Sennheiser Momentum Sport Review

We’re back with another addition to Sennheiser’s true wireless line. If you remember not too long ago, Sennheiser released the Momentum TWS 4, which packed a ton of future-proof features into the device. Now they’ve released the Momentum Sport, which looks to add a slew of different features. However, they’ve also scaled back on some of the audio-first ones in the Momentum TWS 4. In this article, we’ll break down what’s new with the Momentum Sport and compare it to the TWS 4 so you can make the best choice of which one is for you. 

What You Get:

Look and Feel

The Momentum Sport is designed to feel ergonomic and light in the ear. I generally found this to be the case. Listening for hours at a time, the Momentum Sport never felt uncomfortable or like it was falling out of the ear, even without the ear fins. If you’re moving around a ton, you probably do want to use the ear fins to keep them in place. However, for general use, they’re light and comfortable enough for sustained use periods. Sennheiser also offers two colorways: black and olive. 

Design and Functionality

Using a 10mm transducer and semi-open design, the Momentum Sport is built and designed for athletics. The earbud also uses an “acoustic relief channel” to help remove the pressurized feeling that some earbuds – especially noise canceling ones – can create. As I mentioned, the Momentum Sport uses a semi-open design, but fear not, as the earbud does still have ANC for cancellation. 

It also includes body monitoring tech that allows you to track heart rate and body temperature. These features are thanks to a partnership with Polar, whose app can be used to receive this information from the earbuds. You can also see basic information in the Sennheiser Smart Control app, and more limited information in other fitness apps. 

The Momentum Sport earbuds are rated IP55 which protects them from water and dust, though the case is only rated IP54. One feature the Sport does not include, however, is support for AptX Lossless or Bluetooth 5.4.

The earbuds charge through their case, with a USB-C port on the back of the case. The case also utilizes Qi wireless charging to keep your desktop clean. 

Sound Impressions

The Momentum Sport uses unique methods to get its sound. Sennheiser aims for a bass-driven sound that is meant to be a boon to those exercising with them. The result is a V-shaped sound signature, though the midrange isn’t forgotten by any stretch of the imagination. 

Bass is indeed punchy. I wouldn’t necessarily describe these earbuds as too bass-heavy, but there is definitely some low end heft when called for. On a track like Beyoncé’s “American Requiem,” I could hear a well-defined bass response that added life and energy to the listening experience.  

Moving onto the midrange, things are laid back, perhaps even a bit recessed. Sticking with Beyoncé and her rendition of the Beatles’ Blackbird, I could get a sense of vocal presence and detail on the solo vocals. However, when harmonies chimed in, some of this detail went away, making for a somewhat hollow experience. So do note that if you are a listener who loves vocals and vocal harmonies, the Momentum Sport may not provide the maximal midrange detail you desire.

And speaking of highs, the treble response on the Momentum Sport is clean and snappy when needed, but overall pretty smooth. I found the top end of the Sport to give energy when called for, while being in no way distracting. Perhaps a little more energy in the top end would be nice to keep the bass from overpowering the earbuds at times, but for a pair of sport earbuds intended for getting lost in your action, I think the treble makes for an engaging experience that rounds out the frequency quite nicely.

When it comes to soundstage, the Momentum Sport is pretty solid. For a sport earbud, the lateral sense of space is quite good and engulfing. I was quite impressed here. 

Comparison to the Sennheiser Momentum TWS 4:

Let’s start with what these earbuds have in common: their sound signatures. There are definitely some aspects of the sound of these earbuds that separate them, but for the most part, these both go for a fun, V-shaped signature. I would say the Momentum Sport gives a bit more bass and an overall more fun experience. Meanwhile, the Momentum TWS 4 is a little bit more refined, with more detailed top end information. The mid sections are very comparable on each device. 

Now, as for what’s different between the two. This really comes down to features and use cases. If you’re looking for a more “audiophile” experience, then I think you might want to pick the TWS 4. While the sound signatures are similar between the two, the TWS 4 is a bit more refined and has access to Bluetooth 5.4 and aptX Lossless. In that sense, the TWS 4 may also be more future-proof. 

That said, if you are looking for a wireless earbud for fitness and athletics, then the Momentum Sport is more worth it. With its heart rate and body temperature recording capabilities and their ability to pair with fitness apps (the Polar app in particular), this feels like a sports-minded user’s best bet. Not to mention that the sound is still pretty good on these. 

Summary:

When I first came across the Sennheiser Momentum Sport, I wondered if the new TWS earbud would be all that different to the still-new Momentum TWS 4. I’m happy to say that the Momentum Sport is a worthwhile product with a unique feature set. If you are someone who uses earbuds primarily while exercising, then the Momentum Sport is a solid option. 

The Sennheiser Momentum Sport is available at Audio46.