Sennheiser Momentum 4 Review

Sennheiser has taken one of their already loved line of products- Momentum range and released another elegant looking headphones to provide very high quality sound reproduction. After taking the plunge with such headphones in Moving, cooling rings the fan in the computer, and even relaxing at home, I could not wait to measure against the rivals. There are perks like LPF, active noise suppression, long operating time, and comfort of wear, so that the Sennheiser Momentum 4 should be able to enhance your listening habits as well. In this review, I will present all the first contacts concerning their constructive, auditory, and working aspects and try to clarify if headphones would suit your audio requirements.

Design & Aesthetics

The design and aesthetics of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 headphones are a notable step up from their predecessors. These over-ear headphones boast a sleek and modern look that closely resembles the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless, giving them a contemporary edge. The closed-back enclosure helps enhance sound isolation, making them perfect for immersive listening experiences.

One of the first things I noticed is the absence of the metal hinge design seen in the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless. Instead, Sennheiser has opted for a plastic frame that keeps the headphones lightweight while still feeling sturdy. The headband features cloth detailing, adding a touch of sophistication and comfort. The manufacturer’s logo is subtly printed on the lower part of the headband, which contributes to the overall sleekness without being overly flashy.

The Sennheiser Consumer Audio Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones comes in two classic color variants: ‘Black’ and ‘White.’ Both options exude elegance, making them versatile enough to complement any outfit or setting. I found that the design feels premium, reflecting Sennheiser’s commitment to quality.

In terms of usability, the headphones feature an intuitive control scheme. There’s a single button and a touch-sensitive surface on the right ear cup that are both easy to use. The touch controls allow for a variety of functions, such as play/pause, volume adjustment, and track skipping. However, I did notice that the touch-sensitive surface can be overly responsive at times. If you shift the headphones slightly on your head, you might accidentally register a command, which can be a bit frustrating.

Sennheiser has also incorporated a unique pinching motion on the touch surface to adjust the strength of the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes. However, to use this feature, you need to turn off adaptive ANC in the app, which might not be the most convenient for everyone.

The headphones provide helpful audio feedback with beeps for registered commands and voice prompts for Bluetooth connection, though I found the volume and track-skipping tones to be the same, which can lead to some confusion.

Materials and Build Quality

Before getting in to talk about the comfort of wearing the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4, I would like to briefly express my satisfaction regarding the materials and build quality except for some minor issues that I will touch on later. At first, I received a defective first pair that could barely hold a charge, and believe me, that was annoying. However, the second unit I received was functional, nevertheless this episode did not reflect positively on the overall quality assurance. If you’ve experienced similar problems, it would be for the best to discuss these on forums and simply ask others whether or not they share the same problem.

Let’s put the case that you don’t come across a defective unit, the build quality of the MOMENTUM 4 headphone is something to write home about. Although these headphones are primarily built mostly of plastic which makes them light, a very good advantage especially if you are in for long listening sessions. The balance from weight being taken from either of the glasses due to the elastic band was alright and so was the design which was made from cloth and silicone.

The ear cups have leatherette coverings, which softens the austerity of the structure when used for prolonged parts of the day. Though I noticed there are quite a number of plastic ear cups, they seem to hold on to fingerprints which can be very displeasing for an individual who likes their equipment looking professional. They don’t actually affect the sound output of the headphones: they however spoil the beauty of the headphones.

Solid is one thing, but the feel of the headphone is one that exudes sturdiness. Still, these can’t be classified in the same premium feel as that of other competition like the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Wireless which has an aluminum and brushed metal frame. The Px8s sure have that luxurious feel and do weigh down a little more, but the Sennheiser wireless headphones have sufficient durability for daily activities and performs adequately as far as wear and tear goes as well.

One thing I liked was the possibility to order extra earpads from the official Sennheiser e-commerce site. This makes it simpler to prevent the visible deterioration of the earing over time. Of course, with this model, you cannot replace the worn-out parts, like the battery, which, with other models, say Fairphone Fairbuds XL Wireless, is remotely possible. This could be a concern to those who are looking for a long-term usage without the fear of battery degradation.

