BEST ANC under $500? - Momentum 4 Review
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- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- Chrono takes a look at the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless ANC headphone. The Momentum 3 was great and is considered by many to be one of the better sounding noise cancelling headphones, so in this video we check if the new one can live up to that legacy.
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00:00 - Intro
00:41 - Build, Comfort & Accessories
02:42 - ANC Performance & Features
04:08 - Sound Quality & Measurements
08:16 - Conclusion
a really underrated feature of the momentum 4s is the battery life. when i first bought them i didnt think that it would become such an important thing to me. I listen to a lot of Music and i only charge them up once every Week. Easily the greatest feature that the M4s offer aside from Soundquality.
I sweeaarrrr although they have aa lot of bass, you can regulate it to your liking in the in-app EQ
The battery life was easily the most surprising but very welcome addition!
Very useful review. Thank you.
Awesome review, I have been waiting for this! I recently got a Momentum 4 and I was curious about your opinion on these! I really enjoy them, but they're not perfect for sure. But your tip of engaging Podcast mode is gold! I really didn't expect this to improve the sound for music, but it turns out that this might just be the missing piece! I have to try it with some more tracks, but it basically does what I was trying to achieve with the EQ:
Sometimes the mids around 1kHz get a little honky/resonant. If this was the case, I turned down the mids by 2db which fixes that to some extend, but also makes the mids a little too recessed. Also, sometimes the bass is just too present, so I created another EQ preset with the bass tuned down by 2db. But this pronounces the mid honk again, so I turned the treble up by 3db. Because of the way the EQ works, this actually creates a sound similar to Podcast mode, because the upper mids are also boosted then. But the treble can be a little too sizzling then.
Seems like the Podcast mode does exactly what I need sometimes: Tame the bass to be more Harman target like, and fill up the upper mids, which also masks the 1kHz resonance. All without boosting the treble too much.
Love them! Best in it‘s price range! Sound personalization is an awesome feature! ❤
Nice review, useful, thanks 🙂
I got these M4 for Christmas and really like the sound quality. I tested Bathys but could not justify the price. Went on a trip to Europe and had issues with Bluetooth dropping randomly while on the plane or in a metro train. I also thought the ANC to transparency mode switch was too sensitive and it would go from full ANC to full transparency if I turned my head too far and it touched the headrest of the plane seat. When we came back home, I had the same issues of connection drop out at home. Sometimes connection would be great for hours and other times the Bluetooth would drop multiple times in a just a few minutes. (Never had this issue with my AirPods Pro). I returned and got a new copy. So far seems to be better with only one dropped connection over the past week. Anyone else seeing this issue? Any solutions out there?
Great review! Can the momentum 4 connect wirelessly with bluetooth to MacBook devices?
Hey guys is there any chance that our Momentum 4's will get a firmware update for the Aptx LOSSLESS vodec or is that impossible?
A good review, but if you're going to show us some measurements, why wouldn't you show how the EQ in the app affects the frequency response? Or how do the headphones measure with the preset settings or the podcast setting on? I have seen this problem with many reviews that show measurements only with the stock tuning, even though there is potentially an EQ setting to make the sound more preferable.
Exactly. Especially as it's only a 3-band EQ of which we have no idea which frequencies the adjustments are centred around.
I bought it 1 week ago, I just charged it for the first time. The battery is fabulous. The sound is great better than the sony m5, bose 45 .... unlike some, I have no problem with the app and the anc suits me perfectly. Less pressure on the ears than the sony. for comfort, I don't know if it's that I'm not used to this type of headphone but after a couple of hours, I get tired of wearing it but overall I'm very satisfied.
Got these during Canjam and couldn't be happier. Very pleasant, detailed sound with some slam. Absolutely great for the price.
Great video. I love my M3 and I like its more neutral sound signature, especially when you use the high-end sending in the Smart Control app. I don’t think there is a high end setting in the M4 Smart Control app, only the M3
I previously owned the Momentum 4, but due to the various and consistent issues with the firmware I had to get them refunded. Have the issues been addressed? Are they finally reliable?
