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Sennheiser Releases its Newest Studio Headphone, the HD490

Sennheiser has unveiled its latest offering: the HD 490 PRO open-back reference studio headphones, meticulously engineered for the exacting demands of producing, mixing, and mastering. These circumaural, dynamic headphones are meant to deliver unparalleled precision in sound reproduction, offering an expansive and lifelike soundstage for a relatively affordable price of $400.

In an era dominated by wireless active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones, Sennheiser continues to push the boundaries by delivering headphones tailored specifically for mixing and mastering tasks. Regardless of the studio environment you’re working in, there are moments when relying on headphones becomes essential.

The HD 490 PRO is aimed to be the perfect complement to your studio monitors, offering an additional set of finely tuned ears whenever needed. Their open-back dynamic design ensures a neutral and precise soundstage, facilitating swift decision-making during mixing sessions.

Equipped with 38mm dynamic transducers, the HD 490 PRO headphones boast an impressive frequency range from 5 to 36,000 Hz, accompanied by a maximum SPL of 128 dB. This configuration produces a distortion-free sound characterized by exceptional clarity, courtesy of Sennheiser’s innovative Open-frame Architecture.

We’re quite excited to get our hands on this as we reviewed their previously released HD400 Pro which we thought was a solid offering for its price. How much more are you gonna get for $100 to $150 extra? We don’t know yet and this is something to look forward to soon! 

Competitive Closed-Back? Hifiman Sundara Closed Review

Hifiman’s Sundara has earned a distinguished reputation in the world of headphones, and the Sundara Closed-Back is no exception. Positioned as a home-listening closed-back headphone, it promises an immersive audio experience without breaking the bank. Priced at $229 (down from $400), this iteration aims to captivate enthusiasts with its unique features and, of course, the signature Hifiman sound quality. In this review, we’ll delve into the details of the Sundara Closed-Back, exploring its design, build, comfort, sound quality, and overall value for money.

Overview

The Sundara Closed is one of the few sealed headphone offerings from Hifiman originally retailing for $400 but is currently available at $229. The cups are made from this divisive Beechwood which is hand-assembled and unlike any other Hifiman offerings. The rest seems to have been inspired by the OG Sundara which is not surprising considering they share the same name.

hifiman sundara closed-back

Packaging & Build Quality

The headphone is packaged inside their newish eco-friendly box that doesn’t have as many papers inside and one that comes with a headphone stand. I kinda complained about it when I reviewed the HE1000 V3 but in the case of the Sundara Closed, it’s perfect considering its price. The headphone comes with a 3.5mm cable and a quarter-inch adapter. The cable seems fine for its application both in terms of its length at 1.5m and its overall texture.

hifiman sundara closed-back box

Leveraging the frame of the Sundara, the Sundara Closed-Back inherits some drawbacks, such as scratch-prone headband arms and shallow pads. Despite these quirks, the headphone exudes a utilitarian vibe, with a decent woodcut on the cups and an overall sturdy construction. The weight, at 432 grams, may take some getting used to for those transitioning from lighter headphones.

Comfort

Comfort proves to be a subjective aspect, with the snug fit and shallow pads potentially irking some users. While the closed design provides decent passive noise isolation, it might not be the most breathable option for extended use in warm conditions. Comparatively, the original Sundara is perceived as more comfortable.

Isolation

The Sundara Closed-Back offers commendable passive noise isolation, making it suitable for home use, office environments, and even long bus trips. While not equivalent to noise-canceling headphones, it effectively reduces ambient noise, providing a focused listening experience.

Page 2: Sound Quality & Conclusion

Inexpensive & Premium – Simgot EW200 IEM Review

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I haven’t had the chance to review many IEMs in recent years, and it’s been quite a while since I last added one to my collection. Consequently, it’s always a bit of a surprise when a company sends me an IEM for review. However, I also view it as a welcome opportunity to revisit the IEM landscape, especially in the context of how Chi-Fi has been evolving. For this one, I have the EW200 from Simgot and here’s my full review.

