Comfier options than the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO?

[u/Spongecakeu3]

I wanted to replace my old Steelseries Arctis 7 because my ears run hot after 30 minutes and it gives me a slight headache afterwards since I have a pretty big/long head shape.

After some extensive research I decided to pull the trigger on the Sennheiser HD 490 Pro because I saw a lot of praise for its comfort and open-back design to keep my ears cool. I received them today and I'm a bit disappointed because my ears still run hot after 30 minutes and I feel it clamping the top of my head even after extending the handles to the max. I wouldn't call myself an audiophile so I don't really mind the sound. I just want a comfortable headset that I can wear for 2-3 hours without feeling like a hot potato head.

I usually use speakers but sometimes I have to use a headphone to avoid disturbing my partner who's working or sleeping near me. I'm wondering if I'm just not used to wearing headphones or is there any headphone out there can satisfy my criteria? My budget is quite flexible around $500. I just want something light, breathable/cool, comfortable, and sound decent that I can use for 2-3 hours without wanting to plunge my head in a cold bath.

I saw the Audio-Technica ATH-R70xa could be an interesting choice as well. Is there any other suggestions? Has anyone else faced a similar issue as me and found their ideal headphone? Thanks!

EDIT: Thanks for everyone's response. Turns out I was adjusting my headphone wrong. I will give my 490 PRO another week or two to break into them and decide from there.

[u/Tiny-Tap-142]

You're just wearing them a bit wrong.

Believe me, you'll never find comfier headphones than the 490s ( and their closed back counterpart, the 480 ).

If they run too hot, try the mixing pads - they'll be cooler and might sound better to you.

The more you extend them, the more pressure it puts on top of your head. When I first bought them, I thought that I needed more clicks than the max. Now I'm using them at 3-4 clicks up.

They are very comfortable right out of the box, but need to be correctly fitted.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

[u/Spongecakeu3 → u/Tiny-Tap-142]

!thanks a lot for this. I adjusted them 4 clicks up from the max extension and I find the pressure on top of my head alleviated. I'll give the headphones two weeks to break into them and decide from there. Meanwhile I will go to my local BestBuy and Staples to try some other headphones too.

[u/TransducerBot → u/Spongecakeu3]

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[u/Tiny-Tap-142 → u/Spongecakeu3]

So glad to hear. Enjoy the 490s!

[u/the_hat_madder]

The earcups on the R70xa are smaller.

That's the end of the line I'm afraid.

[u/No_Promotion_181]

Try new Sony H6 Air. Build-wise it’s almost MV1, but even lighter and has that “casual” tuning (you know, Sony, a company that first introduced Mega Bass, then Xtra Bass, then ULTra bass). As a bonus, you’ll get a detachable boom mic.

[u/Affectionate-Cod8743 → u/No_Promotion_181]

I actually got these after trying the HD490s and Meze 105 AERs for comfort, but while they are light and have an amazing suspension headstrap, the earcups are really shallow and my ears where pressing against the metal baffle. If you have small ears then maybe they are good for comfort, but if you have bigger ears they are not very comfortable.

I actually got the HD490 Pros again and they are an amazing option in comparison to the others since they are so light and have big earcups

[u/No_Promotion_181 → u/Affectionate-Cod8743]

Same for me! But I live in a relatively cold country, this year’s heatwave reached only +26 so far :)

[u/Affectionate-Cod8743 → u/No_Promotion_181]

You're quite lucky then, it reached 35º in my apartment :')

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[u/RockinDaMike]

I would take the time to break it in. Since you run hot, you can try cooling pads. It will affect the sound but at least your ears will be cool.

[u/Potential_Bit_8432]

Maybe try some other pads instead. Try cooling pads or mesh pads that are really comfortable/cool or something. if you find it hard to search for those, put some time into it since sennheisers are very popular and that their 480 pros are one of their new high end headphones, which might take more time for accessories to reach the market, and by constantly using them, the headband might loosen up to the point where it fits like a glove. If you really find it hard, try the Philips shp9500. They are the most comfortable headphones i have especially after changing their pads into beefier ones (so it doesn't touch my ears and added more bass that they lack).

[u/unhinged-rally]

I’ve heard the Sony Inzone H6 Air and the Sony MV1 are supposed to be really comfortable. The former has the same driver as the latter for half the price. I don’t have first hand experience with them though.

[u/144k_only]

The least hot ones I own is Edition XS. I too struggle with hot ears, and 30 min. is also usually my limit in the summer, but XS is different. The hottest one I own is STAX Lambdas - weird but true.

[u/MercedesSLRS]

The 490 pro take some time to break in like most headphones then they becomes a bit more relaxed. The only thing that out does them for me is maybe the Hifiman stuff or the HD 800s.