Thanks for the constant quality output Justin. My approach is 1) Choose the Best monitors you can afford (that of course sound good to you regardless of cost level) , 2) Buy Headphones that sound similar to these Monitors . Buy the headphones that work as an extension of your monitors and not ones that build a world of their own. My idea behind it is that Headphones will always be fantastic when used as a magnifying glass and will always reveal specific details better than a monitor in a room but what i Don`t need from my headphones is them deviating too much in character from my Main Monitors. If they have too much character of their own i find it much easier to get lost. After all it is not only about „objective sonic quality“ (if that even exists) but also about your own taste which is what we are selling as engineers. We will always be biased by our taste, however i see this as the beauty of the whole thing
You should be aware that the Sennheiser 490 Pro and the Neumann NDH-30 are part of Sennheiser Pro in Germany, while the HD series is part of Sennheiser Consumer Audio, owned by Sonova and based in Ireland. These are two seperate companies, that sometimes work together, but do not produce the same products or have the same goals for them.
Nothing will ever top my kitchen countertop HD600. But I do all of my bass management in the studio with serious speakers. So I agree with what he is saying but I've just gotten so used to my 600s...
I think the biggest advantage of dynamic headphones is the fact that most all audio devices still using dynamic drivers so the majority of people are going to like the sound the stuff they grow up to and are used to 🍻 like in your car for example, we spent so much time driving.
The only headphones I got are OLLO S4x, I don't know what the differences are between these and more expensive headphones but I am really comfortable mixing on them , I don't use my studio monitors for mixing any more. I have now bought a Schiit amp/dac and looking forward to use it as soon as it arrives.
I just picked up a pair of these used. They're not the current calibrated version AFAIK, but the sound is very accurate and the comfort very good. I hope Ollo Audio gains more notoriety in the pro & audiophile market.
I've been thinking about this "headphones for mix/master thing". First of, I think longevity is a very important factor, not for the units themselves, but the specific model, cause once we get used to a specific model, we really need to have the opportunity to get the same ones later on, or replace parts. This is what is genius about the simple Andrew Shepps old sony MDRs, cause they're exactly the same since the day they came out. I'm by no means saying they're great. Speakers are the same thing, but, the room plays a big part on that, so, in a perfect world one can mix on the same room and speakers all their life.
I've been able to stop using Sonarworks since starting to mix on Sennheiser's 6XX cans (a rebranded version of the HD 650). They're almost, like... boring, lol - what you call "neutral" in the video. They even feel less open than other open backs I've used. I'd so much more rather listen to music on a pair of Beyers, but when I try to mix on them they trick me into thinking the high end is more hyped than it actually is and everything comes out too dark! Might check out this pair when the time comes to upgrade. I don't love how strongly the 6XX presses on my ears.
Exactly! It's not about how much fun the are to listen to, it's about how much fun your resulting mix is to listen to :-) If you ever wear out your 6XX you might like these a lot. With the mixing pads there's the tiniest bit more top end in the 490, and with the producer pads, they have that same kind of smoothness on top, but with more useful low end too. If you don't love the pinch on the 6XX, the 490 definitely address that! Much more comfortable. It seems like they really listened to the feedback from users and addressed everything on the list. -Justin
@@SonicScoop Great to know - I don't love mixing mostly on cans but sometimes that's kind of what I need to do, so I have no choice but to care about this stuff haha. Your content has been a huge help for me Justin, thanks for doing your thing!
You definitely have to come to terms with finding a balance between what excites you and what provides YOU with the most important information for making critical decisions. There is no magic set of cans even when you cross that $1000-1500 threshold. I personally need to hear hype in order to get inspired early on in a mix which is why my initial decisions are still made with my M50x cos my ears are fully tuned to them at this point and by now I know how that hype translates. When I get to that last 10% tho I’m at the desk automating with my UF8 and referencing between my monitors and open backs which in my case are the Shure 1840s. The thing about neutral open backs, and I auditioned many, is that they all sound underwhelming. They’re a tool like a finishing cloth. Their usefulness only really comes at the end, at least for mixing. Mastering is a different story. What is absolutely essential is a good DAC and I don’t mean your interface unless you have a Burl in your backpack. That said, start your mixes with your ear buds, production cans, whatever it is that you like to listen to your favorite music with recreationally to get your mix exciting! THEN put on the open backs and clean out the garbage. Checking your ref the whole time of course.. 🙏
NDH 30's turned out to be the magic pill for me. I can mix with complete confidence now. Total game changer, i love them. Thanks to Justin for the suggestion on these. Also picked up a Rupert Neve Headphone amp. Man, what a different universe.
@@urbanman1516 me too... sold them. too dull on the treble and too much work to get decent mixes. went back to the HD600 which I trust more and translate better for me. very curious about these new Sennheisers and the Audeze mm-500. thanks justin
Thanks for your review Justin. I finally went ahead and bought a pair of Sennheiser HD490 Pro. Used Neumann NDH30 for a year but ended selling them as they were simply too "muted" on the top end for me. My mixes were too bright when I listened to them on other sources compensating for the lack of "spark" of the Neumanns. As Justin points out, the Neumanns can be boring and not engaging (even if they do sound very neutral). I had tried Beyer DT1990 before, but gosh, they were sooo bright, I got exactly the opposite kind of mixes... too tamed in the upper register to compensate for the exaggerated brightness. Also used (and still use) a pair of Audeze LCD-X 2021, and even though they are nice with good bass response and extension and super fast transient attack, the lower mids are a bit "thick" making everything sound a bit more "pleasant". My daily cans for mixing were (until now) the Sennheiser HD-600 which I love for their honesty and intimacy... but they do lack a tiny bit of low end....which does not seem to be the case with these new HD490 Pros. Have only had them for a couple of weeks but they are my new favorite cans for mixing! They give me the honesty of the HD600 with just a bit more bottom end (which translates way better on all listening scenarios) a bit wider soundstage than the HD600 (meaning more realistic) and a drop more of sparkle on the top end which makes mixing decisions easier. I was saving for a pair of Audeze MM_500, but with these Sennheiser HD490 I don't feel any rush to go that direction.... highly recommended! Anyway...my 2 cents... and thanks to Justin again for his honest review!
