We’ve received a doozy for you – the Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. the Sony WH-1000XM5.
In a single nook is the newest flagship mannequin from the heritage audio staple generally known as Sennheiser. Redesigned and reengineered, the Momentum 4 is a marvelous-sounding mannequin that harnesses highly effective energetic noise cancellation (ANC), battery life, and name high quality in a streamlined bundle. Adaptive sound options and powerful codec help elevate its rating among the many class’s greatest.
Within the reverse nook is Sony’s sonic powerhouse: the WH-1000XM5. This up to date model of final 12 months’s outstanding WH-1000XM4 introduces many upgrades, together with twin processors, extra microphones, and a carbon-fiber 30mm driver. It additionally brings again proprietary applied sciences (360 Actuality Audio, Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, LDAC) and Sony Headphones Join app help to personalize what’s already a well-defined sound signature.
What now we have here’s a battle between two of the greatest noise-cancelling headphones. Which is the higher buy? Let’s take a look.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Value
Neither mannequin comes low cost at $399. Different noteworthy rivals are available at varied worth factors, from the incredible Cleer Enduro ANC ($129) to the near-perfect Bose 700 ($379) to the stable Grasp & Dynamic MW75 ($599).
Efficiency and options are aplenty on these two units of headphones, making the Momentum 4 and WH-1000XM5 equally priceless.
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Winner: Tie
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Specs in contrast
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Sony WH-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Value | $399.99 | $399.99 |
| Measurement and weight | 7 x 7.67 x 1.82 inches, 10.3 ounces | 10.36 x 3.03 x 8.85 inches, 8.8 ounces |
| Battery life | 60 hours | 30 hours (ANC on); 40 hours (ANC off) |
| Processor | Unknown | Sony HD Noise-Canceling Processor QN1 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Particular options | Adaptive energetic noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive sound settings, equalizer settings, good controls, digital assistant help, Google Quick Pair, multipoint know-how, aptX Adaptive | Adaptive energetic noise cancellation, adjustable transparency mode, good controls, equalizer settings, tri-digital assistant help, 360 Actuality Audio, Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE) Excessive, LDAC, Spotify Faucet, Google Quick Pair, multipoint know-how |
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Design
Aesthetically, each are downgrades from their predecessors.
The Momentum 4 all-new design with nylon material headband feels premium. Nevertheless, ditching the Momentum 3’s distinctive yokes that related to the entrance of every earcup drastically modifications the headphones’ look, and never in a great way. We’re not keen on the stock-looking earcups that resemble some low cost noise-cancelling headphones on the market (reference the Treblab Z7 Professional (opens in new tab)). The additional weight doesn’t make sporting the Momentum 4 nice both.
As for the WH-1000XM5, Sony took an eco-friendlier method to building that’s admirable, however much less enticing and durable than previous Mark Collection entries. Regardless of the usage of supplies like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is extra versatile than plastic, these headphones really feel very flimsy. The dearth of particulars (e.g., embossed rose gold emblem, imprinted mannequin quantity) give them zero flash as effectively. A minimum of consolation and match are on level.
Sennheiser’s carry case is superior and has extra slots to retailer equipment. Sony’s revamped carry case isn’t as luxurious as earlier variations; taking out the interwoven design for what seems to be and appears like cardboard was a poor resolution.
Winner: Sennheiser Momentum 4
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Controls
Sennheiser and Sony geared up their noise-cancellers with in depth management schemes. Every mannequin carries movement detection, bodily buttons, contact sensors, and voice-activated options. All the pieces operates flawlessly on the WH-1000XM5. Sony’s good options additionally current extra revolutionary methods to manage the headphones by routinely pausing playback when listening to your voice (Communicate-to-Chat) and reducing quantity to 10% when inserting your hand over the best earcup (Fast Consideration).
Many of the Momentum 4’s controls work with out a hitch, although the contact panel acts up at instances and goes to sleep after quick stretches of inactivity.
Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Energetic noise cancellation
For a second, we had the WH-1000XM5’s noise cancellation a detailed second to the Bose 700. Sony’s QN1 ANC and V1 processors, together with intelligible modes like Adaptive Sound Management to regulate ANC primarily based in your sporting situations, enable these headphones to cut back incidental sounds at an especially excessive stage. Low- and mid-frequency sounds hardly ever ever make it onto the soundscape. Some high-frequency sounds do, however nothing too alarming that may break your focus. The 20-level Ambient Sound function may be the WH-1000XM5’s unsung function due to its potential to make voices and noises identifiable from afar.
The Momentum 4 shoves the WH-1000XM5 to the facet to turn into the Bose 700’s largest noise neutralizing menace. Sennheiser’s know-how virtually does the identical as Sony’s, besides it boasts stronger wind resistance and handles high-frequency sounds higher. Transparency Mode offers you widespread management over the quantity of noise you wish to let in or block out. The outcomes are very good, regardless of which mode you allow.
