Head-to-head · Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing

Focal Clear MG Professional vs Sennheiser HD 490 Pro

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Sennheiser HD 490 Pro comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.4 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about studio engineers needing bass extension and pad flexibility — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #6 in Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing

Focal Clear MG Professional

4.0

8 sources3 derived$1,494as of Sep 25

The Focal Clear MG Pro delivers a well-balanced sound profile with dynamic bass, smooth mids, and refined treble. Reviewers noted its close resemblance to the Clear OG but with enhanced treble extension and slightly better definition in the mids and highs. While the bass is described as class-leading and punchy, some reviewers observed a subtle dip in the 3-6kHz range that affects brightness. The open-back design caters to professional use, making it ideal for producers and mix engineers. It maintains Focal's signature house sound while offering a more refined iteration of the original model.

Strengths

— Bass is dynamic, deep, and punchy with class-leading impact and slam
— Mids are smooth, organic, full-bodied, and articulate with a dip around 4-5kHz that adds softness
— Treble is well-tuned with lively presence and improved clarity above 15kHz

Watch-outs

— Slight dip in energy between 3-6kHz may make the sound appear less bright than expected
— The headphone tuning may differ from the Clear MG, despite both being part of the same series

$1,494 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Open-back Headphones For Mixing

Sennheiser HD 490 Pro

4.4

10 sources2 derived$429as of Sep 25

The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro delivers exceptional comfort and significantly improved sub-bass extension compared to earlier models like the HD 650. It offers two ear pad options—fabric mixing pads for analytical neutrality and velour producing pads for enhanced bass and treble. While it provides excellent channel balance and is well-suited for mixing, mastering, and production, the high-mids and treble response falls slightly short of the HD 650's neutrality. The headphones are ideal for professionals seeking accurate sound reproduction and long listening sessions.

Strengths

— Superb comfort with relaxed clamping force and evenly distributed pressure
— Vastly improved sub-bass extension over previous models like the HD 650
— Usable with mobile devices via 3.5mm jack and 6.3mm adapter

Watch-outs

— High-mids and treble are less neutral than the HD 650
— Hard plastic parts may inspire concerns about long-term reliability, per Sonarworks

$429 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Focal Clear MG Professional

The Focal Clear MG Pro offers dynamic bass and smooth mids, surpassing the AKG K-712 Pro's bass over-emphasis and treble dip. While it's less detailed than the Audeze LCD-X and lacks the open-back design of the HD 800 S, it provides a more balanced and refined sound compared to the HD 490 Pro, which has less clarity in the high frequencies.

Sennheiser HD 490 Pro

The Sennheiser HD 490 Pro stands out from the HD 650 with its improved sub-bass extension and dual ear pad options for mixing or producing, while the HD 650 maintains its iconic neutrality and plastic design. Unlike the Audeze LCD-X, it avoids the high price point and bulkiness, though it lacks the open-back design that makes the HD 800 S more immersive.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Focal Clear MG Professional	Sennheiser HD 490 Pro
Design	Open-back	Open back, Over-ear
Driver	Pure magnesium dome	Dynamic
Impedance	55 Ω	128 Ohm
Sensitivity	104dB SPL / 1mW @ 1kHz	105 dB SPL / 1 Vrms @ 1 kHz
Frequency Response	5 Hz – 23 kHz	5 - 36,000 Hz (-10 dB)
Weight	450 g / 0.99 lb	260 g (without cable)
Connector	1/4" - 6,35mm TRS jack, 1/8" - 3.5mm TRS jack	Threaded straight 3.5 mm jack
Cable	1.2m Jack 1/8" cable	1.8m cable

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