Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4 assessment: Premium and virtually future-proof

Sennheiser’s completed it once more. The German firm has launched a showstopping pair of actually wi-fi earbuds –– the Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4. The earbuds convey plenty of what followers cherished in regards to the earlier fashions and provides just a few extra bells and whistles. The earbuds retain its trendy, sturdy design, glorious Sennheiser audio high quality coupled with highly effective adjustable noise cancelling know-how and Auracast, a brand new future-forward, audio sharing function –– all for the budget-breaking value of $299.

Regardless of its premium value, the TW 4 lacks spatial audio in addition to a Discover My function. It’s a obvious absence, contemplating that a lot of the Momentum’s competitors has not less than one of many options if not each. Nevertheless, these can be small considerations for individuals who prize precise audio high quality above every part else, because the Momentum True Wi-fi Earbuds are a few of the best-sounding premium earbuds obtainable.

Worth, availability, and what’s included

Premium buds, premium value

At $299, the earbuds are on a par with a number of different premium flagship earbuds together with the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Extremely, that are at present $298 and $299 on Amazon. The Momentum TW 4 can be found in three, two-toned colorways: Black Copper, Black Graphite and White Silver.

Along with the earbuds and their natty charging case, the TW 4 ship with a further three pairs of silicone ear ideas (additional small, small and huge) with the default medium ear ideas, two silicone ear fin units and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable.

Design and match

Wonderful {hardware}

Insert clichéd quip about exemplary German engineering right here. The Momentum True Wi-fi 4, retains the compact, ovular housing of its predecessor the Momentum TW 3. Nevertheless, Sennheiser went for a flashier presentation with the TW 4 as evidenced by my Black Copper assessment buds. I positively took just a few seconds to admire the metallic-colored, matte end on the earbuds’ plastic prime housing.

Weighing 6.2 grams (0.21 ounces), the TW 4 are totally featherweight. However extra importantly, after carrying the earbuds for over 5 hours, I didn’t expertise any aches or strain. That’s necessary as a result of the Momentum occupies the whole thing of the outside ear canal, pushed proper towards my tragus and concha –– a scenario that may go from uncomfortable to painful pretty shortly. However once more, this wasn’t the case. The Momentum sat snugly in my ear, whilst I raced down the steps to catch the 5 practice at Grand Central station.

One other manner to make sure hours of comfy enjoyment is to run the Match Take a look at within the Sennheiser Good Management app. Only some seconds lengthy, the app performs a sequence of tones to make sure there’s a good seal between the buds and your ears.

Insert clichéd quip about exemplary German engineering right here.

Including to the TW 4’s consolation is its management scheme of faucets, or ought to I say touches because the earbuds are that responsive. A single faucet on both bud will pause or play music or reply a telephone name. Two faucets on the left earbud will play the earlier monitor whereas the fitting launches the subsequent monitor. Throughout a telephone name, two faucets finish the decision. A trio of faucets on the fitting launches the digital assistant whereas the left cycles by way of noise cancellation modes. A left lengthy press initiates quantity down whereas the fitting will increase quantity. After all, all of this may be modified and customised through the app.

The TW 4 are IP54 rated for mud and splash resistance. Which means they will stand up to a lightweight spritz of moisture, however not a dunk within the pool or any physique of water for that matter.

The Momentum’s charging case is moderately compact at 66.4 grams, 70.1 x 44.6 x 34.8 millimeters (2.34 ounces, 2.75 x 1.75 x 1.37 inches). Nevertheless, as a substitute of a plastic exterior, the case is wrapped in a brown material with a Sennheiser emblem stamped on prime. The USB-C charging port sits alongside the entrance of the case. The case employs a set of sturdy magnets to maintain it closed and your buds secured.

App and options

No strategy to find misplaced buds

A lot of the Momentum TW 4’s options are accessed and managed through Sennheiser’s free Good Management app. It’s right here you’ll be able to run the match take a look at, create a customized sound profile, customise the sound profiles, allow Transparency Mode, make customized location-based audio settings and verify the battery on each the earbuds and case simply to call just a few.

And whereas I positively admire the flexibility to decide on between audio decision within the app, I’m disillusioned that there isn’t a Discover My function. These are $300 earbuds and never having a strategy to pinpoint them if one or each buds goes AWOL is disconcerting. One thing else that’s lacking? Spatial audio. Regardless of its largest competitors incorporating the 3D audio function into their premium buds and Sennheiser integrating its proprietary AMBEO 3D audio know-how into its soundbars, the corporate has but to convey the know-how to its earbuds and headphones.

