Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Vs Sony WH 1000XM5 review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.
Overall score
What it is: An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score components:
80.0%
Technical Score
20.0%
User score
Technical Score
What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.
When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score components:
52.0%
Sound
20.0%
Features
10.0%
Design
8.0%
Connectivity
6.0%
Battery
4.0%
Calls & Controls
User score
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score components:
70.0%
User reviews
30.0%
Popularity
Score components:
35.0%
Audio latency
25.0%
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
Battery life
Score components:
28.0%
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
Battery life
18.0%
Weight
16.0%
Multipoint support
14.0%
Ambient sound mode
Score components:
28.0%
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
Multipoint support
16.0%
Battery life
14.0%
Companion app
Score components:
28.0%
Weight
24.0%
Water resistance
20.0%
IP rating
16.0%
Battery life
12.0%
Can be used as a headset
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.
#12 in Best Sony Headphones
#116 in Best Over Ear Headphones
#117 in Best USB-C Headphones
#123 in Best Wireless Headphones
#124 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
#124 in Best Headphones with Mic
What it is: An assessment of the headphones' technical performance, covering key areas such as sound quality, noise cancelling, microphone performance, battery life, comfort, connectivity, features, and build quality.
When it matters: When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score components:
52.0%
Sound
20.0%
Features
10.0%
Design
8.0%
Connectivity
6.0%
Battery
4.0%
Calls & Controls
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters: When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score components:
70.0%
User reviews
30.0%
Popularity
What it is: An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters: When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score components:
60.0%
Overall score
40.0%
Price
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The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless over-ear headphones deliver exceptional sound quality and class-leading active noise cancellation (ANC). Equipped with a new 30mm carbon fibre driver, they produce a rich, melodious, and highly natural audio profile that handles intricate classical pieces and high-tempo electronic tracks with equal musicality and heart-pumping punch. Their upgraded ANC performance significantly improves on previous models by successfully blocking out difficult high-frequency sounds, which is further elevated by highly responsive location-based automation in the Sony Connect app. Additionally, the headphones excel in daily usability, offering 30 to 40 hours of battery life, convenient fast-charging capabilities, and outstanding microphone call quality powered by an AI noise reduction structure. Despite earning a perfect 10/10 rating, the review highlights several design and functionality trade-offs. A streamlined, ground-up redesign eliminates the hinges found on the older XM4 model, meaning these headphones can no longer fold up compactly into a ball, making them more cumbersome to travel with. The synthetic leather memory foam ear cups tend to trap body heat, causing ears to feel sweaty and warm after a few hours of continuous...
The Absolute Sound describes the Sony WH-1000XM5 as offering a "warm and soft" sound profile with highly capable active noise cancellation, making them ideal for casual listening, commuting, and blocking out environmental distractions. These headphones are praised for their user-friendly, feature-rich design and a balanced frequency response that appeals to general consumers. However, for critical, audiophile-level listening, the review finds the bass lacks articulation and the midrange is somewhat veiled or hooded. Ultimately, while excelling as a "comfy" headphone for daily use, the XM5 is limited by its Bluetooth data rates and unrefined sonic tuning for high-resolution reference performance.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones represent a major design and performance leap over their predecessors, maintaining Sony’s position at the top of the premium active noise cancellation (ANC) market. Retailing at $400, these flagship cans feature a slimmed-down headband and highly cushiony synthetic leather ear cups that significantly enhance long-term wearing comfort and weight distribution. On the audio front, new 30mm carbon fiber drivers deliver an immersive soundstage with punchier, well-balanced bass and enhanced structural clarity across various music genres. Additionally, the active noise cancellation has been heavily upgraded with eight total microphones and dual processors (the QN1 and V1 chips), making the headphones noticeably better at silencing high-frequency background noise like human chatter and television sounds. Pros and Cons At a Glance Pros:Exceptionally comfortable, lightweight-feeling redesign with soft synthetic leather ear cups. Superb, immersive sound quality with punchy bass and sharp clarity. Industry-leading ANC that effectively blocks out nearby voices and speech. Outstanding call quality powered by four beamforming microphones and AI noise reduction. Improved quick-charging capability that provides three hours of playback from just a three-minute charge. Cons:Higher retail...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless noise-cancelling headphones represent a major design shift for the series, featuring a slimmer, "noiseless" chassis that folds flat but no longer collapses into a compact ball. Built with eco-friendly recycled ABS plastic and a synthetic leather-covered memory foam headband, they offer a comfortable and securely clamped fit, though they look and feel slightly less premium than their WH-1000XM4 predecessors. Under the hood, Sony replaced the older 40mm drivers with lightweight, rigid 30mm carbon fibre composite domes. The headphones retain a robust 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled (increasing to 40 hours without it) and support high-quality LDAC streaming, alongside carrying over popular features like 'Speak to Chat', 'Quick Attention', and dual-device Bluetooth multipoint pairing.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are a complete redesign from their predecessors, trading retro styling for a simpler, highly functional, and extremely comfortable aesthetic. Priced at £299 ($349.99), they undercut key competitors like Sony, Bose, and Apple while delivering exceptional performance. The review highlights several major pros, including a class-leading 60-hour battery life with active noise-cancelling (ANC) turned on, fantastic audio quality with powerful bass and sparkling highs, and superb long-session comfort due to a plush fabric headband and soft ear cushions. Additionally, they offer robust connectivity features like Bluetooth 5.2, multipoint pairing, aptX Adaptive support, and the ability to play audio over USB-C while charging. Despite their excellent performance, the review notes a few minor cons regarding the design and portability. The new aesthetic, while functional, is described as understated and lacks the visual flair of previous generations. Portability is also slightly compromised, as the headphones only fold flat rather than collapsing fully into a compact size, making them bulkier to pack away in their hard case for travel. Finally, the review notes that while they are priced...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones deliver balanced, natural sound with extensive, highly detailed audio and class-leading battery life, earning praise for their customizable app features like Sound Zones. Key strengths include a comfortable design and competent voice call clarity, making them a top-tier option for audio fidelity. However, the review notes that the Sony WH-1000XM5 offers better active noise cancellation and overall performance at a similar price point. While the ANC is very good, it falls slightly short of the industry leader, and the call quality, though solid, is not as refined as the Sony rival.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless leads in battery life, lasting over 56 hours with ANC enabled, while offering a lower price, aptX Adaptive support, and a fabric-textured design. Its drawbacks include a heavier 292-gram weight and slightly less effective ANC compared to Sony. Conversely, the Sony WH-1000XM5 wins in active noise cancellation, specifically in reducing low-frequency sounds, and offers a lighter, more comfortable design with superior fast-charging. However, the XM5 has a lower battery life of just under 32 hours and a higher price point. For the full comparison, visit SoundGuys.