Sennheiser has expanded its professional audio lineup with the HD 480 Pro, a closed-back counterpart to the widely acclaimed HD 490 Pro. While open-back headphones are often preferred for their natural soundstage, they lack the isolation necessary for live tracking and high-noise environments. The HD 480 Pro is designed to bridge this gap, offering a versatile tool for recording, monitoring, and mixing where sound leakage must be minimized.
The primary challenge of closed-back design is managing internal reflections and bass distortion. To combat this, Sennheiser has implemented a proprietary "Vibration Attenuation System," which aims to maintain signal clarity and prevent the acoustic artifacts that often plague sealed earcups. The result is a frequency response intended to mirror the accuracy of open designs while providing the physical barrier required for professional isolation.
Beyond acoustic performance, the HD 480 Pro emphasizes the physical realities of long-form studio work. The headset incorporates specialized temple cushions to accommodate engineers who wear glasses and a headband design engineered for consistent contact pressure across different head shapes. Retailing for $479, the package includes a detachable cable that can be mounted on either side, reflecting a focus on industrial design that adapts to the user's specific workflow.
With reporting from Engadget.
Source · Engadget
