The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless remains a useful option for listeners who want long battery life and several ways to connect. It can move from wireless travel to USB listening at a computer and analog playback from a compatible source, without requiring separate headphones for each task.
It is an older model, and its strengths should be weighed against the available price rather than its former flagship position. The sixty-hour manufacturer rating is substantial, but fit, noise reduction and the usefulness of its wired modes are more important than winning a battery-number comparison.
Sound and Noise Cancellation
- 42 mm dynamic drivers
- Adaptive ANC
- App sound adjustment
RTINGS found a warm, bass-emphasized balance and useful cancellation of conversation, with weaker reduction of very deep rumble in its original Black sample.1 That makes the MOMENTUM 4 attractive for a desk or ordinary travel, while leaving a reason to compare alternatives for particularly noisy journeys.
The app allows sound adjustment, and a consistent ear-cushion seal should come before equalization. Glasses or hair can change how the pads meet the head and therefore alter bass delivery. Use familiar recordings at normal volume when deciding whether the balance suits the listener; a high-resolution codec cannot correct a poor fit.
Design and Comfort
- Approximately 293 g
- Included case
- Touch controls
The earcups rotate flat, but the frame does not fold inward. Allow space for the complete case when packing, especially if replacing an older folding headphone. The included adapter and analog cable are useful only if kept with the case rather than left at home.
Touch controls and wearing detection reduce the need to reach for a phone, but their behavior should be configured to suit ordinary handling. The manual provides settings for the touch surface and automatic pause. Replacement ear cushions are offered by the manufacturer, though availability of a particular accessory should be checked when it is needed.
Connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint
- USB-C audio and calls
- Passive analog input
Two active Bluetooth connections let a phone and computer remain paired, with audio playing from one at a time. aptX Adaptive requires a compatible source; it is not an automatic benefit on every phone. The supported connection should be judged as a complete source-and-headphone combination.
USB-C carries audio and microphone calls with compatible computers while providing charging. The analog cable is different: it disables Bluetooth, does not carry the built-in microphone and can play with an empty battery. ANC remains available on the analog connection when the headphone has power. These distinctions make it easier to plan a dependable desk or travel setup.
RTINGS found the microphone’s handling of background noise limited in its test.1 USB support does not turn the headphone into a dedicated boom-microphone headset. For frequent calls in a shared room, assess whether a separate microphone or a quieter location is more useful than another wireless codec.
Battery Life
- Up to 60 hours with ANC
- Approximately 2-hour full charge
- 5-minute quick charge
Sennheiser rates sixty hours of Bluetooth playback with ANC under its iPhone and moderate-volume test conditions. That gives considerable room for ordinary use between charges, but it remains a manufacturer maximum rather than a guaranteed workweek for every combination of calls and volume.
A five-minute charge is rated for up to four hours of playback, while a full charge takes approximately two hours. USB listening can maintain power at a desk, and passive analog playback is a separate fallback when charging is unavailable. The built-in battery is not presented as a user-replaceable part.
Alternatives
The MOMENTUM 3 Wireless is the predecessor. Its folding design and aptX Low Latency support differ from the MOMENTUM 4’s flatter carrying arrangement and aptX Adaptive approach.1 An existing owner should check source compatibility and packing preferences before treating the newer model as a straightforward replacement.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a useful comparison when travel noise reduction is central. Its USB port is for charging, and its stated ANC runtime is shorter. The MOMENTUM 4 makes the stronger connection argument for a computer desk; compare fit and the actual offers before deciding which tradeoff matters more.
Verdict
The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is a strong candidate for buyers who will use its long rated runtime and flexible wired connections. Its value depends on an appropriate price and a comfortable seal. Frequent callers in noisy spaces or buyers seeking the smallest packed headphone should weigh those needs separately.