This might become my new plane anc headphone to replace my xm3's. I only need the anc from an overear for planes specifically so as long as it performs well in those situations, I'm totally good
Are there any smart control settings for the M4 that will get it to sound like the high end tuning setting for the M3
6:17 I don't get why all reviewers say you can simply adjust the bass with the app's EQ. I tried it and if you do +/- 1 or 2, it barely affects anything. If you go far enough like 4+, then it sounds wonky and affects the other FR. The app's EQ is (near) useless. I found some difference with the Classical preset, but it was so minor that I just stuck with the default, because the EQ app does mess with the other frequencies a bit. It's very different from the Sony (TWS version) XM4 EQ which totally can fix the sound signature.
I have the impression that the EQ boosts/cuts very wide frequency areas, and at the same time, it retains the overall loudness. That's why boosting the bass a lot also makes mids/treble quieter. But I agree with you, I'd also like more fine-grained control. I'd love to reduce 1kHz resonance and boost the upper mids around 3kHz a bit to compensate. I heard some rumor that Sennheiser is about to give us a more fine-grained EQ next year - let's hope it's true!
It's True There is Issue the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones Automatically On Inside the Case Inside in the bag while traveling/walking?
Could we get measurements of the Podcast mode?
Just curious, could we get a graph with the podcast setting on? Also, how is the in-app 3 band EQ?
I'd also be interested in it! From what I hear, it reduces the bass considerably, but it's still present. I guess it's close to Harman then. And it fills up the upper mids around 2-3kHz a little bit, which make occasional resonances around 1kHz less prominent. Treble seems to remain pretty much untouched as far as I can tell.
Can you guys do a review on SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro?
Just picked up the B&W PX8…and I’m in the process of returning it. For $700 I was sadly disappointed. Sonically it just didn’t quite lived up to the hype. My old M3 sounded more engaging and more importantly, enjoyable to listen to for hours. Needless to say, I’ll be checking these M4 for a possible upgrade. Thnk u for the review.
Resolve recently posted a comparison video for several ANC headphones. Let's just say he wasn't too positive towards the PX8's sound profile.
Focal Bathys is my recommendation
I returned H95s which I got kinda "cheap" (450) and got Momentum 4s. So far I am liking Momentum 4s more.
I know it’s not for comparison, but I’m between this and the airpods pro 2. Can’t decide
I bought the Momentum4 but returned them as they were not loud enough for me and did not sound dynamic. I even played with the app with no success. I since bought the Focal Elegia and the Focal Bathys which sound more to my liking.
You say it’s the best current gen offering - does that include the Focal Bathys?
Nice outdoor backdrop you got there chrono 😂
Planning to get this one as an upgrade for my Sennheiser PXC 550-II, which I really liked. I really liked the previous style but then the compactness of the new one is really good, though wish it had some more design; but then what matters is sound.
It's an easy to like upgrade when coming from the PXC 550. I did it, and while it sounds different, it's still a Sennheiser sound. It has more bass extension and presence, more present mids (but I also hear a resonance there), less shouty upper mids, cleaner treble, better detail, resolution, soundstage and imaging. Timbre is considerably better for most tracks, it only struggles on my ears if a lot is going on in the 1kHz region, like mellow piano or some mellow female vocals in the upper register. The operation is similar to the PXC 550, so you'll feel right at home immediately. The comfort is nice, the earpads are bigger but a bit shallower, so keep that in mind and try them first. The ANC is a little better, but don't expect wonders here. The only ANC bluetooth alternative in the price range up to 400 bucks would be the PX7 S2 in my opinion, I had a hard time deciding between the two. The PX7 S2 have less sub bass, more upper bass, less presence in the lower mids but more upper mids, and also a very nice, round treble response, but sound a bit narrower than the M4 in their soundstage. More polite than the M4, mainstream but refined, also an upgrade over the PXC 550 sound in my opinion.
