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MagyarSennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review - Powerful over-ear headphones with ANC
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is the direct successor to the Momentum 3 Wireless. This may not be apparent at first glance as the Wedemark-based audio specialist has redesigned the new headphones from the ground up. Sennheiser also claims the Momentum 4 has improved sound quality, better active noise cancellation (ANC) and longer battery life.
What's more, at an RRP of 349 Euro (US$350), the Momentum 4 is even cheaper than its predecessor.
Specifications
| Wearing style | Over-ear with headband |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C, mini jack |
| Speakers | Dynamic, 42 mm drivers, 6-22,000 Hz |
| Audio codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive |
| Battery capacity | 700 mAh |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| Weight | 239 g (0.53 lb) |
| Firmware version | 2.9.12 |
| Box contents | Headphones, carry case, USB cabel, AUX cabel (1.2 m), airplane adapter |
| Price (RRP) | US$350 |
Design and ergonomics - Headphones with replaceable ear cushions
Whilst other well-known brands like Sony and Bose have stayed true to their respective design in this segment, Sennheiser has given the Momentum 4 a complete makeover to bring its design more in line with the competition – a real shame in our opinion.
Sennheiser now uses more plastic; gone is the metal headband on the predecessor. Nevertheless, the new headphones still feel very solid and have impeccable build quality. The fabric cover on the headband looks attractive, and the synthetic leather padding on both the headband and ear cups are pleasantly soft. Despite their cushiness, the ear cups still create a good seal and thus provide noticeable passive noise isolation.
The Momentum 4 Wireless fits well and only exerts a fairly gentle pressure on the head. It doesn't get uncomfortable even when worn over a prolonged period, but you will be able to feel it on your head. Due to the headphones' circumaural design, there is hardly any ventilation around the ears, meaning it might get a little warmer under the ear pads, depending on ambient temperatures.
Features and control - Momentum 4 has new touch control
Once out of the box, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 immediately goes into pairing mode to let you easily and quickly connect it to the first source device. You can also initiate another pairing process by pressing and holding the only physical button for five seconds. The headphones support dual Bluetooth and can remain connected to up to two devices at once.
You can adjust settings and perform firmware updates conveniently using the Sennheiser Smart Control app, which is available on both Android and iOS. Amongst other things, the app lets you perform a Sound Check, which is a feature that helps users determine the right equaliser settings for their taste. However, you will need to create a Sennheiser account to use this feature.
The app also lets you configure your own Sound Zones, which adapt the equaliser, ANC and Transparent Hearing to your current location. Once you are within a predefined radius of a place, the customised settings for this particular location will kick in. Similarly, when you leave the zone, the headphones will use whatever settings you prefer. If you wish to use this feature, the app must be granted permanent access to your location. But we didn't notice any increase in battery usage.
The headphones can be controlled using the touch-sensitive surface on the right ear cup. By tapping, swiping or using two-finger gestures on the surface, you can control not just music playback, but also phone calls, ANC and the intensity of Transparent Hearing.
Apart from Bluetooth, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless can be connected to an output device via its audio jack or USB-C port. The headphones come with an audio cable (2.5 to 3.5 mm) that plugs into the audio jack. However, the included USB cable (Type A to C) is designed more for charging the headphones. It is also worth mentioning that you can play back audio from a smartphone or tablet via USB-C and charge the Momentum 4 Wireless at the same time.
An airplane adapter is also included in the box. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is available in black and creamy white. You can purchase accessories and replacement ear pads in either of the colour variants.
Sound - Great ANC and excellent sound
Not much has changed between the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and its predecessor Momentum 3 in terms of basic technical specifications. The frequency range is identical, and the harmonic distortion is exceptional not just on the spec sheet, but also in our measurements. The 42-mm drivers have a great deal of power and deliver a full-bodied sound with very prominent bass, without losing details or drowning out the mids. We only wished that the high ends had a little more airiness to them. That said, we are entering the nitpicking territory at this point. In our opinion, Bowers & Wilkins headphones do a slightly better job at reproducing high frequencies. Nevertheless, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 manages to impress with a characteristically balanced sound that makes its origins unmistakable. This is the case not only for music of all genres, but also for films. The Momentum 4 Wireless is able to greatly enhance the experience of watching a film, not least thanks to its deep bass.
The active noise cancellation has been noticeably improved. It is able to effortlessly reduce noises from sources like air-cons, fans and the street when you are inside a building as well as from small talks in your surroundings. When things get really loud (e.g. on main roads or on a plane), you will still be able to hear noises, but they will be markedly softer.
