The history of acoustic engineering is simultaneously a history of innovation and a chronicle of philosophical evolution. Sennheiser, based in Wedemark, Germany, has consistently established technical benchmarks throughout its history. In 1968, they revolutionized the concept of personal audio with the world’s first open-back headphones, the “HD 414,” and in 1991, they reached the pinnacle of electrostatic headphone technology with the legendary “Orpheus” 1. Their products were never mere acoustic devices, but physical manifestations of an unwavering philosophy toward sound.
The MOMENTUM series has been nothing less than a vivid reflection of this philosophy. Previous generations wore design elements that spoke of timeless luxury and mechanical integrity: textured genuine leather headbands, ear cups with pearl-like luster, and precisely machined metal sliders 3. They were undoubtedly a quiet yet firm antithesis to a market obsessed with pure functionality.
However, the fourth generation before us, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, seems to declare a departure from that tradition. The former individuality has retreated into the shadows, steering toward what could be described as a “generic” design that appeals to the market’s lowest common denominator 3. The material shift from metal to plastic is not merely a cost-cutting measure. This is an intentional strategic choice to directly challenge the paradigm built by market giants—Sony and Bose—who prioritize lightness and comfort above all else, competing on functionality 4.
Here lies the core question this article should address. Is this transformation the result of Sennheiser selling its audiophile soul to the market? Or is it a necessary evolutionary process that redefines “high-fidelity reproduction” for a new generation of listeners? With this question in mind, we delve into the depths of the phenomenon that is the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless.
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Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless — Overview
- Manufacturer: Sennheiser
- Model: MOMENTUM 4 Wireless (M4AEBT)
- Release Date: August 2022 5
- Price Range:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Driver Type | 42mm Dynamic Transducer |
| Frequency Response | 6 Hz – 22 kHz |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2, 2.5mm to 3.5mm Audio Cable, USB-C (Charging & Audio) |
| Supported Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive |
| Battery Life | Up to 60 hours (Bluetooth + ANC on) |
| Charging Time | Approximately 2 hours (Full charge) / 5-10 minutes for 4-6 hours playback |
| Weight | Approximately 293 g |
| Impedance | Active: 470 Ω / Passive: 60 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 106 dB SPL (1kHz / 0 dB FS) |
| Noise Cancelling | Hybrid Adaptive ANC |
| Sources: 4 / 5 / 6 |
1. The Intersection of Public Opinion: Praise and Skepticism for the MOMENTUM 4
Since the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless was launched into the market, evaluations from critics and users worldwide have converged remarkably on one point. That is a clear duality: praise for its exceptional sound quality and phenomenal battery life, and skepticism about its “good but not best-in-class” ANC performance and mediocre design.
| Media | Quote Excerpt (Translation + Original) | Rating | Bias Check & Analysis |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoundGuys | ”While its ANC is technically behind the other top-tier headphones, its sound quality is ahead of the pack—as is its battery life.” | ★★★★☆ | Data-driven, Low Bias: SoundGuys emphasizes objective measurements. Their conclusions are backed by data, making their reliability extremely high. Their criticism of ANC is also based on their own attenuation graphs. |
| What Hi-Fi? | ”We are disappointed to see the classy design of Momentums of old giving way to one that’s markedly more non-descript…” | ★★★★★ | Brand-focused, Mild Nostalgic Bias: While awarding a five-star rating, nostalgia for the previous generation’s design philosophy permeates their writing. They ultimately praised the improvements in sound quality and functionality, but their aesthetic disappointment is clear. |
| Head-Fi Forum User | ”…the right earcup began to give a very loud, digital crackling and whine… If you look around Reddit, you will see I am not the only one who is experiencing this issue.” | ★★☆☆☆ | Long-term User, Potential Negative Bias: Reflects genuine issues from long-term ownership that are often overlooked in short-term reviews. While individual failures are just one example, multiple similar reports suggest valuable data about quality control concerns. |
Aggregating these evaluations, the positive consensus centers on battery performance that reaches approximately twice that of competitors and excellent sound quality that satisfies many listeners straight out of the box 3. Conversely, ANC performance is consistently rated as yielding to Sony and Bose 10, and the design is regarded as a clear downgrade from the MOMENTUM 3 3.
