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 essentially 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 because it has a slightly different design and an extra cable in the box.
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 is what separates the HD 400 Pro from the HD 560S. of certain details. The silver Sennheiser logo on the side of the earcups has been painted black. Similarly, the Sennheiser wordmark on top of the headband has also been turned black, although it is a bit larger now.
The two headphones are essentially 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.
.png)
All of the components of the headphones, excluding 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 known to last for many years of use due to their near indestructibility. The earpads are the only component that should need regular replacement because Sennheiser earpads have a tendency to flatten after a few years of use, which does degrade the sound.
There isn't a lot of articulation in the headphones. The headband's length can 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 connector for connecting the cable is located on the left earcup. The input jack 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.