Thanks for your comparison between the NDH-30 and the HD490. If the pricepoint and the convenience is not the point - just only the sound: which one would you prefer?
That's tough! They have different personalities. The 490 are a bit more "open" sounding, with just a little more clarity and definition further up, particularly with the mixer pads on. The producer pads make them go a little more in the slightly darker direction of the NDH-30, but they still sound a bit more clear and open that way too, while adding some heft to the bottom. The NDH-30 are remarkably thick and smooth and understated while still being revealing. They are on the "midrangey" side for headphones, but that can be very useful. and lead to some great sounding mix decisions. So much of this will depend on your personality and tastes. If you tend to mix way too dark, the NDH-30 will help with that even more than the 490 Pro. They'll make you work even harder to make things sound pretty. The NDH-30 are some of the only dynamics I MIGHT choose over the 490 R for my personal tastes. But it really depends on tastes, needs, goals and personal mixing biases. The NDH-40 are not as fun to listen to, and I think the 490 will easily become more popular based on that and the price. They strike a very good balance between "pleasant" and "useful" while the NDH-30 are ALL about being useful in my book. Give them both a try if you can. Headphones are such a personal choice. I hope that helps! -Justin
I just got these in yesterday and so far I hav had them on my head for over 10hrs lol 😂. A sonic improvement in every way over my trusty old hd600s. But yet still retaining the classic mids the hd6xx are known for. Your review was spot on..cheers….!
Could you elaborate on how exactly the 490 Pro sounds more pleasant than the NDH 30? I am trying to decide between the two and got to try the 490 Pro briefly, but not the Neumann. I didn’t love the 490 Pro and thought the vocals sounded recessed with the velour pads. I have heard great things about the NDH 30’s tonality and timbre which didn’t impress me on the 490 Pro but they are still an annoyingly under-reviewed headphone to this day. It is really hard to get an idea of the Neumann with so few people talking about it. In my limited experience with the 490 Pro, it didn’t sound all that much better than the far cheaper 400 Pro/560S.
The 490 are a little more "open" sounding to my ears. With the mixer pads on especially, there's just an additional bit of brightness and clarity and definition on them without it being excessive or hyped. With the producer pads, it can feel like there's a bit more depth and extension in the low end, depending on the listening material, and you get some more smoothness out of them without being as dark as the NDH 30. The 490 also don't need as much power to run loud, which is a potential advantage. The NDH 30 are slightly more thick and smooth-almost bordering on being slightly dark and "veiled" from an EQ curve perspective.... but without losing detail, which is pretty remarkable! They feel revealing and understated at the same time. In a word, the NDH 30 are a bit more "midrangey". They are not the most "fun" headphones, but I think they inevitably push the mixer in the right direction-especially those who mix a bit dark. I think they are very good for encouraging you to do the right things in the mix. That said, the 490 can absolutely encourage you to do the right things too. They are lighter weight and easier to wear which can be a plus as well. I hope that helps! -Justin
@@SonicScoop Maybe the Neumanns being a bit veiled and thick is why I see a lot of comparisons to the HD 600 and HD 650. From FR graphs (I know not the best way to judge) the Neumanns have a more neutral midrange and an underemphasized treble while the 490 Pros have a dip around 2K and slightly overemphasized treble. Maybe that scoop at 2K is what I was hearing as recession. Do you have comfort complaints with the NDH 30? I know you said the 490 Pro is more comfortable and much lighter but do you find the Neumanns particularly uncomfortable in any way? The massive circular ear pads are iffy to me since I am used to Sennheiser’s smaller oval pads. I have heard the Neumann sound signature changes quite drastically depending on positioning since it has angled/offset drivers and lot of extra space in the ear pads. Have you run into issues with this?
@@c-samleystudios1573 I've heard people talk about the listening angle changing things as well, but I guess with the shape of my head, I haven't had this issue. Yes, with the mixer pads on, the 490 are going to sound a bit brighter than the 650 and the NDH-30. The producer pads bring them a little closer to that fuller, smoother feel, but they'll probably still feel slightly more detailed. The NDH-30 do let 2k get a little more "annoying" in a way that the 490 don't as much. They aren't as pleasant to listen to because of this, but they are extremely revealing and useful and can lead you to make great mix decisions. I'd say the 490 are closer in sound to the 650 than the NDH-30. To me, they sound like the 650, but better. They feel better with less pinch, they are more fun to listen to while still feeling very useful and honest, and the low end seems to extend further than the 600. If you want to go further in that direction, the producer pads will help with that. I don't mind the feel of the Neumanns even though they are heavier and a tighter fit. I wear much heavier headphones normally, since I'm such a fan of planar magnetic designs. But the 490 absolutely "disappear" more than the Neumanns. They are considerably lighter and "press" among the least of any pr headphones I've tried. The only ones that come close are the Sony MDR V1 which are extremely light, and the Beyerdynamics, which are heavier but have VERY comfortable pads and weight distribution. I hope that helps! -Justin
@@SonicScoop This is such great info, Justin! I appreciate how you're always on top of the comments! I've been trying to 'graduate' from HD600 for a while and haven't found 'the ones' just yet. Maybe the HD 490 or the NDH 30 could be the right fit, both figuratively and literally. The Ollo Audio S4X mentioned above in the comments are also a worthy contender.
