How much is it Is great sound worth it to you? Sennheiser’s best wireless headphones beg that question in more ways than one. The previous version, True Wireless 3, was praised by critics, but some users raised issues such as battery drain and connection issues. He Momentum True Wireless 4 set out to address these complaints with an all-new battery system among “more than a dozen major upgrades,” according to Sennheiser.
In this context, the two headphone drops I experienced in my first few days of testing the MTW4 stood out more than the usual new headphone jitters. Especially since the latest pair has the exact same exterior design as the MTW3, which, in 2024, looks downright chunky compared to the competition. Size aside, a firmware update seems to have fixed those connection issues and I haven’t experienced any other interruptions over several days of testing.
One thing that has never been in doubt with Sennheiser is the sound quality. Even given their magnificent sonic pedigree, the Momentum 4 took me by surprise with their clarity, their sensitivity, and the sheer sweetness and delicacy with which they render each tone. They combine it with competitive noise cancellation and a solid app. The result is a package that deserves a little faith, especially for those who put great sound first.
Not so spyware
If you’re familiar with Sennheiser’s Momentum line, you’ll feel déjà vu with the fourth-generation version. The buds arrive housed in what looks like the same square case as the original Momentum from 2019. It feels downright huge compared to cases from Apple, Sony, and others. Still, you have to admire Sennheiser’s style, covering it in elegant fabrics straight from the James Bond Corduroy collection.
The buds have morphed over time, but Sennheiser made no exterior changes to the 2022 MTW3 to maintain its “timeless aesthetic.” They certainly look premium with their angular smoked chrome casings but, timeless or not, I would have liked some ergonomic updates.
The earbuds barely fit my medium-sized ears with the default band flexing around the main housing, but swapping them out for the smaller of two replacements made them stable and relatively comfortable for a few hours with a clip on. They still feel bulky and somewhat invasive, and at 6 grams per side, they don’t pull off the disappearing trick of Apple’s AirPods Pro (9/10, WIRED recommends) or other favorites. Four sizes of ear tips allow you to further customize the fit, but those with smaller ears may want to try before they buy.
Lots of goodies
Photography: Ryan Waniata
Beneath its enameled casings, the MTW4 has undergone a relatively complete revamp, from its new battery system (and firmware to optimize it) to support for the latest Bluetooth 5.4 protocol and a new low latency mode for gaming. They now also have dust protection, with an IP54 rating.
The battery is arguably the most important upgrade, and includes a new supplier to ensure greater reliability. Playback clocks in at a respectable 7.5 hours per charge and 30 hours total with the charging case. This was in line with my testing, with the earbuds keeping pace at seven to eight hours per charge with noise cancellation on.
Call quality has been improved, with AI optimization designed to deliver advanced clarity through the headphones’ new Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. I didn’t notice anything special on my part, but I also didn’t receive any major complaints from others, even while speaking outside.