracy
  • Achieve enhanced clarity and balance in your masters with Sennheiser's innovative Open-frame Architecture, delivering a comprehensive, precise, and intelligibly defined audio experience. This advancement significantly aids in the identification and resolution of issues related to panning placement and conflicting frequencies, ensuring a more refined final master.
  • At the core of each HD 490 PRO earcup is a state-of-the-art neodymium magnet and an innovative low-frequency cylinder. These components synchronize and work together to deliver full, accurate, and clearly defined bass, helping you pinpoint and resolve troublesome low-end frequencies that can hinder the achievement of meticulously clear mixes and masters.
Includes dearVR MIX-SE Virtual Mixing Plug-In
  • The HD 490 PRO mixing headphones include the innovative dearVR MIX-SE plug-in from Dear Reality, placing you in the sweet spot and turning your DAW into an ultimate virtual mixing environment.
  • The dearVR MIX-SE software simulates the carefully designed acoustics of ideal mixing studios, helping you ensure a balanced, consistent translation of your mix on different systems.
All-Day Comfort and Long-Term Durability
  • Handcrafted and German-engineered with built-to-last components and a lightweight, flexible design, the HD 490 PRO lets you feel the music and forget about the headphones.
  • Carefully engineered ergonomics eliminate pressure points, while the open-back design provides natural ventilation, making hours of music feel like minutes.
  • Two sets of switchable ear pads, each with a unique sound signature, comfortable for long hours of mixing and producing, eliminate ear fatigue, and are designed with sustainability and durability in mind—they’re both washable and replaceable.
  • The HD 490 PRO helps you achieve your full creative vision by eliminating audio blind spots, putting you in full control of every detail, and ensuring accurate playback beyond the studio.
At a Glance
  • Backed by decades of Sennheiser engineering, technology, research, and development
  • Open-back design with an extremely wide dimensional soundstage and ultraprecise localization
  • Uncolored frequency response for honest, dynamic sound reproduction across the full spectrum
  • Innovative low-frequency cylinder system for full, accurate, and clearly defined low end
  • Precision-engineered ergonomics eliminate pressure points and deliver supreme, flexible, lightweight comfort
  • Sennheiser Open-Frame Architecture reduces total harmonic distortion (THD) and minimizes resonance, improving audio accuracy
  • Includes Dear Reality dearVR MIX-SE plug-in, turning your DAW into an ultimate virtual mixing environment via advanced spatial audio technology
  • Two unique sets of ear pads for producing or mixing help eliminate ear fatigue and pinpoint frequencies
  • Sustainability-inspired with washable, replaceable pads and FSC-certified, forest-friendly packaging
  • Geometrically angled earcup design optimizes transducer placement for a consistent listening experience
  • State-of-the-art neodymium magnets for superior driver performance and efficiency
  • Patented cable coil structure blocks cable-borne noise, ensuring the clearest signal
  • Ultralight voice coil for remarkably authentic and dynamic audio reproduction
  • Right and left ear jacks with detachable cable easily adapts to any studio configuration
  • Patented accessibility features braille-guided L/R earcups and grooved ear pads for eyeglasses
  • Open-mesh metal earpiece covers provide natural ventilation
  • Durable design meticulously engineered in Germany and hand-assembled in Romania
UPC: 615104387676

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Specs

Key Specs
Wearing Style
Dual Ear with Headband
Foldable: No
Earpiece Swivel: Yes
Open/Closed-Back
Open-Back
Impedance
130 Ohms
Active Noise Cancellation
No
Frequency Response
5 Hz to 36 kHz
Built-In Mic
No
Audio Connector
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS
Included Adapter
1/4" TRS
Headphone
Wearing Style
Dual Ear with Headband
Foldable: No
Earpiece Swivel: Yes
Earpiece Design
Over-Ear (Circumaural)
Open/Closed-Back
Open-Back
Sound Field
Stereo
Driver Type
Dynamic
Driver Size
1.5" / 38 mm
Impedance
130 Ohms
Active Noise Cancellation
No
Frequency Response
5 Hz to 36 kHz
Sensitivity
105 dB SPL at 1 kHz / 1 Vrms
96 dB SPL at 1 kHz / 1 mW
Maximum Sound Pressure Level (SPL)
128 dB at 1 kHz
Maximum Power Handling
300 mW
Volume Limiting / Child-Safe
No
Built-In Controls
No
Microphone
Built-In Mic
No
Connectivity
Wired Audio Connector
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS
Included Adapter
1/4" TRS
Connector Plating
Gold
Cable Design
Detachable / Straight with Relief Coil
Cable Length
5.9' / 1.8 m
Physical
Color
Black
Environmental Resistance
No
Weight
9.2 oz / 260 g (without Cable)
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.515 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
10.4 x 10.1 x 2.9"

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Reviews

Sennheiser HD490 PRO

By Cody
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2026-04-15

I own a few pairs of Sennheiser headphones but always felt the bass was lacking in almost all of my pairs. I'd heard that the HD490 Pro fixed that issue without compromising sound quality in the process. These are nearly perfect for me. Extremely comfortable, much better bass (but not overwhelming or muddy), and overall a great price for performance. Purchasing from B&H was also a great experience, bought these at a great deal and received them faster than the initial shipping estimate.

Great Headphones

By Steven
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-12-17

The most comfortable set of headphones I've ever had. The sound is clear and detailed. Build quality seem great and the adjustments are smooth.

See any errors on this page?

How good are this for spatial 180 ver monitoring?

How good are this for spatial 180 ver monitoring?
Asked by: Bruno
The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Professional Reference Open-Back Studio Headphones are designed for spatial accuracy and are well-suited for a wide and dimensional soundstage, which is essential for mixing and mastering within a 180-degree sound field to accurately perceive instrument placement and panning.
Answered by: Lisa S
Date published: 2025-07-27

Good day B&H. Can these headphones be used for ...

Good day B&H. Can these headphones be used for HIFI music enjoyment listening like my HD650? Is the soundstage wider as well?
Asked by: Gary and Eleanora
Yes, the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Professional Reference Open-Back Studio Headphones can be used for music listening. "Soundstage" is not a technical or measurable concept. The HD 490 PRO have an open-backed design, similar to the HD 650, which provides a more natural listening experience than closed-back headphones, due to the lack of a proximity effect.
Answered by: Calvin M
Date published: 2024-10-28
  • y_2026, m_6, d_6, h_12CST
  • bvseo_bulk, prod_bvqa, vn_bulk_3.0.46
  • cp_1, bvpage1
  • co_hasquestionsanswers, tq_2
  • loc_en_US, sid_1798205, prod, sort_[SortEntry(order=HAS_STAFF_ANSWERS, direction=DESCENDING)]
  • clientName_bhphotovideo
Whatever You Need, We've Got It