Is the Earfun Wave Pro X worth the upgrade from the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro?
Verdict
Meaningful upgrade
The Earfun Wave Pro X scores 5.6 points above the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. That's a real improvement, though not the kind you'd notice on every track. The gains are concentrated in value (7.4 to 9.6). On paper: active noise cancelling, driver size 38 mm to 40 mm and usb-c. It's also $299 cheaper, which makes this an easy call. Worth doing if you're replacing anyway; harder to justify as a pure upgrade if what you have still works.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.68.3
- Value7.49.6
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | HD 490 Pro | Wave Pro X | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes | |
| Driver size | 38 mm | 40 mm | |
| USB-C | No | Yes | |
| Controls | none | buttons | |
| Driver | 38 mm dynamic | 40 mm dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 5 Hz - 36.1 kHz | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "HD 490 Pro to Wave Pro X". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.