SennheiserHD 490 PRO Open-Back Professional Headphone

I've owned a pair of HD600 for more than two decades and always considered them a reference and benchmark for high fidelity listening. I've built my whole music collection (1000+ FLACs of top notch recordings) around them. That said, they've always been quite unforgiving for anything less than perfectly recorded stuff and not so exciting for certain genres of music such as metal, rock and EDM mainly due to limitations in low end department.That's why I've also had a pair of Fidelio X2 that complemented the HD600 perfectly and served as my "daily driver" and gaming headphone for a long time. Expansive soundstage, great bass (for an open can), big sound. But they also missed a bit of overall refinement and resolution that HD600 had.I've tried to bridge that gap with different headphones like HD650, Audeze LCD-2F and, most recently, HD800S.Audeze was great, but didn't offer that much over a lot cheaper Fidelio X2 while being less comfortable, so I sold them. HD650 had a little bit more bass, but sounded muffled compared to HD600, so I returned them pretty quickly. Interestingly, HD800S was the fastest I ever returned a headphone - there was something harsh and unnatural in the way they sounded to my ear.I wasn't ready to spend thousands on super expensive headphones to only maybe get something that might be just as good as my HD600, but still lacking in some other ways. HD600 has some huge shoes to fill indeed.Come HD490 PRO. The reviews have been a bit mixed on those and I feel like they've been largely overlooked by the head-fi community as a sidegrade to HD600 at best and simply not as good as HD650. So I didn't have high expectations. After reading some reviews (rtings have put them 2nd best behind HD800S) and price going lower on Amazon I've decided to give them a shot.And I must say after putting them on for the first time I immediately knew it - this was it! Finally a headphone to bridge the gap between my beloved HD600 and the fun daily driver Fidelio X2. They still have the finesse, clarity and lovely tone of the HD600. And while I feel that the latter is still a little bit smoother with vocals - overall HD490 is 95% there while fixing all the main gripes I had with HD600 over the years - expansive soundstage, great bass, more forgiving and exciting with all genres of music (with producer pads). All while being the most comfortable headphones I've ever had - super lightweight with minimal clamping force.Seriously, give them a try! I honestly think it's the best effort from Sennheiser in a long long time.

I bought these on an impulse really. I am not a pro of any kind, I am just looking for the good stuff. So I saw new Sennheiser's actually being marketed to working professionals instead of their usual "cool guy" marketing I decided it give it a go. Reviews on the usual sites like rtings were good too.I have to say these things are fantastic. They are actually MORE comfortable than Hifiman Edition XS. In part because they weigh less than half those weigh. My ears are on the large size and they fit in the cups just fine. And I listen to music all day long while working, and so far these clear 8 hours a day with comfort. Oh and I have a huge head. Like I have to get the largest sizes for hats. They fit me fine, no hot spots.Now onto build. The new adjustment mechanism is very nice, the headband is spring steel, and the earcups and hinges are fiberglass-reinforced polymer. So the stuff they make tools and firearms out of. Sure it doesn't feel all that nice to the touch, its a bit like fine sandpaper, but the stuff is 2nd only to steel in terms of durability. This is a HUGE step up from the usual simple plastics of my other headphones. This gives me hope these headphones will stand up well without physically breaking like a few have over the years.I also really like the standard 4 pin mini-XLR connector. This means these are balanced capable right out of the box. And you can switch sides. Now at present its hard to find these since not many companies offer it for headphones, but it means the cable will be easily replaceable when it inevitably breaks. Speaking of cables, the little coil near the headphones really does eliminate "microphonics" from the cable rubbing your shirt.Now for the big one. Sound. I am no pro, and I don't have a fancy set up. But I can say I really like these. I am using the velour "producer" pads because I enjoy that softer sound profile. First of all these ARE producer/mixer headphones. Meaning they are flat, and rather uncompromising. Despite that, they manage to deliver an enjoyable listening experience directly out of my DAC/amp. I can't say the same for some of the Beyerdymanics or Sony production headphones I've tried. They also are sensitive enough to run off typical audio devices like your laptop without an amp, but they do appreciate an amp.What really shines here? They are bright and detailed on the top end yet extend nicely down to give a rich, full bass. Quite possibly the strongest, best bass you are going to find in open-backed dynamic driver headphones. Its deep, rich, clean, and with a nice bit of thump/punch. I find I notice more high end details in my songs wearing these. All while avoiding the piercing, sibilant nature found in so many production headphones. They manage to keep that characteristic "Sennheiser veil" which makes these easy to use and enjoy.The bass its rich, deep, and full. Bass has always been a weakness of open back headphones. These extend down deep and loud like closed backed headphones. It even honestly thumps when the song was mixed for it. And despite this I have never felt the bass was muddy or distorted. Honestly these sound like quality planar magnetic headphones, all while using dynamic Drivers.These also have amazing sound stage, making both games and music a joy to enjoy with these. This is probably the best spatial audio I have ever heard. In games the location of audio is so good I have to resist instinctively looking over my shoulders, and I have been honestly confused if it was storming outside for real, or it was just the game until I checked the game.I have about 6 different pairs of headphones in the $400 range. These are BY FAR my favorite and the ones I keep going back to. I am not sure I am going to find better headphones unless I am willing to spend double the price they go for.I think we can rest easy that Sennheiser Pro still has their magic.