Audeze MM-500 vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Audeze MM-500 (#1, best overall) vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro (#2, best value): in our Over-ear Headphones for Studio scoring the Audeze MM-500 totals 9.3/10 and the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro 9/10. At $1,699 versus $356, the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro costs $1,343 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Audeze MM-500 | Sennheiser HD 490 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1699 | $356 |
| Driver Size | 90mm planar magnetic | 38mm neodymium |
| Impedance | 18Ω | 130Ω |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz-50kHz | 5Hz-36.1kHz |
| Weight | ~500g | 260g |
| Design | Open-back | Open-back |
| Connector | Mini-XLR to ¼" TRS | — |
| Included Software | — | dearVR MIX-SE spatial mixing plugin |
How they differ in real use
Built from our over ear studio scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Audeze MM-500 and the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro made our Top 5 Over-ear Headphones for Studio, at #1 (best overall) and #2 (best value). The professional's choice for mixing. Developed with Grammy-winning mixer Manny Marroquin and used on Kendrick Lamar's #1 album. Its key advantage is translation—mixes made on the MM-500 consistently translate well to speakers, earbuds, and car stereos. Open-back only: NOT for tracking/recording. MusicRadar's 'best overall studio headphone available right now.' Purpose-built for modern production with included dearVR MIX-SE spatial mixing plugin—invaluable for bedroom producers mixing on headphones instead of monitors. At $356, it's the best value for serious mixing. Open-back only: NOT for tracking/recording.
We score over-ear headphones for studio on Accuracy (40%), Detail Resolution (25%), Comfort (15%), Build Quality (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Audeze MM-500 totals 9.3 out of 10 and the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro 9. The widest gap is Accuracy, where the Audeze MM-500 scores 10 against 9 for the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro — flat, revealing frequency response. Detail Resolution also separates them: 10 for the Audeze MM-500 versus 8.5 for the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro claws back ground on Comfort and Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Driver Size — 90mm planar magnetic on the Audeze MM-500 versus 38mm neodymium on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro; Impedance — 18Ω on the Audeze MM-500 versus 130Ω on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro; Frequency Response — 10Hz-50kHz on the Audeze MM-500 versus 5Hz-36.1kHz on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro; Weight — ~500g on the Audeze MM-500 versus 260g on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. They match on Design.
Pricing as of February 8, 2026: $1,699 for the Audeze MM-500 and $356 for the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro, a $1,343 difference in the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro's favor. Owners praise the Audeze MM-500 for 90mm planar magnetic drivers and exceptional mix translation to other playback systems; the most common complaint is very expensive at $1,699. Owners praise the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro for best overall studio headphone (MusicRadar) and includes dearVR MIX-SE plugin for headphone mixing (worth ~$100); the most common complaint is 130Ω requires a headphone amp or quality audio interface.
Audeze MM-500
- 90mm planar magnetic drivers
- Exceptional mix translation to other playback systems
- Sub-bass accuracy rivals mastering rooms
- Developed with Grammy-winning mixer
- Very expensive at $1,699
- Heavy at ~500g
- Open-back only—NOT for tracking/recording (sound leaks into microphones)
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
- Best overall studio headphone (MusicRadar)
- Includes dearVR MIX-SE plugin for headphone mixing (worth ~$100)
- Innovative low-frequency cylinder for accurate bass
- Two ear pad sets (Mixing and Producing profiles)
- 130Ω requires a headphone amp or quality audio interface
- Open-back—NOT for tracking/recording (sound leaks into microphones)
- Relatively new (less proven than decades-old standards)
Which should you buy?
The Audeze MM-500 is the better fit for professional mixing engineers and mastering engineers — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Accuracy and Detail Resolution. The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is the better fit for home studio mixing (especially with included dearVR plugin) and budget-conscious professionals, and the stronger choice if Comfort and Value matter more to you than the overall score. If the $1,343 saving matters more than Accuracy, the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is the better value. The Audeze MM-500 is a poor fit for tracking/recording sessions (open-back leaks sound); the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is a poor fit for tracking/recording sessions (open-back).
Choose the Audeze MM-500 if
- Professional mixing engineers
- Mastering engineers
- High-end home studios
Skip it if
- Tracking/recording sessions (open-back leaks sound)
- Budget studios
Choose the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro if
- Home studio mixing (especially with included dearVR plugin)
- Budget-conscious professionals
- Bedroom producers mixing on headphones instead of monitors
Skip it if
- Tracking/recording sessions (open-back)
- Those without a headphone amp or quality interface
Common questions
Is the Audeze MM-500 better than the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro?
In our Over-ear Headphones for Studio ranking the Audeze MM-500 scores higher overall, 9.3 to 9, with the biggest advantage in Accuracy. The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is stronger on Comfort and Value, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Audeze MM-500 cost than the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro?
$1,343 more as of February 8, 2026: $1,699 for the Audeze MM-500 against $356 for the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Accuracy — 10 versus 9 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Audeze MM-500 and the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro?
The headline spec difference is Driver Size: 90mm planar magnetic on the Audeze MM-500 versus 38mm neodymium on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. In use, the gap that matters most is Accuracy (10 vs 9 in our scoring): flat, revealing frequency response.