Sennheiser Momentum 4 VS. Sony WF1000XM5 Comparison Review

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 VS. Sony WF-1000XM5 Comparison Review

Sennheiser and Sony are both brands with loyal followings who have been innovating in the audio field for decades. On the whole, companies have been trying to raise the bar with what an audiophile can get from a bluetooth connection. Sony and Sennheiser are respectively calling their products ‘flagship TWS earbuds’, and many users who come into the store are stuck deciding between both these options. These are both wildly popular earbuds for good reason. Join me in the Sennheiser Momentum 4 VS. Sony WF1000XM5 comparison review to find out which option will work best for you.

Items Included

Look and Feel

The WF-1000XM5’s redesign allows you to choose between silver and black styling. When compared to older models, Sony’s flagship earbuds come in a smaller package ensuring a snug fit. My first observation with the WF-1000XM5 was how comfortable they felt right out of the case. The choice between 4 different foam eartips makes it easy to forget you’re even wearing earbuds at all. All of this coupled with a lightweight case gives the Sony model an advantage in regards to portability and comfort.

Sennheiser’s sleek design makes the Momentums look satisfying in-case and on-ears. These earbuds come in graphite, white, and copper; Sennheiser gets the edge in styling options. The package includes small, medium, and large ear tips. This may be an issue for people with small ears when comparing the WF-1000XM5’s XS option. As well as eartips, there are 2 extra sets of wing fins ensuring a comfortable fit. The Momentum 4s are similarly sized to its predecessor, meaning if you like the 3’s you’d feel at home 4’s. Sennheiser’s quality shines with the components’ flush fit and durable feel. The same can be said about the carrying case, but users may notice how bulky it feels in a pocket. 

I personally have to give the edge to the WF-1000XM5. The lighter case and comfort out of the box make it easy to carry and wear throughout the day. Both earbuds are snug fitting, and it’s best to try them out yourself to ensure you choose the pair that best fits your unique ear shape. 

Design

Custom designed 6mm “X” drivers power the Sony WF-1000XM5, allowing listeners to enjoy a wide range of genres with a lively sound. The lightweight design of the case and components make it a very practical choice for on-the-go listing. Bluetooth version 5.3 allows users to connect to multiple devices which they can manage through the companion app. Sony’s app also lets users customize touch settings, EQ, and 360 Reality Audio (a Sony staple that now follows the movement of your own head).You will also have DSEE, reliable call clarity, a voice assistant, and touch-sensitive controls with this pair. Unlike budget earbuds, the WF-1000XM5 offers reliable headroom with an ample amount of gain. 

The Momentum 4’s TrueResponse Dynamic Drivers have remained unchanged and are staple in the Sennheiser earbud line. Unlike the drivers, tech in the microphones have been upgraded allowing for increased call clarity. Together, these features give the earbuds dynamic sound quality and clean calling capabilities. Similar to the Sonys, the Momentum’s companion app allows for users to customize EQ, touch settings, and SoundZones. The ability to create up to 20 SoundsZones means that listeners can automate settings depending on their location. Bluetooth version 5.4 means that users are getting the latest wireless connectivity system.

Both pairs boast their own advantages. The WF-1000XM5 sounds clean and clear with little setup out of the box. Its lightweight and portability make it a stand out for listeners on the move. Yet users who obsess over customization may want to look towards the Momentum 4s. Although both apps allow for EQ customization, the SoundZones of the Sennheiser automate your listening experience in up to 20 locations. However, in the Sennheiser Momentum 4 VS. Sony WF1000XM5 Comparison Review, I have to go with the Momentum 4. I personally preferred the companion app’s EQ.

Battery

The Momentum’s offer a 7.5 hour playtime with 30 additional hours given by its charging case. The Sony WF1000XM5 have 8 hours of playtime and 24 extra hours with the charging case. These measurements are done without ANC on, and use of the headphones drastically vary the battery time. Quickcharge are offered on both earbuds, with 1 hour of playtime being achieved in 3 and 8 minutes for Sony and Sennheiser respectively. A full charge is similar at around 30 minutes. The main difference is the size of the charging case. At rates of charge and playtime this similar, the portability of the case gives the WF1000XM5 an advantage. Users who prefer not charging their earbud cases as often may want to opt for the Sennheiser model due to its 30 additional hours of playtime.

