JUN 11, 2024
NimishAndAkriti
For most people, truly wireless earphones (or TWS, or 'AirPods', as everyone calls them) are more about convenience than about audio quality. By and large, having a TWS is more about the convenience of hands free phone usage, with features like ANC and transparency mode being more important than audio quality. Anyone who wants good audio quality inevitably switches to more conventional earphones, often wired ones. Some TWS, however, are an exception to this rule - and Sennheiser's Momentum Free series has been one of them. They are TWS, they are convenient, but they sound pretty good as well! The latest in the series - the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 follow this tradition!
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The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 like others in this series come in a case that is slightly thick and squarish and has a cloth-like finish. It kind of looks nice but is definitely on the larger side, and can make your pocket bulge - at 34.8 mm, it is thicker than four iPhones, although much smaller! It around 72.4 grams with the buds inside, which is not the lightest but is not too heavy either. The cloth finish gives the case a very distinct touch, but it can pick up water and fluid stains - the buds have IP54 resistance but the case does not. We would recommend going for a darker shade!
The buds themselves again stick very broadly to the design of previous ones in this series. They have metal accents on the outer part which is also a touch panel for controls. They are kind of shiny and bulky and have no stems. They fit pretty well in our ears, although they have dropped out a few times in best TWS tradition. They have an IP54 water and dust rating, which means they will be OK in a gym but not in a pool!
The best thing about the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 is their sound. The series has always been known for its excellent audio, and here again, it delivers in spadefuls. You get very good clarity, and an audio signature that hits the right balance between bass and treble - it is very different and a little sharper from what you get on the AirPods Pro and the Sony WF-1000 XM5 series. There is a handy equaliser in the accompanying app, letting you tweak settings, but take it from us, keep it neutral and you will get some of the best sound you can get from a TWS, whether you are watching a film, listening to a podcast or just listening to music. Bassheads will not approve, though!
The sound is the forte of these TWS, and let's face it, if you want great sound in a TWS form factor, you cannot beat these easily. However, they do wobble in other regards - call quality is decent but not on par with the AirPods, and the control system can get a little tough, as even touching the buds to adjust their positioning can sometimes trigger commands. Battery life is about 6-7 hours on the buds and about 30 hours with the case (there's support for wireless charging) - - decent but not exceptional. ANC is actually pretty good. although slightly below what we got from the AirPods Pro, which remain the bosses of this realm in TWS.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 are available at Rs 18,990. That's below the AirPods Pro and the Sony WF-1000 XM5 (both of which are around Rs 23,000) but still pretty premium, Are they worth it? Yes, if you value audio quality and want the TWS form factor - else for that price you can get 'proper' headphones like the Bose QC45 and if you are an audiophile, then some terrific wired headphones from Audio Technica and Beyerdynamic! The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 are about combining great sound with TWS convenience. Truly wireless audio seldom sounded better - it is up to you to decide if paying a premium for this is worth it. If you are looking for decent audio with lots of smart features then something like the Nothing Ear is already there for Rs 11,999!