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Sennheiser HD 400 PRO Review – Are These Open-Back Studio Headphones Worth It?

by Anthony /
19/12/2024

The Sennheiser HD400 PRO headphones are a pair of solidly built, neutral-sounding open-back headphones that find their place in studios around the world. But how do they perform when put to intensive use?

In this Sennheiser HD 400 PRO review, we’ll put these headphones through their paces and highlight the unique features that make them a worthwhile purchase. We’ll explore all the key features, acoustic performance, and suitability for different applications, so you can decide if the HD 400 PROs are right for you.

Secondhand Studio Gear

In a hurry? Here’s our verdict

The Sennheiser HD 400 PRO are perfect for professional and accurate studio monitoring. With their flat frequency response and 120-ohm impedance, they ensure the kind of precise sound reproduction that’s essential for mixing and mastering – and their open-back design brings an expansive soundstage for a more natural-sounding mix.

If you’re a producer who needs clarity and detail when monitoring (and who doesn’t?), we’d recommend the HD 400 Pro.

ProsCons
Accurate sound reproduction with a flat frequency responseRequires an amplifier or interface for optimal audio performance
Lightweight and comfortable design for long listening sessionsBass response may feel underwhelming for listeners preferring enhanced low-end tones.
120-ohm impedance ensures clarity and low distortion
Detachable cable allows for versatile connectivity
Durable build quality

Sennheiser HD 400 PRO review

Build quality and design

The Sennheiser HD 400 PRO combine a sleek, understated, all-black design with practical features. In essence, Sennheiser have mastered that minimalist, professional aesthetic down to a tee.

Firstly, the most obvious design aspect is that they’re open-back, which experienced producers will know adds openness and realism to the sound as air passes through the earcups and headphone drivers vibrate freely. They’re also over-ear, which ensures immersive and comfortable wear.

In terms of build quality, the HD 400 PRO strike a balance between durability and comfort.

Crafted from high-quality plastic, the construction feels sturdy and rugged – and yet there’s no unnecessary weight. At just 240g, these headphones are lightweight enough for extended use without becoming uncomfortable. Because of their durable construction, they’re more than capable of withstanding regular handling in a busy studio environment.

The attention to detail extends to its accessories. With the headphones, you get two detachable cables, a long coiled cable and a shorter straight one, providing versatility for different setups. The locking mechanism on the cables ensures they stay securely connected, minimising interruptions during critical sessions.

For a customised fit, the headband is adjustable and the earcups swivel – however, for headphones at this price point, we would expect these design features. Nevertheless, it’s these thoughtful appointments that go a long way, adding to the adaptability and overall comfort of the headphones.

All in all, their combination of style, durability, and functionality is tailored to meet the demands of audio engineers, musicians, and DJs at home.

Sennheiser HD 400 PRO Studio Reference Headphones


Comfort

We’ve touched on comfort in relation to the overall construction of the headphones, but there are some other features that make the HD 400 PRO easy to wear for long listening and studio sessions.

One such feature is the soft velour earpads, which not only feel gentle against the skin but also allow for better airflow around the ears. This helps to prevent heat build-up, ensuring comfort even during extended periods of use. Plus, as we’ve mentioned, the headphones are extremely lightweight, reducing fatigue and pressure on the head over time.

Despite being so unintrusive to wear, they do sit securely on your head and over your ears – aided by the adjustable headband and swivel ear cups. The open-back design also helps in this respect as it ensures the headphones are breathable, reducing the kind of sweat build-up you might get with closed-back headphones.


Sound quality

Purpose-built to deliver pristine sound quality, the HD 400 PRO perform brilliantly with critical listening tasks. The most important thing for an accurate monitoring session is that the mix sounds neutral, with no colour added – the HD 400 PRO are great for this. They reproduce audio with stunning accuracy, providing a balanced representation of tracks, which is essential for mixing and mastering.

If you’re a professional, you can rely on these headphones to make informed decisions without exaggerated bass, mids, or highs skewing your perception.

Another key highlight of the HD 400 PRO is their expansive and detailed soundstage. As well as creating a spacious and natural listening environment, the headphones closely mirror the experience of using high-quality studio monitors, allowing you to identify the placement of instruments and vocals within a mix with remarkable clarity.

The wide soundstage enhances spatial awareness, making it easier to detect subtle details and depth in complex arrangements.

The 120-ohm transducers used in the HD 400 PRO incorporate a specialised polymer blend diaphragm, which plays a significant role in delivering precise transient responses and reducing harmonic distortion. It’s an innovative and highly useful feature that produces crisp, natural, and extremely detailed audio across the entire frequency range.

Additionally, the efficient driver magnets ensure consistent and powerful performance, producing tight bass, clear mids, and smooth high frequencies without any loss of detail.

With a frequency response ranging from an impressive 6 Hz to 38 kHz, these headphones cover everything from the lowest sub-bass to the highest treble frequencies. The headphones are a great all-rounder for pretty much any genre.

Sennheiser HD 400 PRO

Who are the Sennheiser HD 400 PRO headphones suited to?

Sennheiser HD 400 PRO HeadphonesTailored to professionals and enthusiasts who need precise and uncoloured audio reproduction, the Sennheiser HD 400 PROs are perfect for musicians, audio engineers, and producers.

If you’re an audio engineer or producer, you’ll definitely appreciate the neutral sound signature – this is one of the most important components of a set of monitoring headphones.

The open-back design offers a spacious soundstage, closely emulating the experience of high-quality studio monitors, making them suitable for detailed audio analysis.

In terms of value for money, the HD 400 PRO deliver high-end audio performance at a price point that is more accessible compared to some premium models. However, they’re not as cheap as other models – but you get what you pay for!

If you’re looking for a more affordable option or closed-back headphones for mixing, we recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These are known for their robust build and punchy sound, suitable for both studio work and casual listening.

Another option is the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, which offer a comfortable design and a balanced sound profile.

Or if you want to stick with the open-back design, the AKG K612 PRO Open-Back Headphones are a great alternative, renowned for their clarity and durability.

FAQs

Are Sennheiser HD 400S good for music production?

Sennheiser HD 400S are great for music production as they offer a relatively flat and neutral frequency response, essential for accurate mixing and mastering decisions. While they lack the premium features of high-end monitors, they provide reliable sound clarity for budget-conscious producers.


What is the difference between Sennheiser HD 400 PRO and HD 650?

The Sennheiser HD 400 PRO and HD 650 differ in purpose and tuning. The HD 400 PRO are used for professional monitoring, courtesy of their flat response for accuracy, while the HD 650 are great for casual music listening.


What is the impedance of the Sennheiser HD 400 PRO?

The impedance of the Sennheiser HD 400 PRO is 120 ohms, making it suitable for use with audio interfaces, amplifiers, or other professional audio equipment. This impedance helps deliver detailed sound without distortion, essential for studio applications.

Final thoughts

Sennheiser’s HD 400 PRO deliver an exceptionally broad soundstage with an accurate and neutral frequency response, perfect for professional monitoring purposes. If you’re on the look out for some new studio headphones, we hope our Sennheiser HD 400 PRO review has helped you in your search!

If more studio content, check out the links below:

How To Start A Podcast – A Step-By-Step Guide

How to Sample a Song – A Guide to Music Sampling

The Best DJ Setups 2025 – Find the Right Gear Within Your Budget

 

High-tech web content specialist at Gear4music

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