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both top-tier, five-star premium noise-cancelling headphones that excel in different areas. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 stands out primarily for its superior value and massive battery life, debuting at a more competitive price of £300 / $350 / AU$550. Its biggest selling point is a staggering 60 hours of playback with active noise cancellation (ANC) and Bluetooth enabled, alongside a faster quick-charge capability that yields six hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. It also features highly responsive touch controls, high-quality aptX Adaptive codec support, and a customizable "Sound Zones" app feature. However, its downsides include a design that feels a bit too "safe" and stripped of the unique aesthetic character found in older Momentum models, as well as a sound profile and noise-cancelling capabilities that, while excellent, fall slightly short of Sony's benchmark. The Sony WH-1000XM5 wins on pure performance, justifying its higher price tag of £380 / $399 / AU$550 with class-leading audio and isolation. Its main advantages include superior midrange clarity, a richer bass profile, and better rhythmic talent,...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones feature a complete "noiseless" design overhaul that reduces wind noise using a slimmer shape and plastic ABS sliders, though this structural change removes the folding hinges found in previous models and reduces their overall portability. For comfort, the headphones utilize memory foam wrapped in synthetic leather across the earpads and headband, alongside a smaller 30mm carbon fiber composite driver that replaces the older 40mm driver. On the left ear cup, users will find a 3.5mm jack, power button, and ambient sound control, while the right ear cup houses a USB-C charging port and handles all swipe-based playback gestures. Performance testing highlights outstanding active noise cancellation (ANC) powered by a dual-processor system and multiple microphones, which effectively dampens low frequencies but can occasionally let high-pitched background voices leak through. Key pros include an impressive battery life of up to 30 hours with ANC enabled (extending to 40 hours with ANC turned off), clear and lively audio quality tailored for creative multi-taskers, and enhanced call clarity driven by four integrated microphones and AI-powered wind reduction. Conversely, the main...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 are closely matched Bluetooth 5.2 headphones featuring intuitive touch controls, though the Sony XM5 stands out for its lightweight, comfortable design suited for various head sizes, despite lacking specific pressure relief for glasses. Conversely, the Momentum 4 provides superior comfort for glasses wearers due to a specialized headband pressure relief notch, while the Sony offers a more universal ear cup fit. Both units support multipoint Bluetooth and app-based EQ, with the Momentum 4 using a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable and the XM5 relying on a standard 3.5mm connection. For the full comparison, visit The Greatest Song.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 excels in sound delivery and battery capacity, boasting a massive 60-hour battery life that doubles its competitor's performance. Its sonic profile delivers a highly detailed soundstage with excellent height and width, textured and deep bass, crisp midranges that emphasize vocals, and a highly revealing treble response. Additionally, it features a more robust build quality and touch controls that feel highly reactive. However, its companion app offers fewer customization options than Sony's, and its active noise cancellation (ANC)—while incredibly effective and among the best on the market—still falls just short of Sony's industry-leading standard. The Sony WH-1000XM5 stands out for its lightweight design and superior adaptive active noise cancellation, maintaining its position as the market benchmark for isolating ambient noise. Its companion app provides excellent functionality, including a highly effective EQ and 360 Reality Audio to boost spatial performance. On the downside, the XM5 utilizes a thinner plastic construction that feels marginally less durable than the Momentum 4. Its sound profile is more constrained, with a natural soundstage that lacks the depth and width of Sennheiser, a...
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless The Sony WH-1000XM5 is crowned as the superior overall choice due to its class-leading active noise cancelation (ANC), a highly stable and feature-rich companion app, and an open, musical soundstage supported by the high-bitrate LDAC codec. Its "noiseless design" minimizes wind interference, which—alongside Precise Voice Pickup technology utilizing four microphones per earcup—delivers exceptional call quality. On the downside, both the Sony and Sennheiser models feature a slightly plasticky build quality that feels less premium than expected for their near-$400 price tags. Additionally, neither pair folds up into a compact form, meaning they only lay flat and occupy significant space inside your bag. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless stands out with a staggering, market-leading 60-hour battery life that runs with both Bluetooth and ANC activated—doubling the Sony’s 30-hour playback time. It offers a well-balanced, neutral sound profile with impressive bass reproduction, boosted by high-quality aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs. However, the Momentum 4 falls short due to a sluggish, unresponsive companion app prone to connection drop-outs and limited to a basic equalizer. Furthermore, its...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless headphones offer superior Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) capabilities and support the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio, though they fall behind with a 27-hour battery life. Conversely, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless excel in comfort, build quality, and battery life, boasting over 62 hours of continuous playback, but they feature weaker ANC performance compared to the Sony. For the full, detailed comparison, visit RTINGS.com.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are a major design departure from their predecessor, trading the iconic metal-and-leather aesthetic for a more minimalist, plastic-and-metal look that resembles its modern competitors. Despite the divisive visual shift, they deliver stellar comfort at 293 grams with soft memory foam ear pads, alongside highly intuitive, gesture-based touch controls on the right ear cup. The audio quality is a standout feature, utilizing dynamic 40mm drivers to offer a beautifully balanced, neutral sound with tight punchy bass, detailed mids, and smooth highs across all genres. Additionally, they include smart integrations like automatic audio pausing when removed and a built-in Tile tracker to locate misplaced headphones. A major pro of these headphones is the phenomenal, best-in-class 60-hour battery life (40 hours with active noise cancellation enabled) and an impressive fast-charging capability that grants 10 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge. The customisable ANC system effectively shuts out daily ambient noise, though the review notes its raw sound-dampening performance falls slightly short of top-tier rivals like Bose on noisy subway commutes. Other cons include the uniform, less...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones, reviewed by JK on AudioReviews.org, are praised for their superb midrange, natural timbre, and superior sound quality over wireless Bluetooth, particularly with aptX Adaptive support. Key advantages include extensive app-based sound customization, a massive 60-hour battery life, responsive touch controls, and user-replaceable earpads. Conversely, the review notes a shift to a more plasticky, generic design compared to previous models, lacking the former premium feel. Additionally, the headphones can feel heavy and warm during long listening sessions, and the lack of physical buttons may not suit all users. audioreviews.org
