Lynn reviews the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless, their latest ANC-equipped 42mm dynamic driver Bluetooth headphones featuring 3D Dolby Atmos. They are currently priced at $399.95.
Disclaimer: This sample was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion. Headfonics is an independent website with no affiliate links or services. I thank Sennheiser for this opportunity.
Click here to learn more about the Sennheiser products previously reviewed on Headfonics.
Note that this feature follows our latest scoring guidelines, which you can read in more detail here.
The MOMENTUM series has gone through many iterations over the last dozen-plus years, ranging from wired to wireless. The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless came out in 2022, so this update has been four long years.
One does not change the name of something unless there is a radical change; the MOMENTUM name remains.
That does not mean the series has gone without significant changes; it has, but rather those changes are kept in the spirit of the lineage named. This would be akin to the Porsche 911. It has changed markedly, but the essence and spirit remain mostly true to the original.
Sennheiser was one of the first to come out with swipe characteristics, and the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless continues to improve upon this. With a future firmware update to BT6.0, Sennheiser will also incorporate head gestures into its features.
So, four years to improve on what was a good model will hopefully show promise in moving the Sennheiser technology forward, along with the sound.
I can state that they have succeeded in some ways, while others are an evolution instead of a revolution. My review delves deeper into those minutiae and how it compares to the likes of MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, the HDB 630, and Noble Audio’s FoKus Apollo.
Features
The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless uses the same 42mm transducer driver as the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, but with modified tuning. That modification purportedly makes the 5 more natural-sounding, with a slight increase in bass response.
The modified tuning and a reworking of the ANC technology inside lowers battery life by three hours, for a potential of up to 57 hours on a single charge. Losing three hours is no big deal to me when the flip side equates to better ANC performance.
The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless also comes with Qualcomm’s BT 5.4. Reportedly, BT 6.0 is in the works, bringing adaptive head movement technology.
Customization through the app is quite good, and will be discussed more below. Within the app, though, Sennheiser has opted to license the Dolby® Atmos surround sound feature.
Where other companies use in-house proprietary surround for a 3D effect, Sennheiser went straight to the source and licensed the Dolby version. Smart thinking in my book.
As with most wireless headphones, a 3.5mm aux cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable are included for wired usage. You can charge and listen simultaneously.
As with the HDB 630 and MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, the right ear cup acts as the control center for functionality. I can say that the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless functions more smoothly than the HDB 630.
This shows that Sennheiser continues to focus on the easy usability of its technology. I will note that sensitivity has also increased, so a light touch is the path to perfection.
Design
Materials
A blind test between the MOMENTUM 4 and 5 Wireless yields very little difference. I would add that the 5 looks and feels more upscale, though.
With slide-out stanchions on the headband, you do need to eyeball each side to ensure an even fit. The cups are a bit smaller, too, which makes for a snug fit on my average-sized ears.
Some who have larger ears may find the ear cup constricting as a result. The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless also incorporates four microphones for not only calls, but ANC performance as well.
The dark gray and black look subtle and mainstream, which I do not mind. I prefer not to draw attention to my devices.
The underside of the headband is a hard rubberized coating, with padding only in the top half, like the HDB 630. This is where the main pressure points usually are, so it works.
The quality of parts is very good, with no cheapness to any of the build. Sennheiser’s products have traditionally been of top-class build, so it’s nice to see this continued in the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless.
Another nice feature is a user-replaceable battery. Simply take the ear pad off the left ear cup, remove four screws, which move the driver out of the way, and the battery lies underneath the left driver.
Adding longevity to a product this way is a nice touch, and makes for a selling point to those who may not have multiple sets of headphones (like we do).
Aesthetics
The family lineage shows itself in the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless without question. The use of high-quality plastics dominates the 5, but the quality of those materials is top-notch.
I find the 5 on par with the more expensive HDB 630, which says something about how Sennheiser treats their designs.
Fingerprints? Nope, even with the touch-sensitive right ear cup. I approve of this and wish all manufacturers did something such as this.
The soft dark gray stanchions (unlike the HDB 630 in silver) help to minimize attention while looking stylish.
All connections and the single button lie on the bottom of the right ear cup. There are even five LEDs denoting the level of charge (20% each). I will note that at 50% on the app, there are three LEDs lit, so mastering the half-lit LED has yet to be accomplished.
I said that the HDB 630’s build quality set it apart from its more economical brethren, but the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless can certainly go toe-to-toe with it.
Comfort & Isolation
That padding under the top-center of the headband helps for long-session comfort, and I went 3-5 hours several times during the testing with minimal imposition. And those impositions were due mostly to my reading glasses impeding the fit.
Those narrow ear cups gave a snug fit to the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless that felt neither too tight nor constricting. Plus, the snug fit helped with stability. Clamping pressure felt just about right.
Much like the HDB 630, though, passive isolation was not the best, relying upon ANC for true isolating qualities. However, even at low volumes and ANC at 100%, outside noises interfered with listening, and I also noted external bleed of the sound more than I would have liked.
In this regard, the Sennheiser still falls behind class leaders Sony and Bose, but the comfort and build quality make for a premium experience.
