Sennheiser introduces HD 490 PRO, the ultimate studio headphones for reference audio.

Sennheiser, a audio company, has recently launched its latest creation, the HD 490 PRO reference studio headphones. These open-back headphones are specifically designed for producing, mixing, and mastering music. With their exceptional sound reproduction and wide, realistic sound stage, these headphones provide producers, engineers, and musicians with the transparency they need to make critical mixing decisions and resolve any panning placement issues confidently. The HD 490 PRO and HD 490 PRO Plus, which includes additional accessories, are now available for purchase.

According to Jimmy Landry, Category Market Manager for MI at Sennheiser, the evolution of music production over the past decade or two has been significant. The increased computing power and complex parameter automation have revolutionized the way music is made. Engineers and creators are constantly pushing boundaries and creating intricate mixes that can sometimes result in “audio blind spots.” These blind spots make it difficult to hear each individual instrument or voice separately. This is where a high-quality pair of studio headphones becomes crucial.

To address this complexity, Sennheiser’s engineers have equipped the HD 490 PRO with an incredibly wide sound stage that allows for precise localization of mix components. The headphones feature ultralight voice coils for fast and authentic sound reproduction. The frequency response is uncolored and honest across the entire audio spectrum, with a special low-frequency cylinder ensuring a full, accurate, and clearly defined low end. The open-mesh ear cup covers, known as Sennheiser’s Open-frame Architecture, minimize resonances and distortion. Additionally, the transducers are positioned at a slight angle to emulate a typical monitor loudspeaker setup.

Gunnar Dirks, Sennheiser Product Manager, explains that these features enable music professionals to identify and resolve any panning placement issues and troublesome low-end frequencies. This ensures clear mixes and refined masters, putting users in full control of every detail.

Comfort is a crucial aspect of any studio headphones, and Sennheiser has leveraged its decades of experience in professional headset design to create the HD 490 PRO. The lightweight and ergonomic design eliminates pressure points, ensuring a comfortable fit. The circumaural ear pads feature a Sennheiser-patented soft comfort zone for glasses wearers while maintaining a good seal. Additionally, the HD 490 PRO’s special axes geometry optimally adapts to the user’s head shape, providing equal contact pressure.

The development of the HD 490 PRO was based on extensive user feedback gathered through a professional headphone survey. While users voted for neutral and flat reference audio as the most important feature, market figures revealed a preference for a slightly warmer sound. To cater to both preferences, Sennheiser decided to provide two sets of ear pads that shape the sound differently. The producing ear pads (velour) offer a slightly warmer response, creating perspective and aiding in holistic sound judgment. The mixing ear pads (fabric) provide a very flat, neutral sound that allows for detailed sound reference during the final mix. Both ear pads are washable, ensuring hygiene and sustainability.

In addition to the exceptional features of the HD 490 PRO, buyers will also receive a free license for the dearVR MIX-SE plugin from Dear Reality. This plugin transforms a digital audio workstation into an immersive virtual mixing environment, simulating the acoustics of ideal mixing studios. It helps engineers and musicians achieve balanced and consistent mixes across different systems.

Sennheiser has paid attention to every detail in the design of the HD 490 PRO. The headphone cable can be plugged into either the right or left earpiece to accommodate different studio setups and preferences. A patented cable coil structure prevents noise transmission when the cable hits the desk or rubs against clothing. The left/right designation is clearly visible on the inside dust covers of the transducers, and braille information is provided on the headband fork for visually impaired users.

Each HD 490 PRO comes with two sets of ear pads (mixing and producing), a 1.8m headphone cable, and a dearVR MIX-SE license. The headphones are priced at EUR 399 (MSRP) or USD 399 (MAP). The HD 490 PRO Plus, priced at EUR 479 (MSRP) or USD 479 (MAP), includes additional accessories such as a 3m cable, a transport case, and an extra fabric headband pad. All the accessories included with the HD 490 PRO Plus are also available for purchase individually. An optional balanced headphone cable is available for EUR 39 (MSRP) or USD 39 (MAP).

In summary, if you’re in search of studio headphones that offer transparency and excellent localization for crafting outstanding mixes, the HD 490 PRO is an ideal choice. With their precise sound reproduction, wide sound stage, and comfortable design, these headphones provide music professionals with the tools they need to create exceptional music.

Background Information

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About Sennheiser:

Sennheiser, founded in 1945 in Germany, is a audio company. They are known for producing high-quality audio equipment, including headphones, microphones, and other audio solutions. Sennheiser's commitment to delivering premium sound experiences has established them as a respected brand in the audio industry.

  

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