Winner: Sennheiser Momentum 4
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Audio High quality
Sony’s Mark Collection is taken into account the usual for sound on noise-cancelling headphones. The WH-1000XM5 builds on excellence, using a more-balanced 30mm driver that retains Sony’s signature bass and helps customization settings to tweak efficiency. There’s a five-band EQ and several other well-engineered presets that complement all music genres. DSEE helps to upscale lo-fi recordings, LDAC streams hi-res audio at CD-like high quality, and 360 Actuality creates immersive 3D sound for choose tracks. Protected Listening is one other candy addition that reduces listening to impairment by measuring the decibel stage and sound of what’s enjoying.
How can anybody compete towards that, proper? Effectively, the Momentum 4 manages to, and with out spatial audio or upscaling know-how. Sennheiser engineered their headphones with a dynamic 42mm transducer system, Hello-Res playback, intuitive options, and a number of EQ settings. What comes out is gorgeous, precisely reproduced sound that may be optimized via options like Sound Examine and Sound Zones, that are each designed to routinely alter the EQ to your listening to, however with the latter doing so primarily based in your location. The inclusion of aptX Adaptive to take pleasure in near-lossless sound on hi-fi streaming companies (e.g., Tidal, Qobuz) can’t be ignored both.
Winner: Tie
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: App and particular options
Sony stays the king of options on wi-fi headphones. Their Headphones Join app supplies entry to aforementioned hallmarks like Adaptive Sound Management (ANC/Ambient), DSEE, Equalizer, LDAC, Communicate-to-Chat, Spotify Faucet, Protected Listening, and 360 Actuality Audio. Rounding out the app are a house display screen widget to allow the EQ, automated energy off, battery stage indicators, firmware updates, a music participant, visible guides, and the power to prioritize sound high quality or connectivity.
Then come the extra perks out exterior of the app. You get Bluetooth multipoint (pair to 2 gadgets concurrently), one-tap Google Quick Pair, Discover My Gadget app help, and Sony wi-fi TV adapter compatibility to take pleasure in Dolby Atmos sound on a Bravia XR TV. We simply want that Sony hadn’t gotten rid of NFC tap-to-pair performance.
Sennheiser did their greatest stocking the Good Management app with numerous heavy-duty options. We’ve already touched on a number of, together with ANC/Adaptive/Transparency mode, Equalizer, Sound Zones, and Sound Examine. There are additionally toggle controls for enabling/disabling sure capabilities (On-Head Detection, Good Pause, Auto Energy Off), and a Consolation Name function that reduces listening fatigue throughout calls.
Two different options price retaining in thoughts are Connection Administration, which is one technique to handle Bluetooth multipoint (pair to 2 gadgets concurrently), and Sidetone for adjusting vocal readability on calls. Bluetooth 5.2 runs easily, and Google Quick Pair comes a part of the bundle.
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM5
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Battery life
The Momentum 4 crushes the competitors with as much as 60 hours of battery life, outlasting the WH-1000XM5 (30 to 40 hours) on a full cost. Sennheiser doesn’t supply the choice to show off ANC. Their headphones additionally include stronger fast charging know-how, reaching 4 hours of runtime on a 5-minute cost versus the WH-1000XM5’s 5 hours on a 10-minute cost. Sony claims that their headphones can obtain 3 hours in 3 minutes, but it surely requires a USB-PD suitable AC adapter (bought individually).
Winner: Sennheiser Momentum 4
Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Sony WH-1000XM5: Name high quality
Solely two noise-cancelling fashions obtain excellent name high quality: the Bose 700 and Momentum 4. Indoors or open air, Sennheiser’s headphones enable for loud, crystal-clear voice and video chats. Additionally they reveal impeccable noise discount in rowdy and windy situations.
Completely different ranges of noise are noticeable on the WH-1000XM5, which is an ample calling headset, however a number of notches under the Momentum 4.
Winner: Sennheiser Momentum 4
Winner: Tie
We’ve received a tie on our palms, of us. It’s extremely powerful to decide on between the 2, and since they’re equally nice for music listening and noise cancellation, all of it comes right down to desire.
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Sony WH-1000XM5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Worth (5) | 4 | 4 |
| Design (15) | 11 | 10 |
| Controls (10) | 7 | 10 |
| Energetic noise cancellation (20) | 19 | 18 |
| Audio high quality (15) | 15 | 15 |
| App and particular options (15) | 13 | 15 |
| Battery Life (10) | 10 | 9 |
| Name high quality (10) | 10 | 8 |
| Complete Rating (100) | 89 | 89 |
Should you’re the sort that fancies adaptive, hi-fi sound with unending playtimes and terrific name high quality, then the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is a must-buy. Should you’re somebody that loves immersive audio, seamless useability, and limitless options, place the Sony WH-1000XM5 on the high of your want listing.
Merely put, neither is the fallacious alternative.