Anticipating Audio Excellence: The Upcoming November Hifi Show 2023

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If you’re passionate about sound and on the lookout for the latest in audio technology, the upcoming November Hifi Show 2023 happening on November 11 and 12 is something you don’t want to miss. Set to take place in the heart of the bustling city, this event promises to bring together audiophiles, industry experts, and audio brands for a weekend of sonic exploration.

Bose Announces its New QuietComfort Ultra Line


Bose has announced the latest iterations of its classic QuietComfort line: the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and the QuietComfort Headphones. These new releases maintain the renowned features associated with the QuietComfort brand, including exceptional noise cancellation, high-quality audio, and unparalleled comfort and stability.

Adding to the excitement, the QC Ultra Headphones and Earbuds feature a fresh premium design and introduce the innovative Bose Immersive Audio technology, promising an enhanced listening experience. Here’s a brief statement from Bose’s CPO, Raza Haider

“We know that listening to music is a deeply personal experience — what you listen to, when and where you listen, and the emotion it has the power to evoke. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Earbuds with Bose Immersive Audio won’t disappoint. The lifelike listening experience, superior noise cancellation performance, and modern design truly make both products the ultimate companion for any music lover.”

The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds will hit the market in early October, priced at $429 and $299 respectively, and will be available in Black and White Smoke variants. Meanwhile, the QuietComfort Headphones will be released on September 21st for $349, offered in Black, White Smoke, and a limited-edition Cypress Green.

We’re excited to get our hands on them as we’ve reviewed the QC35, NC700, and QC45 in the past. As the name QuietComfort suggests, they are some of the most comfortable noise-canceling headphones out due to their lightweight stature, reasonable clamp, and good padding overall. Stay tuned for our review!

Shocker! Sony Acquires Audiophile Manufacturer Audeze


Audeze, renowned for its high-end headphones and planar magnetic driver technology, is set to be acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a significant development in the audio world. The acquisition aims to scale Audeze’s operations while maintaining its multi-platform product development.

The move raises questions about potential integrations between the two companies, especially given Sony Interactive Entertainment’s oversight of the PlayStation division. With Audeze’s technology already featured in gaming headsets, the acquisition could deepen ties within the gaming ecosystem, potentially leading to innovations in PlayStation and other gaming products.

This news follows Sony’s recent introduction of Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore products utilizing planar magnetic technology, suggesting Audeze’s involvement in their development. Audeze’s history of manufacturing products for other brands also indicates potential collaborations in the future.

While the impact of Sony’s resources on Audeze remains speculative, recent successes like the Audeze Maxwell headset hint at exciting possibilities for gamers and headphone enthusiasts. This acquisition mirrors the trend of high-end headphone companies being acquired, such as Sennheiser’s consumer division by Sonova. The audio community eagerly awaits the unfolding effects of these acquisitions, yet Sennheiser has continued to deliver acclaimed products post-acquisition.

We’ve reviewed Audeze’s products in the past namely the LCD-2 and the discontinued Sine. Audeze was at the forefront of the planar magnetic technology along with Hifiman and has built a rabid fanbase for their headphone offerings over the last 10 years or so. it’s expected that they’ll make more consumer-oriented offerings such as gamers rather than focusing on audiophiles alone. Looking forward to what they have in store for us!

Cheapest Endgame Headphones? | HE1000 Stealth Magnet Review

The HE1000 was one of the first outrageously expensive planar magnetic headphones that came out in 2015. During this time there weren’t many headphones that cost over $2,000. Even Hifiman’s previous flagship, the HE6 only retailed for $1,300. Fast forward to 2023 and I finally have gotten myself a pair thanks to Hifiman. Is the HE1000 Stealth Magnet Version a potential end-game headphone? Let’s take a look!

Premium Studio Headphone? | Neumann NDH 30 Review

Studio headphones used to be my favorite type when I was just getting started. I’ve always liked their no-nonsense look as well as how tanky they seem to be. I have long moved on from my fascination but I’m still able to try some every once in a while thanks to this website. For this edition, let’s check out the Neumann NDH 30 open-back dynamic driver headphone.