Sennheiser has released the Momentum 5, a pair of over ear wireless headphones that the German audio maker is pitching against the most popular noise cancelling models on the market. The headphones cost 399.99 dollars and sit below rivals such as Sony’s WH-1000XM6 and Apple’s AirPods Max 2 on price. Sennheiser is leaning on battery performance and sound quality to draw buyers who want a premium set without paying the highest price on the shelf.
Battery life is the headline figure. Sennheiser rates the Momentum 5 at up to 57 hours on a single charge, and says a 10 minute top up returns about seven hours of playback. That endurance is close to double what the comparable Sony model offers and roughly three times the figure quoted for Apple’s option. The design also uses a battery cell that owners can replace, a feature meant to extend the useful life of the product beyond the point where a sealed battery would fail.
The headphones support Dolby Atmos for spatial audio and carry eight microphones, twice the count of the previous generation, which the company says sharpens active noise cancellation. A companion app, Smart Control Plus, adds an eight band equaliser, adjustable noise cancelling levels and a test that tailors the sound to the listener. The carrying case is thinner than many competitors, a small touch that makes the set easier to pack for travel.
In an early review, the sound drew the most attention. “If I had to describe the sound in one word, it’d be balanced,” the reviewer wrote, praising natural vocals and firm bass. The main drawbacks noted were weight and a build that feels slightly less premium than the metal heavy designs from Sony and Apple. Both points were described as minor given how much lower the price is than those flagship rivals.
The launch continues a crowded year for high end headphones, with the major brands competing on noise cancellation, battery and spatial audio rather than price alone. Sennheiser’s strategy places the Momentum 5 as a value option among flagship models, offering most of the features buyers expect while sitting well below its closest competitors. The headphones are available now through Sennheiser and general electronics retailers in most markets.
