Sennheiser launches Momentum 5 headphones with more mics, better ANC, and a replaceable battery

Sennheiser has finally refreshed its Momentum line of over-the-ear headphones. The new Momentum 5 headphones arrive nearly four years after the Momentum 4, and despite the long period between both pairs, not a lot has changed.

The Momentum 5 headphones have kept the overall design, but with a few minor changes such as the logo on the fabric-top headband and the metal plates on each earcup, which we believe are covering the microphones. However, a major change that they bring is that they have a replaceable battery, which means a possibility for the headphones to last for a very long time.

In terms of features, the Momentum 5 headphones have 42mm drivers, like their predecessors. They also have active noise cancellation (ANC), which Sennheiser says is three times stronger in mid-range frequencies than that of the previous generation. The improvement in ANC (and calls) is attributed to the 8 mics on the Momentum 5, double that of the Momentum 4. As expected, there's also a transparency mode for when you want to let external sound in.

Sennheiser says the Momentum 5 headphones have a battery life of up to 57 hours, a few hours less than the 60 hours of the previous generation. Of course, real life usage will vary depending on personal settings, but it should still be amazing, nonetheless. There are five LEDs that indicate the remaining battery life and the headphones charge via USB-C. The USB-C port can also be used for wired playback or you can use the 3.5mm aux jack next to it.

The Momentum 5 also have spatial audio (Dolby Atmos with head tracking), support for AptX Lossless Bluetooth codec, Snapdragon Sound, and Bluetooth 5.4 (will be updated to Bluetooth 6.0 and LE audio via a firmware update). There are physical controls as well as touch controls on the right earcup. The headphones come in a flat but large hard shell case since the headphones lay flat. The case has a pocket and slots for the USB-C and 3.5mm aux cables.

Sennheiser is charging $399.99/€399.90/£329.90 for the Momentum 5, and they will be available to buy in Black, White, and Denim when they are released on June 30. They are cheaper than the $450 price tag the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones had at launch, but at the moment, you can buy Sony's headphones for $398 on Amazon.