The Neumann headphones are extremely flat in their response. Get a good mix with them and your mixes will translate with extreme accuracy. Best headphones I’ve ever owned. Real game changer.
For new the magic pill were the Sennheiser hd 380 pro and now they are discontinued. 😢 I had to order an extra pair that I found on the USA. These are super good.
The only thing i disagree here is with "slightly better" transient response, it's significantly better, so much better that not only mids and highs get them faster transients, but also lows, and that means lower distortion through the spectrum, so in the end their biggest advantage is less distortion that is perceived immediately through the transients, but not only.
One thing about the NDH 30 I don't see mentioned often is how the positioning on your ears impacts the frequency response. At least for me the sound changed way too much if they moved around at all which they did often. Maybe it depends on ear or head size but I haven't had that issue on multiple other headphones and I couldnt trust them for that reason. The headphone jack on the right ear was also annoying. The 490 I thought were good but had a plasticky high end sound in comparison. Everything's a compromise.
It’s always best to learn one headphone, and then use several other headphones and sources to check your mix. I love the way Andrew Scheps approaches this issue. Scheps mixes almost exclusively on headphones - a pair of Sony MDR-7506s. Not only one of the cheapest headphones on the market, but further proving that it’s not about finding the best pair of headphones with the perfect “flat” frequency response, but knowing your specific headphones well enough that you rarely need to check your mix on your reference monitors, because you’re confident with your work. As for the MM-100s, they’re a very different set. Manny’s input on both the MM-100 and 500 obviously involved making the mids more present. This is why both are such a departure from the LCD-X, 2/2C, 5, etc. I enjoy the MM-100s, but I do prefer the HD490s for critical work and lean on the Audeze’s for casual listening and media consumption (with some EQ). So it’s definitely a matter of taste. Going back to my earlier point, it’s all about finding what you enjoy using and wearing and making it work for you. Again, I own 3 pairs of Audeze and I love them all, including the MM-100. But I’ve come to love the HD490, having come from the HD600 being my daily driver for mixing; the comfort alone is a huge win for me, but I felt like the thing that was missing on the 600, the lack of bass extension and the somewhat veiled mids, were more than made up for in the 490. It’s not a perfect headphone, mind you, but I do believe Sennheiser did a bang up job making a rock solid working man’s headphone.
The 490 are going to beat the MM-100 when it comes to weight and comfort, while the MM-100 are going to beat the 490 when it comes to transient response. Having one pair of primary headphones you learn really, really well will get you more mileage than switching constantly. But trying many pairs to figure out which pair should be your primary is wise! And it can be useful to have another perspective now and then, though less so with headphones than with speakers in my view. Hope that helps! -Justin
Like a good few others, I am torn between the HD490 Pro v the NDH30. The price of the Sennheisers is ideal for me right now. Would it be fair to say that the Neumann have a slight edge in being the most honest, since you say that you have to work a bit to get the best out of them? I make electronic music (techno), and primarily concerned with getting the lows and low mids right, since my Dynaudio BM5s just can't do the bottom end that well. I am concerned that the Sennheisers may be a little too flattering low end wise? Great channel, sir.
Neither of them are too flattering in the lows. Both are great choices, with the Sennheiser sounding a bit more “open” and the Neumann being a bit more midrangey. Some hip hip and EDM producers want even more low end than that offer. In that case, the Sennheiser have the optional producer pass which increase lows overall. Go get more low end extension than either, you can look at planar magnetics, but they are going to be a lot heavier. If you’re sticking with dynamic headphones, for EDM and hip hop, I think the 490s are a great bet.
Thanks so much for this helpful video! I will definitely try the HD 490 Pro. Have you ever tested the planar Hifiman Edition XS headphones? They have an amazingly neutral frequency response.
Thanks a lot for the review ! If the pricepoint is not the point, which one would you prefer between HD 490 and Focal Clear MG Pro for mixing and producing in term of sound and confort ? (I try to find the best sounding headphone without loosing a lot in term of confort, i sold my Audeze headphone because of that)
If price is no object, the $1500 Focal Clear do outperform the $400 490 in sound quality, most of all in terms of transient response, where planar magnetic headphones really shine. Compared to the Audeze, the Focal Clear are definitely lighter weight, more comfortable, and better looking. But a planar magnetic is never going to be as lightweight and easy to wear as a dynamic. The 490 will beat any planar magnetic on that front, and it’s easily among the most comfortable to wear. The only thing that’s almost as lightweight as the 490 is the Sony MDR V1, and the only other thing that’s almost as comfortable will be the Beyerdynamics, though they are slightly heavier. Hope that helps! -Justin
I can't really trust my room at the moment - I have some dt770s and dt880s but was thinking of getting these or the Slate VSX to finish my album mixes....leaning towards Slate at the moment because of the club emulations....what do you think?
