Here’s my Sennheiser HD 480 PRO Plus review (including a short comparison with the HD 620S and HDB 630) — are they worth it outside of studio work?
Introduction and Technical Specifications
Two years after the very popular HD 490 PRO, the Sennheiser Pro Division has now released its closed-back counterpart, the HD 480 PRO. These headphones are – rightly and understandably – mostly being tested and reviewed as studio headphones, and for good reason, of course.
However, when it comes to the audiophile space, I personally haven’t seen quite as much feedback yet compared to what we saw with the HD 490 PRO back then. That said, they are obviously still relatively new and fresh on the market.
Anyone who would like to revisit my review and impressions of the HD 490 PRO from last year can do so here.
In many important categories and characteristics, the HD 480 PRO really are exactly that: a closed-back version of the HD 490 PRO. Sonically, they also come surprisingly close to them, although the soundstage — unsurprisingly — is a touch smaller. But given the closed-back design, that is almost to be expected.
But let’s take it one step at a time here :)
Here are the technical specifications of the headphones:
• Closed-back over-ear headphones
• Dynamic driver with a 38 mm driver size
• Frequency response: 3 – 28,700 Hz
• Impedance: 130 ohms
• Sound pressure level: 107 dB (@ 1 Vrms @ 1 kHz)
• Sensitivity: 98 dB SPL (@ 1 kHz at 1 mW)
• Rated power handling: 300 mW
• Total harmonic distortion: <0.5%
• New “Vibration Attenuation System” (reduces vibrations, reflections, and distortion)
• Extremely clear audio signal
• Weight (without cable): 272 g
Build Quality, Design, Isolation and Comfort
The HD 480 PRO are handcrafted in Europe, more specifically in Romania. The construction is a combination of premium touches — the outer headband and the closed ear cup covers are both made of metal — and plenty of lightweight plastic which, however, feels genuinely solid and sturdy. On my unit, nothing creaks or wobbles at all.
The again pleasantly large earcups can fully rotate to both sides and lay flat.
As for the design, it appears slightly less “exciting” to me subjectively than that of the open-back model. However, that is solely because the closed-back HD 480 PRO visually resemble the Momentum 4 a little more than the HD 490 PRO. The open grills of the latter always gave them a very mechanical and industrial aesthetic touch, which I personally miss a little here. But ultimately, that is really just nitpicking and nothing more. Overall, the build quality is excellent.
The isolation performance of the HD 480 PRO is equally excellent — there is really nothing to complain about when it comes to the passive noise isolation here, and that applies in both directions. I was very well isolated from the outside world without disturbing people around me with my music at the same time.
The same applies to comfort, which was already outstanding on the HD 490 PRO — and the HD 480 PRO are every bit as good in that regard.
The new and still washable pads made from a mix of synthetic leather and velour — this time referred to as “Recording Pads” — as well as the wonderfully soft headband, both of which are of course easily replaceable, distribute the already very low weight of just 272 g perfectly across the head. The clamping force is moderate at most, and I can wear the headphones for hours without experiencing any fatigue. That’s a real strong point and something that should never be underestimated.
It is also worth mentioning that the HD 480 PRO are apparently particularly well suited for people who wear glasses. Since I do not wear glasses myself, I was only able to test this to a limited extent. Still, I wanted to mention it, and honestly, it does not surprise me at all, because these are exceptionally comfortable headphones overall. Braille markings on the earcups are also present and are a small but thoughtful touch that helps with orientation.
Pro / Pro Plus, Case and Accessoires
The included case of the “PRO Plus” version leaves a very good impression and offers plenty of well-designed storage space for both the headphones and the cable. This time around — unlike with the HD 490 PRO — the case is also the only difference between the “PRO” and the “PRO Plus” versions when it comes to the included accessories.
So, if you can or want to do without the case — especially since the regular “PRO” version still comes with a rather nice and soft pouch — you can easily do so, as everything else is completely identical to the “PRO Plus” version.
