Sennheiser Momentum Review | What Hi-Fi?

Sennheiser does not need the "third chance" for its third-generation Momentum Wireless noise canceling headphones. The original version and the second one were both inactive as soon as they arrived, the last one winning one What Hi-Fi? Award just a few months after leaving the production line.

The flagship pair of Momentum's now iconic line have, with their vast family of son, on-ear, on ear, ear and true wireless siblings, perfectly reflected the nickname "range" . Physics can tell you that the momentum is based on mass and speed, but it is maintained here by an ever strong and reliable reputation for its great value.

And this brand new pair (which we had the exclusive pleasure of testing in the UK before the global announcement) does not slow this momentum at all.

To build

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

Sennheiser decided not to radically change the aesthetics, the design of the Momentum Wireless always revolving around oval earpieces, sheepskin pads and sliders made of stainless steel.

Currently, Sennheisers are only available in the black aspect of our sample. However, a "white sand" finish will be available from November.

Sennheiser recognized that high-end wireless headsets were as practical as possible and that the Momentum Wireless's features went beyond simple Bluetooth and active noise cancellation.

Now, it is no longer necessary to reconnect the headphones before each use and you should not look for the pause button on your phone when someone interrupts your music. Once unfolded, Momentums automatically turn on and pair with a recognized source. And when they detect that they are removed or inserted into a head, they automatically pause or resume playback, as appropriate.

A firmware update via the Sennheiser Smart Control app will include Amazon Alexa support for hands-free voice commands, but for now, pressing the right button down the right active headset the chosen voice assistant on the connected phone, that it is Google Assistant. or Siri.

Through the application you can control the equalizer setting and display information such as battery life. But above all, you can switch between three modes of noise suppression: the full mode "Max", "Anti-Wind" (which lets some ambient noise) and the mode "Anti-Pressure", the least intensive.

A transparent listening mode is also accessible from the application. It's a function more and more used in premium noise suppressors that amplifies your environment so you can hear train announcements or a conversation at the office.

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

In addition to aptX, AAC and SBC Bluetooth, the Sennheisers support aptX Low Latency, which aims to improve the synchronicity of audio (via headphones) and video content (on the screen of your source) during games or a frenzy of Netflix.

Finally, an integrated Bluetooth tracking and Tile support allow you to locate the location of your lost Sennheisers, anywhere, anytime, via the Tile Tile application. Naturally, these features weigh on the battery life, which is 17 hours, which is relatively modest compared to the 20 hours of the Bose Noise Canceling 700 and 30 hours Sony WH-1000XM3.

Comfort

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

The other result of these features is an increase in the size of the atria. They fold inward to fit comfortably in a coat pocket or inside the gray fabric case provided. Although they are heavier, they are still well damped with the right amount of pliers and are amply supported by the snug band.

Perhaps the most important change to the design of Momentums is in the cup controls. The volume toggle has been replaced by two volume buttons sandwiching a play / pause button that also lets you jump back and forth, end calls and, when pressed, read the # 39; battery condition. The edges between the trio of rubber buttons are not as eloquent as we would like, often making us feel twice for the good.

Elsewhere, the scale remains in place, controlling the noise suppression functions – push to switch off, lower for transparent hearing.

Thick leather ear pads provide some insulation in themselves, which is handy if you are trying to preserve the battery by turning off the noise suppression. However, enabling the noise canceling function will leave you a little solo time with your playlist.

Traffic and office noise is almost entirely suppressed, as is the roar of planes flying overhead. It is not as sophisticated and flexible as the multi-stage Bose Noise Canceling 700 headset, but it is natural and effective in itself.

Sound

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

Silence makes it even easier to appreciate the Sennheiser's performance as we fire Robert Wyatt's go-ahead. Shipbuilding. The brief flicker of the cymbals that introduces the track is enough to hint at the subtlety of the headphones, which confirms the sound of the drums, the dismal bass, the piano and the accented voices.

Each is textured: the bass is sound and has several notes, the keys of the piano are always dynamic and the lamentations of Wyatt are sincere. All of this is presented in a coherent, timely manner and on a well-organized sound stage.

Sennheiser's fullness is evident here, but some of this familiar richness is counterbalanced by extreme clarity (especially in the mediums) which leads us to wonder whether we have heard such a shrewd rival. The tonal balance is improved, these Momentum offers a considerable improvement over their predecessors in terms of details, bass depth and rhythmic cohesion.

Caravan Palace Supersonics offers a more lively listening and the Momentums capture the contagious energy of swing electro inclined towards the jazz of the French ensemble. They eat all the elements of the dizzying melody and move it forward in a dynamic but disciplined way, leaving you only the choice to entertain you.

Verdict

This is an extraordinary effort on the part of Sennheiser Engineering. It's as if they had taken the unprecedented clarity of the Sony WH-1000MX3 and the rhythmic aptitude of the B & W PXs, both thrown into a cauldron and murmuring some magic words before the Momentum Wireless n & # 39; 39; appear.

Sennheiser is no stranger to five-star reviews, nor even What Hi-Fi? Price. The Momentum Wireless now has the first on their belt and are serious contenders for the second.

THE SCORES

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