Here exists an undeniable divergence—the gap between professional reviewers’ short-term usage impressions and general users’ long-term ownership experiences. Reviewers focus on the product’s core performance: sound quality, ANC, and battery life. These are clear strengths of the MOMENTUM 4. In contrast, what users face during months of daily use is a set of problems resembling “death by a thousand cuts”: software glitches, connection instability, and potential hardware failures like “digital crackling” 10. These issues are difficult to expose during typical 1-2 week review periods. Therefore, prospective buyers who read only professional reviews risk missing the complete picture of the ownership experience. This article aims for a more honest evaluation by giving appropriate weight to long-term user reports to bridge this gap.
2. Evolution of Design Philosophy: Functional Beauty and Market Response
The physical structure of the MOMENTUM 4 eloquently tells the story of Sennheiser’s strategic transformation. At its core lies a tension between unwavering commitment to acoustic performance and pragmatic response to market realities.
Technical Deep Dive
- 42mm Transducer: At the heart of this device lies a large-diameter 42mm transducer that embodies Sennheiser’s acoustic philosophy 6. This contrasts with the 30mm drivers used in Sony’s WH-1000XM5, suggesting the company’s traditional approach of creating rich soundstages by physically moving air rather than relying excessively on DSP (Digital Signal Processing) correction 15.
- Materials and Construction: As mentioned earlier, the material focus has shifted from the metal-heavy previous generation to plastic, synthetic leather, and fabric 4. This reduced weight from the MOMENTUM 3’s 320g+ to 293g, dramatically improving comfort during long-term wear 4. However, the ear cups cannot fold inward like the MOMENTUM 3, only rotating flat. While practical, this presents a mixed bag in terms of portability 3.
- User Interface: A touch panel mounted on the right ear cup handles primary operations including playback, volume, and track navigation 3. Particularly notable is the innovative gesture allowing ANC intensity adjustment through pinch-in and pinch-out motions, similar to photo zooming on smartphones.
Competitive Comparison
To understand what position these headphones occupy in the market, direct comparison with major competing products is most eloquent. The following table ruthlessly reveals the trade-offs upon which the MOMENTUM 4 is built.
| Feature | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Apple AirPods Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver Diameter | 42mm Dynamic | 30mm Dynamic | Dynamic (Undisclosed) | 40mm Apple Dynamic |
| Weight | 293 g | 250 g | 253 g | 384.8 g |
| Battery (ANC ON) | ~60 hours | ~30 hours | ~24 hours | ~20 hours |
| Key Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC |
| ANC Microphones | 4 units (2 per side) | 8 units | 12 units (system total) | 8 units |
| Connectivity | BT 5.2, 3.5mm, USB-C Audio | BT 5.2, 3.5mm | BT 5.3, 3.5mm, USB-C Audio | BT 5.0, Lightning (or USB-C) |
| Reference Price (USD) | ~$350 | ~$400 | ~$430 | ~$550 |
| Sources | 4 | 15 | 18 | 21 |
What emerges from this data is Sennheiser’s strategy of “asymmetric competition.” They deliberately avoid the feature-rich arms race and ANC performance summit that Sony dominates. Falling behind in the number of ANC microphones and not achieving the lightest weight, they understand that a head-to-head brawl would not favor them. Instead, the MOMENTUM 4 has focused all its efforts on establishing overwhelming superiority in two areas where competitors cannot follow. First, the phenomenal battery life that reaches twice that of Sony and three times that of Apple. This is no longer a marginal victory but a complete rout. Second, the possibility of a more traditional sound signature brought by large-diameter drivers that doesn’t feel overly processed by digital signal processing. Sennheiser chose not to aim for “a better Sony” but to fundamentally become “a different choice.”
3. The Truth of Acoustic Characteristics Through Measurement Data
No matter how eloquent subjective listening impressions may be, the evaluation of audio equipment should be supported by objective measurement data. The detailed measurements provided by SoundGuys serve as the key to unlocking the fundamental acoustic characteristics of the MOMENTUM 4 5.