The included detachable 3-meter coiled cable with a mini-XLR to 3.5 mm connection feels well made, although it is certainly better suited for studio use than for casually sitting on the couch at home.
The cable feels very compact and initially does not even seem like a “normal” 3-meter cable until you actually stretch it out. At the same time, however, it produces virtually no cable noise against the body, which is something I personally really appreciate. This is thanks to the small coiled section around shoulder height, which is based on a Sennheiser patent designed to eliminate cable noise before it can even travel through to the listener.
A 6.3 mm adapter is also included in the box. And for anyone who does not like the included cable setup, optional accessories are available as well, including a 4.4 mm balanced cable, as well as two straight 1.8 m and 3.0 m cables, both of which also terminate in standard 3.5 mm connectors.
Another nice touch is that the cable can once again be connected to either the left or the right earcup. In that regard, the HD 480 PRO offers a great deal of flexibility — just like the HD 490 PRO does as well.
Driveability
The HD 480 Pro do not require a particularly large amount of power to be driven properly and could easily be used directly from the headphone jack of my MacBook Pro M1 Pro, while still leaving plenty of volume headroom available.
That does not mean, however, that the HD 480 PRO cannot still benefit from a good DAC/amp — because they absolutely can. On my iFi iDSD Valkyrie, the medium gain setting is already more than enough to drive the headphones to almost uncomfortably loud levels, should anyone ever want to do that. The same naturally applies to the FiiO K13 R2R, which also powered and drove the headphones effortlessly during my testing.
Sound / Sound Signature
When it comes to sound, Sennheiser is using the slogan “Hear nothing but the truth” here. So, what exactly does that truth sound like in everyday use through the 38 mm dynamic drivers?
As already mentioned earlier, it once again has to be emphasized that Sennheiser managed to tune the closed-back HD 480 PRO very closely to the sound of the open-back HD 490 PRO — or at least to the version using the velour “producing pads.” That is considerably more difficult to achieve than it may initially sound. So, anyone who already knows how the HD 490 PRO sounds will not really be surprised by the HD 480 PRO.
One of the first things I noticed during my testing was that the headphones seem relatively unaffected by how they are positioned on the head or ears — they sound practically identical regardless. That is unfortunately not something that can be taken for granted and will again likely be especially important for people who wear glasses as well.
What follows is simply my personal and subjective impression of the sound, this time without necessarily wanting to base it entirely on measurements or frequency response graphs:
I personally perceive the HD 480 PRO as a very balanced and naturally sounding pair of headphones, and I am deliberately avoiding calling them “neutral” here, because we audiophiles love debating what “neutral” actually means — and what it is supposed to mean in the first place. To me, however, they sound very natural, authentic, and lifelike.
One could also say that the HD 480 PRO have not been artificially sweetened or embellished in their tuning — which naturally makes perfect sense when considering where these headphones are primarily intended to be used: recording, tracking, and monitoring.
Bass
The bass is only slightly elevated, relatively fast, and extends very deep into the sub-bass region. To me, it also sounds very precise and tight, yet somehow still “honest,” partly because it always remains controlled and never overpowers the rest of the presentation. It is present when the music calls for it, but can just as easily step into the background when it does not.
This results in a low-end presentation that feels very dynamic, yet at the same time also very clean and adaptable, which I personally enjoy a lot. One could also say that the bass — regardless of a possible elevation in intensity — overall comes across as very uncolored and, well, “natural.”
In my experience, the bass region in particular is often one of the biggest problem areas with closed-back headphones and is frequently one of the main contributors to sound coloration in one direction or another — and in my opinion, that is not really the case here.
Mids
The mids are simply pleasantly uncolored and — very much in typical Sennheiser fashion — accurate and clearly tuned. Nothing here feels artificially boosted or unpleasant to me. Sibilants sound relaxed and natural to my ears, and I do not notice any hiss, sharpness, or anything fatiguing in general — not even at higher listening volumes. Vocals come across as present, intimate, and powerfully rendered.
