Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 4 overview: Stellar sound, forward-looking options

Firms don’t must make enormous updates to their wi-fi earbuds throughout generations. Typically, making an amazing set extra dependable and including options that stretch their lifespan are upgrades sufficient. That’s what Sennheiser has finished for the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 ($300). The corporate’s fourth-generation earbuds retain the superb sound high quality I’ve come to count on from Sennheiser together with rebuilt Bluetooth tech, higher-resolution sound, assist for Bluetooth LE Audio and a instrument for battery longevity. However, not everybody will reap all the advantages I encountered throughout my Momentum True Wi-fi 4 overview.

Momentum True Wi-fi 4: Design

The Momentum True Wi-fi 4 is an identical in look to the Momentum True Wi-fi 3, with the one distinction being a brand new copper/black coloration choice alongside the prevailing silver/black and silver/white variations. Additionally, you’ll now get a fourth, extra-small, set of ear suggestions and the corporate nonetheless contains three sizes of stabilizer arcs that will help you get a really perfect match. Sennheiser’s Sensible Management app has a match take a look at too, so that you’ve acquired assist there. The corporate has additionally upgraded the mud and moisture safety right here with an IP54 score, so that they now stand up to advantageous particles along with water spray.

There are, nonetheless, some essential adjustments contained in the Momentum True Wi-fi 4. That features an replace to Qualcomm’s S5 Sound Gen 2 platform with Snapdragon Sound. A part of the Bluetooth overhaul I discussed is a redesigned antenna, which makes this fourth-gen set of wi-fi earbuds extra dependable. Customers had reported points with dropouts and the companion app failing to acknowledge the Momentum True Wi-fi 3, so Sennheiser is clearly addressing these points right here.

Software program and options

Like with current Sennheiser audio gear, the corporate’s Sound Management app is the place you entry all the settings and customization choices for the Momentum True Wi-fi 4. The principle interface provides you fast entry to battery percentages, Bluetooth connections, customized sound, ANC settings, transparency stage, reconfiguring contact controls, match take a look at and Sound Zones. That final characteristic means that you can automate adjustments to audio settings like ANC and transparency in your location. You’ll be able to set as much as 20 of those “zones” for locations like dwelling, work and the health club. After all, it’s a must to give the app permission to observe your whereabouts to make use of this.

Sennheiser has taken steps to future-proof these flagship earbuds – guaranteeing they final for the following few years, no less than. First, they assist Bluetooth 5.4, which is prepared for LE Audio and Auracast. These objects aren’t accessible on the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 simply but, however Sennheiser is planning an replace this spring that may ship options like broadcast audio, audio sharing and assisted listening.

In case you have a current premium Android telephone, the inclusion of Snapdragon Sound will come in useful for elevated audio high quality. The Qualcomm processor in these units can muster what Sennheiser calls “flawless” lossless audio when streaming from a appropriate music service. There are two settings right here: excessive decision at 24-bit/96kHz through aptX Adaptive and lossless at 16-bit/44.1kHz with aptX Lossless.

The ultimate quality-of-life replace considerations the battery. In an effort to preserve higher efficiency over time, Sennheiser added a battery safety mode that stops the buds from charging previous 80 %. That is essential since earbud batteries are virtually by no means replaceable and stopping them from overcharging will prolong its lifespan. It’s good to see the corporate making a product last more, which may also have environmental impacts.

Momentum True Wi-fi 4: Sound high quality

Sennheiser has a longstanding fame for excellent sound high quality and the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 continues that custom. I couldn’t detect an enormous distinction between the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 and its predecessor, although, regardless of the corporate saying this 12 months’s mannequin has “advanced tuning” that features issues like “smoother treble response, intensive bass and easy midrange.” And that’s simply advantageous as a result of the Momentum True Wi-fi 3 already sounded superb.