The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are praised by RTINGS for their exceptional active noise cancellation (ANC), warm, customizable sound profile, and a clear microphone system ideal for travel and office work. They offer approximately 27 hours of battery life with ANC enabled and support multi-device pairing for improved convenience. RTINGS.comConversely, the review highlights significant design changes, noting the headphones do not fold, resulting in a larger carrying case compared to predecessors. Other drawbacks include the inability to manually lock the adaptive ANC to maximum strength, a headband that can create pressure on smaller heads, and a lack of IP rating for sweat resistance.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 represents a highly refined fifth-generation pair of flagship over-ear noise-cancelling headphones that still dominates the premium audio market. Equipped with downsized 30mm drivers and a powerful dual-chip system—combining the Integrated Processor V1 with the QN1 processor—they deliver phenomenal audio clarity, a vibrant upper end, and a non-muddy bass response alongside industry-leading active noise cancellation (ANC). The headphones offer excellent call quality through eight microphones with voice isolation, a solid 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled (extending to 40 hours without it), and high-resolution streaming via the LDAC codec. They are heavily packed with functional smart tools, including multipoint pairing for two devices, built-in Google Assistant and Alexa, a responsive Speak-to-Chat mode, and Android Fast Pair. Despite their stellar overall performance, the XM5 design introduces a few noticeable drawbacks compared to their predecessors. A major con is the redesigned headband and body structure that no longer folds up, making them less portable and requiring a tall, bulky carrying case that occupies substantial backpack space. The premium $399 launch price remains quite high for many buyers, and the plastic...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones earn a perfect 5/5 score for delivering an unrivalled combination of precise sound quality, best-in-class active noise cancellation (ANC), and superb comfort. Sony completely redesigned the headphones with smoother curves, replacing the traditional 40mm driver with a lighter 30mm carbon fibre-composite driver that provides striking audio clarity. The active noise-cancelling performs flawlessly on commuter trains and long-haul flights, working alongside a clever "Adaptive Sound Control" app feature that auto-detects and adjusts to your environment. Additional premium features include a reliable 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled, flawless auto play/pause detection, and multi-device pairing to seamlessly switch between a laptop and a mobile phone. Despite its top-tier status, the review highlights a few notable drawbacks. On the design front, the plastic sliding sections give the headphones an ever-so-slightly less premium feel compared to rivals, and unlike previous generations, the earcups do not fold, forcing the headphones to sit completely flat in their large, wedge-shaped carrying case. On the left earcup, the power and ANC buttons are placed too close together, making them difficult to distinguish while...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones deliver a rich, musical performance with strong active noise cancellation (ANC), superb call quality, and a 30-hour battery life. Despite a lower price point making them high-value, the review highlights cons such as a non-folding design and slightly less competitive ANC compared to newer rivals like Bose.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphonesGo to product viewer dialog for this item., as reviewed by T3, maintain market leadership with splendid sound quality, class-leading active noise-cancelling performance, and improved ergonomics. These comfortable, lightweight, and stylish headphones are described as exceptional all-rounders that solidify their status as a premium, top-tier audio product. However, the review highlights drawbacks regarding the new design, which cannot be folded as compactly as previous models, reducing overall portability. Additionally, the included carrying case is notably larger, which may impact convenience for frequent travelers. YouTube·Marques Brownlee
The HIFI. DE review highlights the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless as a top-tier pair of active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones, earning a stellar overall rating of 9.3 out of 10. Pros include an exceptionally precise, balanced, and musical audio profile that infuses a warm bass response without losing signature detail. They deliver an industry-leading 60 hours of battery life with ANC on—outlasting major competitors—along with improved, effective noise cancellation, convenient custom touch panel controls, and long-lasting comfort. heise onlineCons noted in the review, which are relatively minor, include a less premium, more generic design compared to its predecessor, with a move away from the distinct metal headband to a plastic construction. Additionally, while the sound is highly customizable via the Sennheiser Smart Control app, the app interface itself is described as somewhat simplistic compared to other brands.
Premium Performance & Sound Dynamics The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless delivers an exceptional audio experience characterized by a lively, fun tuning featuring powerful, well-controlled sub-bass and crisp, energetic high frequencies. The active noise cancelling (ANC) functions at an elite level, matching top competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM4 by effectively isolating low-frequency sounds such as airplane drone or office air filters. Additionally, it features an extraordinary battery life that clocked in at over 53 hours with ANC active during testing, supplemented by an efficient quick-charging capability that yields 10 hours of playback from a brief 15-minute charge. Everyday usability is further elevated by highly reliable smart features, including a responsive touch-control interface on the right ear cup, wear-detection for auto-pausing music, and seamless Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint connectivity for pairing two devices simultaneously. Design and Functional Trade-offs Despite its outstanding performance metrics, the headphone introduces several design and functional compromises. Visually, it shifts away from the distinct, premium aesthetics of its predecessors toward a generic, matte-hard-plastic look that prone to fingerprints. From a portability standpoint, the ear cups only rotate flat rather...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review highlights a complete design overhaul that drops the retro metal and leather look for a modern plastic build with a fabric headband. A major strength of these headphones is the outstanding battery life, which reaches up to 60 hours with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) turned on. In terms of audio performance, the headphones deliver a clear, balanced, and unexaggerated sound with precise bass that outperforms the rival Sony WH-1000XM5. Other positive features include an updated touch control panel, reliable infrared ear detection, and the unique ability to stream audio over USB-C while charging. However, the headphones fall short when compared to Sony and Apple in key smart and situational features. A notable downside is the ANC performance; it effectively blocks low-frequency sounds but lets high-pitched ambient noise leak through as a bright hiss. The transparency mode is also a weak point, sounding too quiet to understand external voices clearly without pausing the music. Additionally, the implementation of a 2.5 mm audio jack instead of the standard 3.5 mm jack restricts the use of generic...
This review evaluates the best wireless and wired over-ear headphones based on sound quality, comfort, active noise cancellation (ANC), and battery performance. The overall testsieger (winner) for wireless headphones is the Sennheiser HDB 630, which offers excellent sound quality, highly effective ANC, an included USB dongle, and an impressive battery life of over 51 hours. However, it is noted for having slightly quiet mids and earcups that might feel small for larger ears. Other top-tier wireless contenders include the Sonos Ace—praised for its precise bass and good head tracking, but docked for sweaty ear pads—and the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2, which features excellent comfort but a mediocre 28-hour battery life and occasionally overbearing bass. For budget-conscious buyers, the JBL Tune 720BT is highlighted as the top price-tip, delivering a warm sound and over 60 hours of battery life for around €53, though it lacks a carrying case and suffers from sharp highs. For wired alternatives, the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X claims the top spot, delivering exceptionally clear, detailed studio sound, deep punchy bass, and high breathability via soft...