So overall, following the testing of Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4, I can surely say, that the headphones have a proper build quality like Sony WH-CH720N. The materials used in the construction are purposeful allowing proper sound to be reproduced. Yes, I did experience many of the small faults such as superficial fingerprints, consider this to be a design fault and the batteries are not user replaceable. The feeling and overall construction is sufficient for daily handling, most especially if defective ones are able to be avoided.

Comfort and Fit

For the comfort and fit of Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless headphones, there are no complaints, although some factors come into play from my perspective. These headphones weigh hardly 0.65 lbs which is a great advantage during long listening sessions. The headband is thick and therefore provides the user with enough comfort upon first contact like the Jabra Evolve2 65.

I liked that the clamping force of these is set to 1 lb, which means they do not squeeze tightly on my head. This is a point that must be emphasized for prolonged use, since very tight headphones may hinder more than help. One thing I notice though is that depending on how big your ears are, the drivers may touch the inner side of the ear pads. If you have bigger ears then this might be a problem so better try it first before buying.

Nothing can be more advantageous than the headband relieving part. This was comfortably used on most occasions unlike the Skullcandy Crusher Evo and JBL Tune 770NC, but there was a little pressure at the top of the head after wearing them for a long time. It is not that bad, and I have found that it is a bit less annoying than other models, for instance, Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless which do have quite a lot of pressure.

On the stability front, the Sennheiser wireless handphone also has something to offer. Whether it’s simply sitting at a desk while listening to music or walking around a bit, I think these don’t move around too much. They are however prone to coming off during aggressive movements of the head such as dancing in the house. These are certainly not for any high-intensity cardiovascular activities.

Overall, people will have to also agree with me in that the comfort and fit of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 is good enough for casual use. It is likely that some fittings will not be right for the working people’s narrower heads or ears in certain cases, but most will be sufficiently comfortable in using them for hours. For those who want easy to wear headphones that do not compromise comfort or stability, the MOMENTUM 4 is certainly a viable option.

Sound Quality

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 headphones produce very good sound quality with quality balanced acoustics suitable for different kinds of listeners. Even using the ‘Flat EQ’ mode, these over-ears push to a bass-enhanced sound signature with a bass quantity of 3.63 dB, which is more like EDM and hop-hop genres. This focusing of attention on the bass works great in mixes; it makes the tracks sound alive and full of energy.

Nevertheless, for people who wish to go beyond this default sound, a graphic equalizer and several presets for the app that covers the headphones also provides sufficient opportunities. It has features such as ‘Bass Boost’ and ‘Podcast’ through which other presets will be further enhanced with. Hence you have the advantage of molding the sound as per your needs hence the headphones can be used for all types of content.

In terms of headphone capabilities, unlike the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless, the MOMENTUM 4 does not allow the High-End Fine Tuning feature. Instead, the most is made of Sound Personalization, a 5-band equalizer that adapts to the users’ preferred sound. I liked this particular feature as it provides for more o tailored sound that suits individual users. On the whole, the sound of this Sennheiser bluetooth headphones can be compared to that of the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless but the upper midrange frequency range responsible for vocal sounds is rather unexcited and the treble is more neutral with respect to cymbals and other higher sounds, making details cooler with high frequencies.

The frequency response linearity of the MOMENTUM 4 is also good enough since there are some variations that are fit and position related. I observed that if I had glasses on or even if my hair was thick I may have foregone very deep bass so it is something to bear in mind.

The bass has been worked on very well. These headphones reach low-frequency extension at 10 Hz at a low-bass score of 6.21 dB, which means that these headphones give tracks a good low-bass foundation. Mid-bass has 2.13 dB, bringing in that extra thump, while high-bass is relatively flat at 0.9 dB, all the mixes remain warm without that much boom. Of course, the most immersive and chest-thumping experience sometimes makes instruments overshadow some of the vocals in some tracks where the vocals are quite prominent such as in the song “Help I’m Alive” by Metric which shows off the kick bass quite a bit.

