Sennheiser is making waves once again with the announcement of its Momentum 5 Wireless headphones, nearly four years since the last iteration wowed audiophiles. The new version retains the modern yet understated design of the Momentum 4, featuring generous ear cups that blend in with its competition. However, the real excitement lies in the enhancements beneath the surface, such as an upgraded active noise cancellation (ANC) system and, for the first time, a user-replaceable battery, promising an extended lifespan for the device.
Set to hit the shelves on June 30th, the Momentum 5 Wireless headphones come with a price tag of $399.99—$50 more than its predecessor. While the 42mm drivers remain consistent with earlier models, Sennheiser introduces “Hi-Res Audio certification” and expands Bluetooth codec support to include AptX Lossless. This innovation allows for streaming of 16-bit/44.1kHz CD-quality audio, though only from Qualcomm-powered devices compatible with the Snapdragon Sound platform. Devices from Sony and Motorola are expected to work seamlessly, whereas users of Samsung, Google, and Apple products might miss out.
The Momentum 5 also sees a boost in its microphone array, now featuring four mics on each side, significantly enhancing noise cancellation capabilities. Sennheiser asserts that these headphones are up to three times more effective at muting background noise, such as chatter and engine hum in airplanes. The improved ANC and additional microphones also enhance call quality, ensuring clearer voice pickup and better audio reception for both parties during calls.
Users can expect up to 57 hours of battery life with the Momentum 5, a slight reduction from the Momentum 4’s 60 hours but still a considerable leap over Sony’s WH-1000XM6, which offers up to 30 hours with ANC active. Additional upgrades include a 20 percent smaller carrying case, support for Dolby Atmos and spatial audio with head tracking, and the potential for a future firmware update from Bluetooth 5.4 to Bluetooth 6.0, although Sennheiser hasn’t provided a release date for this enhancement.
