Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Sennheiser Momentum 3 Review

February 14, 2020 12:09 pm

Here are two of the best noise-cancelling wireless headphones on the market. And they’re both selling at the same price. MajorHifi has already written reviews on both, the PX7 and the Momentum 3. So, this review is for folks who are already familiar with at least one of these headphones but need a solid comparison before pulling the trigger. Which headphones win in terms of overall design? And which sound signature will better suit your ears and listening style? Let’s take a look in this Bowers & Wilkins PX7 vs Sennheiser Momentum 3 Review.

FIT

The Momentum 3 will give you a more comfortable fit. The clamping force isn’t as tight as it is on the PX7, and the Momentum 3’s earpads feel thicker and softer as well.

DESIGN

Controls and Functionality

Both headphones employ 3 simple buttons instead of touchpads. And they both deliver the standard functionality. But the PX7’s controls give you a couple more features, including the ability to switch between calls and merge calls. Still, the Momentum 3 has the slight upper hand, as it offers voice assistant. And this feature is missing on the PX7.

Active Noise Cancellation

The results are surprising here. When I first reviewed the PX7, I didn’t think the ANC was notably powerful. But compared to the Momentum 3, the ANC technology on the PX7 is slightly more effective. Of course, the snug fit of the PX7 also means that the natural sound isolation is better.

Battery Life and Charging

The PX7 wins hands down in this department, offering 30 hours of playtime versus the Momentum 3’s 17 hours. The PX 7 also charges faster, producing 5 hours of battery life after 15 minutes of charging. In contrast, the Momentum 3 will only yield 1.5 hours of battery life after 10 minutes of charging.

Both headphones employ a USB-C connection for charging.

Call Clarity

The Momentum 3 wins in this category. Much cleaner with a bigger soundstage too.

Extra Features

The PX7 and the Momentum 3 both offer some neat bells and whistles, such as a sensor that will pause playback when you take the cans off your head. Both headphones also have accompanying apps that give you added control over your headphone settings. But the major plus in owning the Momentum 3 is that it comes with an equalizer, giving you creative power over your sound signature. Unfortunately, the PX7 does not come with an equalizer.

Portability

The Momentum 3 folds, while the PX7 only swivels flat. Still, the PX7 remains the more portable of the two, as it fits into a smaller case.

SOUND

Low Frequencies

The Momentum 3 presents the more thunderous bass. In contrast, the bass on the PX7 is tighter and less reverberating. And while both offer a generous bass response, the Momentum 3 is the headphone that will knock you off your beanbag when listening to pop and hip-hop. It is, therefore, unsurprising that PX7 may be the more versatile of the two. For example, listening to the jazz standard, “Bass Bebop”, the double bass guitar sounded relatively natural on the PX7, while on the Momentum 3, it felt slightly bloated. That being said, the Momentum 3 does have an accompanying equalizer. So, you can tone down the bass when the situation requires it. In contrast, the PX7 gives you no control over your bass response.

Middle Frequencies

The Momentum 3 is the more dynamic headphone. This is partly because of the balance in this range. While the PX7 offers a relatively even balance between the low and high mids, the Momentum 3 favors the high mids over the lower mids. What does this mean in English? For the most natural and all-encompassing sound, go for the PX7. For a sound that really pops and where vocals shine through the mix, go for the Momentum 3. And if you listen to a lot of pop music, you’ll probably find the Momentum 3 more satisfying. But overall, the PX7 presents a cleaner sound than the Momentum 3, partly because it has a thinner profile than the comparatively voluptuous feel of the Momentum 3. And if you listen to a lot of acoustic genres like folk, then the PX7 might be the more suitable choice. Still, both headphones have a similar level of detail, but again, they vary in their presentation. Listening to cellos, for example, the PX7 presents a lighter, and some might say a more realistic timbre. In contrast, the same instrument in the Momentum 3 feels heavier and more majestic.

High Frequencies

Though neither headphones present bright high frequencies, the Momentum 3 will give you a touch more sparkle and presence in this range. But listening to vocals in the high frequencies, you can tell the Momentum 3’s weightiness remains. It reveals richer and more velvety vocals, while the PX7 is lighter and airier in its presentation.

Soundstage

The Momentum 3 has a grander soundstage. In fact, I would venture to say that, with respect to wireless headphones at this price point, the Momentum 3 has the biggest and most colorful soundstage I’ve ever heard.

PROS and CONS

PX7 Pros: Well-balanced, natural and easy listening sound signature; effective ANC.

Momentum 3 Pros: Rich and colorful sound signature; big soundstage; great call clarity.

PX7 Cons: Call clarity could be better for the price; no voice-assistant.

Momentum 3 Cons: Sound perhaps not as clean and realistic as the PX7. (But it’s also a matter of taste).

SUMMARY

To be honest, I don’t think you can go wrong with either one of these great models. But for the richest and most fun sound signature with equalizer control, the Momentum 3 should be your pick. If comfort and call quality are also priorities, the Momentum 3 should also be your choice. However, if your main concerns are portability and ANC effectiveness, go for the PX7. Finally, if you’re looking for the most natural and “safest” sound signature, you may prefer the PX7.

You can find both of these headphones for the best price here:

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 at Audio 46

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 on Amazon

Sennheiser Momentum 3 at Audio 46

Sennheiser Momentum 3 on Amazon