When it comes to the midrange, this Sennheiser Bluetooth headphone is on another level. The low to mid-mid range frequencies are well-controlled and focused which provides with the clarity of vocals and lead instruments in every mix. Personally, I was fond of acoustic tracks such as “The Sound of Silence” by Simon And Garfunkel and “Creep” by Radiohead as both vocalists’ vocals blended well into the sound in such cases in a mix. There is a slight cut in the high-mids which makes certain vocals and instruments sound a tad weak but it is such a small issue that it is not worthy of being one.

Clearly, treble accuracy is yet another strong point. There is some low-treble that seems a bit too recessed and while this does erase some detail in the vocals and lead instruments, the mid-treble is quite forgiving and bright sibilants like cymbals are not unbearably sharp. The sound stage and profile in general is quite stable like Beats Solo3, with a little rise in the low-bass which adds enveloping depth and a sharp rise around the mid mid-range to the vocals and lead instruments when they need to be predominant in the mix. Nevertheless, there are parts when the high-mid region can be ragged, wherein the upper harmonics of the vocals go back and forth between being weak and being very bothersome, which can be a cause for concern for critical Freudian listeners.

But the passive sound stage is pretty pathetic. Like all closed-back headphones, it has a tight, constricted soundstage which feels somewhat unnatural and unnatural as well. The sound often sounds to come from inside my head instead of projecting out and sounds like guards placed in front of me.

In the last place, it should be noted that the harmonic distortion is well behaved even in terms of frequency ranges. Such matters in great amplification lead to distortion-free audio reproduction over a wide frequency range. On the whole, the headphones from Sennheiser manage to provide an enjoyable sound quality, which is sure to satisfy even the most ardent bass fans, while the mids and highs do not lack in clarity, making the solution versatile across many genres.

Noise Isolation

No matter the circumstances or the feedback conditions, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 noise canceling headphones are above average. The Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology available inside these headphones is specifically designed to counteract and manage most environmental disturbances. They are equally impressive in isolation with an overall passive level of attenuation of -23.32 dB which is approximately good for most assorted places.

I noted that even though the headphones take some issue with low deep bass playoffs, when it comes to periphery chatter and indoor air conditioning monotones, these blasts manage to cover all that without a hitch. Be it a dense coffee shop buzzing with talks of a few dozen people or a plain desk job, I was pleased with the amount of outside noise they blocked. For even better noise isolation performance, you may want to go for options such as the Sonos Ace Wireless but the MOMENTUM 4 has reasonably good performance under most day to day scenarios.

There’s one thing to understand that these headphones do not have ANC off mode. Rather, it allows the operation of ANC mode or the use of a cage modification labeled transparency for acceptance of external noise. This means that in case you are looking to find out how effective the passive noise isolation is, you have to accomplish that with the headphones off. Still, even without ans, the passive noise isolation still very much does its job. During the evaluation, I discovered they are more than capable of dealing with most common noises; the likes of airplane engine whines or city streets. They excel at blocking out office noise as well, whether it’s chatter from other people or the noise of the computer fans all around.

However, wind noise is perhaps the biggest enemy of any headphone that has an ANC function. For, wind is something which very much interferes with the operation of the noise cancelling microphones as it produces extreme sound which can be very irritating to an individual while listening to music. The Sennheiser noise canceling was designed with a wind suppression feature and somehow worked to a very limited extent, especially with regards to wind noise, whether on max or auto. However, regarding wind noise, these ones perform better than the rest of the same models including the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless.

As far as leakage performance is concerned, the MOMENTUM 4 does well too. Most of the leakage comes from mid and treble ranges and therefore such a sound feels rather thin. It is hard to see how disturbing someone will be if there is a need to listen to music at high volumes.

At the end of the day, these headphones are nice and cheap for Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 owner’s ears snug fit and effective noise cancellation as well as isolation that allows you to listen to your favorite music without any disturbances. There are some issues, for instance wind noise handling to me and there is no ANC off mode, but the performance of the headphones makes you buy them to be lost in a world of sounds.

Battery Life

Rechargeable batteries are also built into the headphones. This saves the planet and makes life more comfortable. There is no need to buy disposable batteries every now and then.

