Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 480 PRO
86Outstanding
$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 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 480 PRO - Outstanding overall at around $399.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
82Outstanding
$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
86
82
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
- 86
- 82
- Released
- 2026
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- 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, open-back studio headphone designed for critical listening and professional monitoring. It pairs a neutral, detailed sound signature with plush velour earpads and a lightweight build for extended comfort, while its high impedance and detachable cable cater to dedicated audio setups. Though priced at a premium, it delivers dependable performance for studio work, with minor quirks in its frequency response and a sparse accessory bundle.
- Pro:Accurate, detailed sound reproduction
- Pro:Very comfortable velour earpads
- Pro:Lightweight and durable construction
- Con:High price for the included accessories
- Con:No active noise cancellation or wireless options
- Con:Requires a capable amplifier due to 130-ohm impedance
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is a wired, open-back studio headphone focused on accurate, neutral sound reproduction for mixing and mastering. It features a lightweight design, comfortable fit, and comes with two ear pad sets and useful accessories, while being easy to drive from most devices. Though priced at a premium, its balanced tuning and clarity make it a solid choice for critical listening, though it may not be a dramatic upgrade over classic Sennheiser models like the HD 600 series.
- Pro:Very accurate and neutral sound signature
- Pro:Extremely comfortable for long sessions
- Pro:Lightweight at 260 grams
- Con:High price for the performance offered
- Con:No active noise cancellation and open-back design leaks sound
- Con:Requires an amplifier for best results 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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