After a decade producing and mixing with the Sony MDR-V700s, they finally gave out and I needed a single pair of headphones that could handle mixing, mastering, and producing without needing to switch between sets. I unfortunatley don't have the freedom to use monitors as I work from a home studio in my apartment, so I need the best I can get in terms of headphones. After way too much research, I landed on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro, and after a week of use, I can confidently say they’re exactly what I was looking for - what an upgrade!
These are the lightest studio headphones I’ve used, and easily the most comfortable. The padding is soft and breathable, the headband is highly adjustable, and the generously swiveling earcups make for an effortless fit. The build feels sturdy, with a mix of metal and fiberglass-reinforced plastic that feels tough yet light. I also think they look great - sleek, simple but refined.
I was torn between these and the Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X. These were my top two contenders for open-back hybrid mixing / production hearphones, but the pretty easily 490s won me over, mostly because of sheer comfort. They sound very similar to be honest, with the 900s being a touch brighter. However, the 490s are dramatically more comfortable: lighter, less clampy, and with larger ear cups. I can wear them all day, even with glasses, with zero fatigue.
They come nicely packaged, and the ability to swap between two sets of pads is a great touch. I prefer the “producing” pads as they deliver more low end while still sounding clean. Despite being velour, they stay pretty cool on my ears and are incredibly soft. The ear cups are very roomy, making for a spacious, open feel without awkward rubbing or feeling clamped in.
A small but impactful feature is the swappable cable port. I love being able to connect to either ear cup. My old headphones had a fixed cable on that always got in the way / crossed my body.
Sonically, these are crisp, balanced, and full, with surprisingly generous bass for open-backs. As a producer and sound designer, I feel I can trust the low end without needing a second reference. Mix issues are far clearer now than they were on my older headphones - I should’ve upgraded a long time ago.
While the HD 600 or 650 might rival or even slightly outshine these in pure sound quality (I haven't tried them but many on Reddit / forums say so), the modern design, superior comfort, and long-session wearability of the 490s make them a clear winner for me personally, not to mention the powerful bass extension. With these I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything. I can work 10+ hours without fatigue or pressure points - sound is one thing but if one pair is more comfortable than another, as long as the sound is generally good, I'll reach for them 9 times out of 10.
My only minor gripe is the price. If these were under €300, they’d probably be considered as the best value on the market. At their current price, they feel slightly more aimed at professionals or audiophiles. Still, for me, the €110 premium over the DT 900 Pro X was worth it for the comfort alone - I use headphones all day, every day, so this is a cost I'm willing to spend. You really have to try them to appreciate what ~100g less and thoughtful ergonomics can do!
Overall, I’m extremely satisfied.
