Over the past few years, I’ve really come to appreciate the convenience of portability, ease of use, and the blissful silence offered by noise-canceling headphones. There was a time when I roamed around, strapped with portable headphone “systems” that looked more like a tangle of wires than a music setup, probably making fellow subway passengers wonder if they should be dialing for a bomb squad.
But as time passed, two significant changes occurred: technology took giant leaps forward, and, I’ll admit, my quest for comfort grew. The days of lugging around intimidating gear are long gone. Nowadays, the advancements in tech and quality have reached a point where even my audiophile cravings are satisfied.
For over a year now, I’ve dived into the world of wireless earbuds, having owned the Sony XM4 and Bose QC2, and even got my hands on the Sony XM5 and Hifiman Svanar Wireless not too long ago. So, naturally, my curiosity was piqued about what Sennheiser was bringing to the table with their Momentum 4 earbuds. Let’s dive in and see what they’re all about.
Intro and Specs
You can find all the details on the product page here, but I am going to leave a few details below.
Features
- Sennheiser signature sound: Delivers exceptional sound fidelity, ensuring every detail and emotion is heard just as the artist intended thanks to our TrueResponse transducer system which delivers a high-end sound experience with impactful bass and a refined treble response.
- Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC): Automatically adjusts noise cancellation to surroundings, providing an immersive listening experience.
- Future-proof technologies: Step into the future with Auracast™ support and LE Audio* and enjoy the latest codecs with Bluetooth® 5.4 compatibility.
- All day comfort: Assorted sizes of soft silicon ear tips and fins ensure a comfortable fit for extended listening sessions.
https://www.sennheiser-hearing.com/en-US/p/momentum-true-wireless-4/
- Sound personalization: Choose between multiple ways of customizing your sound: guided tests for personalized sound profiles, adaptative 5-band EQ, Sound Zones, Sound Check or pre-set modes.
- Up to 30 hours playtime with new battery system and fast Qi wireless charging: 8 minutes of charging thanks to our battery protect mode for 1 hour of playback.
- Lossless Audio: Guarantees flawless bit-by-bit transmission of audio, maintaining uncompromised sound quality during wireless listening.
Listening Impressions and Tests
I’ve been enjoying the Sennheiser Momentum 4 earbuds for over two weeks now, and I must say, they’ve thoroughly impressed me, offering more than just superb sound quality.
Starting with the case, it’s slightly bulkier compared to the Sony XM5, but what it lacks in compactness, it more than makes up for in build quality and aesthetics. It feels more solid and durable than the cases from Bose, QC2, and both Sony XM4 and XM5.
The comfort level of these earbuds is noteworthy. While Bose might still have a slight edge in how effortlessly their earbuds seem to fit into your ears, the Momentum 4’s insulating material on the earbud bodies provides excellent insulation, similar to what I appreciated about the QC2.
The noise cancellation feature is another highlight. Although I can’t compare it directly with the XM5, it feels nearly on par with the Bose QC2’s exceptional noise cancellation capabilities. There were times in noisy settings when I felt enveloped in tranquility, so much so that I switched to transparency mode while driving because it was almost too quiet, especially when I was feeling tired.
Speaking of transparency mode, this is where the Momentum 4 earbuds truly stand out for me. The lag is minimal, making it the most life-like experience I’ve had with such a feature. The touch controls are intuitive, requiring just a tap to switch between noise cancellation and transparency mode, with an impressively immediate response.
This level of user-friendliness was a welcome change and something I’ve come to love about these earbuds. The transparency mode almost makes me forget I’m wearing earbuds.
Before diving into the sound quality, it’s worth mentioning the Sennheiser mobile app and its sound personalization feature. In the past, my attempts to fine-tune earbuds with equalizers were helpful but somewhat limited by the narrow selection of frequency ranges. Initially skeptical about the Momentum 4’s personalization options, I was pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of the sound test, which allowed me to dial down the bass to my preference with ease. This feature, also seen in Sony models, didn’t compromise the sound’s speed, clarity, or precision, which is commendable.