I work next door to a $300,000 professional studio, and out of my hd 600s, Neuman ndh30s , speakers in my treated room and more the vsx in the mike dean room translated perfectly in his mastering studio!! Hope this helps
Hi Justin. I’ve read that the 560s are almost identical to the 490pro but for a fraction of the price (at least as far as frequency response). What’s your take on this? Have you compared these two?
I have not tried the 560s and can’t speak to them. Looking around the web, people seem to say that they sound different, and that the 490 may have more extended bottom and less exaggeration upper mids, but I can’t verify this personally, having never heard the 560. The physical design is quite different, so I don’t know anything about fit and comfort. They wouldn’t come with the Dear Reality software, and I’d imagine there would be sone difference in sound, fit and feel. If you get to try them, please report back and let us know! I’m going to stick to covering headphones that are designed for pro audio use or have been widely adopted in pro audio. Otherwise, there would just be far too much for me to cover! -Justin
@@SonicScoop thanks for your reply! I haven’t tried either of them but I guess comfort wise the 490 are much better. If I manage to get them both I’ll compare them and let you know!
Hello, thanks for your useful channel. I wanted to see if my sound card is Steinberg mr816csx. Does it support Neumaan ndh30 or 490 pro headphones? Thanks
I'm looking for Headphones with "excellent sound isolation", flat response, comfort for long wearing sessions, works for Mixing and general listening, and won't break the Bank. What do you recommend - Makes, Models?
You’ll want to look at closed back models for that instead. Sennhesier, Neumann, Shure, Audio Technica, Austrian Audio, Slate, all great brands. I’ll have to do a video on that too sometime. We have some articles on the subject: sonicscoop.com/best-closed-back-studio-headphones/
Still working on the lineup! I hope so. Sennheiser would be a great sponsor for him actually. He LOVES their Neumann monitors and uses them on everything. 🤞
@@SonicScoop yes those neuman monitors are so small but so good ,They are the best to wear and the sound is so clear ,Sennheiser would be a great sponsor to jason, let's make this real. greetings justin .
Hi! Casual listener here I was trying to understand which one has the better bass, I miss the rumble since I listen a lot of edm xD Between HD 490 and Sony mdr mv1 can one of them slam and rumble ?
The MDR MV1 have more hyped up low end than the HD 490 for sure. The 490 have more neutral and flat response relative to the MDR MV 1. The 490 will encourage you to add more bass than the MDR MV 1 will, so if your mixes have too little low end, the more modest bass of the 490 will encourage you to push it more, while the more amped bass of the MDR will encourage you to push it less. In general, your mixes will sound like the inverse of your monitoring system to a degree. I hope that makes sense, Justin
Just got 490 pros there, good with either pads and the plugin is decent, though. I did get a weird feeling you get when you take off in a plane strange.
Well, think about it this way: I’m not invested in the product with my own money and therefore don’t have to convince myself and the rest of the world that I made the right purchasing decision-which is what the overwhelming majority of consumer reviews in forums end up looking like. Reading through Gearspace and Reddit, it often comes across as people just shilling for what they own. Not to mention that often, consumer posts are anonymous and can even be brand representatives and publicists saying nice things about their own products under anonymous accounts. Also, since I have free versions of practically every major headphone in this category that are made, why should I favor one brand over another merely on that basis? What you should be more concerned about is that we have sponsors and advertisers whose products we cover. But that has been true for every single pro audio publication in history! Unlike some other channels, I always disclose when we have a sponsorship or advertising relationship with a brand. Many channels don’t do this, even though they are supposed to. I hope that helps, Justin
Hahaha. You’re funny. Yes, we started livestreaming at 720. We now do livestreams at 1080. Honestly though, the visual difference is practically indistinguishable for these purposes between 720 and 1080. Do some AB comparisons. For this kind of shot that part of it is objectively not a big deal. The crappy picture in this video has nothing to do with it being 1080 and has everything to do with slow processor speed, older camera with interlaced frames, a weird glitch that day that was causing weird artifacts and the fact that you have an audio guy doing lights! If you think the problem with the picture here is 720 vs 1080 then you probably know even less about video than I do… which is not a lot! 😆
@@SonicScoop okay, sorry for the offence. My mother dying actually in the hospital and my mood is very down. After I saw that 720p Video, so I was angry about that. Thanks for the explanation
![Best Headphones for Mixing: $400 & Under [2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/mPPmlXcrCOg/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for the constant quality output Justin.
My approach is 1) Choose the Best monitors you can afford (that of course sound good to you regardless of cost level) ,
2) Buy Headphones that sound similar to these Monitors . Buy the headphones that work as an extension of your monitors and not ones that build a world of their own.
My idea behind it is that Headphones will always be fantastic when used as a magnifying glass and will always reveal specific details better than a monitor in a room but what i Don`t need from my headphones is them deviating too much in character from my Main Monitors.
If they have too much character of their own i find it much easier to get lost.
After all it is not only about „objective sonic quality“ (if that even exists) but also about your own taste which is what we are selling as engineers.
We will always be biased by our taste, however i see this as the beauty of the whole thing
Very well said!!!!
You should be aware that the Sennheiser 490 Pro and the Neumann NDH-30 are part of Sennheiser Pro in Germany, while the HD series is part of Sennheiser Consumer Audio, owned by Sonova and based in Ireland. These are two seperate companies, that sometimes work together, but do not produce the same products or have the same goals for them.