The COMPUTER BILD review awards the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless an overall test score of 1.5 ("good"), praising it as a stellar over-ear headphone capable of outclassing top flagships from Sony and Bose. A major standout feature is its unrivaled battery life, which clocked in at an exceptional 52 hours and 49 minutes during testing, easily beating competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5. The audio performance is highly commended for its discreet, clean, and well-balanced sound signature that brings out highly detailed acoustic textures and authentic vocals. While the tuning is balanced overall, the review notes a powerful "punch" with deep, fresh bass when playing genres like hip-hop or house music. On the downside, the review highlights that the adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC)—while effective at blocking standard environmental noise—is not quite as efficient as the class-leading isolation found on the Apple AirPods Pro or Bose QuietComfort 45. However, the companion "Smart Control" app offsets this slightly by letting users program custom "Sound Zones" that automatically toggle preferred ANC modes via smartphone GPS coordinates. Regarding ergonomics, the headphones weigh a comfortable...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 features a redesigned, lightweight, and elegant chassis made from recycled materials, featuring non-folding, rotating earcups and a slimmer headband. In terms of pros, the headphones provide an exceptionally balanced and powerful sound profile powered by 30mm carbon-fiber drivers, maintaining audio quality even when active noise cancellation (ANC) is turned on. Its industry-leading ANC excels at eliminating low-frequency hums and ambient office noises without creating an uncomfortable pressure effect. Additionally, it features a massive improvement in call quality due to AI-driven beamforming microphones, a robust battery life of up to 40 hours (30 hours with ANC), rapid 3-minute charging for 3 hours of playback, and convenient automated tools like Speak-to-Chat. On the downside, the mechanical design changes mean the headphones no longer fold down compactly, making the carrying case slightly bulkier than previous generations. Critics and users note significant comfort issues, highlighting that the narrow, rounded headband creates a pinpoint pressure spot on top of the head rather than distributing weight flatly. The new synthetic leather ear cushions also trap more heat, causing increased sweating compared to the...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 remains a highly competitive noise-canceling headphone option despite being succeeded by the WH-1000XM6. It delivers an exceptionally wide soundstage and excellent battery life, offering up to 30 hours of playtime with active noise canceling (ANC) enabled and 40 hours with it turned off. Additionally, its ultra-fast quick-charging feature yields three hours of audio playback from a mere three-minute charge. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 and supporting high-resolution audio via the LDAC codec, it provides seamless multi-device connectivity, though utilizing this multipoint feature restricts users to standard codecs like AAC. The headphones feature an upgraded design with plush synthetic leather padding and responsive touch gestures, alongside smart features like Spotify Tap and automated Speak-to-Chat functionality. Pros and Cons The standout strength of the WH-1000XM5 is its industry-leading noise-canceling performance, which effectively eliminates a broad spectrum of high- and low-frequency ambient noises without causing an uncomfortable pressure feeling. The highly customizable Sony Headphone App allows users to comprehensively personalize the audio experience via an extensive equalizer. However, a notable downside is that the headphones are not foldable, resulting in a...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 review by Gregor Gruber highlights major advancements in audio quality and noise cancellation, making it a worthy successor to the WH-1000XM4 despite a controversial design overhaul. On the positive side, the headphones deliver a "goosebumps-inducing" audio experience from standard streams, offering exceptional nuance, clear instrument separation, and a wider sound profile with pointier highs and a tighter, more precise bass than the previous model. Its Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) has improved significantly, drastically reducing background hiss in silent environments and effortlessly blocking out train or ambient city noise once music plays. Comfort is another major plus; the synthetic leather padding and reduced lateral pressure make it comfortable for extended wear, even with glasses. Additionally, voice calls are vastly upgraded thanks to a dedicated 8-microphone array (4 for calls, 4 for ANC), and the companion app offers great depth with a 12-profile equalizer, DSEE Extreme compression recovery, and useful gesture controls like "Speak-to-Chat". However, the reviewer points out several specific drawbacks, primarily stemming from the new physical layout. The most significant con is that the WH-1000XM5 can no...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones offer industry-leading active noise cancellation (ANC) that significantly outperforms their predecessor, especially at damping mid-range background sounds like office chatter and plane engines while leaving virtually no audible background hiss. Users benefit from a lightweight plastic design, 30 hours and 50 minutes of battery life with ANC activated, and a highly responsive touch-control surface. The sound signature delivers a warm, relaxing, and harmonious experience with natural vocals, supported by useful multi-point Bluetooth connections and improved microphone quality for voice calls.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a closed-back dynamic headphone that offers exceptional utility, highlighted by an outstanding 60-hour battery life and a quick-charge feature providing four hours of playback from a five-minute charge. Weighing nearly 300 grams, it provides high wearing comfort, dependable build quality, and effective Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) that can be adjusted to let important ambient announcements through. It communicates via Bluetooth 5.2 and features automated playback control that pauses music instantly when the headphones are removed. Additionally, the dedicated companion app allows users to access ongoing updates and fine-tune the sound profile to their liking. Pros & Cons Pros: Excellent wearing comfort, massive 60-hour battery life, and a powerful, clean sound profile. Cons: Vocals can sound slightly unnatural or nasal in the default setting, and the construction relies heavily on plastic. Acoustically, the headphones deliver a full-bodied, powerful, and bass-heavy performance that successfully avoids boomy low-ends or piercing highs. During testing with rock, jazz, and classical tracks, the 42mm drivers showcased clean, low-distortion bass and crisp transient responses. While vocals lean toward a slightly nasal...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless offers a clear, highly detailed, and neutral soundstage ideal for audiophiles, alongside an industry-leading 60-hour battery life with ANC activated. Key advantages include its exceptional comfort during long listening sessions, helpful app-based "Sound Zones" for automated location-specific EQ profiles, and high-resolution aptX Adaptive codec support. However, it falls short due to a fairly plain, uninspired design and a bulky build that cannot fold down into a compact, pocket-friendly size for travel. The Sony WH-1000XM5 counters with market-leading Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that excels at silencing low-frequency ambient sounds like bus engines or office air conditioners. Its strengths lie in a spacious, well-balanced soundstage, a lightweight 249g chassis, and support for the high-bandwidth LDAC codec and DSEE Extreme AI upscaling. On the downside, its 30-hour battery life is exactly half that of the Sennheisers, it completely lacks aptX support, and it has a higher price tag despite offering few major upgrades over its cheaper predecessor, the XM4.