Short answer: the Audeze Maxwell. It ranks #96 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $329.99; the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro ranks #109, rated 3.7/5, and costs $387.95, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
Why pick the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro: Across 12 hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 75.1 with a smooth 2.0 dB spread around the target, so nothing in the response jumps out as harsh or hollow. The tradeoff: Low mids run about 2.3 dB hot while the upper mids sit 1.7 dB low, which thickens vocals and guitars and pushes them slightly behind the bass.
Buy the Audeze Maxwell. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Still deciding? The full Headphones rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze Maxwell | Sennheiser HD 490 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $329.99 | $387.95 |
| Ranked | #96 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #109 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 75 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation | 2.00 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.84 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.5 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wireless and wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (490 g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 36kHz (-10 dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | No | - |
| Battery Life | 80 hours (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3, LC3plus | - |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | No |
| Impedance | - | 130 ohms |
| Sensitivity | - | 105 dB SPL/V |
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- Audeze Maxwell vs Sivga Audio Phoenix
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audeze Maxwell: $329.99 Wireless Amazon eBay
Full Audeze Maxwell review and specifications →
| Released | 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | No |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 80 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3, LC3plus |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wireless and wired |
| Deviation From Target | 1.85 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 78 (median of 8 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+2.5 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.79 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.1 lbs (490 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro: $387.95 Amazon eBay
Pros: Across 12 hobbyist measurements on squig.link it earns a preference score of 75.1 with a smooth 2.0 dB spread around the target, so nothing in the response jumps out as harsh or hollow. Bass sits about 2.6 dB above target between 60 and 200 Hz and stays within 6 dB of target all the way to 20 Hz, giving a full, warm low end that suits listeners who like weight under their music. The open back and 260 g weight make it a light option for long sessions at a desk.
Cons: Low mids run about 2.3 dB hot while the upper mids sit 1.7 dB low, which thickens vocals and guitars and pushes them slightly behind the bass. A 4.5 dB dip near 9.2 kHz dulls cymbal shimmer, and the open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise. The Austrian Audio Hi-X65 rates higher for less money, and the Audio-Technica ATH-M60x and Sennheiser HD 620S match its rating at a lower price.
Full Sennheiser HD 490 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Jan 2024 (2 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.00 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 36kHz (-10 dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 130 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB SPL/V |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.84 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons