Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Summary
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds combine exceptional sound quality with a range of features that enhance usability and comfort. The customizable EQ, broad codec support, and robust design make these earbuds a top choice for anyone seeking a premium audio experience. While the price point is on the higher side, the investment is justified by the tech package incorporated in these latest additions to the Sennheiser Momentum lineup.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Review
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds aim to continue the brand’s storied reputation for excellence in audio quality, and for the most part, they do, but imperfect active noise cancellation may leave some audiophiles wanting. With a rich, bass-forward sound and a highly customizable in-app EQ, these earbuds deliver a premium listening experience, tempered by their high price and adequate ANC performance.
What we like
Pros
- Robust, bass-forward sound quality
- Customizable in-app EQ
- Adjustable transparency mode
- Secure and comfortable fit
- Wide Bluetooth® codec support
- Multipoint connectivity
- IP54 dust and water resistance
- Wireless charging case
- Useful app
- Flexible on-ear controls
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds deliver a listening experience that stands out in a crowded market. With a robust and bass-forward sound signature, these earbuds cater to audiophiles and casual listeners. The 7mm dynamic drivers reproduce audio with remarkable clarity and precision, ensuring that every note and beat is captured. Whether it’s the intricate strumming of an acoustic guitar like Clapton’s opening for “Tears in Heaven” or the deep, rumbling bass in electronic rockers like Olivia Rodrigo’s “Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl, ” the Momentum True Wireless 4 excels across genres. The customizable EQ within the companion app allows users to fine-tune the sound to their personal preferences, adding a layer of versatility.
In addition to sound quality, the Momentum True Wireless 4 offers several features designed to enhance the user experience. The earbuds support a wide variety of Bluetooth codecs, including AAC, AptX, AptX Adaptive, AptX Lossless, LC3, and SBC, ensuring high-quality audio streaming across various devices. Keep in mind that high-definition audio requires a device and streaming service that matches the earbud’s capabilities. The inclusion of multipoint connectivity allows seamless switching between devices, making these earbuds perfect for multitaskers.
The Smart Control app enhances the Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds experience. As noted above, customize audio with a personalized EQ, adjusting bass, midrange, and treble. Manage noise cancellation with options for full ANC, transparency mode, or adaptive settings. Easily customize touch controls for playback, calls, and voice assistants.
The app also lets owners stay updated with seamless firmware updates, monitor battery levels for earbuds and the wireless charging case, and further adjust listening with Bass Boost or Podcast mode.
Sennheiser sells the Momentum True Wireless 4s as future-proof. While no device is truly future-proof, they packed these earbuds with technology that many competitors and streamers won’t be leveraging for a while—LE Audio is chief among those features.
LE Audio, an abbreviation of “Low Energy Audio,” represents a significant advancement in Bluetooth technology with more reliable connections, the new high-quality, lower-power codec LC3, and multi-stream audio known as Auracast™.
What is Auracast?
Auracast is an emerging Bluetooth technology that enhances audio broadcasting capabilities across various devices. Unlike traditional Bluetooth audio streaming that typically connects a single source device to one receiver (like headphones or speakers), Auracast enables one transmitter device to broadcast audio to multiple receiver devices within its range simultaneously. This capability opens up new possibilities for shared listening experiences in public spaces, homes, and commercial environments.
The technology is poised to revolutionize how audio content is distributed and consumed in social settings, as it allows for seamless audio synchronization across multiple devices without the need for individual pairing. This means users can enjoy synchronized audio playback with friends or family members using their own headphones or speakers, creating a more immersive and inclusive listening experience. Auracast is expected to be widely adopted across various audio products, from headphones and earbuds to speakers and hearing aids, enhancing accessibility and convenience in audio broadcasting scenarios. As Bluetooth technology continues to evolve, Auracast represents a significant step forward in improving the versatility and functionality of wireless audio transmission.
Comfort and durability are also strong points for the Momentum True Wireless 4. Available in Black Copper, Black Graphite, or White Silver, these earbuds come with four pairs of silicone eartips and three pairs of stabilizer arcs to ensure a secure and comfortable fit. The IP54 rating offers protection against dust and splashes, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. The wireless charging case adds convenience, while the extended battery life of up to 30 hours ensures that your music keeps playing all day.