Overall, the midrange feels very clearly structured and well organized to me. I would not necessarily describe the mids as particularly „analytical“ in their tuning, yet they still possess a clarity and reveal details almost as if you were placing a magnifying glass over them. That may not be the most elegant or perfect comparison, but I feel it describes the impression rather well.
In a way, these headphones allow you to dissect and examine the mids. The combination of an overall relaxed presentation together with a good level of detail retrieval makes listening genuinely very easygoing, pleasant, and yet still very accurate
Treble
In the treble region, the HD 480 PRO comes across as resolving while still remaining pleasantly relaxed. Harshness is nowhere to be found here, yet the overall level of detail retrieval in the high frequencies remains high.
Beyond pure music listening, I also get the impression that a conscious effort was made here to strike a good balance between relaxation, detail retrieval, and fatigue-free listening during long sessions.
That said, one could perhaps argue that the treble detail retrieval could be even more pronounced in order to expose the very last nuances within a mix — or potential problem areas — even faster, especially in professional studio work. I am quite sure that some studio professionals would immediately disagree with me here, but ultimately, I am only sharing my personal opinion on the matter.
A Deliberate Tuning Choice
The advantage of Sennheiser’s chosen tuning, however, is very obvious: the treble on the HD 480 PRO remains remarkably composed even at high listening volumes and stays comfortably pleasant even when listening loudly.
Overall, this results in a sound signature that is clear, natural, and very confident. It does not try to overly beautify or romanticize the sound, but instead aims to sound honest — and in my opinion, it succeeds at that very well. The headphones sound like a mature closed-back studio tool, yet at the same time they are also surprisingly enjoyable for “regular” music listening, especially if you appreciate this kind of uncolored sound reproduction.
This is a pair of headphones that clearly strives for — and I can only repeat myself here — an honest sound, and in return deliberately avoids sounding overly “spectacular” or artificially exciting in certain areas.
Other Technicalities
As for the rest of the so-called “technicalities,” I would say that the soundstage is medium-sized, which is definitely good for a closed-back headphone. Dynamics and imaging are also very solid, and instruments are clearly separated and precisely positioned within the sound field.
The transient response as well as the overall cleanliness of the audio signal both strike me as genuinely very good. The latter in particular is likely also connected to the new “Vibration Attenuation System,” which is designed to reduce unwanted vibrations, reflections, and distortion inside the headphones in order to provide an even cleaner audio signal.
It is genuinely a pleasure to use the HD 480 PRO not only for music, but also for video content, movies, or even podcasts. Especially with content where clear and lifelike vocals are important, they are able to fully showcase their strengths.
Because they are comparatively easy to drive, they are also very well suited for long, comfortable, and uninterrupted gaming sessions — assuming you want or need to use a closed-back headphone for that purpose of course.
All of this makes the HD 480 PRO an impressively versatile closed-back audio tool across a wide variety of situations and use cases.
Headphone Comparisons (HD 620S + HDB 630)
So how do the HD 480 PRO compare to my other closed-back Sennheiser headphones in general, you might ask? Alright then, let’s briefly talk about that as well :)
HD 620S
I have the HD 620S as well as the HDB 630 here for comparison (we’ll leave the HD 820 out of this one), although only the HD 620S can really be considered a “true” direct competitor. Still, some of you are probably wondering whether the HD 620S or rather the new HD 480 PRO might actually be the better choice when it comes to the “ultimate” closed-back Sennheiser headphone in this price range…
A clear answer to that question is, once again, not quite that simple. The HD 480 PRO would actually be my personal choice for a purely passive and wired headphone and would — at least for me — replace the HD 620S in that regard.
The main reasons for that are the superior comfort, the much more flexible construction/design, and the more balanced as well as overall more cohesive sound to my ears. At the same time, the HD 480 PRO remains similarly easy to drive as the HD 620S.