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a closed-back, over-ear Bluetooth headphone that delivers class-leading audio performance and features a major design overhaul. In terms of performance, it stands out with a stellar 60-hour battery life (even with ANC active), an incredibly comfortable fit highlighted by ultra-soft ear cushions, and a highly capable Smart Connect companion app. Its hybrid adaptive ANC has taken a massive step forward, effectively muting background noise to successfully match top-tier rivals from Sony and Bose. The sound profile is exceptionally well-tuned, boasting improved bass texture, punchy and detailed mids, and crisp, transparent highs without any audible degradation when ANC is enabled. Pros & Cons Pros:Superb sound quality with precise instrument separation. Exceptional 60-hour battery life with fast-charging capabilities. Top-tier comfort from pillow-like, super-soft ear pads. Highly effective adaptive ANC and a feature-rich, intuitive app. Premium build quality featuring a high-quality protective hardcase. Cons:Generic design shift that abandons the iconic, characteristic leather and stainless-steel look of the Momentum 3 in favour of a generic plastic aesthetic resembling its competitors. Unwanted touch controls replace physical buttons, aligning with...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is a closed-back, over-ear Bluetooth 5.2 headphone that marks a major design shift from its predecessors, trading the classic retro leather and metal look for a more mainstream, plastic-dominated aesthetic featuring touch-sensitive ear cups. In terms of performance, the review highlights its exceptional, expansive sound signature, which delivers great spatial depth, distinct vocal clarity, and a powerful bass response that reaches deep into the sub-bass without muddying the mid-frequencies. Its active noise cancelling (ANC) is highly effective and adaptive, significantly improving upon previous generations to create a massive "room of silence," while the beamforming microphones ensure excellent voice quality during phone calls. Comfort is another major highlight, thanks to a stepless adjustable headband and thick, glasses-friendly faux leather ear pads. The headphone's biggest standout feature is its class-leading battery life, delivering an extraordinary 60 hours of playback time alongside a fast-charging capability that yields six hours of music from a 10-minute charge. It supports high-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX and aptX Adaptive, and later firmware updates added 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio support and an interactive sound...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless marks a significant design shift, trading the distinct retro aesthetic of its predecessor for a lighter (294g) and more minimalist look heavily resembling the Sony WH-1000XM5. Priced at launch at €350 (a €50 reduction from the Momentum 3), it excels with an extraordinary real-world battery life of approximately 57 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on. Users benefit from a highly capable hands-free microphone kit that ensures excellent voice clarity across chaotic indoor and outdoor settings, multiple connectivity pathways (including Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive, mini-jack, and USB), and an incredibly comfortable fit suitable for extended listening sessions. Acoustically, it delivers a natural, immersive, and remarkably well-defined soundstage with pristine, smooth treble and rich extensions. However, the headset falls short of absolute perfection due to a lack of precision in the lower frequencies, which can introduce a loose, slightly muddy bass response during demanding tracks. The active noise cancellation, while relatively effective at managing mid-range frequencies like voices and keyboard clicks, falls a step behind class leaders and struggles with deeper, low-frequency hums. Physical...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 stands out for its exceptional Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which automatically optimises to match your surroundings and rivals top-tier competitors like Bose. It delivers outstanding sound quality featuring powerful bass, Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and an impressive battery life of 30 hours with ANC enabled or 40 hours without it. However, its battery life is lower than the previous generation when ANC is active, the headband can feel slightly tight on the skull, and the earcups no longer fold for compact travel. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless counters with an extraordinary 60-hour battery life and an excellent, versatile audio performance that adapts well to any musical genre from classical to hard rock. It features effective adaptive ANC, Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint pairing, and includes a rich accessory bundle like an airplane adapter. On the downside, the Momentum 4 also abandons a foldable design, sports a look that relies a bit too heavily on plastic materials, and suffers from infrequent voice prompts that are restricted exclusively to English.
The Selectronic review pits the Sennheiser Momentum 4 against the Sony WH-1000XM5 in a detailed comparison of premium over-ear ANC headphones. Priced lower at €349, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 stands out for its balanced, natural audio quality, expansive spatialization, and class-leading 60-hour battery life. Its key strengths include robust connectivity options (such as multipoint, 2.5mm mini-jack, and USB audio input) and highly responsive touch gestures. However, the review notes its drawbacks: a somewhat unoriginal visual design, an inability to fold up completely, a heavy low-end sound signature, and mediocre active noise cancellation performance specifically during voice calls. In contrast, the Sony WH-1000XM5 retails at a higher €419 price point and prioritizes active noise cancellation and smart features. Its primary strengths are an exceptional, industry-leading active noise cancellation system powered by dual QN1 and V1 processors, excellent call quality, and a highly dynamic, warm sound reproduction that elevates bass-heavy genres. It is also praised for being noticeably lightweight (250g) and comfortable. On the downside, the Sony model suffers from an un-foldable structure, lacks an IPX4 water-resistance rating compared to previous generations,...
The Frandroid review gives the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless an overall score of 8/10, highlighting it as a significant leap forward in functionality, though it lacks the unique charm of its predecessors. On the positive side, the headphones deliver a remarkable battery life of up to 54 hours in real-world testing (with ANC at maximum and volume at 80%), and they feature a highly effective active noise cancellation (ANC) system that greatly filters out traffic, metro rumbles, and human voices. Additionally, the review praises the inclusion of Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and the highly convenient USB-C audio mode, which allows listeners to enjoy uncompressed music through the integrated DAC while simultaneously charging the device. However, the review outlines several prominent drawbacks, particularly regarding design and default audio signature. The aesthetic has transitioned into a generic, plastic style similar to mainstream competitors, sacrificing the distinctive vintage metal-and-leather look of older generations. Furthermore, the headphones cannot be folded, making them less compact to carry around. In terms of sound, the default tuning relies on a heavy V-shaped curve that overemphasizes the bass and...
