đź“ť Our Complete Review
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless marks a radical break from the first three Momentum generations. Gone is the vintage leather/metal/chrome design, replaced by modern streamlined aesthetics that divide historical fans. Sennheiser bets everything on essentials: reference audiophile sound, record 60-hour battery life (double the Sony WH-1000XM5!), and marathon comfort. Launched at $350 (often ~$300), the Momentum 4 targets demanding music lovers ready to sacrifice ultimate ANC for superior audio quality.
The Momentum 4 design shocks Momentum purists. The first three generations displayed recognizable vintage look: leather headband, chrome arms, premium finish. The Momentum 4 abandons all this for anonymous modern design resembling entry-level Sennheiser HD 450BT. The gray anthracite fabric-covered headband brings a touch of elegance, but the black plastic earcups lack character. The Momentum name doesn't even appear on the headphones, hidden in the left earcup recess.
This overhaul divides: some appreciate the modernity, others regret the lost Momentum identity. On the practical side however, the Momentum 4 gains in lightness (294g) and comfort. The old rigid leather headband gives way to soft fabric that distributes pressure better. Replaceable synthetic leather circumaural earcups perfectly envelop the ears. Result: 10 hours of continuous listening without any discomfort according to our testers. It's the absolute champion of long-term comfort, tied with Bose QC45.
The Momentum 4 no longer folds (like Sony WH-1000XM5) but simply lays flat with swiveling earcups. The included oval hard case protects well and slides easily into a bag. Portability remains good despite the absence of complete folding.
Controls favor touch surfaces. Right earcup: swipe up/down (volume), left/right (tracks), tap (play/pause), long press (voice assistant). Precise and responsive once you master the gesture. A wear sensor automatically pauses when you remove the headphones. Automatic shutdown after 15/30/60 minutes of inactivity saves battery.
The Momentum 4 ANC uses an adaptive hybrid system that automatically adjusts attenuation based on environment. On the Paris metro, isolation reaches 65-70% of ambient noise. Decent but clearly behind Sony WH-1000XM5 (90%) and Bose QC45 (85%). Voices and announcements remain audible, sirens pierce clearly. ANC suffices for concentrating in open office or café, but disappoints in very noisy transportation.
Transparent mode lets external sounds through for conversation without removing headphones. Effective but less natural than Sony. Sennheiser offers GPS "Sound Zones" that automatically adapt ANC settings based on location (home, office, metro). Practical once configured.
The Momentum 4 sound constitutes its real killer argument. The audiophile-inspired 42mm drivers deliver balanced, detailed and musical signature that surpasses all segment competitors. It's the only Bluetooth headphones under $500 that rivals entry-level wired Hi-Fi headphones. The spacious soundstage allows each instrument to breathe, stereo separation impresses, textures are palpable.
On Melissa Etheridge's "Come To My Window," the Wurlitzer details and mic proximity appear clearly. On Dave and Central Cee's "Sprinter," the delicate Spanish guitar cohabits perfectly with three-dimensional rap vocals and powerful bass line. The Momentum 4 reveals the subtleties of a complex mix like no other Bluetooth headphones at this price.
Bass is present and punchy without ever muddying, warm and detailed mids highlight voices, crystal-clear highs avoid all sibilance. This audiophile signature will please demanding music lovers but might seem "too neutral" for boosted bass fans.
The Sennheiser Smart Control app offers a 3-band graphic equalizer (bass, mid, treble), presets (Bass Boost, Podcast), and Sound Check system that calibrates sound via quick A/B test. It's less complete than old Momentum's parametric equalizer, but sufficient for rough signature adjustment. Too bad Sennheiser didn't keep fine parametric EQ.
Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint allows connecting two devices simultaneously. The Momentum 4 supports all modern codecs: aptX Adaptive (priority), aptX, AAC, LDAC, SBC. It's the only one in comparison with Sony's LDAC. Tidal HiFi and Qobuz users will appreciate wireless high-resolution audio.
The 60-hour battery life (ANC on) amazes. It's double the Sony WH-1000XM5 (30h), 2.4Ă— Bose QC45 (25h), 3Ă— AirPods Max (20h), 1.7Ă— Jabra Elite 85h (35h). In practice, 60h = a full month of daily use (2h/day) without recharge. Incredible. Without ANC, Sennheiser announces up to 56h (unverified measurement). Fast USB-C charging offers 6h listening in just 10 minutes.
Call quality disappoints. The 4 microphones struggle to isolate voice in noisy environments. Callers hear background noise (wind, traffic) and voice sounds slightly muffled with slight echo. The Momentum 4 works for occasional calls in quiet, not intensive remote work. Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max do infinitely better.
Against Sony WH-1000XM5 (~$300), the Momentum 4 wins on sound, battery and codecs but loses on ANC and calls. Against Bose QC45 (~$250), it wins on sound and battery but loses on ANC and simplicity. Against AirPods Max ($549), it wins on price, battery and weight but loses slightly on sound (Spatial Audio). The Momentum 4 represents the best investment for music lovers prioritizing audio quality and endurance.