With the HD 620S, on the other hand, I always found myself needing to tweak the EQ a little, because as good as it fundamentally is — or can be — it sometimes comes across as slightly less cohesive and somewhat uneven in its tuning to me.
It has more peaks and dips in its frequency response, which can make some tracks sound absolutely fantastic while causing others to sound a bit odd or boxy. The HD 620S is also far more dependent on positioning on the head than the HD 480 PRO for me. Depending on how it is worn and how good the seal is, it can sound noticeably better or worse. Sometimes it delivers a huge amount of bass, while at other times it almost feels like there is too little of it.
The HD 480 PRO simply does not have these issues for me, which ultimately makes it the better, easier, and above all more uncomplicated and “reliable” choice.
That said, the HD 620S absolutely still has its place. It also offers excellent passive isolation, a larger and wider soundstage than the HD 480 PRO in direct comparison, and is, for example, directly compatible with the HD 500 BAM microphone which can be huge for gaming purposes.
It can also sound more “exciting” and emotionally engaging than the HD 480 PRO with the right tracks. However, its tuning is simply less natural, less universally compatible, and much more deliberately “shaped,” which in turn gives it character and a certain unique identity.
Even so, I personally still prefer what I consider to be the better all-rounder here — studio tool or not — and for me, that is the HD 480 PRO.
HDB 630
Despite all the differences between them — and there are obviously quite a few — the HDB 630 is still the closer and overall somewhat more comparable headphone here. Part of that comes down to its fantastic stock tuning, which for me is already very close to perfect for a consumer-audiophile closed-back headphone.
The HDB 630 also sounds relatively neutral and natural overall, but still comes with a bass boost and slightly more detailed — though for some listeners perhaps also slightly “sharper” — treble. In direct comparison, it is definitely the more “fun” sounding headphone. That said, both of them are great headphones.
I would immediately reach for the HDB 630 if I specifically wanted a closed-back wireless headphone, cared about the additional ANC, or generally wanted a modern headphone packed with features that can conveniently be connected and used almost anywhere via Bluetooth or USB-C.
That said, I do not think many people will realistically find themselves seriously deciding between the HD 480 PRO and the HDB 630. But if they do, then I still hope that this — perhaps somewhat unusual — comparison can be helpful nonetheless.
I personally find the HD 480 PRO even more comfortable due to the larger earcups and the lower clamping force. To my ears, it also sounds slightly more “analog,” more organic, and less digital in its presentation. In addition, it gives me more flexibility when it comes to volume and amplification — although that may also require using a dedicated amplifier if you truly want to get the absolute most out of it.
Long story short: the HDB 630 is the better and more modern audiophile travel companion. At home — or of course in the studio — I would still personally always reach for an amplifier paired with the HD 480 PRO if given the choice.
To me, the HD 480 PRO sounds slightly more natural, more lifelike, and a little less colored than the HDB 630. Honestly, the best solution here is probably just to own both, alright? After all, you obviously need a great passive closed-back headphone just as much as you need a modern wireless closed-back headphone — end of discussion :)
Conclusion
So, what do we make of all this now? Honestly, the conclusion here feels pretty clear to me. I think the HD 480 Pro will likely appeal to a lot of people overall.
For example, everyone who already liked the HD 490 Pro and is now perhaps looking for a closed-back alternative for studio work where no sound should leak into nearby microphones — as well as people who simply want an extremely lightweight, comfortable, versatile, well-built, and very natural and pleasant sounding wired closed-back headphone in general.
The HD 480 Pro simply sounds good. It works equally well for professional work, music listening, and gaming — while at the same time providing isolation both inward and outward. Altogether, it’s a package in the closed-back headphone segment that, I’d say without exaggerating too much, is likely to find many fans in the future.
And finally, thanks go out to the Sennheiser Pro Division for providing me with the HD 480 Pro for testing and review purposes, while of course having absolutely no influence on my opinion of this headphone whatsoever!