With the HD 480 PRO, Sennheiser today launches its top-of-the-range closed-back headphones for studio and live environments. Designed with the utmost care and precision, they eliminate the two most-cited pain points of closed-back headphones by delivering a tight, accurate bass reproduction and ensuring supreme comfort for audio professionals tasked with recording, tracking, or monitoring in the studio, in live audio environments or on the move.

Delivering where other closed-backs fail

With closed-back headphones, a good reproduction of the low-end is usually difficult to achieve. “This is where the HD 480 PRO excel. Compared to other closed-back headphones, they are a lot tighter on the bass, their low-end is super-accurate and realistic,” notes Jimmy R. Landry, Category Market Manager, Music Industry at Sennheiser.

“Comfort is of paramount importance when headphones are a work tool,” adds Gunnar Dirks, Senior Product Manager for professional headphones. “Engineers often spend hours on end in their sessions. They need a lightweight, ergonomically designed pair of headphones to keep focus and concentration up. The HD 480 PRO eliminate any pressure points and fit every head precisely and comfortably – even if you’re wearing glasses.”

Purpose-built for professional audio work

Whether used in the studio by producers, mixers, musicians, recording engineers, and creators, in live environments by FoH engineers and monitor engineers, or again on the move, the HD 480 PRO are an ideal choice for monitoring, producing, and recording, but also for mixing, which makes them Sennheiser’s most versatile professional headphones to date. Their absolute accuracy, uncoloured frequency response and honest low-end ensure that the audio translates reliably to any listening situation from home speakers to automobile use and PA systems.

“Knowing that you can rely on what you’re hearing is everything, that’s what you get with the HD 480 PRO.”

Jim Kaufman, producer

“When I’m going to be mixing on headphones outside my studio, it’s imperative I have a pair that I trust. With the HD 480 PRO, to have this level of quality and accuracy in a closed-back headphone is amazing.”

Will Brierre, mix engineer

“As producers, we have to receive the best sound to our ears that we can. Every detail is important. When you’re wearing the 480s, you’re immersed in the sound, completely undistracted by the outside world.”

Young Chencs, artist and producer

“The ear cushions. Incredibly soft, right away. And then the dimensionality of the sound. It felt like the music had depth and space around it. Two things stood out immediately. The spatial quality of the sound makes it so much easier to understand where everything sits in a mix. And while recording, I could hear my own voice with this real clarity and dimension. It actually made singing feel more natural and easier.”

Nao Yoshioka, singer and songwriter

“Nothing but the truth”

To enable the user to fully concentrate on the audio and hear all detail, the HD 480 PRO feature multiple stages of passive sound shielding, while comfortable ear pads with soft grooves for the temples of glasses ensure the precise seal that is required for good audio reproduction. A series of design measures – subsumed under the term “Vibration Attenuation System” – eliminate unwanted vibration, reflections and distortion, preserving the clarity of the signal. The ultralight voice coils of the HD 480 PRO ensure a remarkably authentic and dynamic reproduction.

Patents for comfort, precision fit and noise decoupling

Like its open-back counterpart, the HD 490 PRO, the HD 480 PRO benefit from several Sennheiser-patented features.

Special Axes Geometry: The mechanical design makes sure that the headphones optimally adapt to the head and maintain an equal contact pressure no matter what the shape of the user’s head. The listening experience is consistent across users.

Comfort zone for glasses: The ear pads do not press on the temples of glasses but rather have a soft zone, which ensures good sealing and high comfort at the same time.

Blocking of cable-borne noise: Near the earcup, the connection cable features a coiled part, which effectively decouples the HD 480 PRO from any structure-borne or handling noise, such as that transmitted when the cable hits the desk, for example.

For daily professional use

To adapt to different set-ups, the detachable cable can be worn on the left or right side of the HD 480 PRO. This flexible cable routing is ideal for solo recording of instruments, for example, as it keeps the cable out of the way. To ensure accessibility, the left and right earcups are braille-marked. Engineered by Sennheiser’s experienced professional development team, the HD 480 PRO have been designed to last and deliver consistent results over time.

HD 490 PRO or HD 480 PRO – which one to choose?

The open-back HD 490 PRO and closed-back HD 480 PRO are at the top of the 400 series of purpose-built professional audio headphones. So which one is best for which application?