Now let’s get into some songs:
In a sentimental mood
Using “In a Sentimental Mood” and similar tracks featuring saxophones or woodwind instruments, I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 4’s ability to convey the intimacy and texture of these instruments. The way these earbuds translated each breath into music was nothing short of captivating. It felt as through the instrument itself the artist was whispering directly into my ears.
When playing “Earth Melodies,” I focused on the system’s capacity to deliver Ekaterina Shelehova’s full vocal range without any harshness. The Momentum 4 earbuds excelled here, too, presenting her voice in a holographic, textured manner that flowed seamlessly from one note to the next, embodying the song’s intention perfectly. It was like being on a vocal rollercoaster, journeying from the dawn of the universe to the mythical era of the Nordic gods.
The wow factor kicked in right from the start with the drums, showcasing impressive depth and impact. Then came the sparkly, tactile guitar riffs, perfectly complemented by the crowd’s reaction. I must admit, the soundstage these earbuds offer is genuinely impressive—spacious and holographic, it pulls you right into the heart of the music. And when the vocals kicked in, they blended seamlessly with the rest of the instruments, feeling as though they were right there on stage with them. The vocals stood out for their presence, texture, and a natural, irresistibly engaging tonality. It felt as though the artists were performing just inches from my ears, allowing me to sense every breath and emotion conveyed through their music.
Listening to Nielsen’s Symphony No. 3 through the Momentum 4 earbuds brought their remarkable soundstage back into the limelight, particularly accentuating its strengths in classical music. The holographic breadth of the soundstage painted every detail in stunningly natural colors, steering clear of any artificial enhancements. The realism of the concert hall ambiance was so convincing that I found myself occasionally pausing to verify that I was still in my room and not in an actual concert hall. This natural, smooth tonality, devoid of any harshness, made for an utterly engrossing listening experience, virtually transporting me into the very heart of the symphony’s performance.
This track is a whirlwind of energy and intensity, setting the stage to test the Momentum 4’s ability to capture and convey this dynamism. And wow, do they deliver! It kicks off with a deep, resonant bass that feels like it’s pulsating right through your chest. As soon as the cellos make their entrance, their vibrant energy is palpable – you can almost sense the strings vibrating, the intricate details, and the air shifting around them. Around the one-minute mark, the track introduces an immense, deep bass that truly tests an earbud’s capability to reproduce bass accurately in terms of size and scale. The Momentum 4 earbuds passed this test with flying colors, impressively conveying the song’s sheer power and vigor. The experience was so immersive and intense that my heart was pounding by the song’s end. It was more than just listening; it felt like living every moment of the track.
The guitar plucks and drum beats in this track are something else! The experience is intensely immersive, with each chord vibrating energetically and striking with phenomenal tactility and power. This sensation is further enhanced by the profound depth and impact of the drums. I’m equally astounded by the level of detail the Momentum 4 earbuds bring out in every guitar note. The rendition is so exquisite that it gave me goosebumps. It’s a testament to how the Momentum 4 transforms listening into a vivid, tactile experience.
Summary
Bass:
The bass in the Momentum 4 earbuds truly stands out for its depth, impact, and clarity. I found myself impressed by its integration with the overall sound spectrum, offering a punchy depth and meticulous control that brings a new layer of energy, scale, and emotion to the music. It enhances songs in a way that makes each listen more engaging.
Midrange:
The midrange quality of the Momentum 4 is nothing short of mesmerizing. It’s one of the main reasons I adore these earbuds. The clarity and detail it provides are remarkable, presenting every nuance without overwhelming the listener. The texture is superb, enriching vocals and instruments with lifelike reproduction that makes every track a joy to experience.
Treble:
The treble on the Momentum 4 earbuds strikes the perfect balance — it’s airy, crisp, and lively, adding just the right amount of sparkle to each track without ever tipping into harshness. While I’ve encountered earbuds like the Svanar Wireless that offer a more pronounced treble, especially in the 4-8kHz lower treble range, they sometimes cross into overly sharp territory. The Momentum 4, however, maintains a pleasing treble experience that aligns more with my personal preferences.
