Professional mastering headphones are the Sennheiser HD 400 Pro. They are the first set of open-back headphones in the Pro portfolio of the brand, which previously solely had closed-back models.
Sennheiser’s HD 560S is simply the HD 400 Pro with a few minor changes that have nothing to do with the audio. The HD 400 Pro costs a little bit more than the 560S since it has a little different design and an extra cable in the package.
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Design
The HD 400 Pro’s design is quite similar to that of the HD 560S, which itself has features in common with a number of other HD 500 series headphones.
The blacking out of certain details is what makes the HD 400 Pro and HD 560S different from one another. On the side of the earcups, the silver Sennheiser logo has been painted black. The Sennheiser wordmark, which is now now bigger and has been coloured black, is located on top of the headband.
The two headphones are practically the same except from that. The earcups have roomy earpads that are deep and wide enough to fit all but the largest ears. A black grille covers the rear, and the headband is padded with soft foam.
All of the components of the headphones, save the grille, are constructed of plastic. This is the case with the majority of Sennheiser headphones, and although not having an immediately premium feel, they are renowned to survive for many years of usage due to their near indestructibility. The earpads are the only component that should need frequent replacement because Sennheiser earpads have a tendency to flatten after a few years of usage, which does degrade the sound.
There isn’t a lot of articulation in the headphones. The headband’s length may be changed, but that is essentially all. There is barely any swivel in either direction for the earcups. Not that they don’t fit comfortably on your head, but if you should feel inclined to remove them and lay them flat on your chest, that’s not going to happen. The fact that the headphones are not designed for travel or outdoor use means that they cannot be folded.
The connection for connecting the cable is located on the left earcup. The input connector includes a patented locking mechanism that makes it challenging to use any cable that you happen to have laying around. It is 2.5mm in size.
Speaking of cords, the HD 400 Pro includes two: a 1.8-meter straight cable and a 3-meter coiled cable. Both of them feature 3.5mm plugs, and the packaging includes a 3.5mm to 6.3mm converter. The HD 560S, in contrast, includes a single 3m cable with a 6.3mm socket. For those hooking directly into a computer, the HD 400 Pro cables’ more typical 3.5mm connection should be handy, and the coiled cable makes it easier to move around the studio without having to unhook it or risk having it get under your chair.
Little else is included in the package. Since they are exclusively intended for indoor usage and are not intended for portability, there is clearly no carry bag or even a pouch.
Comfort
It’s easy to wear the HD 400 Pro headphones. There is considerable clamping force but it never gets unpleasant and helps keep the headphones secure no matter how much you move your head around.
The earpads are pretty roomy and accommodating, as was previously remarked. The fabric is silky and pleasant to the touch. Similar to this, the headband’s foam cushioning is flexible.
The headphones are pretty light and have a plastic construction, so after a while you hardly even notice them on your head. Due to its relative thinness, the straight wire is also fairly light and prevents the headphones from drooping. It is clear that the coiled cable is hefty, but that was to be expected.
Performance
The Sennheiser HD 400 Pro headphones are incredibly well-tuned. You don’t even get the impression that you are listening to speakers—just the original sound as it was recorded—because the sound is so neutral and crisp. It’s like living your entire life wearing tinted glasses that suddenly become clear.
With excellent extension into the lower registers, the bass response is very neutral and accurate. The HD 400 Pro are somewhat resistant to this, which is unusual because open-back headphones often lack low bass extension.
The mid-range is fantastic in every way. The closeness and clarity of vocals are beautiful qualities. The realism and timbral features of instruments are astounding. There is a strong feeling of depth and dimensionality in the mix, making each instrument and sound source stand out.
Where things start to heat up is in the treble. The treble response is, for the most part, equally stunningly precise and detailed as the rest of the frequency range. The HD 400 Pro, on the other hand, provides a little additional spice at the top, which may give some sounds a sharper edge. Although the sound never becomes sibilant, certain already bright recordings can eventually become slightly harsh and wear you out. Personally, I don’t mind it, but your mileage may vary.
Technically speaking, the HD 400 Pro has a very clear and detailed sound. The two 40mm dynamic drivers can bring out every little nuance in your music and recordings without being intrusive. Although not the finest I’ve heard, imaging and soundstaging are also excellent. A considerable amount of space is there in the mix, and the sounds are well-positioned around your head. Although it isn’t quite on par with the HD 800/HD 800 S, what is?
Although the HD 400 Pro does benefit from some amplification, I was pleasantly impressed by how well they function when powered by a laptop or even a smartphone. It’s not ideal, and if you can, you should spend your money on a cheap DAC/amp like the Topping DX3Pro+ or the iFi Zen Air DAC, but you can get by pretty good with integrated audio.
Due to their open-back design, open-back headphones both leak sound and provide little insulation from outside noise. Use the headphones in a calm place while doing critical listening since this may not be the best option for mixing or mastering.
Even while I am typically quite satisfied, I do have one issue with the HD 400 Pro’s audio. My test device appeared to have a channel imbalance since, in some frequency ranges, the right driver had a louder sound. It could be a trend with these headphones or it might be an isolated incident. It’s difficult to say, but all I can do is provide a report on the one device that was supplied to me particularly for testing.
Verdict
Both the HD 560S ($200) and the Sennheiser HD 400 Pro ($250) are excellent models of headphones. The HD 400 Pro comes with a variety of cords, which makes them much more useful and quality.
The HD 400 Pro really shines for me in that last segment. Even an open-back pair of headphones doesn’t really appeal to me as a mixing/mastering tool. The HD 400 Pro, on the other hand, are fantastic all-around headphones that you can use for music, movies, TV shows, gaming, podcasts, YouTube videos, and everything else you can think of. It’s the most cost-effective method to upgrade your system to reference level sound, and I will continue to suggest it to everyone paying less than $300.
