Sennheiser’s fourth effort keeps the momentum alive
Had Sennheiser decided not to let slip the battery life of its Momentum 4 Wireless noise-cancelling headphones in a teaser earlier this year, my eyebrows might’ve impeded my hairline upon spying the spec sheet that accompanied the recently released news announcement. Instead, I was relieved that the company was able to see through its promise of a 60-hour battery life, which is around twice as long as the competition typically offers. That feat is bolstered by a fast-charging feature that offers six hours of listening from just a 10-minute charge, too.
That’s not where the headlines for these all-new Momentums end, either. They are Bluetooth 5.2 compliant and support the high-quality aptX Adaptive codec — in addition to, of course, the more standard SBC and AAC ones.
The ‘other’ feature increasingly imperative for wireless headphones in the portable age — active noise cancellation — is also present. The Momentum 4 Wireless use the company’s “next generation” ANC technology, which is accompanied by the now-common Transparency mode for temporarily letting in sound when it’s practical.
The reputable German brand has also worked hard to improve call quality through the headphones by utilising a digital beamforming mic array and automatic wind noise suppression technology. Ticks can also be put in the checkboxes of other commonly useful functions, such as smart pause (which halts playback when the headphones are taken off and resumes it when placed back on the ears); multi-device support (which lets more than one Bluetooth device simultaneously connect to them); and the ability to automatically turn themselves on (and off ) when in (and not in) use.
While the Momentum line has consistently impressed in the design department, with their grainy leather headband, pearlescent or matte-finished oval ear cups and distinct metal slider carrying over from one generation to another in an admirable refusal to look ordinary next to the competition, the Momentum 4 Wireless conform to the ‘safe’, minimalist appearance and lightweight build of many premium wireless headphones these days, simply combining black or white ovular earcups (which double as control touchpads and can fold flat) with a cushioning, fabric-topped headband. I find that a damn shame personally — it’s a bit like a wonderfully eccentric kid at school deciding to dial it down to fit in with their classmates — but they are well built and smartly finished at least, and some people may, of course, like their low-key discretion.
Inside those earcups — which is what really counts! — are 42mm transducers for delivering what Sennheiser promises is “brilliant dynamics, clarity and musicality”. That sound can be tailored via EQ adjustment, sound modes and the new Sound Personalisation feature in the Sennheiser Smart Control companion app.
Priced $549.95 (RRP), the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are available now. And if you’re willing to take my word for it, they perform well enough to justify their not-insignificant price tag — and have the comfort and features to back that up.
For more information, contact Sennheiser on (02) 9910 6700 or visit www.en-au.sennheiser.com
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