It has been a sizzling minute since Sennheiser launched a pair of noise-canceling over-ear headphones in its flagship Momentum Wireless line. We final reviewed the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless ( evaluate ) in 2019 and now, three years later, we’ve its successor within the Indian market – the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. In case you check out our evaluate of the Momentum 3 Wireless, will probably be clear that we weren’t impressed with these headphones. As it has been three years since its launch, we’re guessing Sennheiser has gone again to the drafting board for the Momentum 4 Wireless – and through our testing we discovered that the corporate has ironed out many of the issues we encountered with these headphones’ predecessors final time. round. Geared up with 42 mm drivers, improved energetic noise cancellation, help for high-quality audio codecs and rather more, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless looks like a strong piece of audio tools. Nonetheless, are they value their hefty price ticket of ₹34,990 even for individuals who are prepared to spend that type of cash on headphones? Let’s discover out.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless evaluate: development, design and luxury
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless has undergone radical modifications in design. Sadly, Sennheiser went the minimalist route, ditching the steel headband and huge branding discovered on its predecessor. Nonetheless, we predict this iteration of the design looks much more refined than ever earlier than, particularly within the white shade we obtained for evaluate.
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Let’s get again to the design later. The package deal features a sturdy plastic cloth-lined carrying case, a USB Sort-C charging case, a 2.5mm to three.5mm audio cable, and an airplane adapter. Cables may be neatly positioned in a mesh pocket contained in the case. The case looks trendy and is robust sufficient for the headphones to face up to quite a few drops.
Coming again to the headphones themselves, a number of the solely design parts are current on the headscarf, notably the fabric-covered headband and the delicate Sennheiser “S” emblem. The reminiscence foam lining with leatherette coating is extraordinarily comfy throughout lengthy use. The headscarf additionally has a smooth lining on the underside, which evenly distributes the strain on the highest of the top. The grip is nice, however not too tight, which additionally helps with consolation.
The ear pads rotate to slot in a case or across the neck, however they do not fold. So, these cans are undoubtedly not as moveable as their predecessors, which may very well be folded up for straightforward storage. The headphones weigh simply 293g, which is 10g lighter than its predecessor, regardless of the improved battery capability.
The contact controls are situated on the proper ear cup and are extraordinarily intuitive. They’re straightforward to recollect; single faucet to pause/play, swipe up/down for quantity, swipe ahead/again to modify tracks and double faucet to modify ANC modes. You can too handle calls utilizing these controls. Moreover, you possibly can pinch in or out (like on a cellphone display screen to zoom in on photographs) to regulate ANC ranges and transparency.
There’s one bodily button on the underside of the proper cup for energy and pairing. It’s situated subsequent to the charging port and LED battery indicators. Sadly, the app would not permit customers to customise the controls, however given how intuitive they’re, we did not miss the characteristic.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless evaluate: specs
Talking of the companion app, the Sennheiser Good Management app provides customers entry to a wealth of options and customization choices. As talked about earlier, there are not any adjustable controls, however the app does come with its personal three-band equalizer. You’ll be able to customise the sound of those headphones to your liking, though we would desire the 5-band EQ that many opponents provide. There are additionally some equalizer presets like Bass Enhance and Podcast.
Sennheiser has additionally added a number of new options to the brand new era Momentum headphones, together with adaptive noise cancellation and transparency mode, sound verify and sound zones. Adaptive ANC principally adjusts ANC ranges primarily based in your environment. Sound Examine creates EQ presets primarily based on the music genres you take heed to, whereas Sound Zones applies your most popular sound and ANC ranges primarily based on the zone you enter. For instance, EQ and ANC bass enhance for the health club, or a devoted EQ and transparency mode for operating. Nonetheless, Sound Examine and Sound Zones require registration, which means you will want to offer the app with a few of your particulars.
You can too toggle ANC ranges and transparency mode, activate Sidetone for cellphone calls (to listen to your individual voice throughout calls), toggle sensible pause, and extra. Good pause labored extraordinarily nicely and could be very useful while you need to speak shortly with out muting or pausing the music.
Along with the companion app, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless has a number of different helpful options, similar to multipoint connection (for connecting two gadgets on the identical time), entry to the voice assistant and automated energy off. Nonetheless, it lacks an IP ranking, which would offer customers with further peace of thoughts. Add to {that a} whopping 60 hours of battery life and quick charging help, and you have a flexible pair of cans.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless evaluate: Efficiency
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is supplied with 42 mm dynamic drivers that present a frequency vary from 6 Hz to 22 kHz. The headphones help Bluetooth v5.2 and numerous audio codecs, together with SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX adaptive. In contrast to the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless, which upset us with its extremely bloated bass, the Momentum 4 Wireless has a balanced sound profile filled with complexity and element.
The sound profile could be very near impartial with little or no emphasis on bass. Nonetheless, because of this, the tracks sound fairly full and dynamic. In songs like The The opposite facet of paradise by Glass animals, the bass drums have a pleasant punch however aren’t overpowering. Bass response can be fast which is incredible. The vocals are exquisitely delivered with a superb timbre. Lead devices shine within the combine and sound extremely detailed.
Treble is good with out a trace of what Sennheiser has all the time managed. Imaging is superb and the soundstage is decently large for a pair of closed-back headphones. In tracks like Resort California, you possibly can pinpoint the position of devices and vocals on stage, making for a particularly immersive listening expertise. It doesn’t matter what style you select for these headphones, we’re pleasantly shocked by how detailed, spacious and clear the sound is.
Shifting on to energetic noise cancellation, the Momentum 4 Wireless would not beat the Sony WH-1000XM5 ( evaluate ), nevertheless it’s nonetheless greater than able to canceling out most low-frequency, persistent sounds. Nonetheless, it is not as adept because the Sony at suppressing human voices or high-frequency feels like a ceiling fan. The transparency mode is first rate; it sounds fairly pure, however may very well be somewhat stronger.
The microphone high quality can be wonderful, with the MEMS microphones choosing up voices nicely and delivering them clearly throughout calls. It additionally reduces background noise throughout calls, making it a superb choice for outside calls. Connectivity can be incredible – we did not expertise any lag or stuttering throughout our two-week testing interval.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless evaluate: Battery life
Battery life was an enormous gripe with the Momentum 3 Wireless; fortunately, this is not an issue in any respect with the Momentum 4 Wireless. In reality, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless may be mentioned to have the very best battery life we have examined of a pair of wi-fi noise-canceling headphones. It comes with a whopping 60 hours of playback with ANC enabled, which is extremely good.
In our checks, we recorded 53 hours of steady playback not solely with ANC on, but additionally with the aptX codec energetic and the quantity at 60 p.c. Really excellent. The headphones additionally come with quick charging help, so a fast 5-minute cost provides you with a superb 4 hours of listening time.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Assessment: Verdict
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless has the fundamentals down – you get refined, balanced sound and superb battery life that places the competitors to disgrace. Mix that with good ANC efficiency, a trendy design, quick charging and app help, and you have a rattling good pair of headphones worthy of being known as a flagship in 2022. Nonetheless, there are a couple of areas the place the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless nonetheless lags behind the competitors. For instance, the ANC, though good, is much from the very best in enterprise; overshadowed by competing merchandise from Sony, Bose and Apple. Additionally, it skips the IP ranking, which can be a priority for some customers. Nonetheless, the professionals of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless far outweigh the cons, so we would be comfy recommending these headphones to simply about anybody, particularly these for whom balanced sound high quality is their at the start precedence.
