Best Product Fit

Head-to-head

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO vs HD 560S: HD 490 lets the cable enter from either side

The short answer

Choose HD 490 PRO if you want cable entry on either side and two supplied pad sets for a studio desk. Choose HD 560S if a conventional single-side lead meets your needs. Both are open-back and the standard packages supply 1.8 m cables.

Before you choose

The reasoning and the trade-offs

Routing flexibility changes without extra reach

HD 490 PRO gives two cable-entry choices but the same 1.8 m standard reach.

What this is based on

Two earcup connection positions versus one, with 1.8 m listed for both standard packages.

Main trade-off

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO

Open cups are not a good choice beside a live vocal microphone.

Main trade-off

Sennheiser HD 560S

Open cups let room noise in and music out.

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO

Choose it for
  • Your cable needs to run on the right side of the desk.
  • You want the supplied mixing and producing pad sets.
Main trade-off
Open cups are not a good choice beside a live vocal microphone.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Sennheiser HD 560S

Sennheiser HD 560S

Choose it for
  • You only need one standard listening setup.
  • A single-side cable suits your current desk.
Main trade-off
Open cups let room noise in and music out.
See price & reviews on Amazon

Analysis updated , Catalog updated , Amazon.com / United States

About this comparison

Compare HD 490 PRO and HD 560S by cable routing, supplied pad sets and quiet-room use. Decide whether the studio workflow changes justify the upgrade.

Choose HD 490 PRO if you want cable entry on either side and two supplied pad sets for a studio desk. Choose HD 560S if a conventional single-side lead meets your needs. Both are open-back and the standard packages supply 1.8 m cables.

Winner by situation

Start with what you need it to do

  • Cable crosses your mouse hand

    HD 490 PRO can route from either earcup.

    Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
    Better fit
    Sennheiser HD 560S
    Good

  • You use different pads for production and mixing

    HD 490 includes both pad sets in the standard package.

    Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
    Better fit
    Sennheiser HD 560S
    Good

  • You need a supplied 3 m lead

    The standard packages listed here include 1.8 m leads.

    Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
    Caution
    Sennheiser HD 560S
    Caution

  • You record at a nearby vocal mic

    Both open designs can spill playback into the recording.

    Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
    Caution
    Sennheiser HD 560S
    Caution

What matters in practice

The differences that matter

Routing flexibility changes without extra reach

HD 490 PRO gives two cable-entry choices but the same 1.8 m standard reach.

How we reached this conclusion

Two earcup connection positions versus one, with 1.8 m listed for both standard packages.

Standard PRO is not PRO Plus

The HD 490 PRO listing does not justify assuming the longer lead and case of the Plus accessory package.

How we reached this conclusion

Sennheiser identifies standard PRO and PRO Plus as separate package variants.

The upgrade cannot cure sound leakage

Both models remain open-back, so a shared-room problem survives the purchase.

How we reached this conclusion

Both official construction records describe open-back acoustic designs.

Check your own setup

Which headphones work with the way you listen?

Start with the way you listen. USB charging is not the same as USB audio, and some headphones need power even with a cable. These choices are examples until you apply yours.

Sennheiser HD 490 PRO

Does not meet these checks

This model does not play over Bluetooth.

Sennheiser HD 560S

Does not meet these checks

This model does not play over Bluetooth.

Battery figures are manufacturer claims for the stated mode, not measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not assess sound quality, microphone quality or amplifier power.

Choice A
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO

Sennheiser, HD 490 PRO

HD 490 PRO

A studio-focused open-back pair with cable sockets on either earcup and two supplied pad sets. Pick the cable side that leaves your mouse hand clear.

Best matched use
A recording desk where cable routing matters

Checked facts

  • The standard HD 490 PRO includes a 1.8 m cable.
  • The weight without cable is 260 g and impedance is 130 ohms.
  • The cable can attach to either side, and mixing and producing pad sets are supplied.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Choice B
Sennheiser HD 560S

Sennheiser, HD 560S

HD 560S

An open wired pair for a quiet desk, with a replaceable cable and a 3.5 mm plug. Keep it at home if people sit close by.