ANC

Anyone reading the Sennheiser momentum 4 vs. Sony WF1000XM5 comparison review will undoubtedly want to know about the noise cancellation. First, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 has worthwhile Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) which is able to provide an immersive sound. Sounds around an office or outside barely peak through, but they aren’t enough to deter from the listening experience. Despite this, the performance of the Sony earbuds is slightly better at mitigating outside noise. The industry-leading Q1Ne chip did such a good job at ANC, that I was only able to hear sirens and horns while walking through NYC’s bustling diamond district. This is an impressive feat for headphones, let alone earbuds. Both earbuds do an excellent job of blocking out unwanted noise, with the Sony WF1000XM5 having the slight advantage. I doubt users who choose the Momentum 4s will be left wanting more in terms of ANC.

Soundstage

Next, we examine the soundstage. Sennheiser offers a premium soundstage when considering the sound is being transmitted through bluetooth. The listening environment felt immersive and three-dimensional, pulling me into the music in a palpable way. The stereo image is relatively flat, but very localized and distinct. “Mild Confusion” by Tamaryn sounded roomy and huge, with luscious reverb trails running away from the ear. Resonance in very wet sounds are wide and at times holographic without being washy and staying defined. 

Characteristically, the WF1000XM5 offers a soundstage which brings a different sort of clarity and dynamics to each note being played. Undeniably, the notes still feel rich and wide but there is a bit more discernible attack in the decay of the notes. They don’t feel as roomy and luscious as the Sennheisers, yet make up for it with their bright decay. Depending on personal preference, either choice offers an excellent soundstage.

Lows

When analyzing the lows in both sets of earbuds, it’s clear these models provide accurate and warm representations of the low end in the mix. The characteristics do differ slightly, with the Momentum 4s having a bit more booming sub-bass and the WF1000XM5s having more gurgle in the high-lows and low mids. Tracks like “Nardis” by Mike Stern showcase the richness of the bass on both pairs. The deep chorus effect on Stern’s Yamaha Pacifica is as fat as grandma’s spoiled cat on the Sennheiser earbuds. Users who prefer more saturated bass may prefer the WF1000XM5 due to its ‘thudding’ sound. When bass-boost mode is activated, the Momentum does sound slightly bassier, but this can be due to the lowest frequencies being more present. 

Mids

Listening to “Shining Star” by Smerz on the Sony WF1000XM5s was an experience unto itself. Primarily, bubblegum pop vocals were impressively showcased and had a distinct timbre when juxtaposed to the mid heavy synths. Everything sounded clear and crisp despite taking up a large portion of the mix. The “excited” EQ setting makes vocals, guitars, and synths shine in a way that’s impressive for earbuds to do. Next, the Sennheiser’s offer a warmer characteristic in the mids than the Sony equivalent. When listening, I noticed a flatter more balanced distribution of the mid frequencies, with slight peaks near the edges of the frequency response (200Hz-400Hz and 1.5kHz-2kHz). The mids aren’t the main focus of the sound profile, yet can be with raising the EQ sliders in the app.

Highs

Both headphones offer clear and sizzling highs. The character is similar with very slight differences. Songs like ‘Spastic Heartache Affliction’ by Fayence Dream and Hannes Grossmann demonstrate the tastefully balanced highs in the WF1000XM5. The technical guitars are shiny and clear, showing off the balanced highs in the mix. In “All or Nothing At All” by Freddie Hubbard, Clifford Jarvis’ hi-hat chicks keep the rhythm with bright timbre. Overall, the Momentum earbuds are a touch brighter while the WF1000XM5 has a more even treble frequency response.

Summary

Both pairs of earbuds outperform a lot of their competitors.Yet in the Sennheiser Momentum 4 VS. Sony WF1000XM5 Comparison Review, there has to be a winner. These flagship models offer impressive sound staging, frequency response, and ANC. Albeit, most people’s choice will come down to their own personal preferences and lifestyle. With my taste I’d personally choose the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4. Their warmer character and brighter highs make it a very pleasant listening experience. As an audio nerd, I don’t mind the bulkiness of their case and prefer the wider soundstage. Their customizability is an attractive feature. However, users who want a more mid focused sound will prefer the Sony WF1000XM5. Both headphones are fantastic for rock/jazz/pop/metal as well as podcasts and other uses.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and Sony WF-1000XM5 are available at Audio46

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