“Our developers have been working painstakingly to bring the sound of the closed HD 480 PRO as closely as possible to that of the open HD 490 PRO. Which model is the better choice for you really depends on how you work,” explains Gunnar Dirks. “The open HD 490 PRO will be ideal for mixing in quiet environments, while I would recommend the closed HD 480 PRO for applications where you need isolation, for example when you’re tracking vocals in the room, when monitoring or using them as an FoH reference, or simply when you’re working in the same space as others.”

The HD 480 PRO retails at AED 1.549. It features recording earpads and a 3-metre coiled cable and is delivered complete with a carrying bag. Instead of the bag, the HD 480 PRO Plus comes with a travel case, and retails at AED 1,749.

HD 480 PRO technical data

Acoustic principle: closed

Ear coupling: circumaural

Transducer principle: dynamic

Transducer diameter: 38 mm

Frequency response: 3 to 28,700 Hz (-10 dB)

Sensitivity: 107 dB SPL (at 1 kHz/1 V_rms); 98 dB (at 1 kHz, 1 mW)

Max. SPL: 130 dB (1 kHz, 5% THD)

THD: <0.5% (at 1 kHz, 100 dB SPL)

Impedance: 130 ohms (1 kHz)

Power rating: 300 mW (100 h, noise as per IEC 60268)

Temperature range: 0°C to +50°C for operation; -25°C to +70°C for storage

Relative humidity: 10 to 80%, non-condensing for operation; 10 to 90% for storage

Weight: 272 g (w/o cable)

Available accessories

Replacement recording ear pads, replacement coiled cable (3 m), 1.8 m straight cable, 3 m straight cable, balanced cable, (replacement) travel case, (storage) case, (replacement) bag.

Intel has introduced its latest Intel Core Series 3 mobile processors, aimed at expanding advanced computing capabilities to value buyers, commercial users, and essential edge deployments.

The launch reflects a broader shift in the industry, where performance, efficiency, and AI readiness are no longer confined to premium systems but are increasingly expected across all tiers of computing.

Built on the architectural foundations of Intel’s newer Core platforms and leveraging advanced process technology, the Core Series 3 processors are designed to deliver a balanced combination of performance, battery efficiency, and scalability. The focus is on enabling reliable, everyday computing while supporting emerging workloads, including AI-driven applications.

Driving Value-Oriented Performance

Intel positions Core Series 3 as a significant upgrade path for users operating on older systems. Compared to five-year-old PCs, the new processors deliver up to 47% improvement in single-thread performance and up to 41% gains in multi-thread workloads. GPU-based AI performance also sees notable enhancements, enabling improved responsiveness in modern applications.

This performance uplift is complemented by a strong emphasis on efficiency, with reduced processor power consumption and optimisations aimed at extending battery life for mobile systems.

AI Capability Moves to the Mainstream

One of the key differentiators of the Core Series 3 platform is the introduction of hybrid AI-ready architecture within the value segment. With support for up to 40 platform TOPS, Intel is enabling a new class of systems capable of handling AI workloads at the device level.

The platform also integrates modern connectivity standards, including Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6, ensuring compatibility with next-generation peripherals and networks.

Expanding into Essential Edge Deployments

Beyond traditional laptops, Intel is positioning Core Series 3 as a scalable solution for edge computing environments. The processors are designed to support a wide range of applications, including robotics, smart buildings, retail systems, and industrial deployments.

By combining AI acceleration with energy efficiency, the platform aims to deliver the performance required for real-time processing while maintaining operational reliability in diverse environments.

Ecosystem and Availability

Intel expects broad adoption across the ecosystem, with more than 70 designs from OEM partners set to launch across multiple form factors. Consumer and commercial systems powered by Core Series 3 are rolling out through 2026, while edge-focused deployments are expected from Q2 onwards.

As the Middle East accelerates its push toward becoming a digital economy, global consumer electronics brands are being forced to rethink their role beyond simply selling devices. For Hisense, that shift is already underway.

From building connected living ecosystems to strengthening regional manufacturing and R&D, the company is positioning itself not just as a technology provider, but as a long-term partner in the region’s transformation.