@@VeitLehmann Thanks for your feedback. As per ANC, it is not the main criteria, rather sound quality and Sennheiser signature. I tried PX7/8 and didn't like the sound.
@@VicharB What didn't you like about the B&W's sound? I only tried them in a store so i might have missed quite a bit.
@@VeitLehmann I'd say mainly narrow soundstage, straight in the middle of your head, and then the signature itself, additionally let's say very far from what PXC 550-II presents, which is closer to natural. Little more bass by Senh is ok, as for me it doesn't bleed into mids much, unlike the Sony which are very bass heavy and I consider them consumer grade and not worth what they are marketed and accepted by community. Focal Bathys are great but then they are bulky, as an option to what Senh present. I do like little warm, hence also tried many sub $500 IEMs and stopped at IKKO OH10, not for sound details and analysis but awesome for listening and enjoying music. Just to add, from Senh I also have HD58x (little more mass then HD6xx), and HD600.
@@VicharB Looks like you have a lot more experience than me. But from what you write it seems like the M4 could be something for you. Compared to the PX7 S2: more Soundstage, no upper bass bass bleeding into the mids (that's what bothered me most about the B&Ws), still lower bass rumble, and more present mids (a bit too much for my taste, but this might be different for you). I haven't tried the Bathys, but from what I heard, they should be lighter in their bass, so you might try the M4's Podcast tuning as suggested in the video.
Hey Chrono, are you going to review the Sennheiser HD 300 Pro in the future? I haven't seen many impressions about it yet.
I was going to buy one, but the seller said that with EQ they sound exactly like HD280 Pro. Bit better build and comfort and more bass in stock tuning, but apparently that's it.
I bought the Momentum 4 during black friday sales and while the technical performance is a big step up compared to my sony XM3, the ANC is absolutely terrible, especially on subways.
I have the Sony's XM3... And even though I love them because of the practicity, I think the sound is awful. Is just too much bass... Now, I tried the xm4, xm5, airpod max, bose, Momentums... All of them has a crappy overpowered bass... Is there any ANC headphones with fairly neutral sound? I have the Sennheiser HD560s and I feel a relief when I can use them, but those are pretty useless out of the room. Are there any ANCs that don't have such a stupid overpowered bass?
After 3 months my momentum 4 creak alot sprayed ptfe in the joints and for now its fixed the problem. Next thing is that you can't turn off anc very annoying on windy days.
You actually can, you have to move the slider to the middle. That turns it off.
Just got them for $150 new, sound awesome!
does his recommendation include the Focal Bathys or Levinson 5909? those should be included but he didn't mention them, so now i don't know if he recommends the Momentum 4 over those as well.
I don’t think so. He said best under 500 right? The others are 800 and up.
@@imabeliever85 the confusing part is I don't think he said below $500. But I see his thumbnail does say that.
I own both the Focal Bathys and ML 5909
If you want the best of the best get the ML 5909... It sounds amazing. My Bathys are easy second.
@@angelsales8544 thnx. what aspects did ML 5909 beat the Bathys at? also, apparently after more research, the B&O H95 is also better than the Focal Bathys, and more comfortable too. So now the comparison would be ML 5909 vs B&O H95. Have you had the chance to listen to the H95?
@@Viewer13128 to me 5909 has a better sound quality. I was able to hear all the details and separation. It feels like you are there with the music. I listened to a lot of Hip hop, rock and country.
Comfort wise the Focal Bathys are more comfortable to me and its glasses friendly too. Out of all my headphones, the Bathys are the only ones i can use while wearing glasses for a long time.
And for the other headphones, i dont have it. So I wouldn't be able to say how they sound. Some reviewers have mentioned that they are loud with a lot of bass.
Does anyone else feel these are just not loud enough ?
Check out the Edifier S3
hi sir Sennheiser momentum4 for special Audio Plus 360 surrounded audio availability
Could you notice driver imbalance?
I watched your new bose qc video and jumped here cuz i remember mine had a really bad one and i returned it.
Little seems to have been said about KEF’s newly released Mu7. If any of you guys got your hands on it, that would be brilliant; am highly tempted by it but am holding off until more reviewers have had their say.
They’re really bad. Returned them.
I just have one question... are momentums loud enought? Thank you!
Yes very loud and crystal clear highs and mids with deep bass
@Biggmail888
No, they're not very loud. When I'm listening my XM5 and QC Ultras at 60%, the Momentum 4 has to be at around 80%-90% for the same volume level.
Momentum 4 Battery destroys the Momentum 3. There's a big reason to upgrade right there. You're Spot on re sound quality however.
Ear cup design has a lot to do with the difference in sound
Rather get the momentum 3 better build and is on sale most of the time for $200 at Best Buy at times
This is the Momentum 4...
@@theyreMineralsMarie ohh yeah my bad I didn’t proff read before I sent the comment
Interesting - its good it hit home for some, because the Momentum 4 and Sony XM5 were both almost unlistenably bad to me, due to the wonky FR, with hollow distant mids, no punch, and generally vapid sound.
I was A/Bing these and Sony XM5 a week ago. ANC in Momentum 4 is IMHO terrible, practically not existing.
The most important part of the Momentum series for me is gone: the retro looks. Those were so beautiful! Look at these bland new ones, though 🤦🏽♂️
Momentum 3 Battery Life - 17hours when brand new. Mine give me 9 hours. Battery NOT replaceable easily.
Momentum 4 Battery life - Industry leading 60hours.
You diudn't even mention this.
For a portable noise cancelling headp[hone this is key.
Why do I have them if not to use them when I am NOT at my desk and close to an amp?
The Battery life is twice that of the Sony and better than any other in this price range or almost any other.
Along with the sound quality this puts the Momentum 4 - even by your reconning in the top 2 or 3 portable ANC headphones available to purchase right now if portability and sound quality are important.
If sound quality is not important to you - what are you doing buying $350 headphones?
Portability is a given 'cos you are buying wireless headphones.
While I get and agree with other parts of your review - it did NOT smack of sopmoene who had really given the Momentum 4 a good go.
You said the Momentum 4 was MORE portable.
What?
The Momentum 3 fold into a ball and that's how they turn off.
The Momentum 4 do NOT turn off that way and do not fold down atb all other than flat.
The case of the Momentum 4, while larger, is more sturdy and looks like it is for those headphones rather than like the Momentum 3 - the case looking like a tired afterthought - not even fitting the headphones.
The Momentum 4 has more definition the Bass byt that is only bearable on certain track and by certain ears - we all hear differently.
Features widse there is a lot to make someone get the Momentum 4 from the 3 but Sound quality - just as you said is not one of those things.
~Almost everything else apart from build quality or styling IS a reason to move to the Momentum 4.
I appreciate greatly the work it takes to do a review of any sort - so a big thank you to you for what you have done.
What I have added is an augmentation of or adendum to your review rather than a complaint about it.
I hope that is OK.
Love to get your thoughts.
ANC is subpar compared to the flagship bose QC Ultra and XM5 and seamlessly switching between devices has been a huge hassle.
Omg this guy looks like my cousin
Yeah
1:20 usb C to usb A
I'm not an expert audiophile (intermediate) but I definitely hear better resolution for M4 when ABing between M3 and M4.
I bought and returned these. They are probably the best at their price point but I disagree with any review that says they're close in sound to the higher tier anc offerings. The Bathys and PX8 are worlds apart from these in every way apart from battery life and I personally do not require 60 hours before recharging. I'm sure it's a benefit to some though. The build on these is cheap feeling but ok. I really dislike the silicone material on the underside of the headband which feels too synthetic for me. I just felt underwhelmed by how quiet and lacking in energy some of my favourite songs were. If you're tossing up between these and the XM5 tough then it's these hands down , but if you've got the budget then there are far superior experiences available.
Listen them for few hours, then switch to Focal Bathys, don't even go back to M4.
no shit stupid, look what they cost.....fool....
How much are the Focal Bathys? And are they noise canceling and wireless?
@@sushmag4297
The Bathys are more than twice of the Momentum 4.