Best matched use
Listening at a quiet desk without charging

Checked facts

  • The current US package lists a 1.8 m cable and a 6.3 mm adapter.
  • The manufacturer specifies a 120-ohm dynamic driver.
  • The earcups use an open-back design.
See price & reviews on Amazon

Meaningful differences

What changes the fit

Meaningful differences between Sennheiser HD 490 PRO and Sennheiser HD 560S
What changesSennheiser HD 490 PROSennheiser HD 560SWhy it matters
Cable routingSocket on either earcupSingle-side connectionHD 490 PRO can move the cable away from your mouse hand.
Supplied pad setsMixing and producing setsOne standard fitted setThe HD 490 package lets you change the pad setup without buying the second set.
Standard cable length1.8 m1.8 mStandard PRO is not the longer-cable PRO Plus bundle.
Nominal impedance130 ohms120 ohmsThe small nominal gap does not settle source compatibility.
ConstructionOpen-backOpen-backNeither contains playback like a closed tracking headphone.
Cable replacementDetachableDetachableReplaceability alone is not unique to HD 490 PRO.

What you give up

Every choice has a cost

If you choose Sennheiser HD 490 PRO

  • The standard PRO package is different from the PRO Plus accessory bundle.

If you choose Sennheiser HD 560S

  • A USB-only phone needs a separate headphone adapter.

Recommendation switch

The decision flips if...

Your cable needs to run on the right side of the desk.

Choose Sennheiser HD 490 PRO. If your interface sits to the right, HD 490 PRO can keep the lead from crossing the keyboard or mouse area. That is a specific workflow improvement with no need for a sound-quality score.

You only need one standard listening setup.

Choose Sennheiser HD 560S. HD 490 includes mixing and producing pads. Use one set consistently when making comparisons because changing pads also changes the listening setup.

What matters in practice

How to make the call

01

A cable on the other side can matter every day

If your interface sits to the right, HD 490 PRO can keep the lead from crossing the keyboard or mouse area. That is a specific workflow improvement with no need for a sound-quality score.

02

Pad choices add a repeatable setup decision

HD 490 includes mixing and producing pads. Use one set consistently when making comparisons because changing pads also changes the listening setup.

03

Check the package before comparing offers

Standard PRO and PRO Plus use the same headphone name prominently but include different accessories. This page compares the standard 1.8 m PRO package with HD 560S.

Check these before buying

  • Check whether the listing says PRO or PRO Plus.
  • Decide which side of the desk the cable should leave from.

What this comparison cannot tell you

  • The comparison does not quantify the tuning difference between pad sets.
  • Open-back construction is not suitable for every recording role.

What the facts say

What the comparison shows

Useful conclusions from the current headphones comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.

Compared set

21 of 60 models checked match every need here: “I want music when the battery is empty”, “I plug into a headphone jack”, and “I do not want another thing to charge”.

21 matching models from 60 checked
See the checked facts and calculation notes
Compared set
60 models
Source records
5 for the products shown
Catalog updated

Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “I want music when the battery is empty”, “I plug into a headphone jack”, and “I do not want another thing to charge”. A need with no documented match does not count.

Facts and source records used for the products in this recommendation
ProductNeeds matchedChecked factsSource records
Sennheiser HD 490 PRO
  • Works without charge
  • Use a headphone jack
  • No charging
  • The standard HD 490 PRO includes a 1.8 m cable.
  • The weight without cable is 260 g and impedance is 130 ohms.
  • The cable can attach to either side, and mixing and producing pad sets are supplied.
Sennheiser HD 560S
  • Works without charge
  • Use a headphone jack
  • No charging
  • The current US package lists a 1.8 m cable and a 6.3 mm adapter.
  • The manufacturer specifies a 120-ohm dynamic driver.
  • The earcups use an open-back design.

Ready to choose?

Check the price. Read the owner reviews.

Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.

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