Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Vs Sony WF-1000XM5 Review

Having previously enjoyed the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless earbuds, I was keen to see how they measure up against the Sony WF-1000XM5. Priced similarly at around $299, these earbuds promise top-notch sound quality and features. Join me as I explore these contenders to determine which one earns the crown for the ultimate listening experience.

What you get

Look and feel
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds boast a refined design in black and silver. They’re smaller than before, ensuring a snug fit, and come with four foam tips, including an XS size for smaller ears. Comfort is key with these. Additionally, the case has a practical design and is notably lightweight, adding to the overall convenience of carrying it around.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 has a bold dark gold and black copper finish, with silver and graphite options also available. They’re a bit bulkier but still comfy, offering multiple ear tip sizes for a personalized fit. While I appreciate the stylish design of Sennheiser earbuds, I find Sony’s case to be more practical, especially due to its lightweight construction.

Design
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds boast a refined design, offering a snug fit. Their lightweight case adds practicality, and intuitive touch controls make navigation effortless. Powered by custom-designed 6mm drivers, these earbuds deliver impressive sound quality across a wide range of genres. The companion app provides access to advanced features like adaptive sound, EQ adjustments, and 360 Reality Audio support for an immersive listening experience.
Meanwhile, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 features a bold finish, prioritizing comfort. Equipped with custom-designed dynamic drivers, these earbuds deliver balanced and detailed sound reproduction. While not as lightweight as Sony’s case, it provides ample protection for the earbuds.
In my experience, Sony’s design feels more lightweight and practical for daily use, while Sennheiser’s stands out with its bold aesthetics. Both offer intuitive controls and customization through their respective apps, catering to different user preferences.

Battery
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 offers 7.5 hours of playback time, with an additional 30 hours provided by the charging case when ANC is off. With a quick charge feature, just 8 minutes of charging can provide up to 1 hour of additional listening time. The case supports both USB-C charging and Qi wireless charging, adding convenience to your charging routine.
In comparison, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds average 8 hours of playback time with ANC enabled, extendable to 24 hours with the charging case. Additionally, the quick charge feature provides up to 1 hour of playback with just a 3-minute charge. While the battery life of both earbuds varies depending on usage, Sony’s case is notably lighter, adding to its overall convenience for on-the-go charging.

ANC
In my experience, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 offers effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), creating an immersive listening environment by reducing external noise. While Sony WF-1000XM5 provides slightly better ANC performance, both earbuds excel in blocking out ambient noise. With customizable ANC settings and transparency modes, both models offer flexibility in adjusting the listening experience. Overall, both the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and Sony WF-1000XM5 deliver impressive ANC capabilities, enhancing the enjoyment of music and audio content in various environments.

Soundstage
In my personal journey with audio, exploring the soundstage of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 has been a delightful experience. These earbuds deliver a spacious and immersive soundstage, allowing each instrument and vocal to find its place with clarity and precision. The separation between channels is impressive, creating a three-dimensional audio landscape that pulls you into the heart of the music.
On the other hand, the Sony WF-1000XM5 also offers a captivating soundstage, albeit with a slightly different character. While testing these earbuds, I found the soundstage to be wide and expansive, providing a sense of depth and dimension to the music. Each note resonates with richness and detail, enveloping the listener in a sonic tapestry that captivates the senses.
Both the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and Sony WF-1000XM5 excel in delivering a compelling soundstage, each with its unique sonic signature. Whether you prefer the spaciousness and clarity of the Momentum True Wireless 4 or the expansive richness of the WF-1000XM5, both earbuds offer a remarkable audio experience.

Low End
In comparing the low-end performance of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and Sony WF-1000XM5, both earbuds demonstrate a robust and well-defined bass response. The low frequencies are reproduced with clarity and depth, providing a satisfying foundation to the music. In particular, when listening to tracks like “Fall back in your arms” by Guytano, the bass delivered by the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 gave me a better sense of immersion and emotional connection to the music. However, it’s worth noting that the Sony WF-1000XM5 also delivered a commendable bass performance, offering a compelling listening experience in its own right.

Mids
During my listening sessions, I found the midrange performance of the Sony WF-1000XM5 particularly impressive, especially when listening to tracks like “Sick of the Silence” by Lost Frequencies. The vocals and instruments were rendered with clarity and presence, enhancing the overall listening experience. However, it’s important to highlight that both earbuds deliver commendable midrange performance, with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 offering a slightly warmer and more natural sound signature that complements various music genres.

Highs
In the high frequencies, both the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and Sony WF-1000XM5 deliver crisp and detailed treble. Instruments and vocals sparkle with clarity, providing an engaging listening experience. While the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 may offer a slightly brighter treble, the Sony WF-1000XM5 maintains a balanced and articulate presentation that enhances overall clarity.

Summary
Having experienced both the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and Sony WF-1000XM5, I must confess my admiration for both. However, if I were to make a personal choice tailored to my preferences, I’d lean towards the Sony WF-1000XM5. Its exceptional sound quality, robust active noise cancellation, and convenient charging case resonate deeply with my audio needs. That said, I’m equally enamored by the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, appreciating its captivating design and balanced sound signature. Ultimately, the decision rests on individual tastes and priorities, ensuring that both earbuds offer a delightful listening experience for discerning audiophiles.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and Sony WF-1000XM5 are available at Audio46