The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is a studio-grade headphone introduced in January 2024. It is equipped with a dynamic driver using a 38 mm diaphragm, a variant of Sennheiser’s Sys38 driver. The Sys38 is a family of driver variants, e.g. the HD560S uses a different version.
The HD490Pro has an impedance of 130 ohms and a sensitivity of 96 dB/mW. It is priced at approximately 400 USD before tax.
The Sennheiser HD 600 needs no introduction. Since its launch in 1997, it has been a reference for professionals and audiophiles. It also features a dynamic driver with a 38 mm diaphragm, the same size as the one in the HD 490 Pro. The HD 600 has a much higher impedance at 300 ohms and a comparable sensitivity of 97 dB. It is typically priced at around 300 USD before tax.
SENNHEISER HD 490 PRO SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Over ear, open
- Dynamic driver with 38 mm diaphragm
- Driver unit size: 40 mm
- Impedance: 130 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 105 dB/mV, 96 dB/mW
- Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.2 % 1kHz, 100dB
- Detachable cable: 180 cm
- Headphone connector: 4 pin mini XLR
- Cable termination: 3.5 mm
- Included 3.5mm to 6.35mm adapter
- Weight: 260 grams without cable
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: HD 490 PRO
SENNHEISER HD600 SPECIFICATIONS
- Type: Over ear, open
- Dynamic driver with 38 mm diaphragm
- Driver unit size: 42 mm
- Nominal impedance: 300 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 97 dB/mW
- Frequency response: 12 – 39000 Hz
- THD, total harmonic distortion: 0,1 %
- Detachable cable
- Termination plug: 3.5 mm with 6.35mm adapter
- Cable length: 3 m
- Weight w/o cable: 260 g
Current price and availability:
- Amazon: HD600
BUILD AND COMFORT
Both headphones are very lightweight at 260 grams. They are built with a mix of plastic and metal, but Sennheiser is known for using high-quality, durable plastic components.
The headphones have similar clamping force and are both very comfortable to wear, unless the clamp feels too strong. With the HD 600, this is easy to adjust by extending the metal parts of the headband and gently bending them to your preference. The HD 490 Pro, however, has plastic along the metal parts of the headband, so I’m uncertain whether the same method would work without risking damage.
Each model has detachable cables but with different connectors. The HD 600’s cable connects to both earcups using Sennheiser’s proprietary two-pin plugs, while the HD 490 Pro uses a four-pin mini XLR connector on the left side only. The HD 490 Pro comes with a 1.8 m cable, while the HD 600 includes a 3 m cable. Longer cables are available for the HD 490 Pro, like in the HD 490 Pro Plus package, which comes with a 3 m cable.
The HD 490 Pro allows the earcups to rotate so it can fold flat, while the HD 600 does not fold in any way.
Both headphones come with velour pads, and the HD 490 Pro also includes a second set made from denim-type fabric for a different tuning:
HD 490 PRO PADS
The HD490PRO comes with two sets of pads: “Producer Pads” made of velour and “Mixing Pads” made of a denim-like fabric. In this review I will be using the velor pads but would like to comment a bit on the difference nonetheless.
Different pads always affect the sound, and in this case Sennheiser have made a very conscious decision of giving the headphone two different pairs of pads that give two different sound signatures.
The producer/velour pads give more bass and slightly less pronounced upper midrange and are tuned to be warmer sounding, the mixing/denim pads are designed to be even more neutral.
The pads use a proprietary 6 pin fastening design. To swap the pads you have to grab the mounted pads on the inside and rip them off, then you align the new pads correctly and press them firmly into place. Both sets are washable.
Here is an excellent introduction video from Sennheiser that discusses the pads.
AMPLIFICATION
Both of these headphones are intended to be used with dedicated amplification. While many portable DAC/amps can drive them effectively, most users will likely pair them with a desktop amplifier or a suitable DAC with built in amplification, especially in professional environments.
