A Famed German Hi-Fi Maker Reimagines an Audiophile Favorite

The legendary German audio maker is calling them its “most versatile professional headphones to date.”

Black over-ear Sennheiser headphones with coiled cable resting on a dark surface.

Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Tucker Bowe

Published April 22, 2026

·

Updated April 23, 2026

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Released in January 2024, Sennheiser’s HD 490 Pro is a pair of high-end, open-back wired headphones that are designed for musicians and audio professionals who produce, mix, and master tracks. A pair currently sells for $429.

A little over two years later, the famed German audio brand has reimagined those same open-back headphones as closed-back headphones, which are the better choice for audio professionals who work in noisier environments.

Sennheiser HD 480 Pro

Closed-back, wired

As you probably guessed, Sennheiser’s all-new HD 480 Pro headphones feature the same 38mm dynamic drivers as its open-back siblings, but, as pointed out by Soundguys‘s review, they’re tuned more towards playback and recording rather than mixing.

According to the brand, their “accuracy, uncolored frequency response and honest low-end ensure that the audio translates reliably to any listening situation from home speakers to automobile use and PA systems.”

Sennheiser is calling the HD 480 Pro its “most versatile professional headphones to date.”

Black over-ear headphones with padded headband and detachable coiled audio cable on a white background. — The detachable cable can be connected to either left- or right-earcup, depending on your listening situation.

Person wearing black headphones and a green sweater playing an acoustic guitar indoors. — The HD 480 Pro promises to be more comfortable and deliver more accurate bass than other closed-back headphones.

With the HD 480 Pro, Sennheiser claims to have eliminated two major pain points that are associated with most other closed-back headphones: accurate bass and supreme comfort.

For accurate bass reproduction, Sennheiser claims the headphones feature a series of design measures it calls its “Vibration Attenuation System.” According to the brand, this eliminates unwanted vibration, reflections and distortion, and preserves the clarity of the signal.

Black over-ear wired headphones with padded headband and ear cushions on a white background. — Sennheiser is calling the HD 480 Pro its “most versatile professional headphones to date.”

Person wearing black Sennheiser headphones using a MIDI keyboard controller in a dimly lit music studio. — The headphones are designed for producers, mixers, musicians, recording engineers and creators.

Familiar comforts

On the comfort side, the HD 480 Pro are integrated with the same patented features as Sennheiser’s HD 490 Pro.

This includes a “Special Axes Geometry” mechanical design that ensures contact each part of your head with equal pressure to prevent listening fatigue. The ear pads leave space around the temples, making them more comfortable for wearers with eyeglasses.

And the detachable cables can be connected to either left or right earcup, so you can switch to best accommodate your listening situation or setup.

Black over-ear headphones and coiled audio cable neatly stored inside a black zippered carrying case. — The headphones come with 3.5mm and 6.3mm connections, making them compatible with a wide variety of sources.

Black Sennheiser over-ear headphones resting on a sound mixing console with blurred lights in the background. — The promise to be just as comfortable as the brand’s HD 490 Pro open-back headphones.

Availability and pricing

The Sennheiser HD 480 Pro closed-back headphones cost $479. They are available now and come in one finish: black.

Along with the headphones, Sennheiser includes a pair of recording earpads, a nine-foot coiled cable and a carrying bag.

Sennheiser HD 480 Pro

$479 at Sennheiser

About the Author: Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. With a passion for consumer tech and hi-fi, he tracks everything from headphones and turntables to smartphones and wearables. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.