Sennheiser Momentum 4 Review: Premium Sound Meets All-Day Comfort

The headphone market is crowded with options claiming to deliver "the best sound." Sennheiser's Momentum 4 Wireless actually backs up that claim. This fourth generation represents everything the German audio company has learned about balancing audiophile-grade sound with modern wireless convenience.

But premium headphones demand premium prices. Let's dig into whether the Momentum 4 justifies its position at the top of the market and who should consider making the investment.

Design and Build Quality

Sennheiser took a different direction with the Momentum 4's aesthetics, and opinions are divided.

A Departure from Tradition

Previous Momentum generations featured distinctive metal hinges and leather accents that screamed premium. The Momentum 4 adopts a cleaner, more minimalist approach with smooth plastic surfaces and subtle branding.

What changed: - Streamlined silhouette without exposed hinges - Matte finish that resists fingerprints - Lighter weight at 293 grams - Simplified folding mechanism

Some longtime fans miss the old look. Others appreciate the modern refinement. Either way, the build quality remains exceptional—these headphones feel solid without being heavy.

The Momentum 4 trades visual flair for practical elegance. It's a headphone designed to disappear on your head rather than make a statement.

Materials and Durability

Despite the plastic-forward appearance, quality materials hide beneath the surface:

- Genuine leather on the headband and ear cushions - Memory foam padding that molds to your head shape - Stainless steel reinforcement in stress points - Soft-touch coating on the ear cups

The leather develops a pleasant patina over time, and the padding maintains its shape through extended use. These are headphones built to last years, not months.

Comfort for Extended Listening

Here's where the Momentum 4 truly excels. The combination of light weight, plush padding, and balanced clamping force creates headphones you can wear all day.

Comfort highlights: - Oval ear cups fit most ear shapes - Minimal pressure on the top of the head - Breathable materials reduce heat buildup - Glasses-friendly design with relief channels

For those working from home or taking long flights, comfort matters as much as sound. The Momentum 4 delivers both. If you're setting up a home office, these headphones complement long work sessions perfectly.

Sound Quality

This is Sennheiser's domain, and the Momentum 4 doesn't disappoint.

The Signature Sound

Sennheiser tuned the Momentum 4 for what they call "audiophile-approved" sound. In practice, this means:

- Balanced frequency response without artificial bass boost - Detailed highs that reveal nuances in recordings - Natural midrange that makes vocals shine - Controlled bass that's present but not overwhelming

Out of the box, the sound signature leans slightly warm—perfect for long listening sessions without fatigue. It's the kind of tuning that works across genres rather than favoring one style.

Technical Specifications

The 42mm drivers are custom-designed for these headphones, not off-the-shelf components. This attention to detail shows in the coherent, well-integrated sound.

Codec Support and Wireless Quality

Bluetooth audio quality depends heavily on codec support. The Momentum 4 covers the important bases:

- aptX Adaptive: Dynamic bitrate up to 420kbps, low latency - AAC: Optimized for Apple devices - SBC: Universal fallback

Missing LDAC support disappoints some Android users who want maximum wireless bandwidth. However, aptX Adaptive delivers excellent quality for most listeners, and the difference requires trained ears and specific source material to detect.

Customization Through the App

The Sennheiser Smart Control app unlocks the Momentum 4's full potential:

- Sound Zones: Save EQ presets for different locations - Parametric EQ: Five-band adjustment with Q factor control - Sound Check: Personalized tuning based on hearing test - Podcast mode: Optimized for spoken word content

The parametric EQ is unusually powerful for consumer headphones. Audiophiles can fine-tune the response to their exact preferences rather than accepting preset curves.

Active Noise Cancellation

The Momentum 4's ANC competes with the best in the business.

Adaptive Noise Cancellation

Rather than fixed ANC levels, the Momentum 4 continuously adjusts based on your environment:

- Automatic mode: Adapts in real-time to ambient noise - Maximum mode: Full noise cancellation regardless of environment - Wind reduction: Minimizes wind noise outdoors

The adaptive system works remarkably well. It ramps up on airplanes and busy streets, then relaxes in quiet offices to preserve battery life.

Performance Across Frequencies

ANC effectiveness varies by frequency. Here's how the Momentum 4 performs:

Low-frequency rumble disappears almost completely. Mid-range sounds like conversation are significantly reduced but not eliminated—you'll still hear loud talkers nearby. High frequencies are the hardest to cancel, and the Momentum 4 handles them adequately.

Compared to the best noise cancelling headphones for work, the Momentum 4 ranks among the top performers.

Transparency Mode

When you need to hear your surroundings, transparency mode pipes in external audio through the microphones. The implementation sounds natural—not the robotic, processed quality of lesser headphones.

Quick access comes through the touch controls: slide forward on the right ear cup to activate transparency without removing the headphones.

Battery Life and Charging

The Momentum 4's battery life is genuinely impressive.

60 Hours of Listening

Sennheiser claims 60 hours with ANC enabled, and real-world testing confirms it. This is nearly double what competitors offer and means weekly charging rather than daily.

Battery breakdown: - ANC on, moderate volume: 55-60 hours - ANC off: 70+ hours - Maximum volume with ANC: 45-50 hours

For frequent travelers, this battery life is transformative. A single charge handles multiple long-haul flights without anxiety.