In this conversation, Jason Ou, President of Hisense Middle East, Africa and India, outlines how localisation, supply chain investments, and a sharper focus on consumer relevance are shaping the company’s next phase of growth in the region—and why the Middle East is emerging as more than just a consumption market.

The region is increasingly positioning itself as a hub for digital economies. How can consumer electronics brands contribute to this broader transformation beyond simply selling devices?

Consumer electronics brands today play a much bigger role than just providing devices. Our real impact comes from shaping how people live in an increasingly digital world. At Hisense, we focus on anticipating consumer shifts and building our innovation around the needs of modern, connected lifestyles. It’s not only about technology, but about how that technology integrates seamlessly into everyday life.

We see this clearly through connected living. A TV today is no longer just a screen, it becomes part of a wider ecosystem, connecting with appliances, enabling intuitive control, and helping consumers manage comfort, energy, and daily routines more efficiently. At the same time, localization is key. Through regional R&D, partnerships, and a stronger presence on the ground, we ensure our innovation is relevant to local lifestyles and market realities. Ultimately, our role is to translate innovation into meaningful, practical value, supporting the region’s digital transformation in a way that is tangible for both consumers and communities.

Technology companies often struggle between being engineering-led and market-led. How does Hisense maintain that balance internally?

For us, it is not a question of choosing between engineering-led or market-led. The strongest companies are built on both, working hand in hand. At Hisense, we combine strong engineering capabilities with a deep understanding of consumer needs and local markets. Our innovation is driven by technology, but always shaped by how people actually live, interact, and use our products. We focus on one simple principle: every innovation must translate into a better user experience. That is where engineering excellence meets real market relevance, allowing us to stay both forward-looking and grounded in consumer value.

You have led Hisense’s expansion in the Middle East through a period of rapid technological change. What leadership principles have helped you balance global innovation with local market realities in this region?

The starting point has always been staying true to Hisense’s vision and values. That gives us a clear direction, especially during periods of rapid change. The second element is people and partnerships. Building the right team on the ground, and working with the right partners, has been essential to understanding the region and executing effectively across markets.

Third is localization with discipline. While we benefit from strong global innovation, success in this region comes from adapting that innovation to local lifestyles, climate, and consumer expectations in a consistent and structured way. And finally, long-term commitment. We have approached the Middle East as a strategic growth market, continuing to invest in technology, operations, and relationships. That long-term view allows us to balance global ambition with local relevance and build sustainable growth over time.

As most global supply chains and manufacturing ecosystems for consumer electronics remain concentrated outside the Middle East, what role do you see the region playing in the future production and innovation landscape of this industry?

I believe the region will play a much bigger role over time, especially as a center for localization, strategic manufacturing, regional distribution, and application-led innovation. We are already seeing that evolve. Hisense has been strengthening its regional manufacturing footprint, including operations in Algeria and Egypt, alongside localized R&D in Dubai. Our recent export milestone from Algeria into Egypt and Tunisia shows that the region is not only a consumption market, but increasingly part of a broader industrial and supply-chain ecosystem.

Going forward, I see the Middle East and wider MENA region becoming more important in three areas: as a faster response hub for regional supply and customization; as a testing ground for technologies suited to local environmental and lifestyle conditions; and as a bridge between global innovation and emerging-market demand. The opportunity is not just to manufacture more, but to shape products and solutions that are more relevant to this part of the world.

If we fast forward ten years, what will the concept of “home entertainment” look like compared to today?

We are currently witnessing a significant wave of innovation, particularly driven by AI capabilities. I believe this will continue to evolve, becoming smarter, more intuitive, and more seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Home entertainment will not only improve in terms of quality, with better visuals, sound, and performance, but it will also become more personalized and adaptive to each user.

At the same time, we will see more robotic and automated technologies becoming part of the home, supporting everyday tasks and enhancing convenience, creating a more connected and intelligent living environment. Ultimately, the experience will shift from simply watching content to enjoying a smarter, more immersive, and fully integrated home experience.

Finally, if you had to describe the next chapter of Hisense in the Middle East in one word, what would it be and why?

Reliable. We aim to become the most reliable brand in the region, in line with our longterm vision. This means continuously strengthening our position across technology development and market penetration, while keeping consumer needs at the center of everything we do. At the same time, we will further invest in localized solutions to ensure our innovation remains relevant, practical, and impactful for the region.