Review: Sennheiser Momentum 5

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What does our relationship with premium technology actually look like today? Over the past few years, we have been forced to accept a rather dark truth: no matter how many thousands we spend on a pair of wireless over-ear headphones, they are essentially ticking time bombs. They are disposable products whose total lifespan is unilaterally dictated by a built-in lithium-ion battery that slowly loses its edge. When the battery finally dies, the headphones die too. But what if it didn’t have to be that way? With the newly released Sennheiser Momentum 5, the German audio giant enters the ring to challenge the entire industry’s business model, while promising to sharpen an already brilliant audio experience. The question we at the editorial office asked ourselves when the box landed on the test bench was, of course: are these the headphones that finally refuse to die?

Design & Build Quality

Aesthetically, the headphones are recognizable, but Sennheiser has made a couple of incredibly smart adjustments. The first thing we notice is the case. At first glance, the new little “indentation” in the design looked mostly like a cosmetic and somewhat strange design choice. It was only when we actually picked up the case on the way out the door that the penny dropped; the indentation functions as a perfect little handle. An incredibly smart little detail.

However, the major revolution is found under the hood of the earcups themselves: a replaceable battery. Welcome to the future (or back to the past, depending on how you look at it)! Being able to replace the battery yourself when it starts to flag in a few years is a massive win for both the wallet and the environment.

The Sound

Sennheiser has always been a master at delivering an engaging and dynamic soundstage, and this is where the Momentum 5 really gets to flex its muscles. Now, they have also equipped the headphones with support for aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound. If you have an audio source and a streaming service that supports lossless (like Qobuz, Tidal, or Spotify’s new lossless tier), you will definitely notice a difference. The sound gains more air, the bass becomes tighter, and the upper registers bring out details that usually get lost in Bluetooth compression. We must also highlight the connection via USB-C; the sound quality here is noticeably higher and more refined than on its predecessor, making them brilliant to plug directly into a laptop at the desk.

But how does it sound in practice? Fantastic is the word that comes closest. Just like their predecessor, they are neutral without being boring, shrill, or too bass-heavy. To really test the bass and let the headphones stretch their legs, we put on Aaron by Paul Kalkbrenner. Where the Momentum 4 handled the mix gallantly, the five, thanks to lossless support, gives the bass even more texture and a snappy punch. Muddiness is entirely absent.

​We must also mention how incredibly good acoustic songs with a lot of vocals sound. When we play calmer tracks and highlight the vocalists in, for example, Albin Lee Meldau’s Josefin or Marie Fredriksson’s Sparvöga, the refined resolution is clearly noticeable. The vocalists step forward another half-step in the soundstage, and the goosebumps we felt with the four return, but now with even more space between the instruments.

Putting the sound into a slightly broader perspective and comparing it with the luxury Sennheiser HDB 630 (which we recently reviewed), we arrive at an interesting conclusion. The HDB 630 pulls ahead significantly and sounds noticeably better when playing music with their included dongle. But if you run both headphones straight up without a dongle, the difference is actually not very palpable, unless you are A/B testing them right next to each other. That is an excellent testament to the Momentum 5.

We must also mention the big talking point, Spatial Audio. Here at the editorial office, we find that it is mostly a gimmick. Perhaps we are too old-fashioned, but we have yet to find a real use case for that artificial surround sound when listening to regular stereo music. Is there anyone who actually uses it in everyday life?

Performance, ANC & Call Quality

While the sound feels like a luxury fine-tuning, the upgrades in software and microphones are more palpable. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is noticeably better than on its predecessor. It shuts out office chatter and the hum of public transport very effectively. That being said, if we are to be completely objective, it still doesn’t quite reach that vacuum-like total silence offered by the flagship models from Sony and Bose.

Where Sennheiser, on the other hand, crushes all competition is in wind reduction. It is, without a doubt, class-leading. Walking in a strong headwind is normally the death of any form of wireless music listening, but the Momentum 5 magically eliminates the noise incredibly well. The same microphone upgrade also works wonders for call quality. Taking a phone call outdoors when it’s windy is now not only doable; it sounds very clean for the recipient. They might not quite beat our current reigning champions, the SoundCore Liberty 5 Pro (read our test of them here), but for a pair of over-ear headphones, the call quality is absolute top-tier.

Battery Life and Charging

The introduction of the replaceable battery, the new microphones, and the heavier noise cancellation has come with a price tag. The total battery life has dropped from the epic 60 hours in the Momentum 4 to 57 hours. Let us be clear: this is a completely trivial downgrade. 57 hours is still extremely better than the majority of the competition, and during an intensive test week, we didn’t have to think about looking for the charger at all. If three hours less battery life is the price we must pay to get a battery that can be replaced as it ages, then we are more than willing to take that hit any day of the week.

Conclusion

​We began by asking whether all technology in the premium segment must be ticking disposable products, doomed to throw in the towel the day the battery gives up. With the Momentum 5, Sennheiser gives a clear and long-awaited “no” to that question.

The price tag is substantial. But when we weigh in the phenomenal sound quality, the class-leading wind reduction, and the fact that you are actually investing in a product that can live on long after the original battery has served its time, the pieces fall into place. You aren’t just buying a pair of fantastic headphones; you are buying your way out of the built-in expiration date. And that is, quite frankly, worth every penny.

Sennheiser sent a review sample for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests; we always write independently with you, the readers and consumers, in focus

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Review Highlights: Q&A

Can I replace the battery myself?

Yes, the Momentum 5 features a user-replaceable battery.

How long is the battery life?

It provides 57 hours of playback on a single charge.

How does the noise cancellation perform?

It is effective, but slightly behind Sony and Bose.

Is call quality good in windy conditions?

Yes, it is class-leading and eliminates wind noise.

What is the overall sound profile like?

It is fantastic, neutral, and supports lossless audio.

Is there anything unique about the carrying case?

The case features a small indentation used as a handle.