The Momentum 4 Wireless has also taken a giant step forward in terms of call quality. Unlike its predecessor, the Momentum 4 no longer makes voices sound tinny. Speech sounds substantially more natural and only slightly nasal on the other end. The headphones are also able to somewhat suppress but not fully eliminate voices in the background. Overall, voice quality has been significantly improved but is not as "crystal clear" as advertised by Sennheiser.
| Loudspeakers | |
| THD | |
| Huawei FreeBuds Studio (RMS: -2.1 dBFS) | |
| Bose QuietComfort 45 (RMS: -2.7 dBFS) | |
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7 (RMS: -3.0 dBFS) | |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (RMS: -1.6 dBFS) | |
| THD+N | |
| Bose QuietComfort 45 (RMS: -2.7 dBFS) | |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless (RMS: -1.6 dBFS) | |
| Huawei FreeBuds Studio (RMS: -2.1 dBFS) | |
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7 (RMS: -3.0 dBFS) | |
* ... smaller is better
THD (total harmonic distortion): Harmonic distortion measures the ratio of non-linear distortion (harmonic components) to the original signal. THD only takes the fundamental frequency component into consideration. Distortion factor is often used synonymously with THD, but it is computed in relation to the overall signal.
THD+N (total darmonic distortion + noise): This value is comparable with THD. But it also includes the noise power in the RMS, in addition to the harmonic power.
Both values are given as a percentage. The lower the value, the closer the audio signal is to its original source.
For the measurement, a low-harmonic sine wave (1 kHz, > 0 dB) is played through the headphones being tested. The resulting audio is measured using a linear microphone (approx. 1 cm away) fitted in a dummy head.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (91.9 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(+) | good bass - only 1.7% away from median
(+) | bass is linear (1.1% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 2.2% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (1.7% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | reduced highs - on average 5.4% lower than median
(+) | highs are linear (3.2% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (7.1% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 1% of all tested devices in this class were better, 0% similar, 99% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 1% of all tested devices were better, 0% similar, 99% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Bose QuietComfort 45 audio analysis
(+) | speakers can play relatively loud (92.6 dB)
Bass 100 - 315 Hz
(+) | good bass - only 1.9% away from median
(+) | bass is linear (1.6% delta to prev. frequency)
Mids 400 - 2000 Hz
(+) | balanced mids - only 4.2% away from median
(+) | mids are linear (2.8% delta to prev. frequency)
Highs 2 - 16 kHz
(±) | higher highs - on average 5% higher than median
(+) | highs are linear (4.9% delta to prev. frequency)
Overall 100 - 16.000 Hz
(+) | overall sound is linear (8.1% difference to median)
Compared to same class
» 1% of all tested devices in this class were better, 0% similar, 98% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Compared to all devices tested
» 1% of all tested devices were better, 0% similar, 98% worse
» The best had a delta of 4%, average was 25%, worst was 134%
Battery life - Momentum 4 leaves its competitors in the dust
We measured the headphones' battery life with ANC turned up to the highest level and playback volume set to 65 dB (SPL). The test involved playing a Spotify playlist via Bluetooth at the highest possible quality.
Sennheiser claims that the headphones can last up to 60 hours with ANC enabled. During our test, the Momentum 4 Wireless managed to keep going for almost 40 hours, putting it far ahead of its competitors in this regard. This impressive battery life means that the Momentum 4 is capable of lasting through a long trip on just a single charge.
| Battery Runtime - Spotify loop at 65dB/A (incl ANC) | |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless | |
| Bose QuietComfort 45 | |
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7 | |
| Huawei FreeBuds Studio | |
Verdict - All-round improved ANC headphones from Sennheiser
Sennheiser has improved its Momentum headphones in every aspect. The company has finally integrated a high-res Bluetooth audio codec by adding support for aptX Adaptive. Although this codec still has a lower bandwdith than the LDAC codec found on Sony headphones, it is an appreciable step forward.
These Sennheiser headphones have the distinctive Momentum sound signature. You'll love them if you like the bass-heavy sound. The active noise cancellation has also been greatly improved and does its job well. In our opinion, voice quality during phone calls is also much better this time around – gone are the days of the user sounding like they are talking through a tin can. With Bluetooth, aux input and USB-C, the connectivity options are also exemplary.
Better than its predecessor in every way, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a pair of premium headphones that doesn't have to shy away from the competition. But the new design is a matter of taste.
There is nothing much to complain about the Momentum 4 Wireless. The new design is certainly a matter of taste, and the resulting choice of materials may not make the headphones appear very premium at first glance. However, you wouldn't get this impression in everyday use or when handling the headphones, especially considering the more plasticky design has noticeably reduced the weight of the headphones.
If you don't like deep bass, the Sennheiser PXC 550-II might be a good alternative for you. The Bose QC45 is even slightly better in terms of ANC performance but doesn't support aptX Adaptive.
Price and availability
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (RRP: US$350) can be purchase directly from the manufacturer or online retailers like Amazon.com.
