Sennheiser has made some of the most well-built, premium headphones across both the in-ear and over-ear markets for quite some time now, and the previous Momentum True Wireless 4 were a great example of that. In many ways, the Momentum True Wireless 5 in-ear headphones feel like a more refined version of their older sibling, making meaningful changes, even if it’s not revolutionising them.
They’re incredibly comfortable for everyday use and workouts, and paired with awesome noise cancellation and great audio, there’s already plenty to love. But thanks to the replaceable battery, slimmer case and newer EQ options, it feels like a much bigger deal for those with an older pair of earbuds looking to upgrade.
Design
The Momentum 4 True Wireless Earbuds were great, but I was never really a fan of the charging case. It was one of the larger options you could find at the time, and while the buds fit in nicely and were easy to remove, the flatter, horizontal design still felt quite bulky. The charging case for the Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds is undeniably taller, but much slimmer, making it easier to fit in your pocket or handbag, for example.
Available in 5 colours: Graphite, Cream, Copper, Denim and Lavender, we had the pleasure of trying out the Cream option here, and I’m a big fan of it. The silver logo and accent around the lid of the charging case complement the matte finish nicely, and there’s even a cool little metallic glitter to the case if you look a little closer.
Underneath the case, you’ll find a USB-C charging port and a small screw, which allows you to access the housing for the interchangeable rechargeable battery. Once undone, the bottom simply slides out, revealing the battery.
In the box, you’ll also find a small USB-C to USB-C charging cable, three sizes of additional interchangeable silicone tips, in addition to the ones included on the earbuds, and a small tool to remove the screw for the interchangeable rechargeable battery housing.
The tool is rather unique, but you could get away with a smaller Phillips head screwdriver if you were to lose this piece.
The buds themselves will feel familiar to those who have worn the Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds, but I feel as though the more rounded design works better within the ear, as the slightly more angular and square design of the Momentum True Wireless 4 felt like it dug in a little if it wasn’t in the perfect spot.
That being said, they feel great, and once you mess around with the interchangeable tips for your ear size, they also feel incredibly stable.
Performance
Thankfully, Sennheiser hasn’t lost a step in the audio department, because these sound incredible. Thanks to the included High-fidelity TrueResponseTM transducers in each earbud, along with 3D Dolby Atmos audio, you’ll find a well-balanced soundstage complete with crisp mids and solid highs, free of any real distortion at any volume level.
But more importantly, there’s a noticeable amount of extra bass here that feels much punchier than it did with the Momentum True Wireless 4. It wasn’t bad there; it’s just that much better here. They also support aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, and SBC codecs for high-quality audio on any platform or device.
The ANC is also fantastic here, as expected, but I feel like I would be lying if I said it was the best in its class. While it’s better than most earbuds even at this price, I feel like Sony’s XM6 earbuds and even the slightly older Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds might still have the edge. But the fact that it even comes close is still quite the compliment. The transparency mode, however, is a real lifesaver if you’re listening out for a crying four-month-old child like I am.
There’s also plenty of other features which will suit several users, including IP54 dust and weather protection for those who are using these to work out or take out on walks, along with Bluetooth 6.0 and multi-device support for those who might want to connect to one device for content and something like a phone to take calls on the go.
The microphone quality here is also fantastic, complete with AI-powered voice isolation which can block out surrounding noise like wind and even voices in the background. Once again, I’m not sure if it’s the best in its class, as I think the AirPods Pro 3 have the slight edge here, but these are still one of the better options on the market if you feel you’re taking or making plenty of calls or even meetings throughout the day.
Battery life is also above average, delivering 12 hours of playtime from the buds themselves, and up to 40 hours total from the charging case.
The package might not blow you away if you already own any of those premium alternatives I just mentioned, but I would argue it stands among them with purpose and intention if you ever feel the need to switch.
Software
I’m a little annoyed that the Momentum True Wireless 5 doesn’t pair up via the Sennheiser Smart Control app, and instead requires the newer Smart Control Plus app, which just sounds confusing. That being said, it’s the one-stop shop if you want to further customise your experience.
It’s never required, but ultimately always useful.
Here, you can toggle modes like ANC and transparency, all while customising new tailored EQ settings and touch controls. It’s all easy enough to navigate thanks to everything being on a single page, and a small onboarding process even helps you learn the basics, like the touch controls, in addition to how to adjust EQ settings and presets.
Verdict & Value
Overall, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 feels like a subtle, yet unmistakable improvement over its predecessor. While the ANC and microphone quality might not be the best in their class, they certainly stand among the best, which still makes them a worthy option.
The audio quality, though, is absolutely incredible, and the addition of punchier bass only helps widen and enhance the soundstage.
Finally, the implementation of a replaceable battery ensures that this premium purchase won’t be held back by more degradable features like declining battery life, making them great value for money, even at their premium price point.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Incredible audio; Great ANC and microphone quality; App allows for plenty of customisation; Comfortable and snug fit.
Lowlights: Might not feel as essential to upgrade if you already own the Momentum True Wireless 4 or similar premium earbuds
Manufacturer: Sennheiser
Price: A$499
Available: Now available via Sennheiser’s official website.
Review based on unit provided by Sennheiser.