- Frequency Response: The measured frequency response curve is extremely faithful to SoundGuys’ “headphone preference curve.” This objectively explains why many reviews describe it as having a “pleasant sound.” The gentle lift in the sub-bass region below 100Hz is intentional tuning to give dynamism to contemporary music genres, while the treble skillfully avoids harshness while ensuring clarity. This is surely not a product of chance, but the result of engineering a sound that immediately appeals to a broad audience. In other words, the MOMENTUM 4’s sound is not pure neutrality, but a skillfully designed “pleasant compromise.”
- Active Noise Cancelling (ANC): According to the attenuation graph, this unit’s ANC reduces low-frequency noise by approximately 75% (around 15-20dB), demonstrating good performance. However, in the mid-range from 100Hz to 1000Hz, which contains much human speech and office noise, there is a measurable difference compared to top-tier competing products. The 5-10dB difference in this band is perceptually not insignificant.
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): The distortion scores are good but not at the highest level. This suggests that while not problematic at normal listening volumes, very slight distortion might be perceived when played at extremely high volumes.
What these data reveal is the fact that the MOMENTUM 4 has changed its character from a pure audiophile-targeted niche product to one aimed at a broader market. Its sound has been brought as close as possible to the average of what research has determined “most people prefer.” This represents an extremely modern approach that stands apart from the traditional hi-fi philosophy of pursuing flat characteristics and leaving equalization to the user.
4. Sound Portrait: Listening Impressions
If objective measurement data reveals the skeleton of sound, subjective listening impressions give that sound flesh and blood, breathing life into it.
| Reviewer / Media | Quote Excerpt (Translation + Original) |
|---|---|
| Bloom Audio | ”The MOMENTUM 4 provides bass-heavy W-shaped tuning… the midrange is somewhat scooped… an extra boost in the upper mids gives the MOMENTUM 4 enhanced vocal presence with intimate, holographic vocal presentation.” “Momentum 4 provides a bass heavy W shaped tuning… the midrange is somewhat scooped… an extra boost in the upper mids that give Momentum 4 an enhanced vocal presence with an intimate, holographic vocal presentation.” |
| MajorHiFi | ”It is rare to hear wireless headphones with such clear and well-separated imaging. The MOMENTUM 4 is not only one of the widest closed-back Bluetooth headphones I have heard, but probably one of the deepest.” “It is rare to hear a wireless headphone sound so clear and separated in its imaging. Not only is the Momentum 4 one of the widest closed-back Bluetooth headphones I have heard, but maybe one of the deepest.” |
| Headphones.com Forum User | ”The bass is slightly boosted, but not excessively so. Not so noticeable on pop music, but there’s definitely a Sennheiser veil present on classical music.” “The bass is a bit boosted, but not overly so. Not so noticeable on pop, but definite on classical is a Sennheiser veil.” |
Integrating these quotes, we can paint a sound portrait by genre.
- Classical: The expansive soundstage brings excellent spatial sensation to orchestral works 25. The resonance of cellos and double basses sometimes takes on unnatural weight from the bass boost, but the expression of grand scale is magnificent. However, as one user points out, a thin membrane—what could be called the “Sennheiser veil”—slightly covers the fine textures and highest harmonics of string instruments, perhaps falling one step short of the ultimate transparency possessed by top-tier wired open-back units 26.
- Jazz: As Bloom Audio’s review aptly captures, acoustic bass has a “deep, rounded feel” that comes pleasantly to the fore without masking other instruments 24. The smooth treble gives cymbals legato brilliance without ever becoming harsh. And particularly noteworthy is the vocal expressiveness, whose intimacy realistically conveys even the breathing of jazz vocalists.
- Electronic / Pop / R&B: This is likely where this tuning shines brightest. The sub-bass emphasis brings satisfying impact and rumble to tracks by artists like TLC 24. The emphasized upper midrange clearly pushes vocals to the foreground, preventing them from being buried in dense electronic mixes. Overall, it’s an energetic sound that captivates listeners and is purely “fun” 27.
- Rock / Metal: It also skillfully handles heavy genres. The tight low end accurately delineates rapid double bass drum patterns, while the somewhat restrained treble softens the excessive stimulation of distorted guitars and screaming vocals, preventing listening fatigue even during long sessions 24.