Nothing will ever top my kitchen countertop HD600. But I do all of my bass management in the studio with serious speakers. So I agree with what he is saying but I've just gotten so used to my 600s...
I think the biggest advantage of dynamic headphones is the fact that most all audio devices still using dynamic drivers so the majority of people are going to like the sound the stuff they grow up to and are used to 🍻 like in your car for example, we spent so much time driving.
The only headphones I got are OLLO S4x, I don't know what the differences are between these and more expensive headphones but I am really comfortable mixing on them , I don't use my studio monitors for mixing any more.
I have now bought a Schiit amp/dac and looking forward to use it as soon as it arrives.
I just picked up a pair of these used. They're not the current calibrated version AFAIK, but the sound is very accurate and the comfort very good. I hope Ollo Audio gains more notoriety in the pro & audiophile market.
I'd like to know your opinion of the 490 Vs 560s sennheisers.
I’m seriously considering these headphones. I’m coming from the Astro A40. So hopefully I’ll be very pleased!
If you go this route, let us know how you like them!
-Justin
@@SonicScoop I sure will!
Great ref. Max Headroom!
I've been thinking about this "headphones for mix/master thing". First of, I think longevity is a very important factor, not for the units themselves, but the specific model, cause once we get used to a specific model, we really need to have the opportunity to get the same ones later on, or replace parts. This is what is genius about the simple Andrew Shepps old sony MDRs, cause they're exactly the same since the day they came out. I'm by no means saying they're great. Speakers are the same thing, but, the room plays a big part on that, so, in a perfect world one can mix on the same room and speakers all their life.
I've been able to stop using Sonarworks since starting to mix on Sennheiser's 6XX cans (a rebranded version of the HD 650). They're almost, like... boring, lol - what you call "neutral" in the video. They even feel less open than other open backs I've used. I'd so much more rather listen to music on a pair of Beyers, but when I try to mix on them they trick me into thinking the high end is more hyped than it actually is and everything comes out too dark!
Might check out this pair when the time comes to upgrade. I don't love how strongly the 6XX presses on my ears.
Exactly! It's not about how much fun the are to listen to, it's about how much fun your resulting mix is to listen to :-)
If you ever wear out your 6XX you might like these a lot. With the mixing pads there's the tiniest bit more top end in the 490, and with the producer pads, they have that same kind of smoothness on top, but with more useful low end too.
If you don't love the pinch on the 6XX, the 490 definitely address that! Much more comfortable. It seems like they really listened to the feedback from users and addressed everything on the list.
-Justin
@@SonicScoop Great to know - I don't love mixing mostly on cans but sometimes that's kind of what I need to do, so I have no choice but to care about this stuff haha.
Your content has been a huge help for me Justin, thanks for doing your thing!
You definitely have to come to terms with finding a balance between what excites you and what provides YOU with the most important information for making critical decisions. There is no magic set of cans even when you cross that $1000-1500 threshold. I personally need to hear hype in order to get inspired early on in a mix which is why my initial decisions are still made with my M50x cos my ears are fully tuned to them at this point and by now I know how that hype translates. When I get to that last 10% tho I’m at the desk automating with my UF8 and referencing between my monitors and open backs which in my case are the Shure 1840s. The thing about neutral open backs, and I auditioned many, is that they all sound underwhelming. They’re a tool like a finishing cloth. Their usefulness only really comes at the end, at least for mixing. Mastering is a different story. What is absolutely essential is a good DAC and I don’t mean your interface unless you have a Burl in your backpack. That said, start your mixes with your ear buds, production cans, whatever it is that you like to listen to your favorite music with recreationally to get your mix exciting! THEN put on the open backs and clean out the garbage. Checking your ref the whole time of course.. 🙏
really great review. you get in the weeds, without waffling & wasting time. just detail, which is what its all about. cheers!!
NDH 30's turned out to be the magic pill for me. I can mix with complete confidence now. Total game changer, i love them. Thanks to Justin for the suggestion on these. Also picked up a Rupert Neve Headphone amp. Man, what a different universe.
Nice! Those are some of the most useful dynamic headphones out there IMHO. Great to hear!
-Justin
I had the NDH's and returned them. I overcompensated way too much for their dull and lack of clarity treble presentation.
You should compare the specs of the Neve against Topping. I was going Neve at first too. Not now.
@@urbanman1516 me too... sold them. too dull on the treble and too much work to get decent mixes. went back to the HD600 which I trust more and translate better for me. very curious about these new Sennheisers and the Audeze mm-500. thanks justin
Thanks for your review Justin. I finally went ahead and bought a pair of Sennheiser HD490 Pro. Used Neumann NDH30 for a year but ended selling them as they were simply too "muted" on the top end for me. My mixes were too bright when I listened to them on other sources compensating for the lack of "spark" of the Neumanns. As Justin points out, the Neumanns can be boring and not engaging (even if they do sound very neutral). I had tried Beyer DT1990 before, but gosh, they were sooo bright, I got exactly the opposite kind of mixes... too tamed in the upper register to compensate for the exaggerated brightness. Also used (and still use) a pair of Audeze LCD-X 2021, and even though they are nice with good bass response and extension and super fast transient attack, the lower mids are a bit "thick" making everything sound a bit more "pleasant". My daily cans for mixing were (until now) the Sennheiser HD-600 which I love for their honesty and intimacy... but they do lack a tiny bit of low end....which does not seem to be the case with these new HD490 Pros. Have only had them for a couple of weeks but they are my new favorite cans for mixing! They give me the honesty of the HD600 with just a bit more bottom end (which translates way better on all listening scenarios) a bit wider soundstage than the HD600 (meaning more realistic) and a drop more of sparkle on the top end which makes mixing decisions easier. I was saving for a pair of Audeze MM_500, but with these Sennheiser HD490 I don't feel any rush to go that direction.... highly recommended! Anyway...my 2 cents... and thanks to Justin again for his honest review!