The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds win this head-to-head comparison against the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 due to superior active noise cancellation (ANC), audio quality, and battery life. The Sony earbuds offer a rich, balanced soundstage with deep bass and excellent ANC that blocks out up to 35 dB of noise. They also boast an outstanding battery life of 9 hours with ANC turned on, reaching up to 13 hours without it. Additional pros include comfortable polyurethane foam ear tips and clear call quality in quiet environments. On the downside, the glossy outer finish easily collects fingerprints, and the touch controls can be awkward, requiring four quick taps just to adjust the volume. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds put up a strong fight with a highly elegant design, custom touch controls, and a newer Bluetooth 5.4 connection. They also offer an energetic sound profile and a charging case that provides three full extra charges. However, they fall short of Sony in several key areas, presenting major cons. Their ANC is less effective, filtering out only 15 to 25 dB...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones remain a top-tier daily companion after a full year of intensive use, delivering an impressive blend of design, comfort, and advanced features. Weighing approximately 250 grams, the headphones feature ultra-soft synthetic leather ear cushions that retain their shape and plushness perfectly over time. Key performance highlights include the Adaptive Sound Control which automatically tunes noise cancellation to your environment, an efficient Transparency mode, and 360 Reality Audio for deep acoustic immersion. Additionally, its Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint connectivity allows seamless switching between two devices simultaneously, while the premium LDAC codec ensures high-definition audio playback. Battery life is stellar, holding up to 30 hours with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled and expanding to 40 hours with ANC turned off. Despite these strengths, the review notes a few minor drawbacks regarding day-to-day usability. The beautiful matte finish looks excellent but is highly prone to catching fingerprints, smudges, and minor surface scratches. Furthermore, while the headphone's mic clarity is excellent on the user's end, phone call recipients might occasionally perceive the user's voice as slightly muffled or muffled in specific...
Review Summary: Sony WH-1000XM5 The Sony WH-1000XM5 represents a radical design evolution over its predecessors, abandoning the folding mechanism for a slimmer, non-collapsible headband and 140-degree rotating ear cups. Inside, Sony downsized from 40mm to 30mm carbon-fiber composite drivers, maintaining its signature punchy, bass-heavy sound while improving high-frequency responsiveness. The active noise cancellation (ANC) is outstanding, heavily upgraded with eight microphones and dual processors to filter out mid-to-high frequencies like human voices far better than the XM4 or Bose Headphones 700. Additionally, the headset introduces exceptional voice-capture quality during calls, features an intuitive touch panel on the right ear cup, supports Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint, and hits its 30-hour battery life target with ANC enabled. Despite these upgrades, the redesign introduces several usability trade-offs. The inability to fold the headphones makes them much more cumbersome to pack in a bag, and the included "foldable" carrying case is mostly collapsible in name only. Comfort also takes a slight hit; the narrower headband concentrates weight on top of the head, causing physical discomfort after three to four hours of continuous wear compared to...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless over-ear headphones deliver excellent sound reproduction and class-leading active noise cancellation (ANC), though they make a few controversial design choices compared to their predecessor, the XM4. On the positive side, the headphones provide a rich, punchy, and highly dynamic soundstage with superb definition and natural width. Its active noise cancellation is top-tier at its maximum setting, effectively creating a "bubble of silence" that handles high-frequency ambient sounds and human speech exceptionally well. Users can also expect a highly comfortable fit during long listening sessions, a refined transparency mode, and a solid battery life of 24 to 30 hours that benefits from incredibly fast USB-C charging (delivering 3 hours of playback from a mere 3-minute charge). However, the reviewer notes that the redesign brings several notable drawbacks. Acoustically, the transition to smaller 30mm drivers (down from 40mm) results in slightly less detailed midrange reproduction and an overall loss of the flawless precision found in the older XM4 model. Structurally, the new streamlined look means the headphones can no longer fold down into the headband, forcing a larger,...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 represents a major redesign in Sony’s premium noise-canceling lineup, shifting away from the foldable structure of its predecessor, the XM4, in favor of a sleek, minimalist, and lightweight 250-gram chassis. Equipped with a new 30mm driver and 8 integrated microphones managed by the proprietary V1 processor, these headphones deliver outstanding audio quality with heightened clarity, exceptional precision in low frequencies, and unmatched active noise cancellation (ANC). A standout feature is the automatic adaptive noise cancellation, which seamlessly adjusts the isolation level depending on the user's movement and environment without needing manual input via the app. Additionally, they maintain a strong 30-hour battery life with ANC activated, which extends up to 40 hours when the feature is turned off. On the positive side (pros), the headphones offer market-leading active noise cancellation that effectively eliminates complex external sounds like wind, highly responsive wear-detection sensors that instantly pause and resume music, and superior long-wear comfort due to memory foam and sweat-resistant synthetic leather. However, the review highlights a few drawbacks (cons). Because the headphones can no longer fold down into...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless represents a significant modern evolution for the brand, shifting from its traditional retro styling to a sleek, lightweight, and functionally superior design. In terms of performance, the headphones deliver a vast, tridimensional soundstage that far surpasses previous generations, alongside improved overall resolution and clarity in the midrange. Usability is highly praised, featuring seamless multi-source connectivity, intuitive touch controls, exceptional microphone quality for phone calls, and an exemplary transparency mode that mimics the feel of open-back headphones. Additionally, the premium presentation includes a refined, flatter carrying case with well-organized accessories. However, the reviewer notes a few drawbacks, particularly regarding the out-of-the-box sound configuration. By default, the software applies an aggressive V-shaped equalization curve and an active bass boost that overwhelms the natural sound, requiring users to install the mobile app to deactivate these features for a flatter, more balanced audio profile. While the sound signature adopts a warmer, Harman-style U-shape that handles modern music genres well, purists may miss the iconic, intimate midrange purity found in previous Momentum models or the HD650. Finally, the treble, though...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless over-ear headphones deliver top-tier audio quality, comfort, and active noise cancellation (ANC). Featuring a complete physical redesign, they swap the folding mechanism of previous generations for a more elegant, lightweight headband (250 grams) and pressure-relieving synthetic leather ear pads that make them highly comfortable for hours of extended use. Battery life has improved to roughly 30 hours with ANC active, supported by quick charging that yields 3 hours of playback from just 3 minutes of charge. Despite dropping to smaller 30mm drivers, the integration of rigid carbon-fiber domes alongside dual V1 and QN1 processors markedly improves frequency precision, high-resolution LDAC playback, and ambient sound isolation. Smart functionalities like multi-point Bluetooth pairing, "Speak to chat," instant Spotify access, and AI-powered Voice Pickup technology ensure exceptional call clarity and daily usability. However, the headphones come with clear trade-offs, primarily their elevated launch price of 450 euros, making them a hefty investment compared to the older XM3 and XM4 models which still offer immense value. Their updated structural design also eliminates the ability to fold into a compact shape,...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless over-ear headphones deliver industry-leading active noise cancellation (ANC) and exceptional audio quality across all frequencies. Weighing just 250 grams, they feature a lightweight polycarbonate build with soft synthetic leather ear pads for long-term comfort. The updated touch controls on the right ear cup offer precise playback adjustment and feature a quick-attention mode that lowers music volume when covered by your hand. Internally, they run on Bluetooth 5.2, support AAC, SBC, and Hi-Res LDAC codecs, utilize a 30mm driver, and integrate dual processors (V1 and HD QN1) alongside eight microphones to automatically optimize ANC. The headphones also offer smart features like dual-device multi-point connectivity, Google Fast Pair, Swift Pair, and integration with Alexa and Google Assistant via the Sony Headphones app. The standout pros highlighted in the review include their extraordinary sound performance, a lightweight and highly comfortable design, and exceptional battery life that reaches up to 30 hours with ANC enabled and 40 hours with it turned off. Additionally, a rapid quick-charging feature yields 3 hours of playback from a mere 3-minute charge. On the downside,...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones feature a major design change that makes them lighter and more comfortable than older models. They weigh only 250 grams because Sony uses recycled plastic from car parts. The headphones offer spectacular active noise cancellation, which easily blocks out street sounds and loud engines. They also have four high-quality microphones that make phone calls incredibly clear by cutting out background wind and noise. Music sounds fantastic with deep bass and great detail. Additionally, the battery lasts for an impressive 30 hours with noise cancellation turned on. However, the headphones have a few drawbacks, including a high official price tag of 450 euros. A big negative change is that the new design does not allow the headphones to fold up completely. This means they take up more space in your backpack or bag. Furthermore, they do not have any IPX water resistance certification. The plastic material can also look and feel less premium to some users.
