Sennheiser has launched its HD 480 Pro closed-back headphones for studio and live environments.
Designed to address the two most-cited pain points of closed-back headphones by delivering a tight, accurate bass reproduction and comfort in recording, studio tracking and monitoring in live environments, HD 480 Pro features multiple stages of passive sound shielding and ultralight voice coils. A series of design measures –under the term Vibration Attenuation System – eliminate unwanted vibration, reflections and distortion, preserving the clarity of the signal. Special Axes Geometry mechanical design makes sure that the headphones optimally adapt to the head and maintain an equal contact pressure no matter what the shape of the user’s head. The listening experience is consistent across users.
To adapt to different set-ups, the detachable cable can be worn on the left or right side of the HD 480 Pro. This flexible cable routing is ideal for solo recording of instruments, for example, as it keeps the cable out of the way. To ensure accessibility, the left and right earcups are braille-marked. Engineered by Sennheiser’s experienced professional development team, the HD 480 Pro have been designed to last and deliver consistent results over time.
‘Comfort is of paramount importance when headphones are a work tool,’ says Gunnar Dirks, Sennheiser Senior Product Manager for professional headphones. ‘Engineers often spend hours on end in their sessions. They need a lightweight, ergonomically designed pair of headphones to keep focus and concentration up. The HD 480 Pro eliminate any pressure points and fit every head precisely and comfortably – even if you’re wearing glasses.’
Key specifications:
- Acoustic principle: closed.
- Ear coupling: circumaural.
- Transducer principle: dynamic.
- Transducer diameter: 38mm.
- Frequency response: 3–28,700Hz (-10dB).
- Sensitivity: 107 dB SPL (at 1kHz/1Vrms); 98 dB (at 1kHz, 1mW).
- Max. SPL: 130dB (1kHz, 5% THD).
- THD: <0.5% (at 1kHz, 100dB SPL).
- Impedance: 130Ω (1kHz).
- Power rating: 300mW (100 h, noise as per IEC 60268).
- Temperature range: 0°C to +50°C for operation; -25°C to +70°C for storage.
- Relative humidity: 10–80%, non-condensing for operation; 10–90% for storage.
- Weight: 272g (w/o cable).
‘Our developers have been working painstakingly to bring the sound of the closed HD 480 Pro as closely as possible to that of the open HD 490 Pro. Which model is the better choice for you really depends on how you work,’ Dirks says. ‘The open HD 490 Pro will be ideal for mixing in quiet environments, while I would recommend the closed HD 480 Pro for applications where you need isolation, for example when you’re tracking vocals in the room, when monitoring or using them as an FOH reference, or simply when you’re working in the same space as others.’
The HD 480 Pro retails at €399 (MSRP). It features recording earpads and a 3 metre coiled cable and is delivered with a carrying bag. Instead of the bag, the HD 480 Pro Plus comes with a travel case, and retails at €439 (MSRP).
More: www.sennheiser.com