Thanks for your comparison between the NDH-30 and the HD490. If the pricepoint and the convenience is not the point - just only the sound: which one would you prefer?
That's tough! They have different personalities.
The 490 are a bit more "open" sounding, with just a little more clarity and definition further up, particularly with the mixer pads on.
The producer pads make them go a little more in the slightly darker direction of the NDH-30, but they still sound a bit more clear and open that way too, while adding some heft to the bottom.
The NDH-30 are remarkably thick and smooth and understated while still being revealing. They are on the "midrangey" side for headphones, but that can be very useful. and lead to some great sounding mix decisions.
So much of this will depend on your personality and tastes. If you tend to mix way too dark, the NDH-30 will help with that even more than the 490 Pro. They'll make you work even harder to make things sound pretty.
The NDH-30 are some of the only dynamics I MIGHT choose over the 490 R for my personal tastes. But it really depends on tastes, needs, goals and personal mixing biases. The NDH-40 are not as fun to listen to, and I think the 490 will easily become more popular based on that and the price. They strike a very good balance between "pleasant" and "useful" while the NDH-30 are ALL about being useful in my book.
Give them both a try if you can. Headphones are such a personal choice. I hope that helps!
-Justin
I just got these in yesterday and so far I hav had them on my head for over 10hrs lol 😂. A sonic improvement in every way over my trusty old hd600s. But yet still retaining the classic mids the hd6xx are known for. Your review was spot on..cheers….!
Thank you!!
Could you elaborate on how exactly the 490 Pro sounds more pleasant than the NDH 30? I am trying to decide between the two and got to try the 490 Pro briefly, but not the Neumann. I didn’t love the 490 Pro and thought the vocals sounded recessed with the velour pads. I have heard great things about the NDH 30’s tonality and timbre which didn’t impress me on the 490 Pro but they are still an annoyingly under-reviewed headphone to this day. It is really hard to get an idea of the Neumann with so few people talking about it. In my limited experience with the 490 Pro, it didn’t sound all that much better than the far cheaper 400 Pro/560S.
The 490 are a little more "open" sounding to my ears. With the mixer pads on especially, there's just an additional bit of brightness and clarity and definition on them without it being excessive or hyped.
With the producer pads, it can feel like there's a bit more depth and extension in the low end, depending on the listening material, and you get some more smoothness out of them without being as dark as the NDH 30. The 490 also don't need as much power to run loud, which is a potential advantage.
The NDH 30 are slightly more thick and smooth-almost bordering on being slightly dark and "veiled" from an EQ curve perspective.... but without losing detail, which is pretty remarkable! They feel revealing and understated at the same time.
In a word, the NDH 30 are a bit more "midrangey". They are not the most "fun" headphones, but I think they inevitably push the mixer in the right direction-especially those who mix a bit dark. I think they are very good for encouraging you to do the right things in the mix.
That said, the 490 can absolutely encourage you to do the right things too. They are lighter weight and easier to wear which can be a plus as well.
I hope that helps!
-Justin
@@SonicScoop Maybe the Neumanns being a bit veiled and thick is why I see a lot of comparisons to the HD 600 and HD 650. From FR graphs (I know not the best way to judge) the Neumanns have a more neutral midrange and an underemphasized treble while the 490 Pros have a dip around 2K and slightly overemphasized treble. Maybe that scoop at 2K is what I was hearing as recession. Do you have comfort complaints with the NDH 30? I know you said the 490 Pro is more comfortable and much lighter but do you find the Neumanns particularly uncomfortable in any way? The massive circular ear pads are iffy to me since I am used to Sennheiser’s smaller oval pads. I have heard the Neumann sound signature changes quite drastically depending on positioning since it has angled/offset drivers and lot of extra space in the ear pads. Have you run into issues with this?
@@c-samleystudios1573 I've heard people talk about the listening angle changing things as well, but I guess with the shape of my head, I haven't had this issue.
Yes, with the mixer pads on, the 490 are going to sound a bit brighter than the 650 and the NDH-30. The producer pads bring them a little closer to that fuller, smoother feel, but they'll probably still feel slightly more detailed.
The NDH-30 do let 2k get a little more "annoying" in a way that the 490 don't as much. They aren't as pleasant to listen to because of this, but they are extremely revealing and useful and can lead you to make great mix decisions.
I'd say the 490 are closer in sound to the 650 than the NDH-30. To me, they sound like the 650, but better. They feel better with less pinch, they are more fun to listen to while still feeling very useful and honest, and the low end seems to extend further than the 600. If you want to go further in that direction, the producer pads will help with that.
I don't mind the feel of the Neumanns even though they are heavier and a tighter fit. I wear much heavier headphones normally, since I'm such a fan of planar magnetic designs. But the 490 absolutely "disappear" more than the Neumanns. They are considerably lighter and "press" among the least of any pr headphones I've tried. The only ones that come close are the Sony MDR V1 which are extremely light, and the Beyerdynamics, which are heavier but have VERY comfortable pads and weight distribution.