The Digitec review of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4Go highlights excellent, detailed audio quality with a well-balanced sound profile that brings vocals forward. Key pros include high-end hardware, solid battery life, and comprehensive customization options for sound personalization, although the adaptive noise cancellation is considered less effective. galaxus.atConversely, the review notes cons regarding the ANC performance, which is deemed less useful, and reported micro-vibrations or thumping noises during movement, which may be remedied by changing ear tips. Additionally, the fabric-covered charging case is described as prone to wear and fraying over time. galaxus.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones are highly praised for offering an exceptional balance of audio quality, extreme battery life, and competitive pricing, making them a top choice for over-ear noise-canceling headphones. Boasting a clean, minimal, and lightweight plastic design with flat, wide ear cups, they provide great passive noise isolation and long-term comfort. Sonically, the headphones deliver a well-balanced, tightly controlled audio profile featuring excellent bass extension, clear highs, and a beautifully spacious soundstage. They support high-quality Bluetooth codecs like AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive, while also including modern functionalities like a touch control panel and an auto on/off feature that triggers based on whether the headphones are on your head. The primary advantages of the Momentum 4 include its class-leading battery life of up to 60 hours—which easily beats rivals like Sony and Bose—and its competitive price point of around €300, rendering them a high-value alternative to more expensive luxury models. This prolonged battery longevity also helps reduce charge cycles, extending the overall physical lifespan of the product. Additionally, they represent a significant step up from...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones offer exceptional sound quality that challenges the traditional superiority of high-end wired setups, effectively delivering the natural "Sennheiser sound" without cables. The reviewer highlights several pros, including an airy and natural midrange, highly precise and harmonically rich bass response that avoids being overly muddy or heavy, and delicate, extended treble. Additionally, the headphones feature an outstanding 60-hour battery life, excellent call quality where voices sound highly natural, a user-friendly Smart Control companion app, and a practical automatic power on/off feature. They also offer an overall comfortable fit that accommodates reading glasses perfectly without sacrificing comfort or sound seals. Conversely, the review notes a few aesthetic and functional cons. The physical design and materials of the headphones look modest and lack a premium or particularly innovative appearance. The reviewer also notes a personal preference for a fabric-covered headband rather than the material used. While the active noise cancellation (ANC) is generally effective, it is somewhat limited by letting slightly more high-frequency energy pass through compared to reference ANC earbuds, as the system is primarily tuned...
The Računalniške novice review praises the Sony WH-1000XM5 for its minimalist design, comfortable fit, and class-leading active noise cancellation (ANC) driven by eight microphones. It offers a mature, balanced sound profile, though users may need the companion app to maximize bass and treble performance. Key drawbacks highlighted include the inability to fold, resulting in a bulkier, less travel-friendly case compared to the XM4, and a build quality that, while lightweight, feels less premium. Additionally, the headphones lack an official IP rating for water or sweat resistance.
Review Summary: Sennheiser Momentum 4 The Alpha Audio review highlights the Sennheiser Momentum 4 as a relatively affordable, premium over-ear wireless flagship priced at €349. The reviewer strongly praises its unusually long battery life of 60 hours with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) turned on, noting how reassuring it is to watch the battery indicator barely move during heavy use. Sound quality is another major selling point; it delivers a broadband, well-balanced sound signature with deep, clean, and un-artificial bass that allows for fatigue-free listening. Additional notable pros include excellent wearing comfort, highly effective ANC that removes ambient noise without adding unwanted static hiss, and a useful voice passthrough setting within the accompanying app that makes phone calls less fatiguing by letting you hear your own voice.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, based on user sentiment, offer top-tier Active Noise Cancellation, excellent microphone quality for calls, and a clear, balanced sound profile, along with 30-hour battery life. However, a significant drawback is the redesign that prevents the earcups from folding, resulting in a less portable, bulkier travel case, while some users report discomfort from the headband during extended use. Read more user experiences at Tweakers.
The XGN.nl review praises the Sony WH-1000XM5 for delivering an immersive sound experience, highlighting superior active noise cancellation, smart features, and an eco-friendly design using recycled materials. While the headphones offer top-tier performance, the review identifies the high premium price and a less portable, non-folding design as significant drawbacks compared to previous models.
The PlaySense review of the Sony WH-1000XM5 highlights the premium headphones for their slim, elegant design, outstanding active noise cancellation (ANC), and clean, neutral sound signature. Key pros include reliable battery life, improved microphone performance, and a stylish, redesigned carrying case. PlaySenseConversely, the review identifies significant cons, stating the headphones are not ideal for gamers and suffer from a poorly designed, non-foldable headband that is too large for users with smaller heads. Additionally, the audio spatiality (soundstage) is considered weak, with reported imbalances in bass performance.