Fast Charging

When you do need to charge, the Momentum 4 recovers quickly:

- 5 minutes: 4 hours of playback - 30 minutes: 50% charge - Full charge: 2 hours via USB-C

The fast charging makes forgetting to charge overnight a minor inconvenience rather than a day-ruining problem.

Auto Power Management

Smart features extend battery life further:

- Auto pause: Music stops when you remove the headphones - Auto power off: Headphones sleep after 15 minutes of inactivity - Motion detection: Wakes instantly when you pick them up

These features work seamlessly in the background, preserving battery without requiring manual management.

Controls and Features

The Momentum 4 uses touch controls exclusively—no physical buttons except for power.

Touch Control Layout

The right ear cup handles all primary functions:

- Tap: Play/pause - Double tap: Next track - Triple tap: Previous track - Slide up/down: Volume - Slide forward/back: ANC/transparency toggle - Hold: Voice assistant

The touch surface is responsive and accurate once you learn the gestures. Initial fumbling gives way to muscle memory within a few days.

Voice Assistant Integration

Full support for major voice assistants:

- Google Assistant: Native integration with voice activation - Amazon Alexa: Supported through the app - Siri: Works via phone connection

The built-in microphones pick up voice commands clearly, even in moderately noisy environments.

Multipoint Connection

Connect to two devices simultaneously—essential for switching between laptop and phone:

- Seamless switching when calls come in - No manual reconnection needed - Works with any Bluetooth source

This feature alone justifies the premium for anyone juggling work and personal devices.

Call Quality

Headphones increasingly serve as communication tools. The Momentum 4 handles calls competently.

Microphone Performance

Four microphones work together for voice pickup:

- Beamforming: Focuses on your voice - Wind noise reduction: Filters outdoor interference - Echo cancellation: Prevents feedback

Call quality is good but not exceptional. In quiet environments, callers report clear audio. In noisy settings, some background sound bleeds through. Dedicated headsets still outperform for professional calls.

Sidetone

Hear your own voice while talking—adjustable through the app. This prevents the "talking into a void" feeling that plagues some noise-cancelling headphones during calls.

Comparison with Competitors

How does the Momentum 4 stack up against other premium options?

vs. Sony WH-1000XM5

Choose Momentum 4 if: Sound quality and battery life are priorities Choose Sony if: Maximum ANC and value matter most

vs. Apple AirPods Max

Choose Momentum 4 if: You use Android or want longer battery Choose AirPods Max if: Deep Apple ecosystem integration matters

For a broader comparison, check out our guide to AirPods vs AirPods Pro to understand Apple's audio lineup.

vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Choose Momentum 4 if: Balanced sound and battery life matter Choose Bose if: ANC performance is the top priority

Who Should Buy the Momentum 4?

These headphones suit specific users better than others.

Ideal For:

- Audiophiles who want wireless convenience without sacrificing sound - Frequent travelers who need all-day battery life - Remote workers seeking comfortable, long-wearing headphones - Music lovers who appreciate balanced, natural tuning - Multi-device users who need seamless switching

Not Ideal For:

- Bass heads who want thumping low end (try Sony instead) - Budget-conscious buyers (plenty of good options cost less) - Gym users (not sweat-resistant, too bulky for workouts) - Maximum ANC seekers (Bose edges ahead here)

Got Questions About the Sennheiser Momentum 4? Let's Clear Things Up.

Are the Momentum 4 worth the premium price?

For listeners who prioritize sound quality, absolutely. The Momentum 4 delivers audio performance that rivals wired audiophile headphones while adding wireless convenience, excellent ANC, and marathon battery life. The premium buys genuine engineering, not just brand prestige.

If ANC or features matter more than sound quality, competitors offer better value. But for pure listening enjoyment, few wireless headphones match the Momentum 4.

How do they compare to the Momentum 3?

The Momentum 4 improves on its predecessor in almost every way: - Battery life: 60 hours vs. 17 hours - Comfort: Lighter weight, better padding - ANC: More effective, adaptive modes - Sound: Refined tuning, better app EQ

The design change is the only potential downgrade—some preferred the Momentum 3's classic aesthetic.

Can I use them wired?

Yes, the included 3.5mm cable enables passive listening when the battery dies or on flights requiring wired connections. Sound quality remains excellent in wired mode, though ANC requires battery power.

The cable also enables use with devices lacking Bluetooth, like some audio interfaces and older equipment.

How's the build quality long-term?

Early reports suggest excellent durability. The simplified hinge mechanism eliminates a common failure point from previous generations. The leather ages gracefully, and the headband maintains its shape.

Sennheiser offers a two-year warranty, and replacement parts are available for long-term maintenance.

Do they work well for gaming?

For casual gaming, yes. The aptX Adaptive codec provides low enough latency for most games. Competitive gamers requiring absolute minimum latency should use wired mode or dedicated gaming headsets.

The sound quality makes single-player games and cinematic experiences particularly immersive.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 represents the pinnacle of wireless headphone engineering for listeners who prioritize sound quality. The combination of audiophile-grade audio, exceptional comfort, and industry-leading battery life creates a compelling package for serious music lovers. Explore more audio guides at celmin.ca to find your perfect listening setup.