I hope that helps!
-Justin
@@SonicScoop This is such great info, Justin! I appreciate how you're always on top of the comments!
I've been trying to 'graduate' from HD600 for a while and haven't found 'the ones' just yet. Maybe the HD 490 or the NDH 30 could be the right fit, both figuratively and literally. The Ollo Audio S4X mentioned above in the comments are also a worthy contender.
The Neumann headphones are extremely flat in their response. Get a good mix with them and your mixes will translate with extreme accuracy. Best headphones I’ve ever owned. Real game changer.
For new the magic pill were the Sennheiser hd 380 pro and now they are discontinued. 😢
I had to order an extra pair that I found on the USA.
These are super good.
The only thing i disagree here is with "slightly better" transient response, it's significantly better, so much better that not only mids and highs get them faster transients, but also lows, and that means lower distortion through the spectrum, so in the end their biggest advantage is less distortion that is perceived immediately through the transients, but not only.
One thing about the NDH 30 I don't see mentioned often is how the positioning on your ears impacts the frequency response. At least for me the sound changed way too much if they moved around at all which they did often. Maybe it depends on ear or head size but I haven't had that issue on multiple other headphones and I couldnt trust them for that reason. The headphone jack on the right ear was also annoying.
The 490 I thought were good but had a plasticky high end sound in comparison. Everything's a compromise.
hey man I mix on sennheiser 560s .have you tried them vrs the 490? I'm just wondering how they compare.
How does the hd490 compare to the mm-100? :-) also do you recommend people have multiple headphones or to just get used to one they really know….
It’s always best to learn one headphone, and then use several other headphones and sources to check your mix. I love the way Andrew Scheps approaches this issue. Scheps mixes almost exclusively on headphones - a pair of Sony MDR-7506s. Not only one of the cheapest headphones on the market, but further proving that it’s not about finding the best pair of headphones with the perfect “flat” frequency response, but knowing your specific headphones well enough that you rarely need to check your mix on your reference monitors, because you’re confident with your work.
As for the MM-100s, they’re a very different set. Manny’s input on both the MM-100 and 500 obviously involved making the mids more present. This is why both are such a departure from the LCD-X, 2/2C, 5, etc. I enjoy the MM-100s, but I do prefer the HD490s for critical work and lean on the Audeze’s for casual listening and media consumption (with some EQ). So it’s definitely a matter of taste.
Going back to my earlier point, it’s all about finding what you enjoy using and wearing and making it work for you. Again, I own 3 pairs of Audeze and I love them all, including the MM-100. But I’ve come to love the HD490, having come from the HD600 being my daily driver for mixing; the comfort alone is a huge win for me, but I felt like the thing that was missing on the 600, the lack of bass extension and the somewhat veiled mids, were more than made up for in the 490. It’s not a perfect headphone, mind you, but I do believe Sennheiser did a bang up job making a rock solid working man’s headphone.
The 490 are going to beat the MM-100 when it comes to weight and comfort, while the MM-100 are going to beat the 490 when it comes to transient response.
Having one pair of primary headphones you learn really, really well will get you more mileage than switching constantly.
But trying many pairs to figure out which pair should be your primary is wise! And it can be useful to have another perspective now and then, though less so with headphones than with speakers in my view.
Hope that helps!
-Justin
Like a good few others, I am torn between the HD490 Pro v the NDH30. The price of the Sennheisers is ideal for me right now. Would it be fair to say that the Neumann have a slight edge in being the most honest, since you say that you have to work a bit to get the best out of them? I make electronic music (techno), and primarily concerned with getting the lows and low mids right, since my Dynaudio BM5s just can't do the bottom end that well. I am concerned that the Sennheisers may be a little too flattering low end wise? Great channel, sir.
Neither of them are too flattering in the lows. Both are great choices, with the Sennheiser sounding a bit more “open” and the Neumann being a bit more midrangey.
Some hip hip and EDM producers want even more low end than that offer. In that case, the Sennheiser have the optional producer pass which increase lows overall.
Go get more low end extension than either, you can look at planar magnetics, but they are going to be a lot heavier.
If you’re sticking with dynamic headphones, for EDM and hip hop, I think the 490s are a great bet.
Paranormal activity happening with the camera loll
Indeed! Hopefully will have it sorted for next week’s live stream. OS upgrades are always a drag.
-Justin
Thanks so much for this helpful video! I will definitely try the HD 490 Pro.
Have you ever tested the planar Hifiman Edition XS headphones? They have an amazingly neutral frequency response.
I'd love to! Tell them to send me some!! :-)
-Justin
Thanks a lot for the review ! If the pricepoint is not the point, which one would you prefer between HD 490 and Focal Clear MG Pro for mixing and producing in term of sound and confort ? (I try to find the best sounding headphone without loosing a lot in term of confort, i sold my Audeze headphone because of that)
If price is no object, the $1500 Focal Clear do outperform the $400 490 in sound quality, most of all in terms of transient response, where planar magnetic headphones really shine.
Compared to the Audeze, the Focal Clear are definitely lighter weight, more comfortable, and better looking.
But a planar magnetic is never going to be as lightweight and easy to wear as a dynamic. The 490 will beat any planar magnetic on that front, and it’s easily among the most comfortable to wear.
The only thing that’s almost as lightweight as the 490 is the Sony MDR V1, and the only other thing that’s almost as comfortable will be the Beyerdynamics, though they are slightly heavier.
Hope that helps!