While the lower impedance of the HD 490 Pro makes it easier to drive with portable gear, the 300-ohm impedance of the HD 600 offers greater flexibility in many situations. It can be paired effectively with equipment that has higher output impedance, such as the Black Cube Linear from Lehmann and tube amplifiers, particularly OTL designs. Older gear also features higher output impedance, making the HD 600 well-suited for such setups.
I chose to compare these two headphones using the Topping A90 amplifier. It performs very well with both, although the HD 600 can bring some extra magic when paired with the already mentioned Black Cube Linear or OTL tube amplifiers such as the Woo WA2.
That said, I believe the A90 does a good job with both headphones. After testing several amplifiers, I concluded that my overall impressions of the differences between these two headphones would not change significantly with other amps.
COMPARISONS
Associated equipment:
- Amplifier: Topping A90
- DAC: RME ADI-2 DAC FS
- Sick velour pads on both sets
Ground Up by Chris Richardson Trio
In terms of tonal balance, they share a lot of DNA, and the differences are relatively minor, with a very similar overall tuning.
The HD 600 sounds smooth and well-balanced, with well-presented bass and a coherent, unified presentation of all instruments. The HD 490 Pro offers slightly stronger and more detailed bass, a sharper piano sound, and somewhat better imaging with a darker background. While the HD 490 Pro is more detailed, I personally prefer the HD 600’s presentation, as it delivers a smoother, more seductive listening experience.
Eye of the Day by Marta del Grande
The HD 490 Pro delivers relatively rich, detailed bass, with upfront, slightly crisp, and well-defined vocals. Instrument separation is clear and precise. The HD 600 offers smoother vocals, with less pronounced and slightly less detailed bass. Instrument separation is good but not quite as precise as the HD 490 Pro. Overall, though, the two headphones are very similar in absolute terms.
Daylight by David Kushner
Kushner’s deep vocals sound very similar on the two headphones. The HD490PRO has a bit better separation and a bit more upper-mid energy, giving it a slightly more upfront delivery. It’s also slightly more detailed in general and has a tad better bass extension. I tend to prefer the HD490PRO here.
Bridges in the Sky by Dream Theater
Featuring throat singing and a dreamy choir, this metal song has a very varied intro. The two headphones perform similarly, but the better separation, extra detail and bass presence of the HD 490 Pro make a positive difference, both in the intro and when the metal riff enters. The HD 490 Pro sounds cleaner. The HD 600 has more of a wall-of-sound presentation by comparison, though the differences are not at all dramatic.
Destinées by Sophie de Bardonnèche
On this album, the HD 600 delivers excellent instrument timbre on strings and harpsichord, with a smooth and enveloping character. The HD 490 Pro sounds a bit sharper, with slightly better instrument separation and added clarity.
Rage Valley by Knife Party
This energetic electro-house track plays well on both headphones. The HD 600 delivers surprisingly strong bass slam with solid instrument separation. The HD 490 Pro sounds airier, with deeper, more detailed bass, improved separation, and overall greater detail. Even so, while I prefer the HD 490 Pro, it lacks some of the musical smoothness that makes the HD 600 so delicious.
The Sun Always Shines on TV MTV Unplugged by a-ha
Vocals-orientated acoustic music is usually a strong point for the HD 600, and this is no exception, with excellent midrange timbre and a well-balanced presentation. The HD 490 Pro is very similar but offers a slight advantage in clarity and low-end extension.
Impedans by Erlend Apneseth Trio
This fun little piece of music plays excellently on the HD 600, with great instrument timbre and a highly satisfying musical delivery. The HD 490 Pro is tuned very closely but provides slightly better instrument separation and stronger bass presence.
Fata Morgana by Spiritbox
Time for some noisy prog metal. Both headphones are similar in overall tuning, but the HD 490 Pro’s extra clarity is a welcome advantage on such a complex track.
AMPLIFICATION, AGAIN
Before wrapping up, I once again paired the HD 600 with the Woo WA2 OTL tube amplifier and compared it to the HD 490 Pro driven by the Topping A90. There is something truly magical about how the HD 600 sounds with a good OTL tube amp—an experience that remains unique for many headphone lovers.
