Sennheiser HD 600 vs HD 490 Pro

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Sennheiser

HD 600

The HD 600 is a well-built, neutral open-back headphone best suited to critical listening in a quiet room with a capable amplifier.

Best for: Critical listeners with an amplifier, seeking neutral sound in quiet rooms
Skip it if: You need portability, isolation, wireless, or visceral sub-bass

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What reviewers say about the Sennheiser HD 600

Sennheiser

HD 490 Pro

The HD 490 Pro is a comfortable, detailed open-back monitor best suited to mixing and mastering, with swappable pad voicings but limited isolation.

Best for: Professional mixing and mastering in a quiet, controlled studio
Skip it if: You need strong isolation, low price, or bass-heavy tuning

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro

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Specs side by side

Spec	Sennheiser HD 600	Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Fit	Over-ear	Over-ear
Connection	Wired	Wired
Noise cancelling	No	No
Best for	Studio, Music	Studio, Music
Microphone	No mic	No mic
Ear cups	Open-back	Open-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Sennheiser HD 600

Natural, balanced sound with clear mids and vocals 2 3 6 7
Open, airy presentation provides spacious soundstage and imaging 1 2 3 4
Generally comfortable for long sessions after initial fit adjustments 1 2 3 4
Replaceable cable and ear pads aid longevity 1 2
Open-back design provides little sound isolation 1 4 5 8
Capable amplifier is needed for best performance 2 3 5 8
Bass impact is disputed; some listeners find sub-bass restrained 1 2 3 5
Long cable and awkward connector can hinder use 1 2 3 4

Sennheiser HD 490 Pro

Neutral, detailed sound supports mixing and mastering 1 2 3 6
Lightweight, comfortable fit suits long studio sessions 1 2 3 5
Open-back design delivers spacious, precise stereo imaging 1 2 3 5
Swappable pads tailor tonal character to different tasks 2 3 7 8
Durable construction includes replaceable, washable ear pads 1 2 3 5
Open-back leakage and weak isolation suit quiet rooms 1 2 3 6
Premium pricing offers weaker value than cheaper alternatives 2 3 5 7
High impedance may require a capable amplifier for full output 2 7
Pad-dependent voicing may require EQ for consistent monitoring 2 3 7

Ranked in our guides

Guide	HD 600	HD 490 Pro
Best wired headphones and earbuds	#10	#6
Best studio headphones	#7	#4
Best open-back headphones	#7	#4

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.