-Justin
@@SonicScoop That helps, thanks a lot Justin !
I can't really trust my room at the moment - I have some dt770s and dt880s but was thinking of getting these or the Slate VSX to finish my album mixes....leaning towards Slate at the moment because of the club emulations....what do you think?
I work next door to a $300,000 professional studio, and out of my hd 600s, Neuman ndh30s , speakers in my treated room and more the vsx in the mike dean room translated perfectly in his mastering studio!!
Hope this helps
Hi Justin. I’ve read that the 560s are almost identical to the 490pro but for a fraction of the price (at least as far as frequency response). What’s your take on this? Have you compared these two?
I have not tried the 560s and can’t speak to them.
Looking around the web, people seem to say that they sound different, and that the 490 may have more extended bottom and less exaggeration upper mids, but I can’t verify this personally, having never heard the 560.
The physical design is quite different, so I don’t know anything about fit and comfort. They wouldn’t come with the Dear Reality software, and I’d imagine there would be sone difference in sound, fit and feel.
If you get to try them, please report back and let us know! I’m going to stick to covering headphones that are designed for pro audio use or have been widely adopted in pro audio.
Otherwise, there would just be far too much for me to cover!
-Justin
@@SonicScoop thanks for your reply! I haven’t tried either of them but I guess comfort wise the 490 are much better. If I manage to get them both I’ll compare them and let you know!
Hello, thanks for your useful channel. I wanted to see if my sound card is Steinberg mr816csx. Does it support Neumaan ndh30 or 490 pro headphones? Thanks
I'm looking for Headphones with "excellent sound isolation", flat response, comfort for long wearing sessions, works for Mixing and general listening, and won't break the Bank. What do you recommend - Makes, Models?
You’ll want to look at closed back models for that instead. Sennhesier, Neumann, Shure, Audio Technica, Austrian Audio, Slate, all great brands.
I’ll have to do a video on that too sometime. We have some articles on the subject: sonicscoop.com/best-closed-back-studio-headphones/
@@SonicScoopThanks, I'll check out the articles.
Heyyy Justin, did you get engineer Jason Goldenberg to appear in this mix con of 2024? 😮😮 Looking forward to autumn now!
Still working on the lineup! I hope so. Sennheiser would be a great sponsor for him actually. He LOVES their Neumann monitors and uses them on everything. 🤞
@@SonicScoop yes those neuman monitors are so small but so good ,They are the best to wear and the sound is so clear ,Sennheiser would be a great sponsor to jason, let's make this real. greetings justin .
Hi! Casual listener here
I was trying to understand which one has the better bass, I miss the rumble since I listen a lot of edm xD
Between HD 490 and Sony mdr mv1 can one of them slam and rumble ?
The MDR MV1 have more hyped up low end than the HD 490 for sure. The 490 have more neutral and flat response relative to the MDR MV 1.
The 490 will encourage you to add more bass than the MDR MV 1 will, so if your mixes have too little low end, the more modest bass of the 490 will encourage you to push it more, while the more amped bass of the MDR will encourage you to push it less.
In general, your mixes will sound like the inverse of your monitoring system to a degree.
I hope that makes sense,
Justin
How does they compare to the Sennheiser Momentum 4?
In terms of sound of course. I just wonder, if they are much better than it?
Dang! I just ordered a pair of the 660S2 headphones before seeing this video!! Did I make a mistake? I’m using them for mixing… 😱😱😱😱😱😱😱
Did you decide to keep the 660S2's? Or did you go with the 490's?
@@xindridxcoldx I kept the 660S2
Just got 490 pros there, good with either pads and the plugin is decent, though. I did get a weird feeling you get when you take off in a plane strange.
How to trust in these analysis ... when you receive Mikes, Headphone for free ...
Well, think about it this way: I’m not invested in the product with my own money and therefore don’t have to convince myself and the rest of the world that I made the right purchasing decision-which is what the overwhelming majority of consumer reviews in forums end up looking like.
Reading through Gearspace and Reddit, it often comes across as people just shilling for what they own.
Not to mention that often, consumer posts are anonymous and can even be brand representatives and publicists saying nice things about their own products under anonymous accounts.
Also, since I have free versions of practically every major headphone in this category that are made, why should I favor one brand over another merely on that basis?
What you should be more concerned about is that we have sponsors and advertisers whose products we cover.
But that has been true for every single pro audio publication in history!
Unlike some other channels, I always disclose when we have a sponsorship or advertising relationship with a brand. Many channels don’t do this, even though they are supposed to.
I hope that helps,
Justin
albert?
@@thiskidkills7806 yes
720p videos? seriously? ... what a shame
welcome to 2006
you should delete your youtube acoount.
Hahaha. You’re funny.
Yes, we started livestreaming at 720. We now do livestreams at 1080.
Honestly though, the visual difference is practically indistinguishable for these purposes between 720 and 1080. Do some AB comparisons. For this kind of shot that part of it is objectively not a big deal.
The crappy picture in this video has nothing to do with it being 1080 and has everything to do with slow processor speed, older camera with interlaced frames, a weird glitch that day that was causing weird artifacts and the fact that you have an audio guy doing lights!
If you think the problem with the picture here is 720 vs 1080 then you probably know even less about video than I do… which is not a lot! 😆
@@SonicScoop okay, sorry for the offence. My mother dying actually in the hospital and my mood is very down.
After I saw that 720p Video, so I was angry about that.
Thanks for the explanation