The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 just entered the true wireless race and look to speed past the competition. Hallmarks such as adaptive noise cancellation, flagship sound with hi-res playback and smart functionality have them neck-and-neck with several of the best true wireless earbuds. The inclusion of future-proof technologies (including Auracast, Bluetooth 5.4 and LE Audio) also suggests a first-place finish for this fourth-gen release.
However, certain drawbacks prevent these audiophile-grade buds from outpacing their luxury rivals. Where does that leave the Momentum True Wireless 4? They’re still among class leaders like the AirPods Pro 2, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and Sony WF-1000XM5. Whether or not they’re better is debatable.
All I know is that Sennheiser developed some exceptional buds that sound as rich as they look.
High-quality sound, smart noise cancellation and a plethora of features in a sleek design make Sennheiser’s newest buds a must-have for audio purists.
What I liked about them
Outstanding sound with ANC to match
These buds come with a proprietary TrueResponse transducer system that enhances fidelity for accurate sound, along with Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio, Auracast and aptX Adaptive/Lossless codec support for hi-res playback with minimal lag. The Sennheiser Smart Control app also has multiple sound settings, presets and a customizable EQ.
Sennheiser’s sound profile is balanced and wide with energetic bass that doesn’t override the rest of the track. The throbbing bass line on Miguel’s “The Thrill” resonated throughout the entire track and blended nicely with the choppy riffs and soft falsetto, which were all reproduced exceptionally well. Bangers like A Tribe Called Quest’s “Check the Rhime” were satisfying. The pounding drums and striking snares knocked hard without distorting the soundstage, and the loud vocals were prominent over the booming production.
The Bass Boost and Podcast presets were effective for ramping up bass and speech clarity, respectively. Sound Personalization was better, since it created a sound profile tailored to my hearing and emphasized the midrange.
AptX Lossless transmits lossless CD-quality audio and AptX Adaptive takes streaming up a notch by dynamically scaling the bitrate for hi-res sound. Both codecs ran smoothly on Android devices and brought out more detail in recordings. Apple Music and Spotify tracks sounded terrific, but Tidal was superior because of its advanced audio formats.
Another available feature is the low latency mode, which slightly improves audio synchronization when gaming. There’s also an ear tip Fit Test to achieve a proper fit and adjust volume to a comfortable level.
Sennheiser’s ANC is reliable and eliminates 90% of incidental sounds. I enjoyed music peacefully in rowdy environments; audio was clear and uncompromised when passing by construction sites and shopping districts. Very few high-frequency noises (e.g., sirens, whistles) were audible and didn’t affect sound quality. The Anti-Wind mode greatly reduced harsh whooshing effects. Transparency mode was clutch for increasing situational awareness.
Features galore
These buds come stacked with features. I already mentioned most of them: ANC, aptX Adaptive/Lossless, Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio, a customizable equalizer, low latency mode, Sound Personalization, Sound Zones (which finetunes your audio based on your location) and Transparency mode. What else is there? Multipoint technology lets you pair the buds to two devices simultaneously, and it operates flawlessly. Wear detection instantly pauses content when removing one bud. There are two battery-saving modes that can be toggled (more on that later). Other notables include an auto-off function, battery indicators for each bud and the charging case, control customization and firmware updates.
Sennheiser’s gorgeous aesthetic remains intact
Similar to their predecessors, the Momentum True Wireless 4 are composed of premium materials and have a distinctive rectangular design that’s classier than most long-stem models like the AirPods. Each bud features a glossy all-aluminum touch panel, plastic cavity and rubberized wing for optimal fit. IP54 certification provides dust and water resistance.
The wireless charging case is no different than the previous version. It complements the buds’ luxe craftsmanship. Nice woven fabric is wrapped around the entire unit. Strong magnets keep the lid shut tightly and the buds secured.
What I didn’t like about them
Middling battery life
The Momentum True Wireless 4’s battery life is rated at 7.5 hours per charge. ANC drops playtime to seven hours and high volume drops it by another hour. This is sufficient for daily commuters. However, the buds don’t last as long as other upscale models like the Master & Dynamic MW09 (12 to 16 hours) and Sony WF-1000XM5 (8 to 10 hours). Furthermore, the Qi-enabled charging case holds a max of 30 hours fully charged, which is shorter than most competitors. Quick-charging offers some relief by netting you one hour of playback when you leave the buds in the case for 10 minutes.
Sennheiser did develop a battery-protect mode that extends the battery’s lifespan. It also adds more time to the charging process. The other power-saving feature is Battery Eco, which extends playtime by deactivating aptX, but doing so diminishes sound quality when playing tracks on the best music streaming services.
Spatial audio is MIA
There’s no reason for spatial audio to be absent from the Momentum True Wireless 4, especially since Sennheiser has its own 3D audio format dubbed Ambeo. The technology is used in loudspeaker products (primarily soundbars) and “translates an original immersive or surround mix into two channels of audio that deliver a spatial experience far beyond stereo.” Netflix’s spatial audio is also powered by it. The fact that Sennheiser didn’t integrate Ambeo, or even develop a mobile version for their flagship buds, is extremely disappointing.
Bottom line
The Momentum True Wireless 4 are Sennheiser’s best buds to date. They produce dynamic, well-rounded sound that can be customized in many ways. Features like Sound Zones make audio adjustment a breeze by automatically tweaking performance based on your location. ANC is more adept and removes unwanted noises at a high level. The overall design is sexy. Controls and call quality are also on point.
The lack of 3D audio and substandard play time make it tough to justify their steep asking price of $300, especially compared to rivals like the Sony WF-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 2. Still, that doesn’t make the Momentum True Wireless 4 a total skip. Their excellent noise cancellation and sound place them among the true wireless elite, and if rich audio quality and luxe looks are your priority, they may be the right buds for you.
