The catch
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
Beside a live vocal microphone, open cups are a poor choice.
Side by side
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO vs HD 560S Compared: On HD 490 the cable can plug in on either side
Quick verdict
HD 490 PRO is the pick when you want cable entry on either side and two supplied pad sets for a studio desk. HD 560S is the pick when a conventional single-side lead meets your needs. Both are open-back, and 1.8 m cables come in the standard packages.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
You get more routing options but no more reach
HD 490 PRO has two cable-entry choices, yet its standard reach is still the same 1.8 m.
Where this comes from
Two earcup connection positions against one, and both standard packages are listed at 1.8 m.
The catch
Sennheiser HD 560S
Music leaks out of open cups, and room noise gets in.
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
- Why pick it
- On your desk, the cable has to run along the right side.
- The supplied mixing and producing pad sets are what you want.
- The catch
- Beside a live vocal microphone, open cups are a poor choice.
Sennheiser HD 560S
- Why pick it
- A single standard listening setup is all you need.
- Your current desk works fine with a single-side cable.
- The catch
- Music leaks out of open cups, and room noise gets in.
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What this page compares
HD 490 PRO and HD 560S compared on cable routing, supplied pad sets and quiet-room use, so you can judge whether the studio workflow changes justify the upgrade.
HD 490 PRO is the pick when you want cable entry on either side and two supplied pad sets for a studio desk. HD 560S is the pick when a conventional single-side lead meets your needs. Both are open-back, and 1.8 m cables come in the standard packages.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The cable runs across your mouse hand
On HD 490 PRO the cable can come off either earcup.
- Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
- Better fit
- Sennheiser HD 560S
- Good
You switch pads between production and mixing
Both pad sets ship in the standard HD 490 package.
- Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
- Better fit
- Sennheiser HD 560S
- Good
You need a 3 m lead in the box
Standard packages as listed here come with 1.8 m leads.
- Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
- Caution
- Sennheiser HD 560S
- Caution
You record vocals at a mic close by
With either open design, playback can bleed into the recording.
- Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
- Caution
- Sennheiser HD 560S
- Caution
In practice
Differences you will notice
You get more routing options but no more reach
HD 490 PRO has two cable-entry choices, yet its standard reach is still the same 1.8 m.
How we worked this out
Two earcup connection positions against one, and both standard packages are listed at 1.8 m.
Standard PRO differs from PRO Plus
Nothing in the HD 490 PRO listing suggests it comes with the longer lead and case from the Plus accessory package.
How we worked this out
Sennheiser treats standard PRO and PRO Plus as two distinct package variants.
Upgrading will not fix sound leakage
Since both models are open-back, a shared room stays a problem after you buy.
How we worked this out
The official construction records for both describe open-back acoustics.
Plug in your setup
Which headphones suit the way you listen?
Start with how you listen. Charging over USB is not the same as playing audio over USB, and some headphones need power even on a cable. These answers are placeholders until you apply your own.
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
Fails these checksThis model cannot play over Bluetooth.
Sennheiser HD 560S
Fails these checksThis model cannot play over Bluetooth.
Battery figures are maker claims for the stated mode. They do not reflect measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age all change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak some sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not judge sound quality, mic quality or amplifier power.
Option A
Sennheiser, HD 490 PRO
HD 490 PRO
This studio-focused open-back pair lets you plug the cable into either earcup and includes two sets of pads. Choose whichever side keeps the cable away from your mouse hand.
- Best for
- Recording desks where you care how the cable runs
Facts we checked
- A 1.8 m cable comes with the standard HD 490 PRO.
- Without the cable, the weight is 260 g, and the impedance is 130 ohms.
- Either side takes the cable, and pad sets for mixing and producing are supplied.
Option B
Sennheiser, HD 560S
HD 560S
An open, wired pair meant for a quiet desk, with a 3.5 mm plug and a cable you can replace. Leave it at home if other people sit nearby.
- Best for
- Quiet-desk listening with nothing to charge
Facts we checked
- A 1.8 m cable and a 6.3 mm adapter are what the current US package lists.
- A 120-ohm dynamic driver is what the manufacturer specifies.
- Open-back is the design of the earcups.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Sennheiser HD 490 PRO | Sennheiser HD 560S | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cable routing | Socket on either earcup | Single-side connection | With HD 490 PRO, you can keep the cable out of your mouse hand’s way. |
| Supplied pad sets | Mixing and producing sets | One standard fitted set | Swapping pad setups with the HD 490 package needs no extra purchase, since the second set is included. |
| Standard cable length | 1.8 m | 1.8 m | PRO Plus is a longer-cable bundle that standard PRO is not. |
| Nominal impedance | 130 ohms | 120 ohms | A small nominal gap does not decide whether a source is compatible. |
| Construction | Open-back | Open-back | Neither holds playback in the way a closed tracking headphone does. |
| Cable replacement | Detachable | Detachable | HD 490 PRO is not the only one with a replaceable cable. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
- The PRO Plus accessory bundle contains different items than the standard PRO package.
With Sennheiser HD 560S
- If your phone only has USB, you need a separate headphone adapter.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
On your desk, the cable has to run along the right side.
Go with Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. When your interface sits on the right, HD 490 PRO can keep the lead from crossing the keyboard or mouse area. That is a concrete workflow improvement, and no sound-quality score is needed to see it.
A single standard listening setup is all you need.
Go with Sennheiser HD 560S. Mixing and producing pads come with HD 490. Stick to one set when you compare, because swapping pads changes the listening setup too.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go with HD 490 PRO for cable entry on either side and two supplied pad sets at a studio desk. Go with HD 560S if a conventional single-side lead is enough. Both are open-back, and 1.8 m cables are supplied in the standard packages.
A cable on the opposite side can matter daily
When your interface sits on the right, HD 490 PRO can keep the lead from crossing the keyboard or mouse area. That is a concrete workflow improvement, and no sound-quality score is needed to see it.
Pad choices add a setup decision you can repeat
Mixing and producing pads come with HD 490. Stick to one set when you compare, because swapping pads changes the listening setup too.
Look at the package before you compare offers
Standard PRO and PRO Plus carry the same headphone name front and center but ship with different accessories. This page sets the standard 1.8 m PRO package against HD 560S.
What this page can’t tell you
- How the tuning differs between pad sets is not quantified here.
- Not every recording role suits an open-back build.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the headphones we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
21 of the 60 models checked meet every need here: “I want music even with a dead battery”, “I connect to a headphone jack”, and “I do not want something else to charge”.
21 models fit, out of 60 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I want music even with a dead battery”, “I connect to a headphone jack”, and “I do not want something else to charge”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sennheiser HD 490 PRO |
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| Sennheiser HD 560S |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
On your desk, the cable has to run along the right side.
See price & reviews on AmazonSennheiser HD 560S
A single standard listening setup is all you need.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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