Wanting in the direction of the long run, the TW 4 are a few of the first earbuds to make use of Auracast, a type of audio sharing endorsed by the Bluetooth Particular Curiosity Group (Bluetooth SIG) who’s answerable for setting Bluetooth know-how requirements. Auracast basically permits a one-to-many broadcast which signifies that a tv or smartphone can transmit a number of audio streams to a limiteless variety of receivers together with earbuds, audio system, listening to aids, and so forth. From there, the listener can select the audio their receiver will tune into.

The Momentum TW 4 are Bluetooth 5.4 compliant and have the flexibility to pair with as much as two units at a time.

Efficiency and audio high quality

Actually glorious sound high quality

Sennheiser’s bought its audio high quality down pat. Whether or not it was the submerged synthy keyboard on Maeta’s “Sending My Love,” or the frenetic fiddler and triumphant horns on Rhiannon Giddens “The Ballad of Sally Anne” on Spotify at Commonplace decision (Good Management app), the Momentum TW 4 delivered a balanced efficiency throughout the mids, highs and lows. Now will the bass get a bit of subtle on tracks with tremendous dank lows? Positive, there’s solely a lot a 7mm driver can do, Dynamic or in any other case. However general, the TW 4 have severe chops.

I additionally listened to the identical tracks on Tidal at Max playback high quality which is as much as 24-bit, 192kHz with the earbuds’ decision set to Lossless (16-bit, 44.1kHz). Each settings are designed for the audiophiles amongst us and ship on the promise of a richer audio expertise. I positively heard extra element akin to strumming strings, higher plosives and vocals general.

I used to be additionally impressed at how effectively the earbuds conveyed the meaty hits, weighty explosions and low grunts of ache of “John Wick 4.” I additionally fielded optimistic reviews on the decision high quality. Everybody I spoke to stated they may hear me clearly with little to no background noise. It was the identical on my finish.

Sennheiser’s bought its audio high quality down pat.

Sennheiser’s codec help consists of SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive/Lossless and LC3.

The TW 4 has adaptive lively noise cancellation which permits the buds to switch the ANC primarily based on how loud or quiet the encircling surroundings is. The Good Management app additionally provides you three modes of ANC (Off, Anti Wind and On). Anti Wind reduce down on ambient wind noise after I was briskly strolling towards the subway, however in the end, I favor On.

However as a lot as I favor to mute my environment, there are occasions when it’s not significantly prudent, like strolling house late at night time. For these moments, Transparency mode got here in useful because it let me hold listening to my music whereas permitting ambient noise into the soundscape so I may keep a wholesome stage of road consciousness.

Battery life and charging

Higher than common

Sennheiser estimates the Momentum TW 4 can final seven hours on a cost with ANC enabled, making them a few of the longest-lasting actually wi-fi earbuds obtainable. I wore the TW 4 from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. earlier than I began getting low battery warnings. All through that point, I listened to music, jumped on just a few video chats, took some telephone calls and watched a bunch of YouTube movies and watched a film.

Paired with its charging case, the earbuds have a ranking for 30 hours of battery life which interprets into not less than two extra prices. When the time involves recharge, you’ll be able to pop the buds into the case for ten minutes for an hour of cost. The case might be charged through the USB-C port or a wi-fi charger.

Competitors

Different $300 earbuds would really like a phrase

The Momentum True Wi-fi 4 are positively on the prime of the category, however within the premium earbud market, they’re salutatorian at greatest. In relation to lively noise cancellation, it’s a head-to-head battle between the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Extremely Earbuds. By way of audio efficiency, it’s a toss-up between the TW 4 and Sony whereas the latter edges out the previous for battery life. Plus, the WF-1000XM5 and the QC Extremely function spatial audio. And the Bose options that all-important Discover My function which at this stage within the recreation, each pair of earbuds with a companion app ought to have.

Must you purchase them?

In the event you do not thoughts paying for audio high quality, Sennheiser is an effective guess

In the event you like your earbuds to have a sure stage of panache whereas delivering a cushty match with a bit of little bit of sturdiness, you need to completely purchase the Sennheiser True Wi-fi 4 earbuds. As well as, you get a free companion app with a deep effectively of options and a few built-in futureproofing.

However the place the TW 4 actually shine is the audio. It’s wealthy and heat with a beneficiant soundscape no matter style. And whereas it lacks 3D audio, I’m an enormous fan of being able to regulate the audio decision. And whereas they don’t have the best possible ANC on the market, the TW 4 can completely convey a loud din to a uninteresting roar.

However for $299, I actually need Sennheiser to determine the right way to get a Discover My function and get some spatial audio going. Nonetheless, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4 are a wonderful pair of premium actually wi-fi earbuds, significantly for audiophiles.