Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
84Great
$400
Full review dataSennheiser HD 480 PRO vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 480 PRO comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 480 PRO - Great overall at around $399.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
79Great
$430
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO leads on 4 of 4 measures.
- Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
- Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
HearWiki score
84
79
Sound
8.9
8.6
Value
8.1
7.4
Price (USD)
$400
$430
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Same generation
The Sennheiser HD 480 PRO is 2 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. Nothing separates them on convenience features either, so the choice comes down to tuning and price.
- HD 480 PRO20262 yr newer
- HD 490 Pro2024
Specifications
HD 480 PROHD 490 Pro
- Type
- Over-Ear
- Over-Ear
- Price (USD)
- $400
- $430
- HearWiki score
- 84
- 79
- Released
- 2026
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 38 mm dynamic
- 38 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 38 mm
- 38 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 3 Hz - 28.7 kHz
- 5 Hz - 36.1 kHz
- Impedance
- 130 Ω
- 130 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 98 dB/mW
- 96 dB/mW
- Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)
- 107
- 105
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Controls
- -
- none
- Weight
- 272 g
- 260 g
- Foldable
- -
- No
- Detachable cable
- Yes
- Yes
- USB-C
- -
- No
- Pad material
- velour
- -
- Connector
- 6.35 mm
- 3.5 mm
- Balanced connection
- -
- Yes
- Model code
- 700499
- -
What reviewers said
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
The Sennheiser HD 480 PRO is a wired, over-ear headphone built for professional studio work, offering a clear and detailed sound signature tuned for critical listening. Its lightweight design and comfortable fit make it suitable for long sessions, while the sturdy build ensures reliability in demanding environments. However, its premium price and minimal accessory package may give some buyers pause, and it lacks modern conveniences like wireless connectivity or noise cancellation.
- Pro:Accurate and detailed sound reproduction
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended use
- Pro:Solid, durable construction for studio settings
- Con:Premium price point for the included features
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless options
- Con:Limited accessories in the box
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is a wired, open-back over-ear headphone aimed at studio work, offering a neutral and accurate sound signature with strong comfort. It includes two pad options and is easy to drive from most devices, though its price is considered steep for what it delivers compared to some rivals. While praised for its balanced tuning and lightweight build, it doesn't universally outperform cheaper classics in sheer audio quality.
- Pro:Very accurate and neutral sound reproduction
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Detachable cable with balanced option
- Con:Expensive for its performance tier
- Con:No built-in controls or wireless features
- Con:May still benefit from an external amp in some setups
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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