One of the most jaw-dropping specifications is the continuous playback time of 62.3 hours. Sennheiser states around 60 hours has been achieved with the ANC mode interrupted, and I conducted a couple of tests which proved they even passed this figure. It doesn’t matter, of course, if one is going for an extended flight, on a road trip or any music day, these headphones are guaranteed to withstand no problems.

The total battery life as of March 2023 remained unchanged at 62.3 hours. This means the performance is still high even without ANC. Which is great for people who want a decent battery life whenever there is no compromise on anything.

But you can rejoice when the time comes to do this. The time taken to re – fit is only 2.2 hours which is quite short. And just know this, the USB-C port charging is both quick and effective.

To avoid running out of battery prematurely, the MOMENTUM 4 has an automatic switch off timer as well. This is if you have turned them on and forget to turn them off, after a certain amount of time, without any use, the machine shuts down. This option saves energy and guarantees that the battery will wait longer while not getting charged.

Another useful element is the option to use the audio while being charged. This is, when the battery goes down and the music has to be stopped it is not necessary. Simply plug in the device and continue the music as it was uninterrupted.

In case you are looking forward to saving battery and wish to avoid using ANC, passive listening mode can still be enjoyed. For example, you do not even have to switch off these slippers to obtain beautiful sounds. generates excellent battery performance suited for both the heavy users and the light users. These headphones have a long-lasting, rechargeable battery, short charge duration, and intelligent power conserving options which means they are up to any ‘running around’ lifestyle that you may lead. Be it on the go, at work, relaxation, you can be assured that the MOMENTUM 4 will offer hours of audio play without a lack.

Connectivity and Usability

These headphones come with a 1/16″ to 1/16″ TRS cable on the box. This enables the use of wires for those who do not like interruptions caused by moans wireless or drop outs. Remember that with this cable, which is an analog connection, no video can be transmitted, only music. The microphone is not active in this mode.

If you want to connect with a USB port, USB type A is supported by the headphones. In other words, these devices can be connected to a computer or other devices supporting this USB port. The cable has a length 4.10ft (1.25mt) which provides an encouraging level of activity while one is attached. Just be informed that while audio comes out of the USB port, the internal microphone will not work.

Latency on an analog connection is commendably low and clocks just at 0.4 ms which is well suited for Direct Monitoring systems. The sad part is that it goes up to 39.6ms with the application of USB which would result in minor delays in watching videos or gaming.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, which gives a good wireless connection. This newer version of Bluetooth works further away and has a better sound quality. The headphones can be connected to two devices at a time, their phone and laptop for instance, hence there is no need to detach and attach the devices over and over again while needing to change from one to the other.

But it should be noted that none of the headphones support Quick Pair for Android or iOS devices. While this means you’ll have to use normal pairing, which isn’t so bad as it takes too long.

Offering an impressive line of sight distance of 312.66 feet (95.30 meters) this specification has prowled on the Bluetooth distance as well. No information here is a gap, since it means that you will not be restricted in walking whilst wearing the device. And this, of course, is a very important factor especially when using the headphones in big areas.

The headphones support a number of codec systems including aptX Adaptive that improves sound quality. But I have noted that the delay is bigger when using the default codec millisecond per millimeter, SBC, and even with better quality codecs, for example, aptX and aptX Adaptive (High Quality). The delay with SBC is moderately shorter at about 271ms, while aptX records 265ms. For that reason, I would recommend the aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) codec that works on video streaming and cuts lag time to about 65 ms. This is understandable because one would require such perfect timing, especially when watching games and movies.

The headphones provide good audio and microphone performance when connected to a PC via Bluetooth. They also offer complete functionality when connected via the USB captive cable. But, when you use the wires plug-in the gear, you cannot use the mic feature anymore, which is something to consider if you need the gear for talk or voice chat.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 has good connectivity options, making them suitable for different use cases. Thanks to the Bluetooth with decent performance and range, and support for various audio codecs, these headphones can be used for a leisurely walk around the block or something more of a high-end style audiophile experience. Just keep in mind to select the appropriate connection type according to your requirement, particularly if you would be using the mic or watching any video.

