Side by side
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro vs FiiO FT1
Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
484 positive (81%) · 78 mixed (13%) · 36 negative (6%)
Trust + time weighted: +75%
AI summary — not a quote
The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro is widely praised as a professional-grade open-back headphone that prioritizes extreme comfort and a neutral, analytical sound signature. Users frequently highlight its exceptional soundstage and imaging, making it a favorite for both critical audio work like mixing and mastering, as well as competitive gaming. While its 'clinical' nature is a strength for professionals, some casual listeners find the sound profile 'boring' or 'thin,' particularly regarding bass impact and vocal warmth.
Pros
- Exceptional comfort and lightweight design suitable for all-day wear
- Excellent soundstage and precise imaging for gaming and professional monitoring
- Versatile sound tuning via two included sets of ear pads (Mixing and Producer)
- Highly responsive to EQ adjustments
Cons
- Sound signature can feel 'sterile' or 'flat' for casual music enjoyment
- Bass may lack the physical impact or 'thump' desired by bass-heavy listeners
- Upper frequencies can occasionally sound thin or brittle with certain pads
- Isolated reports of quality control issues
Top excerpts
If you have issues with comfort, the HD490 is about as good as it gets (as someone else said, quite similar to the Meze 109 Pro). I like the 490s quite a bit better (sound wise) than the HD6xx
You should be fine with anything from Sennheiser from 500 series, so HD560S/505/550, including possibly HD58X from american Drop store, and also HD490 Pro.
There are plenty of new models which I would consider though, but I haven't tested them yet, so I can't make a recommendation. Those would be HD490 Pro, HD550, and HD505.
and I haven't yet tried the most recent HD560S nor the highly praised HD490 Pro
There is also HD490 Pro which reportedly has lower clamp force, and is particularly comfortable
FiiO FT1
577 positive (77%) · 110 mixed (15%) · 63 negative (8%)
Trust + time weighted: +69%
AI summary — not a quote
The FiiO FT1 is highly regarded as a top-tier value contender in the sub-$200 closed-back headphone market. It is frequently praised for a 'buttery' and punchy bass response that remains clean without bleeding into the mids. While it may not match the micro-detail of more expensive open-back models, it is widely recommended for general entertainment and specific genres like metal due to its engaging and 'alive' sound signature.
Pros
- Exceptional price-to-performance ratio, often cited as the best closed-back under $200
- Punchy, high-quality bass that avoids being boomy or bloated
- Strong passive noise isolation for a non-ANC headphone
- Engaging sound signature that excels with metal and general media
Cons
- Lacks the precision and imaging required for competitive gaming
- Early production batches suffered from build quality issues, specifically loose or breaking screws
- Not as detailed as higher-end planar or open-back alternatives
Top excerpts
The FT1 is one of the punchiest headphones I’ve ever heard at *any* price, and it does it without ever sounding boomy or bloated. Absolutely amazing especially for metal. They’d still be an easy recommendation at double what they actually cost.
I'm shocked that we're eight comments in and nobody has mentioned the Fiio FT1. It's basically the bass-heavy closed back to get.
The FT1s aren't just a great-sounding budget set, they're a great-sounding set period, especially for metal. They slam like a truck without ever sounding boomy or bloated.
Save a bit of money and get a Fiio FT1; you're basically not going to find a better closed back for metal until you exceed your budget by a fairly significant margin.
The only name that’s worth trying in the under-200 range is the FiiO FT1, but I don’t like their fake pleather earcups and headband that disintegrate within 18 months.