The Alpha Audio review highlights the Sennheiser Momentum 4 as an exceptional wireless headphone tailored for mobile and static home listening. The reviewer praises its pure, clean, and wideband sound quality that retains excellent detail retrieval without sounding muddy, particularly when using AAC or streaming lossless tracks via USB-C or platforms like Qobuz and Tidal. Major advantages include its extremely long battery life, superb wearing comfort that avoids ear irritation during extended use, and reliable wireless range perfect for hands-free calling. Retailing around €339 to €349, the review notes it offers immense value and easily outperforms competitors in the same price tier. However, the review outlines specific drawbacks when moving away from its native wireless design. Using the headphone analogically via a standard cable connection can cause clipping or distortion depending on the audio source. Furthermore, the sound profile becomes highly unsatisfactory if the headphones are powered off, meaning the device must be switched on to listen properly because it relies heavily on its internal digital signal processing (DSP). Ultimately, Alpha Audio concludes that while the analog wired performance is...
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a high-end wireless over-ear headphone that delivers excellent, well-balanced sound quality with rich bass, earning an overall review score of 8.5/10. A standout pro is its exceptional active noise cancelling (ANC), which effectively blocks out ambient noise in offices or public transport, alongside an intuitive touch-sensitive right earcup for seamless volume adjustments and track skipping. Battery life is highly reliable, offering up to 30 hours of playtime with ANC enabled and up to 40 hours with it turned off. Charging speed has also improved remarkably, granting 3 hours of listening time from a brief 3-minute charge, or 5 hours from a 10-minute charge. However, the headphones come with notable design and financial drawbacks. Unlike previous generations or competitors like Bose, the WH-1000XM5 cannot be folded, resulting in a bulky carrying case that makes travel and compact storage inconvenient. Additionally, the premium construction relies on a plastic body that feels somewhat cheap to the touch, and the earpads, while comfortable for long sessions, are slightly less plush than competing Bose QuietComfort models. The most significant barrier is...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 marks a significant shift for the series, trading its iconic industrial aesthetic for a streamlined, lightweight design focused on maximum comfort. While the reviewer noted the hardware no longer folds, the standout feature is its industry-leading 60-hour battery life with ANC enabled, allowing for weeks of use on a single charge. The sound quality remains a top-tier strength, utilizing 42 mm drivers and high-quality codecs like AptX and AAC to deliver a detailed audio experience with a powerful, well-balanced bass. However, the review highlights a few trade-offs, specifically that the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), while vastly improved, still slightly trails behind Sony’s flagship models. The touch-sensitive controls on the earcups are generally intuitive for volume and track skipping, but the reviewer found they occasionally lead to accidental pausing. Despite the "uninspiring" new look and the lack of a folding mechanism, the headphone's €349 price point and exceptional endurance make it a formidable competitor in the high-end market.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 introduces a major design departure from its predecessors, opting for a sleek, lightweight, and minimalistic look made from synthetic leather and plastic. It delivers class-leading, aggressive active noise cancellation (ANC) that excels at silencing low-frequency travel sounds, outperforming previous generations. Audiophiles will appreciate its natural, rhythmically tuned audio profile that offers tighter bass response and clear vocals, making it highly versatile for music, podcasts, and video streaming. Key functional highlights include seamless hands-free features like "Speak-to-Chat," stellar microphone performance during calls, and an impressive 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled, supported by ultra-fast USB-PD charging. However, the headphone's structural changes present notable drawbacks. The newly designed frame can no longer be folded or collapsed, resulting in a significantly larger carrying case that occupies valuable space in travel bags. Additionally, the companion Sony Headphones application feels overly cluttered with unnecessary account registration prompts and usage tracking systems. Finally, the retail price of €420 represents a substantial increase over its rivals, which may deter budget-conscious buyers despite its top-tier market performance.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 over-ear headphones offer a premium, highly flexible plastic build with a comfortable textile headband and plush faux leather earpads. They deliver a warm, bass-heavy, and rich sound signature featuring an excellent natural instrument timbre and a highly effective "Sound Check" personalization feature. Performance highlights include competitive active noise cancellation (ANC)—particularly effective at filtering low-end sounds—and clear microphone quality that handles wind and noise well during calls. Furthermore, they leapfrog the competition with an extraordinary 60-hour battery life, a fast-charging feature that yields 4 hours of playback from a 5-minute charge, reliable multipoint connectivity, and smart features like auto power-on/off when removed from their protective hardshell case. However, the headphones present several notable drawbacks, including a high launch price and a non-foldable design that creates a larger footprint in your bag. The black model easily attracts and shows finger oils, while the independent and jumpy volume controls feel outdated. Users may also struggle with the touch controls; the call gestures are counterintuitive (requiring forward/backward swipes instead of taps) and the pinch-to-zoom ANC adjustments on the earcup can...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is highlighted as an excellent, high-comfort alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM5, offering an impressive blend of active noise cancellation (ANC) and luxury build quality. Key advantages (pros) of this model include its premium construction, featuring an aluminum frame and a headband wrapped in cloth on the outside and comfortable rubberized material on the inside. Additionally, its large faux-leather ear cushions easily accommodate bigger ears, which provides great long-term wearing comfort and naturally seals out ambient noise. On the other hand, a potential drawback (con) noted in the review is the price point; retailing for around 330 euros at launch, these premium noise-canceling headphones represent a substantial financial investment for users. However, for those seeking peace and quiet at home, work, or during travel, the effective noise reduction and complete feature set make it a highly competitive choice in the luxury audio market.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 remains an excellent all-around over-ear headphone option, providing reliable performance, premium sound quality, and highly effective active noise-canceling (ANC). Its value has improved significantly due to consistent price cuts, frequently dropping from its original retail price of €420 down to approximately €300, and even further during major promotional sales. Key advantages include its exceptionally balanced, comfortable design, a strong feature set through the companion app, and top-tier ambient sound dampening. However, buyers should weigh these benefits against an impending successor, the WH-1000XM6, which is expected to launch in the summer of 2025 with an updated hinge design. Despite its strengths, the WH-1000XM5 exhibits notable downsides when compared to newer industry rivals. A major drawback is its battery life, which maxes out at 30 hours with ANC enabled and 40 hours without it—falling far short of alternatives like the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100, which offers up to 100 hours. Additionally, the XM5 features a rigid, non-foldable frame that limits its portability, lacks modern features like Dolby Atmos spatial audio and USB-C audio support, and faces stiff competition from...
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 WirelessGo offers a premium, warm sound signature via 42mm drivers and class-leading battery life of up to 60 hours with ANC enabled, supported by a comfortable, lightweight design. Notable pros include effective ANC, functional dual-point connectivity, and EQ profiles that save directly to the headset's DSP. Conversely, cons include a non-folding, generic design that reduces portability compared to its predecessor, alongside slightly weaker ANC against high-pitched noises compared to top competitors. Additionally, the default sound profile is very bass-heavy, requiring app adjustment, and the lack of sweatproofing makes them unsuitable for exercise.
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