Mic Performance and Call Quality

After testing the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 headphones for VOIP calls and voice chats, there are some comments regarding the microphone and call quality worth mentioning. Here’s what I found.

Integrated Microphone

The headsets are equipped with an integrated microphone. A mic embedded within the headset is very useful for making hands-free calls. However, it is never as clear as boom or external mics for active use. There is no in-line microphone or an external dedicated boom mic offered which some consumers may find restrictive.

Noise Handling

When it comes to the noise handling capacity of the microphone, it is average at best. The device has features like Speech + Pink Noise Handling of 6.5 dB and Speech + Subway Noise Handling of 5.5 dB. This means that it is certainly possible to get a fair amount of clarity in the speech but there are deficiencies in separating one’s voice from the rest of the sounds.

Ambient Noise: With the help of noise suppression with a spectral expander signal such as speech around you, such as in a noisy office or on a subway train, your own voice could often be lost. The Noise Gate function is always on, and its main task is to remove sounds detected in the background, always resulting in non determinate speech isolation. This means that if that person is in a noisy area, the person speaking on the other end is likely to find it hard following the speaker who is in turn, speaking on the other end’s lower voice.

SpNR Performance

 A SpNR (Speech to Noise Ratio) of 7.33 dB indicates that the microphone indeed can capture a person’s voice from the surrounding noise up to a reasonable level. Nevertheless, the ability is not good enough to warrant being used on professional calls or situations where the need for clarity is critical. It’s fine for pings and casual chats or places where you’re not waging a battle against volume but rather losing it for essential pings, this will seem inadequate.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 over ear active noise canceling headphones come with a modest built-in mic for uncomplicated daily communication. However, the active noise cancellation and background noise mic integration does not perform very well. If you want to use these headsets for the majority of calls at home, do not worry. If, however, the circumstances are a bit more demanding, you may want to use a helmet with an enhanced microphone design aimed for better communication

Durability and Portability

As for the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 when it comes to the discussion on their use, their durability as well as portability deserve a mention. Here’s what I found during my time using them.

The packing of the headphones comes in a hard carrying case, which is a major advantage. Its dimensions include a length of 8.3 inches (21.2 cm), a width of 7.8 inches (19.8 cm), and height of 2.4 inches (6.1 cm). This strong case is very secure as it has a rigid body and a fabric covered zipper that is not easy to get worn out leaving the contents intact. It absorbs shocks and protects the user’s devices from scratches, which is very useful when moving about. Smaller items have a designated compartment inside the case thus no risk of one clashing with the other.

While the carrying case is superb, the mobility of the headphones themselves is pretty average. The ear cups have a relatively flat profile such that they can spin a full rotation and lie flat. This however limits the feature of folding for easier storage. What this means is that almost every inch makes some reasonable amount of space in your bag.

For users on the go or those who want to cram their accessories into small bags, there is one avenue that the MOMENTUM 4 may not excel at, and that is being compact. They are somewhat lighter in weight but because they cannot be folded, they would be less easy to stow away into tight spaces than some of their competitors with a focus on portable design.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 is quite good when it comes to the protection of its components. However, it can take the form of a hard case which guarantees that the ears in the headphones do not get damaged. But with the convenience offered by these headphones and other accessories, they struggle a bit. Day-to-day and travel use is fine, but they are not primarily dedicated to people who need a pair of super flat headphones that can be tucked into any small purse.

Final Verdict

Fourth films and the corresponding sequels of any film series tend to appear more frequently than the odd ones and, much like Toy Story 4, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless headphone has done justice to the predecessors – if not physically then at least in terms of features and sound quality, aesthetics excluded. It however, is a bummer to note that the very elegant design of Momentums of yore has been replaced by one that is rather bland, though this new cloak is fit for the task and we understand why most would appreciate its blandness.

The fact that their price is less than the price tag around the neck of the Sony XM5 makes them quite recommendable even to those that cannot spare the additional cash for extra sonic clarity, and more so the best alternative if your taste in music leans towards the liveliness angle rather than the analytical angle.