Detail:
With the Momentum 4, details in the music are abundant and immersive, yet presented so naturally that nothing feels forced or exaggerated. From the tactile sensation of guitar plucks to the subtle vibrations of strings, the displacement of air by instruments, and the nuanced ambient sounds of different recording environments — it all contributes to a rich, encompassing soundstage. It’s as if you’re right there with your favorite artists, feeling every breath they take.
Vocals:
Vocals shine brightly with these earbuds, commanding the spotlight with their presence and seamlessly blending with the rest of the musical arrangement. The texture and detail in the vocals are exceptional, complemented by a tonality that’s both natural and captivating. This winning combination makes for an outstanding vocal performance that’s not just enjoyable but downright addictive, showcasing the Momentum 4’s prowess in delivering vocal clarity and expressiveness.
Tonality & Transparency
The tonality is also one of the strong suits of these earbuds, I have found no harshness, everything flows and is presented with a natural and life like tonality. This also adds to the feeling of transparency of the sound that combined with other qualities transposes you directly into your musical universe.
Soundstage/Imaging
The soundstage on the Momentum 4 earbuds is amazing, showing good size and holography. I just close my eyes and I am there. I can pinpoint any instrument in space and all the layers / instruments are very well separated and placed into the scene.
Measurements
I am not sure if I managed to get the best seal or positioning with the Mini DSP ears, as I had to fiddle around. I think I did a decent job to make an idea of a few things through the measurements, but take them with a grain of salt.
Comparison to other earbuds:
Spectrogram and distortions
As suspected, there is no signs of ringing and the distortions are impressively low. As you will see, for the most part of the frequency response, it hangs below 0.2%, which is quite awesome.
Conclusions
You’re likely curious about how the Momentum 4 earbuds stack up against other options on the market. Let me be clear: these have quickly become my go-to earbuds, and I treasure every moment spent with them.
The user experience with the Momentum 4 is stellar, and when it comes to sound quality, here’s how they compare:
Against Bose QC2: The Momentum 4 closely matches the QC2 in noise cancellation but surpasses it in transparency mode and overall user experience, thanks to a more reliable app, absence of glitches, and superior sound customization options. In terms of sound, the Momentum 4 outshines the QC2 with its impactful bass, richer midrange, greater detail, sharper precision, and a significantly larger soundstage.
Against Sony XM4: While I still appreciate the natural and enjoyable sound of the XM4, they fall short of the Momentum 4 in all areas, including detail, bass impact and depth, soundstage, and noise cancelling and transparency features. Oh, and Momentum 4 also sounds natural.
Against Sony XM5: I didn’t have the chance to compare these side by side, but from my experience, the XM5 didn’t quite capture the clear, emotional midrange I was looking for. While this comparison should be taken with a grain of salt, I believe the Momentum 4 edges out in detail, midrange, tonality and soundstage.
Against Hifiman Svanar Wireless: Momentum 4 certainly wins in reliability, noise cancelling, transparency mode, smaller case. The sound might be a bit more detailed on Svanar, but not as natural as with the momentum 4, also the treble is a bit on the harsh side on Svanar. I prefer the sound of Momentum 4 overall. And as a package, overall the Sennheiser is a clear pick from my perspective.
Would I recommend them? Absolutely! I’m so impressed that I plan to purchase a pair for myself.
Pros:
- Stylish design, robust build, and comfortable ergonomics
- Competent noise cancellation, nearly on par with Bose QC2
- Enhanced sound insulation compared to predecessors, thanks to similar earbud body insulation as found in the QC2
- The best transparency mode I’ve experienced, with zero lag
- Highly responsive touch controls with almost instantaneous feedback
- Impressive battery life and wireless charging capability
- Cutting-edge Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity with aptX Lossless support
- Exceptional sound quality, featuring deep and rich bass, pure and emotional midrange, crisp and dynamic treble, and an expansive soundstage
- Reliable mobile app integration with effective sound personalization and no technical issues
Cons:
- At this price point, I can’t pinpoint any drawbacks.
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