5. Dissecting Value: Multi-faceted Evaluation
After analysis from every angle, we evaluate the true value of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless from multiple perspectives.
| Evaluation Axis | Score (out of 5) | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Performance | ★★★★☆ (4.5) | The class-leading battery life is a monumental achievement. Sound quality is also technically excellent for a consumer wireless product. ANC is very good but falls one step short of the absolute pinnacle, preventing a perfect score. Broad codec support is also a major advantage. |
| Musical Appeal | ★★★★☆ (4.0) | The out-of-box tuning provides immediately appealing and energetic experiences for most contemporary genres. It excels at making music “enjoyable.” For critical listening of acoustic genres, the slight bass emphasis and “veil” may compromise ultimate transparency. |
| Build Quality & Design | ★★★☆☆ (3.5) | Comfort is excellent and the unit is lightweight. However, the shift to a generic, plastic-dominated design represents a major retreat from the premium feel and individuality of previous generations. Long-term reliability concerns reported on forums are also a deduction factor. |
| Price-to-Value | ★★★★☆ (4.5) | Despite being priced lower than major competitors, it offers double the battery life and arguably superior default sound tuning, making its value extremely high. Frequent sales further enhance this value proposition. |
| Future-proofing / Repairability | ★★★☆☆ (3.0) | Support for aptX Adaptive and USB-C audio provides adequate future-proofing. However, like many other modern wireless headphones, the battery is not intended for user replacement, limiting the product’s ultimate lifespan. |
6. Market Significance: Is the MOMENTUM 4 a “Masterpiece” or a “Compromise”?
In conclusion, the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is undoubtedly a success from a business perspective. By adopting a more mainstream design and feature set, Sennheiser has succeeded in creating a product that can be directly compared with Sony and Bose while surpassing them in key areas. They have earned their ticket to the mainstream conversation.
However, this success came at the cost of sacrificing the unique identity that the MOMENTUM line possessed. The MOMENTUM 4 might be more accurately described as “a Sony competitor tuned by Sennheiser” rather than a “Sennheiser product” in the traditional sense. It is the product of ultimate compromise. By partially sacrificing brand purity, they gained significant benefits in usability (battery) and market appeal (sound tuning).
The existence of this product has redefined the choice landscape in the premium ANC headphone market. No longer is the choice simply “Sony or Bose.” It has evolved into a three-way question.
- Sony (WH-1000XM5): The choice for technology enthusiasts seeking the best features and class-leading ANC.
- Bose (QuietComfort Ultra): The choice for travelers seeking absolute comfort and top-tier ANC above all else.
- Sennheiser (MOMENTUM 4): The choice for mobile music lovers who can tolerate slight differences in ANC performance in exchange for overwhelmingly superior battery life and more musically appealing default sound.
7. Conclusion: To Whom Do We Dedicate This Silence?
The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless poses a fundamental question to modern listeners: What is the purpose of silence? Is it the complete absence of noise—an empty canvas? Or is it space secured for music to live and breathe uninterrupted as long as the journey continues?
Recommended Users
- Long-distance commuters and travelers: People who prioritize battery life above all else. The ability to go over a week without charging could be a game-changer.
- “Plug-and-play” music lovers: Users who want to enjoy excellent sound quality straight out of the box without fiddling with complex EQ settings.
- Value-conscious audiophiles: People seeking the best acoustic performance in the sub-$400 wireless ANC category.
Not Recommended For
- ANC purists: People who demand absolutely the most effective noise canceling in very noisy environments (such as frequent flyers). Sony or Bose remain the best choices in this domain.
- Design aesthetics enthusiasts: People who loved the premium metallic textures of previous-generation MOMENTUM and view the MOMENTUM 4 as an aesthetic regression.
- Business users who prioritize call quality: Unstable microphone performance poses risks for users conducting important calls in various environments.
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0 / 5)
While the arrival of the MOMENTUM 5 is expected to bring improvements in ANC performance—this unit’s weakness—and a return to more premium materials 28, the current MOMENTUM 4 is not a betrayal of Sennheiser’s tradition but a product that pragmatically reinterprets it. For those who choose the latter question—“silence for music”—the MOMENTUM 4 may not be a compromise but the most honest and most enduring answer that exists in today’s market.
References
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