Sennheiser HD 490 PRO - Balanced Cable Balanced cable for HD 490 PRO.

Sennheiser HD 480/490 PRO Premium Balanced Connection Cable

The Sennheiser HD 490 PRO Balanced Cable (Official Article Number: 700330) is an official, reference-grade system upgrade accessory designed specifically for the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO and HD 490 PRO Plus open-back studio mixing and mastering headphones. Spanning 1.8 meters (5.9 feet) in length, this high-purity copper cable allows engineers and audiophiles to bypass standard single-ended headphone outputs and connect directly to high-end balanced hardware.

By implementing a fully isolated balanced path, this cable lowers crosstalk, minimizes distortion, maximizes signal headroom, and leverages the full power of professional balanced DACs and headphone amplifiers.

Key Structural and Engineering Attributes

• True Balanced Pentaconn Integration: Terminated with a premium, industry-standard 4.4 mm TRRRS Pentaconn male plug. This connection distributes the inverted and non-inverted audio phases for both the left and right channels (L+, L-, R+, R-) into completely separate wiring lines, effectively removing common ground loops.

• Proprietary Single-Entry Locking Mini-XLR: The headphone endpoint interfaces with a secure, compact 4-pin female mini-XLR connector outfitted with an integrated mechanical release button. This locking mechanism prevents accidental disconnects or signal dropouts if the cable is tugged during a session.

• Bi-Directional Dual-Ear Jack Architecture: The HD 490 PRO headphones feature a built-in input jack on both the left and right ear cups. Because the 4-pin mini-XLR connector carries all 4 channels simultaneously, you can plug this balanced cable into either the left or right side of the headphones according to your desk layout. The headphone's internal wiring automatically routes the correct left/right stereo signals to the proper drivers.

• Anti-Microphonic Structural Coiled Segment: Features a short, precision-molded coiled section right below the headphone collar. This acts as a mechanical shock buffer, stopping clothing friction and handling vibrations from traveling up the wire and coloring your reference listening environment.

Technical Specifications Matrix

In the Box: Component Inventory

• 1 x Sennheiser 1.8m Balanced Cable (4-Pin Mini-XLR to 4.4 mm Pentaconn)

• 1 x Red Rubber Socket Cover (To seal the unused mini-XLR jack on the opposite ear cup from dust and debris)

Studio Routing and Safety Advice

The Single-Entry Routing Safety Rule: Even though the HD 490 PRO has a mini-XLR connector on both the left and right ear cups, the headphones are designed as a single-entry system. You only need to plug one single cable into either side of the headphones. Never try to source custom third-party split cables to connect to both jacks simultaneously, as doing so can short out your headphone amplifier or bridge lines improperly.

Interfacing with Traditional XLR Studio Equipment: The 4.4 mm Pentaconn plug is the global standard for modern balanced studio gear and audiophile devices. If your specialized monitor controller or headphone distribution amplifier uses the older dual 3-pin XLR or single 4-pin full-sized XLR standard instead, you can easily bridge the connection. Do not cut or replace the connector—simply pick up a premium 4.4 mm Female to 4-Pin standard XLR Male adapter to safely preserve the balanced signal path into your console's output stage.