There’s nonetheless nice element and readability right here, mixed with a heat, inviting sound profile that’s gratifying for hours on finish. Despite the fact that the bass is boomy and punchy when a music like Incendiary’s “Lie of Liberty” calls for it, the low-end tone by no means overpowers. And you’ll simply hear the feel of the distorted guitars, clanging hits on the trip cymbal and different subtleties on that bombastic hardcore monitor. Shift over to one thing extra mellow like Charles Wesley Godwin’s Apple Music Classes and the extent of element envelopes you much more. These songs are additionally accessible in Dolby Atmos, so that they actually enable the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 to shine.

If the inventory tuning doesn’t swimsuit you, you possibly can modify a 5-band EQ and save any customized presets. The app additionally provides Sound Personalization, which tunes the audio to your listening desire through a fast take a look at. The Momentum True Wi-fi 4 sounded nice out of the field and I left the tuning untouched aside from a little bit of due diligence.

Android customers can make the most of the elevated audio high quality I discussed earlier. There’s a noticeable distinction within the sound, particularly within the finer particulars, however whether or not it’s “higher” is determined by your preferences. After all, that higher-resolution playback will affect battery life and also you’ll want a selected streaming plan (like Tidal’s Hello-Fi or Hello-Fi Plus choices) or domestically saved information to make use of what Snapdragon Sound provides within the first place.

iPhone house owners shouldn’t really feel omitted as Apple’s AAC streaming additionally sounds nice on the Momentum True Wi-fi 4. It’s aided by the truth that Apple Music’s audio high quality is superior to different providers, particularly if the tunes can be found in Dolby Atmos.

ANC efficiency

Like its predecessor, the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 has an adaptive ANC setup that robotically adjusts to adjustments in your atmosphere for a extra “immersive listening expertise.” Sennheiser didn’t level out any variations in its noise-canceling setup on this new mannequin and I didn’t discover any discernible enchancment or decline. The ANC works simply advantageous in most settings, however like most earbuds and headphones, it struggles with seems like human voices. I additionally discovered that it’s not as sturdy as the most effective buds from Bose and Sony with some sources of fixed noise, like white noise machines and noisy followers.

Name high quality

Sennheiser makes use of six microphones to deal with calls on the Momentum True Wi-fi 4. General high quality is nice, however not pristine, so long as you’re in a quiet spot. Fixed noise like a raucous fan comes throughout as a nondescript hum, nevertheless it’s nonetheless noticeable. Transparency mode helps a bit throughout calls, if solely to allow you to pay attention to your environment. It has a pure sound in comparison with different earbuds, however doesn’t pipe in your voice, so the top consequence isn’t pretty much as good as Apple’s AirPods Professional.

Momentum True Wi-fi 4: Battery life

The Momentum True Wi-fi 4’s battery is rated to final seven hours with ANC on, however you possibly can prolong that half-hour by disabling it. Throughout my checks, which consisted of largely ANC listening at round 70-percent quantity with a couple of calls utilizing transparency mode, I simply hit the seven-hour mark. Issue within the case, which helps wi-fi charging, and you’ll count on as much as 30 hours of playback on the go. There’s additionally a wi-fi quick-charge characteristic with the battery safety mode that offers you an hour of use in simply eight minutes.

The competitors

The chief of the pack remains to be Sony’s WF-1000XM5. Whereas the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 has the sting by way of sound high quality, Sony’s earbuds supply higher noise-canceling and a bunch of useful options. Instruments like Communicate-to-Chat computerized pausing and DSEE Excessive audio upscaling can’t be missed. Sony additionally offers the power to robotically change sound settings based mostly in your location like Sennheiser does, so that you don’t need to sacrifice that characteristic. The WF-1000XM5 debuted final July, which suggests you’ll find them on sale usually. They’re presently going for $278, $22 lower than the Momentum True Wi-fi 4.

Wrap-up

No new design? No downside. Sennheiser has made sufficient upgrades to the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 to make it a compelling entry in a rising line of stellar-sounding earbuds. Sound high quality is nice as at all times, and that’s the largest promoting level for me. Mix that with the higher-resolution audio on Android, forward-facing options and strong battery life, and this mannequin checks numerous containers for a flagship set of buds. Certain, ANC may very well be higher and a few people will yearn for spatial audio, however simply because the Momentum True Wi-fi 4 is great in some areas doesn’t imply it’s good.