Here's an interesting thing about headphones. They are not for everyone. For instance, you may not be comfortable wearing something chunky or heavy and roaming around all day. Especially when you have tiny earbuds that don't look or feel heavy. However, there is a pair of over-the-ear headphones offer that is unmatched — Sennheiser Momentum 4.
If you are serious about your music, then owning a solid pair of headphones is something I would recommend. I agree that earbuds are convenient, and there are some buds like Apple AirPods and OnePlus Buds 3 Pro offering exceptional sound quality. However, when it comes to a solid music experience for all the audiophiles, over-the-ear headphones are the best option. So, let’s dive into the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless to see if they truly offer the best to music lovers like us.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones Review: Sound Quality
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When you start using Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless, it gradually grows on you as it takes time to truly understand and appreciate these headphones. I noticed that it's clean, articulate, and more natural than anything I've experienced so far. The sound is richer and remains neutral. The bass is also solid, and there’s no muddling. This makes it one of the best headphones to listen to pop, EDM, or even hip-hop — the thumping is just bang on. Even the mids and highs are clear where the vocals are more polished. Highs are crystal clear, making the soundstage almost perfect.
I remember listening to one of the live acts of Metallica, and I felt as if I was in the middle of the concert the moment I closed my eyes. Basically, Momentum 4 wireless manages to strike a good balance between being smooth and assertive, making the listening session less fatiguing. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless are closed-back headphones, and yet there is a surprisingly wide and spacious soundstage where I could feel a good instrument separation, enhancing immersion.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones Review: The App
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Sennheiser has done a very good job with its app, where I could control everything to my taste. The app is highly effective, allowing me to personalise and adjust settings based on what I am listening to. While binge-watching, the Sennheiser Smart Control app allows for extensive sound personalisation. The equaliser and presets made it easy to fine-tune the sound to my preference.
The default set-up is also solid, but when you play genres like rock or metal, then you might want to change the settings to get that crisp mid-range. However, I could still feel a dash of harshness in the treble. I could also opt for the wired option to lose less audio, but the difference is not big as the frequency and quality are very similar, whether you use the wired or wireless mode.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones Review: ANC & Transparency
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The ANC and transparency are good, but not class-leading. I remember trying headphones by Bose and Sony, and the level of ANC they offer is quite unmatched. I am also not a big fan of extreme levels of ANC, so this one makes a lot of sense. Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless works on blocking consistent low-frequency sounds like aeroplane engines and general background chatter to a point that's fine by me. It may not work on sudden, sharp noises.
I also liked the adaptive ANC mode that automatically adjusts the noise-cancelling in real time, which works quite well for dynamic environments. The transparency mode doesn't always sound as natural as AirPods Pro/Max, but it's decent.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones Review: Battery Life
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This is one of the best things about the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless, where I could get somewhere between 55 to 60 hrs with ANC on. That's something I have never experienced in any headphones whatsoever. So, whether you play it with ANC or not, you'll get solid battery life. It also offers fast charging, which gives me 4 hours of playback with a 5-minute charge.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones Review: Design & ComfortView this post on Instagram
I like minimalism, and the Sennheiser's Momentum 4 wireless is just perfect that way. However, I know plenty of people who didn't like it much. The headphones are durable and lightweight, so I could wear them for long hours without complaining about the heaviness.
For those who are curious about the weight, it's 295g. I guess the way Sennheiser managed to effectively distribute pressure across the head makes this wide headband quite effective. The earcups have a generous amount of padding that's soft and comes with plush leatherette. This offers deep and spacious interiors that can accommodate all types of ear sizes. I had no problem wearing them with my glasses either.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones Review: Call Quality
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The call quality is generally good and though I liked the capability of reducing wind noise during calls, the overall noise rejection in loud spaces is not that great as the caller can hear the background noise. The voice quality is great, and considering the fact that I’m not a fan of super strong ANC, this one is just fine. I may not sound 100% natural to the caller, but it’s not a deal breaker as my voice sounds crystal clear.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones Review: Additional Features
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I also liked the fabric-covered hard case where the headphone can swivel flat to fit. The right ear cup is touch-sensitive to manage playback, volume, track skipping, and ANC/transparency mode. However, I felt that you may need to put in a little extra effort for precise gestures. You also have a physical button to manage power, Bluetooth pairing, and battery check (via LED indicators).
It offers Bluetooth 5.2, which is fine, and I had stable connections with multi-device support (six devices). Except for LDAC, it supports most codecs like SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive for both Android and iOS users. The music is paused the moment you remove your headphones and resumes when you put them back on your ears. You also have auto-power on and off when taken out or put into the case.
I’m a little concerned about earpads, which are soft and comfortable but may show signs of wear and tear over time. I noticed a minor delay while using the headphones wired with ANC on, and I’m not sure about the IP Rating as the Momentum 4 doesn’t have an official IP rating for water or dust resistance.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Headphones Review: Conclusion
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The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are the best headphones I’ve experienced so far. It’s an incredibly well-rounded package if your priorities are sound quality and battery life. While its ANC and transparency modes might not be the absolute best, I prefer it this way.
The quality of the headphones and carry case is great, and I find them a true value for money with a price tag of INR 24,990. The balance of performance, features, sound and battery is rare to achieve, but Sennheiser has achieved that with the Momentum 4 wireless.
My Rating: 4.5/5