Not a fair comparison in the slightest.
Imo the N700NC M2 is miles ahead of these and the Sonys.
Interesting you would say this, as I have them both now, and I also prefer the N700NC M2 in many ways over the Momentum 4 (which I still like though)
@@violindylan The good JBL stuff aims for Harman research definitions of good sound instead of seemingly wild guesses at consumer preferences combined with being aggressively inoffensive. I wonder if the goal is to just boost bass so when people test them they get motivated to make a purchase decision, but it wears off fast. The AKG's add some fun bass, but don't make other huge deviations from the known good target. Slightly small cups, but really nice otherwise.
@@hartyewh1 Hey if you don't mind could you name the AKG ones as they sound 😉like they might be pretty awesome. I'm someone that enjoys fun bass.
@@WyattOShea It's the N700NC M2 I mentioned in the original comment😅
@@hartyewh1 Oh haha I guess I skipped that part lol. Me big dumb.
You forgot materials quality and design.. way better in momentum 3, leather and steel vs plasicky stuff.. nah.
Bro, momentum 3 is very buggy. i sent mine to service and they immediately changed it with Momentum 4. Tonality is very bad that peak around 4-5k is scratching the shit out of my ears.
Bass is very bad. it only has a mmph and some trance/techno tracks dont have any punch just mmph mmph mmph mmph. Too much low end shadows punch freqs.
And i think momentum 3 has better soundstage, momentum 4 makes reverb effects sound little bit wider or something but its taking some front head thing to in your head.
i put rtings momentum 4 csv file on eq apo and inverted it and added momentum 3 csv. it sounds exactly like momentum 3 now :D punch came back. But with this tuning this is not that good for me to commute with this thing. ANC is better than momentum 3 but still worser than my old xm4. im gonna sell this thing and continue with my other momentum 2 to 3 service changed tws :(
" put rtings momentum 4 csv file on eq apo and inverted it and added momentum 3 csv." Could you please explain this part on how can i achieve this myself? I'm about to get a new pair of Momentum 4's and i'd love them to sound like 3's.
Thing I don't like about this show is it feels like every other channel recommeding ANC headphones when most people don't need the negative aspects of noise cancelling, such as ear drum pressure, dizziness, feeling disconnected from surroundings. And when they do recommend good headphones they're always over $500 when most people don't need to spend this to get good sounding headphones. They're in the own world these reviewers, like they're hooked up to mental brain cancelling headphones. Can't we get a channel that recommends great headphones under $300 that don't need amplifiers and dacs or the rubbish sound quality of noise cancelling headphones. Where are these normal channels? Can you even name one? I can't.Even the cheap audiophile wears $600 Dan Clarke headphones. It's just such crap. I'd love a headphone channel like Scottie Kilmer who gives his thoughts on cheap used cars and drives a Matrix and Celica. The guy who always recommends Sony CD900 headphones for $150 over all the more expensive stuff. That's the headphone channel I want.
How much do you watch this channel? They frequently recommend budget cans, dac/amps, etc. For example, they've recommended the AKG K371 which is about $150, Beyerdynamic DT 770 at about $140, and the Hifiman HD 400se at $109. Additionally, I've heard high praise for the Qudelix 5k dac/amp for $109. All the above are great and they've recommended more. What more do you want? This was a totally unfair and frankly ignorant comment.
THEY SUCK. PERIOD...
I bought them after A LOT of research and reviews and found the sound stage, bass profile, clarity to be wayyyy inferior to the M3.
They removed the heart from these (which is the sennheiser signature sound). Its like they tried to be Sony (which offer an absolutely awful audio signature).
Momentum 3 and even 2s are known for the "thump" in their bass. Its very different that the rumble bass. Its completely missing from M4s.
Momentum 3s were the only headphones which came close to replicating the soundstage and pronounced bass of my high-end openbacks. And I terribly disappointed that Sennheiser decided to ruin their signature Momentum series experience.
Shitty tonality, they should at least follow HD600 sound signature.