And while the charging case is bigger and, well, squarer than many competitors, it’s also the most elegant, with its tweed-like exterior. The extended battery life in the new model helps justify the case, as it didn’t grow with the higher capacity battery.
The touch controls on the earbuds are highly responsive and customizable, enabling users to tailor the controls to their preferences and reducing the likelihood of accidental presses. The adjustable and tap-accessible transparency mode allows users to control the amount of ambient sound they hear. This is particularly useful when situational awareness is crucial, such as commuting or working in an office environment.
These are not commodity earbuds. These high-end devices need to justify their price, and I think they do in a market where very inexpensive earbuds offer previously premium-only features like ANC and wireless charging at under a hundred dollars.
The build, the sound quality, the outstanding case, and the solid IP rating make for a compelling argument now, but new brands and lower-cost components will likely force Senheisser to reconsider its pricing as high-end feature availability continues to drop in price.
Senheisser’s webpage for the Momentum True Wireless 4s reports that they have reduced their packaging footprint by 53% in volume and 49% in weight versus the first-generation Momentum.
What could be improved
Cons
- Expensive
- Noise cancellation is not as effective as competitors
- Does not support Google Fast Pair
- Average battery life compared to some competitors
- No emphasis on spatial audio features
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds, while offering impressive sound quality and a host of advanced features, have drawbacks. First and foremost, the price tag of $299.95 places them in the higher echelon of true wireless earbuds, which might deter budget-conscious consumers despite their compelling audio performance.
The ANC performance of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds, while serviceable, reveals some notable deficiencies that are hard to ignore, especially given their premium positioning. Despite efforts to improve over previous models, these earbuds struggle to compete with industry leaders like Bose and Sony in effectively blocking out ambient noise across all frequencies. Reviewers consistently highlight that while low-end rumble is somewhat mitigated, higher-frequency sounds tend to seep through, compromising the overall noise isolation experience. This issue becomes more apparent in environments with varied noise profiles, where the ANC’s limitations can detract from the otherwise robust audio and feature-rich package that Sennheiser offers.
Another drawback is the lack of support for Google Fast Pair, which simplifies the initial pairing process with Android devices. This feature would improve the out-of-the-box user experience for Android users, aligning with the convenience offered by other leading brands.
Battery life, while adequate, doesn’t stand out. Improving efficiency or exploring new battery technologies could extend usage times, reducing the need for frequent recharging and enhancing the overall user experience. Since Sennheiser is primarily a hearing aid company, I expect the new solid-state batteries with greatly extended life to appear in their earbuds sooner than other brands. These new batteries will likely drive earbuds for weeks rather than hours.
The absence of spatial audio features may disappoint some users expecting immersive soundscapes. The Jabra Elite 10s, for instance, now support spatial audio. Embracing spatial audio technologies like Dolby Atmos or Sony’s 360 Reality Audio in future models could cater to consumers seeking a more immersive audio experience for movies, gaming, and virtual reality applications.
While the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds excel in audio quality and offer extensive customization options, addressing these shortcomings could elevate their appeal and help maintain their standing in the premium earbuds market. As technology advances and consumer expectations evolve, continual refinement in noise cancellation, feature compatibility, battery life, and spatial audio support will be crucial for Sennheiser to maintain its leadership position.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4: The bottom line
Yes, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds impress with their robust sound quality, customizable features, and advanced connectivity options, but they fall short in noise cancellation effectiveness. AT $299.99, I expect a very short list of things that need to be improved, and I expect those items to be minor design grievances. The Momentum True Wireless 4s aren’t there yet.
Potential buyers seeking top-tier ANC may find better options elsewhere in this price range. However, with their solid audio performance and future-proofing through Bluetooth 5.4 and the breadth of codec support, these earbuds remain a strong contender for audiophiles and tech enthusiasts alike, especially those invested in Sennheiser’s brand reputation for superior sound engineering.
Sennheiser provided the Momentum True Wireless 4 for review. Images courtesy of Sennheiser unless otherwise noted.
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