Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 & XM5: Which Sounds Better?

TL;DR

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 delivers 60 hours of battery life and impressive audio quality, though it has issues with unbalanced drivers and can't fully switch off noise cancelling. While its sound is bright and vocal clarity is good, it may lack bass impact compared to Sony’s models. Overall, it's a strong contender but not without drawbacks.

Transcript

hey guys i am finally looking at another reason to spend your hard earned money the sennheiser momentum for wireless it's got up to 60 hours of battery life and according to the website that is with anc that's about double the battery of both the sony wh xm5 and xm4 now that's all fine and well having more battery is important but that's not all we... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 The Sennheiser Momentum 4 features an impressive 60-hour battery life, a significant advantage over its main competitors in the market.
• 🔅 Sound quality is bright and dynamic, with good clarity in vocals and a spacious soundstage, but may lack fullness in lower frequencies.
• ↔️ An imbalance between the left and right drivers affects sound staging; this issue might be rectified through software updates.
• 👤 The adaptive noise cancelling feature excels generally but cannot be switched off completely, limiting user control.
• 😀 Sennheiser offers a well-designed app with several features, yet users report bugs that could diminish usability and experience.
• 🛬 Comfort might be a concern due to a tighter headband compared to rival models, suggesting a potential area for design enhancement.
• 👂 Binaural sound samples are recommended for listeners to fully appreciate differences in audio quality when choosing headphones.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the battery life of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 compare to its competitors?

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 offers up to 60 hours of battery life with active noise cancelling (ANC) engaged, which is significantly longer than both the Sony WH-1000XM4 and XM5. This exceptional longevity allows listeners to enjoy extended use without the need for frequent recharging, making the Momentum 4 a standout in terms of battery performance in the active noise canceling headphone market.

Q: What are the main sound quality features of the Momentum 4?

The Momentum 4 is characterized by its bright treble and sub-frequency bass extension, providing a lively listening experience, particularly for chamber music and vocal clarity. However, compared to Sony’s models, it may lack some fullness in lower mid-range vocals. Additionally, the larger soundstage offers a more immersive experience, although some users might find the bass not as impactful without adjustments via the app.

Q: What issues were identified with the Sennheiser Momentum 4's sound?

A noteworthy issue is the imbalance between the left and right drivers, which can lead to a perceptible leaning of the soundstage. This inconsistent audio presentation could detract from the listening experience. The review suggests that this may be a software issue that can potentially be resolved, but if widespread, it raises concerns regarding overall quality control for Sennheiser.

Q: How effective is the noise cancelling feature of the Momentum 4?

The Momentum 4’s noise cancelling is competitive with other high-end models, performing well in canceling ambient noise. However, it cannot be completely turned off, which may not suit all users. In tests against lab conditions, the Sony XM5 outperformed the Momentum 4 in cancelling mid-range frequencies, particularly in noisy environments, which can be critical for daily usage scenarios.

Q: Are there any notable features of the Sennheiser smart control app?

The Sennheiser smart control app is designed with user-friendly features, including battery status checks, noise cancelling level adjustments, and graphic equalizer settings. However, users have reported bugs like unresponsive screens and settings that sometimes fail to apply. While the app is more intuitive compared to Sony's app, these issues can detract from its overall effectiveness.

Q: How does the comfort of the Momentum 4 compare to competitors?

While the Momentum 4 sports a lightweight design and improved portability, it has a stiffer headband that may feel tighter than the Sony WH-1000XM5 and XM4. This added clamping pressure could lead to discomfort during extended listening sessions, suggesting that while the headphones are stylishly designed, they may benefit from additional padding for improved comfort.

Q: What recommendations does the reviewer make regarding sound sampling?

The reviewer emphasizes the importance of listening to binaural sound samples using quality headphones to truly appreciate the audio nuances being discussed. They encourage viewers to access the sound comparison samples provided in the video to make informed choices about which headphone may best suit their listening preferences.

Q: What are some potential improvements for the Momentum 4?

Key improvements include addressing the driver imbalance which impacts sound staging and making further refinements to the app to eliminate bugs and improve functionality. Enhancing padding to alleviate clamping pressure would also improve comfort during extended use, ensuring that the headphones can be worn for long periods without discomfort.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones boast a remarkable 60 hours of battery life, surpassing competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and XM4. Features include adaptive noise cancelling and a clean app for settings management.

• Audio quality shines with clear vocals and a wide soundstage, though users may notice less bass impact compared to Sony models. The soundstage can be perceived as unbalanced, leaning slightly to the left.

• Noise cancelling performance is commendable, although it cannot be completely turned off. The headphones provide decent call quality, but issues with unbalanced drivers and app bugs could hinder the overall experience.