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The New Sennheiser HD 480 Pro: A Closed-Back Innovation
The wait is finally over for audio professionals seeking a closed-back version of Sennheiser’s acclaimed HD 490 Pro. The newly launched Sennheiser HD 480 Pro brings a closed-back design that maintains the beloved acoustic signature of its open-back predecessor, featuring the same 38mm dynamic drivers in a fully sealed, circumaural housing. This design is tailored for environments where sound isolation is critical, providing a valuable tool for producers and engineers.
Price and Availability
Price: $399
Sources of supply: Sennheiser
The HD 480 Pro is priced at $399, while its sibling, the HD 480 Pro Plus, which includes a travel bag instead of a standard carrying case, is available for $439. This pricing positions the HD 480 Pro competitively, slightly undercutting the open-back HD 490 Pro, which is priced at $429.
Design and Innovation
A Closed-Back Companion to the HD 490 Pro
The HD 480 Pro shares the HD 490 Pro’s 38mm dynamic converter platform, extending the same driver performance into a closed-back format. The fully sealed circumaural earcups incorporate layered passive sound attenuation, effectively minimizing external noise interference and preventing sound leakage into your recordings. Sennheiser has addressed common issues with closed-back designs, such as smeared bass and compressed soundstage, through a proprietary vibration dampening system that permeates the assembly.
Technical Specifications
The HD 480 Pro offers a frequency response of 3 Hz to 28,700 Hz at -10 dB, with a total harmonic distortion of less than 0.5% at 1 kHz and 100 dB SPL, reaching a maximum of 130 dB SPL at 5% THD. It boasts a sensitivity of 107 dB SPL per 1 Vrms (98 dB SPL per 1 mW) and an impedance of 130 ohms, making it suitable for a range of audio devices.
Performance and Comfort
The Vibration Dampening System
Sennheiser’s Vibration Attenuation System mitigates the typical challenges of closed-back headphones, such as standing waves and muddy bass. By reducing reflected energy and mechanical resonance, the HD 480 Pro achieves a neutral tonal balance and precise bass that translates well across various audio systems, from studio monitors to car audio.
Comfort for Extended Use
Sennheiser emphasizes comfort with the HD 480 Pro, adopting the Special Axes Geometry headband from the HD 490 Pro, which distributes pressure evenly and allows for prolonged wear without discomfort. The earpads include molded-in grooves for glasses, enhancing the user experience for those who wear spectacles. Furthermore, Braille L and R markings on the ear cups cater to visually impaired users.
Gunnar Dirks, Senior Product Manager for Professional Headphones at Sennheiser, highlights, “Comfort is paramount when headphones are a work tool… The HD 480 PRO eliminates any pressure points and adapts to any head precisely and comfortably, even when you wear glasses.”
Connectivity and Maintenance
Cables and Connections
The HD 480 Pro features a detachable mini-XLR cable system, which can connect to either earcup, offering flexibility in various studio setups. It includes a screw-on 6.3mm adapter for compatibility with standard studio equipment. The headphones come with a 9-foot coiled cord and a protective carrying case, with the HD 480 Pro Plus providing an upgraded travel bag.
Ease of Maintenance
Sennheiser has designed the HD 480 Pro with user-friendliness in mind, equipping it with replaceable ear pads and cables, a rare feature in the headphone market. Developed in Germany and assembled in Romania, these headphones incorporate high-quality components like neodymium magnets and an ultra-light voice coil.
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