Short answer: the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. It ranks #109 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.7/5, at $387.95; the Audeze MM-100 ranks #139, rated 3.4/5, and costs $399, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is the better-sounding option. 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. Watch for: 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.
What the Audeze MM-100 does well: The 90 mm planar magnetic driver has an 18 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity, so it gets loud from a phone dongle or laptop without a dedicated amp. The tradeoff: Oratory1990’s measurement shows sub-bass about 6.6 dB below target, falling 6 dB short by 50 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble.
Buy the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Audeze MM-100 and costs less, which makes it the one to get unless you need something the other one does better.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Sennheiser HD 490 Pro | Audeze MM-100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $387.95 | $399.00 |
| Ranked | #109 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #139 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 75 (median of 12 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.00 dB standard deviation | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.84 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-3.9 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 38mm dynamic | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 130 ohms | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 105 dB SPL/V | 98 dB/mW |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (260 g) | 1 lbs (475 g) |
| Frequency Response | 5Hz - 36kHz (-10 dB, Manufacturer specified) | 20Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | No | No |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Sennheiser HD 490 Pro compares with other leading options:
- HIFIMAN Edition XV vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
- Sony MDR-MV1 vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
- Audeze Maxwell vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
- Focal Azurys vs Audeze MM-100
- Shure SRH1840 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
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
Audeze MM-100: $399.00 B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: The 90 mm planar magnetic driver has an 18 ohm impedance and 98 dB/mW sensitivity, so it gets loud from a phone dongle or laptop without a dedicated amp. In oratory1990’s measurement the midrange tracks the Harman target closely from 200 Hz to 3 kHz, which keeps voices and instruments natural in tone. It suits listeners who prefer a warm, smooth presentation over an etched, bright one.
Cons: Oratory1990’s measurement shows sub-bass about 6.6 dB below target, falling 6 dB short by 50 Hz, so deep electronic bass and organ notes lack rumble. A deep 13.1 dB dip near 9.4 kHz and treble running nearly 7 dB low dull cymbals and air, and the open back leaks sound and blocks no outside noise. At 475 g it is heavy, and the cheaper Sennheiser Amperior rates the same.
Full Audeze MM-100 review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Built-in Microphone | No |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.17 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 90mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 20Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 18 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 50 Hz (-6.9 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.36 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1 lbs (475 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.0 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +5.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,762 Hz | +5.8 dB | 2.44 |
| Peak | 8,491 Hz | +5.9 dB | 1.63 |
| Peak | 323 Hz | -1.8 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 2,975 Hz | -6.0 dB | 3.54 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -3.7 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,028 Hz | -1.8 dB | 2.24 |
| Peak | 1,883 Hz | +2.8 dB | 3.79 |
| Peak | 551 Hz | +0.9 dB | 1.17 |
| Peak | 1,401 Hz | -0.6 dB | 1.23 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons