Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Review

It’s once again time for a new version of Sennehsier’s flagship true wireless earbuds. The Momentum series has been well-regarded, standing firmly next to Apple, and Sony in the Bluetooth market. This product line keeps up with the latest technology while tending to focus more on the sound side for a more premium feel. I’m a fan of the Momentum True Wireless 3 and have been personally using them for some time now. Will the Momentum True Wireless 4 convince me to upgrade?

What You Get

• Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds
• Charging Case
• Extra Wing fins
• S/M/L Ear Tips
• USB Type C Charging Cable
• User Guide

Look & Feel

For this review, I chose the graphite version of the Momentum 4. From what I can tell, there has been no change in design at all from the previous version. These earbuds have the same shape, colors, wing fins, and ear tips as the Momentum True Wireless 3. You can only tell the difference between the two versions by the darker color of the charging case. I’m not too bothered by the lack of change here, and it means that the fit is just as comfortable. In the Smart Control app, you can even test the fit of the earbuds to ensure the best seal.

Design & Functionality

The Momentum 4 boasts some upgraded tech, but its TrueResponse dynamic driver is unchanged. This has been a reliable part of Sennheiser’s earbuds, so it’s no surprise that it makes a return here. What has changed is its array of microphones that help enhance call clarity and noise-canceling.

Testing out the ANC, I thought that it was as effective as the last Momentum True Wireless, but not as big of an improvement. While the Momentum 4 will be better than most Bluetooth earbuds with isolating sound, the recent Sony WF-1000XM5 is still the market leader for ANC. Different levels of ANC can be controlled in the Smart Control app, along with other features like EQ and Sound Zones. You can create up to 20 Sound Zones, allowing the Momentum 4 to automatically adjust its settings depending on your location.

Another in-app feature is customizable controls, which I always prefer when you have a pair of earbuds with so many features. On the Momentum 4, the touch sensors are very sensitive but have a quick response.

Bluetooth

By far the biggest upgrade that the Momentum 4 makes in terms of specs is its Bluetooth. The Momentum 4 offers Bluetooth version 5.4, the latest in high-level broadcasting over wireless. It’s supported by the Qualcomm S5 Sound Gen 2 platform with Snapdragon Sound. This is also one of the first true wireless earbuds to hit the market with Auracast, a new Bluetooth technology that has a ton of different features. Auracast Bluetooth enables you to share your Bluetooth signal with others and improve other areas of accessibility. In terms of CODECs, the Momentum 4 takes another leap, supplying aptX Lossless for Android devices.

Battery Life

There’s an improved battery life for the Momentum 4, but it’s not too far of a jump. The Momentum 4 will give you about seven and a half hours of playtime, with the charging case totaling 30 hours. This battery feels pretty standard, but it’s slightly enhanced by quick charging. Only eight minutes of charge should give you an hour of playtime.

Soundstage

Sennheiser’s flagship true wireless line is a reference for good soundstage and imaging over Bluetooth. Since the release of the Momentum 3, other premium earbuds have come around, and some have surpassed the Momentum in terms of immersion. Some aspects like spatial audio have a factor in that, but I get the sense that wireless soundstages are finding ways to get wider and dimensional. After listening to the Momentum 4, I think this line comes out on top again, showcasing great width and accuracy over Bluetooth. While the soundstage might not have that outward sound display, you can rely on it to give you better precision than most true wireless earbuds. Everything feels like a conventional stereo image, but it comes across elegantly. Its flatter stage doesn’t bother me when the imaging is this specific and localized.

Low End

Many of Sennheiser’s wireless products will have a vibrant bass, and the Momentum 4 continues that tradition. You can expect an impact and clarity that feels colorful, but not too absorbing. You can use the bass boost in the app, but it mostly affects the mid-bass, and brings it too forward for my taste. Controlling EQ yourself is better for enunciating bass notes with more physical identity. Overall, the bass presents a thick body that I’ve come to appreciate from Sennheiser’s Bluetooth product line.

Mids

I don’t think the Momentum 4 gets a lot wrong here, which is a significant improvement from the previous iteration of the Momentum. While the focus of the sound profile avoids detail in the middle section of the instruments, the corners bring out some nice emphasis. This gives the midrange some notable balance in the mix, with instruments and vocals sitting more naturally in the sound spectrum. Notes have more of an attack and come through with more shape. It’s a clean timbre with enough texture to find satisfying. I raised the 1kHz and 4kHz sliders a bit to get more accentuation from the vocals, and I was impressed with their realism.

Highs

Usually, I like to put a makeshift high-shelf with EQ, but I didn’t feel the need to do that with the Momentum 4. There’s a clear high-frequency presence here, and it helps add that extra snap at the end of some performances. It feels crisper than other true wireless earbuds in their default form, helping give the sound signature of the Momentum 4 some good edge. The height of the sound is marginally enhanced, but it’s enough to be just noticeable and add some extra scale to the response. You never have to worry about anything peaking harshly with the Momentum 4, as the treble couldn’t be more digestible.

Summary

Although the Momentum True Wireless 4 might not look like the biggest upgrade from the Momentum 3 on the outside, it boasts a more premium wireless experience than ever before. This is thanks to new innovations in its Bluetooth tech, like Auracast and aptX Lossless. These features are bound to show up on a lot of true wireless earbuds in the future, and although the Momentum 4 isn’t the first to feature aptX Lossless, it will certainly help bring it to a consumer level.

Of course, there’s also the sound, which is the biggest selling point for the Momentum 4. There are enough tweaks made in the tuning to make the Momentrum 4 even more indistinguishable from a pair of wired IEMs. I appreciated the improved balance in the midrange while sustaining colorful bass and highs that are adjustable with EQ. If you’re okay with having not the best ANC for better music listening, the Momentum True Wireless 4 might be your new favorite.

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 is available for pre-order at Audio46.