The HD 490 Pro sounds relatively close, but while it is technically stronger in most areas, it does not fully capture the same emotional musicality that the HD 600 delivers with the right amplifier. There is a reason the HD 600 holds legendary status, and I believe it will continue to do so for a long time.
For the record, I also tested the HD 490 Pro with the WA2, and it sounded really good. The presentation was a bit softer yet richer than with your typical solid-state amp. The WA2’s high output impedance does affect the damping factor somewhat, but I did not find it problematic. Anyway, I do not feel the HD 490 Pro gets as good as the HD 600 paired with the WA2.
WRAPPING IT UP
Sound Signature
The HD 490 Pro and HD 600 share very similar sound signatures, both being midrange-focused with a natural tonality. The HD 490 Pro does, however, offer better bass extension and often comes across as slightly crisper in the midrange.
Treble
Their treble is quite similar—neither is overly bright, and both are nicely present and sound natural. That said, the HD 490 Pro is slightly more precise.
Midrange
Both headphones have a great-sounding midrange. The HD 600, in particular, is known for its natural, sweet mids, and while the HD 490 Pro often comes close, it cannot quite match the HD 600’s midrange magic—especially when the HD 600 is paired with a good tube amplifier.
Bass
The HD 600 is well known for its bass roll-off, with volume decreasing as the frequencies go deeper. The HD 490 Pro is a clear improvement, providing more low-end body and better extension. Its bass is also higher in quality, offering greater detail and texture, all while staying close to the HD 600-like sound signature.
Soundstage and Imaging
The HD 600’s soundstage and imaging are good, but they have never been its strongest traits. The HD 490 Pro improves on both aspects, with the difference ranging from subtle to very noticeable depending on the track.
Detail, Dynamics, and Timbre
When it comes to detail and dynamics, the HD 490 Pro is a straight upgrade from the HD 600. It is not always a very large difference, but it is always there. On some tracks it is very apparent, and on others it is not very significant.
Then there’s the timbre. Midrange timbre is the main reason the HD 600 still reigns. The HD 490 Pro comes very close, but it isn’t quite the same. That doesn’t mean I always prefer the HD 600—often, I enjoy the slightly cleaner HD 490 Pro more—but something is inevitably lost in the process of technical improvement. Bass and treble timbre, however, are more accurate and neutral on the HD 490 Pro.
CONCLUSION
In many ways, the HD 490 Pro (with the producer/velour pads) sounds like a clearer HD 600 with better bass and greater detail. It is technically superior while remaining close to the HD 600’s sound signature.
However, there is a certain magic in a well-amped HD 600 that the HD 490 Pro does not quite replicate. It is likely that a subtle distortion in the HD 600, and its sibling the HD 650, just sounds really great – in a way that cannot be replicated in a cleaner-sounding model.
That said, in most scenarios, it is safe to say that the HD 490 Pro does an excellent job of enhancing the HD 600’s technical performance and providing a more linear sounding bass response, all without straying significantly from its tonality and timbre.
Thanks for reading. You can support us by purchasing anything using any of our affiliate links.
- Amazon: HD 490 PRO
- Amazon: HD600
Any purchase you make on Amazon or Linsoul with any of our affiliate links will give us a small provision at no cost to you.
We only get a provision for items that are not returned, so there’s no incentive for us to recommend something that’s not good.
Linsoul : Headphones, Earbuds, Wireless Earbuds, Desktop DAC/AMP, Portable DAC/AMP, Digital Audio Players,
Amazon: Headphones, IEMs, Headphone Amplifiers, Home Audio or Anything else.
.
If you enjoyed this article or other content on The Headphoneer, you might consider leaving a small donation to keep this website up and running. No donation is too small. Thanks for supporting us!
If you like our work please follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter , it will help us grow. Sharing is caring 🙂