ANC
Sennheiser has worked diligently on providing top-class ANC technology, but not at the expense of sound quality.
Like most, balancing the two makes for some tricky acoustical challenges. The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless ANC is markedly better than the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless version, and as good as the HDB 630, which says something given the price difference.
One can safely assume that an updated version of the HDB 630 will do the same as the MOMENTUM series.
Within the app, you can turn ANC off completely, customize between 0-100% either way, or Adaptive ANC, which tailors to the listening surroundings automatically. I generally kept the ANC at 100% in the Custom setting.
Transparency can also be tailored for phone calls, which is a nice feature that continues to impress me. Having four microphones for calls and ANC certainly helps.
Sennheiser seems to close the ANC gap with its competitors, right as those competitors move with their updates. An ever-changing landscape that only benefits users with “newer” and “greater” ANC technology.
Controls
The outside of the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless right ear cup holds the touch sensitivity area for complete control of the headphones via touch, swipe, or pinch.
Taking the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless off will pause play, and folding them flat also puts them into pause mode, which continues to be a nice feature.
This even worked while connected to two devices. I will note that if you pause and take your Smart device away, the unit does stay connected (within the BT limits), but functionality lagged when I restarted music.
I am not sure what caused the above, but it did occur many times over the course of the testing period. There was the audible artificial two-note “click” when full functionality was restored. This usually took less than a minute, but I still found it tedious.
As mentioned elsewhere, the swipe features continue to improve, and this is the first Sennheiser model where functionality was perfect without any issues. Except for the delay noted in the previous paragraph, which I did not attribute to the swipe feature.
Smart Control Plus App
You will be prompted to update to 1.4.2, which gains the Head Tracking aspect of the app. You will also have to toggle Dolby® Atmos again. In fact, updating will tell you to turn Atmos off.
The app still comes with features ranging from Noise Control for adjusting ANC, an Anti-wind setting, while in ANC, and Dolby Atmos®.
The graphic equalizer is a slimmed-down version, but you can still create customized settings or bring your own across devices, should you have a registered Sennheiser Sound Check.
But you can create a local custom version of Sound Check that would stay on the device you created it on, which still gives the feature.
Another nicety is that after running the Sound Check, you can alter it to better meet your listening needs. I changed mine from the one I created using the app, and I could tell the subtle nuances within each change. This is a nice feature to have readily available.
Sound Zones remain, which change settings automatically when moving between environments.
This feature can still automatically switch from a more aggressive EQ, such as you might use in the gym, to a more laid-back EQ while having your post-workout espresso and pastry in a coffee shop.
This feature uses location aspects, which also controls a “find my headphones” feature, should you sign up. You can control this from your Smartphone while using another source for listening, too.
Battery Life
The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless boasted (and verified) 60 hours of play time between charges. The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless “only” provides up to 57 hours per charge.
That loss of three hours is certainly acceptable to me when you factor in the ANC retuning and sound characteristic retuning.
Through three tests, including the initial burn-in period, I averaged right at 56 hours per charge.
This certainly falls within the specified timeframe. Plus, you can charge while listening through the USB-C cable with the added benefit of improved sound quality over the “normal” Bluetooth.
A quick 10-minute charge offered me an additional 8-10 hours, giving plenty of time if you are commuting.
Plus, you have the added ability to replace the battery if needed. That is a nice feature to have. This was even while playing music through my MBP and charging at the same time.
Voice/Call Quality
This section seems almost superfluous anymore, but should still be included. The Smart Control Plus app has a feature under “Noise Control” that handles phone call transparency adjusting, besides ANC and “Anti-wind settings.”
The latter can be set to maximum for best wind reduction, or automatic, so the user does not need to worry about it.
The phone call setting has a slider for adjusting the level of transparency allowed during phone calls with four settings.
I left it on the stock setting (one from the lowest) most of the time, except when I called our son purposely on a windy Lake Superior day and used the lowest setting.
Isolation was very good, and I could talk in a near-normal voice even with the stiff 20mph+ “breeze” blowing off the lake. The four microphones certainly helped “quadrangle” my voice for a better response.
Packaging & Accessories
The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless comes with the standard features one might expect in a wireless headphone.
A dual USB-C to USB-C is used for charging and can be used for wired audio at the same time. As expected, the sound quality is a bit better wired, but that should not stop you from using the BT, of course.
A 3.5mm to 3.5mm AUX cable can be used for your laptop, or DAP, and amplifier that utilizes a 3.5mm single-ended connection.
The quick start guide is thorough, including how to download the Smart Plus App. A more thorough guide is included in a nice envelope below the case when you open the top. The stickers on the outside of each ear cup are much appreciated, too.
Carry Case
The carry case is very similar to the HDB 630 and the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless versions, but thinner.
There is a nice indentation on the back that helps to hold the case and includes the cables. The ear cups fold flat, allowing the case to stay slim enough to fit in your messenger bag or backpack.
I do wish companies would make enough room in cases to keep the headphone in the position you wear, so you do not have to constantly lower the stanchions into the headband in order for the headphone to fit.
Other than that (which is cross-company), the case and efficient layout is very good.
Click on page 2 below for my sound impressions and wireless performance testing.
