The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless headphones are a highly anticipated release, offering significant improvements to sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) nearly four years after the Momentum 4. This review delves into the features, design, and performance of the Momentum 5, providing an in-depth analysis and personal commentary. I'll explore the enhancements, design changes, software features, sound quality, ANC performance, battery life, and the competition, offering a comprehensive evaluation of this premium headphone offering.
Design and Build Quality
Sennheiser has made subtle but meaningful design improvements to the Momentum 5. The logos on the headband are now on textured silver discs, adding a premium touch. The ear cups are all one piece, eliminating the indention around the edge and creating a seamless look. Silver accents adorn the microphone grilles, enhancing the overall aesthetic. The single button on the right ear cup for power, Bluetooth pairing, and voice assistant control remains, while the touch panel on the right ear cup offers playback and ANC controls with swipes and taps.
A notable feature is the user-replaceable battery, accessible with a small Phillips-head screwdriver. This extends the product's lifespan and provides convenience for users. The inclusion of a USB-C jack and 3.5mm audio port further enhances the headphone's versatility.
Software and Features
The Smart Control Plus app is a key software component, offering an 8-band EQ for fine-tuning sound profiles and various audio presets. Users can adjust ANC and transparency mode levels, enable Dolby Atmos audio, and employ Sound Personalization for algorithm-based audio enhancements. The app also supports Sound Zones, allowing automatic adjustments based on location, although location permissions are required.
Customization options in the app, such as customizable tiles on the home screen, provide a personalized user experience, ensuring frequently used functions are easily accessible.
Sound Quality
Sennheiser has consistently delivered excellent sound quality with its Momentum headphones, and the Momentum 5 is no exception. The 42mm drivers, inspired by the open-back HD 600, offer impressive spatial quality and separation between instruments. This is evident in the band American Football's LP4, where the intricate guitar work and synth elements are beautifully balanced.
The Momentum 5 supports Dolby Atmos audio, but the feature's potential is currently limited. The stock tuning, even without Atmos, provides a more engaging listening experience, and I look forward to the head-tracking update that will enhance the Atmos feature.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Voice Performance
Sennheiser has made significant improvements to ANC with the Momentum 5. The doubled number of microphones and expanded setup result in more effective noise blocking, even for human voices. The Sidetone feature and Own Voice Detection further enhance voice quality during calls, although the overall voice performance could be clearer.
Battery Life
The Momentum 5 offers slightly reduced battery life compared to the Momentum 4, but it still provides days of use on a single charge. The upgraded sound quality and Dolby Atmos enhancements may justify the slight decrease in runtime, and my initial testing suggests that the battery life claims are accurate.
Competition and Conclusion
The Momentum 5 has narrowed the gap with competitors like Sony and Bose, particularly in ANC performance. Sennheiser's HD 630 offers a strong alternative with high-resolution audio and a high-resolution Bluetooth dongle, but it comes at a higher price. The Momentum 5's improvements in sound, ANC, and design make it a compelling choice, despite the price increase and Dolby Atmos limitations.
In conclusion, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless headphones are a significant upgrade, offering enhanced sound quality, improved ANC, and a premium design. While there are minor caveats, such as price and Dolby Atmos performance, the overall package is impressive, and I look forward to further enhancements in the future.
