Short answer: the HIFIMAN Edition XV. It ranks #84 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.9/5, at $399. The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro ranks #109, rated 3.7/5, at $387.95, $11.05 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for the HIFIMAN Edition XV: Its open back planar driver scores 79.8 for preference in the median of 8 squig.link measurements, a strong result for an open headphone. The tradeoff: An 8.7 dB dip near 9.7 kHz dulls cymbal shimmer and sibilance, and sub-bass falls about 4 dB short below 60 Hz, as open planars often do.
What the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro does well: 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 catch: 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 HIFIMAN Edition XV. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $11.05 you would save on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro does not close the gap.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| HIFIMAN Edition XV | Sennheiser HD 490 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 | $387.95 |
| Ranked | #84 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #109 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (median of 9 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 75 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.18 dB standard deviation | 2.00 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.44 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.84 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Dynamic |
| Impedance | 12 ohms | 130 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 105 dB SPL/V |
| Weight | 1 lbs (452 g) | 0.6 lbs (260 g) |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 5Hz - 36kHz (-10 dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
| Drivers | - | 1 x 38mm dynamic |
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More worthwhile head-to-heads for HIFIMAN Edition XV:
- HarmonicDyne Romantic vs HIFIMAN Edition XV
- Logitech G Astro A50 X vs HIFIMAN Edition XV
- HIFIMAN Edition XV vs Sennheiser HD 660S2
- HIFIMAN Edition XV vs AKG K712
- Sennheiser HD 490 Pro vs Audeze MM-100
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
HIFIMAN Edition XV: $399.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Its open back planar driver scores 79.8 for preference in the median of 8 squig.link measurements, a strong result for an open headphone. Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits right on target, so bass guitar and cello come through full and clean. A gentle warm tilt and a 2.3 dB lift in the 10 to 16 kHz air band keep it airy without harshness.
Cons: An 8.7 dB dip near 9.7 kHz dulls cymbal shimmer and sibilance, and sub-bass falls about 4 dB short below 60 Hz, as open planars often do. Sensitivity of 92 dB is low for an over-ear, so a phone will struggle and a desktop amp is the better partner. The open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise, and the 452 g weight is heavy. See headphone amps and DACs with enough power to drive it.
Full HIFIMAN Edition XV review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.18 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 79 (median of 9 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 12 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 92 dB |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 27 Hz (-5.8 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.44 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (452 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