Recently Sennheiser released its much-awaited follow-up to the Momentum 3 – the Sennheiser Momentum 4. The new headphones have a few improvements over their predecessor, notably support for high-resolution audio, Active Noise Cancellation, and a comfort-focused Modern design.
But how do they stack up against Sony’s top-of-the-line headphones, So how does it stack up against one of its main rivals – the Apple AirPods Max?
In this article, we’ll compare the Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Airpods Max and see which is the better choice for you.
Price and value: Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Airpods Max
The Brand new Momentum 4 and AirPods Max are much more expensive as compared to other noteworthy rivals like Clear Enduro ANC at $129, and Bose 700 at $379.
The price of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is $350/£330, while the price of the AirPods Max is $549/£549. So, the Momentum 4 is around 30% cheaper than, and the Airpods Max. In terms of Performance and features, both headphones offer great value for the price.
However, If you compare Sennheiser Momentum 4 with other headphones in the same price range like the Master & Dynamic MW75 and Sony WH-1000XM5, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 comes out on top.
Winner: Momentum 4
General Comparison: Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Airpods Max
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Airpods Max | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Around $350/£330 | Around $549/£54 |
| Release Date | August 8, 2022 | December 15, 2020 |
| Predecessor | Sennheiser Momentum 3 | Airpods Pro |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS | Android; iOS |
| Wireless Charging Case | No | No |
| Chip | Qualcomm Chip | Apple H1 Chip |
| Battery Life | 60 Hours With ANC | 20 Hours With ANC |
| Water Resistance | No | IPX4 |
| Size | 7.7 x 7.1 x 1.8 inches | 6.6 x 3.3 x 7.4 inches |
| Weight | Aprov. 293 Garms | Aprov. 385 Garms |
| Colors | Black, white | Space Gray, Silver, Green, Pink, and Sky Blue |
| Special features | Adaptive active noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive sound settings, Equalizer settings, 360 Reality Audio, Spotify Tap, Multipoint technology, Automatic switching, optical sensors, Motion-detecting sensors | 360 Reality Audio, Spotify Tap, Multipoint technology, Automatic switching, Adaptive active noise cancellation, transparency mode, adaptive sound settings, Equalizer settings, Speech-detecting sensors , optical sensors, Motion-detecting sensors |
Design: Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Airpods Max
In the design department, Sennheiser has made some significant changes with the new Momentum 4. The most notable change is the new headband, which features a nylon fabric covering and memory foam padding.
Plus this time Sennheiser remove the distinctive yokes in favor of a sleeker, more modern-looking design.
On the comfort zone, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 has come with well-cushioned earpads and well-measured clamping force which make it more comfortable to wear for long listening sessions.
On the other hand, AirPods Max comes in a variety of colors, gleaming aluminum earcups, and a broad mesh headband that is not just eye-catching but also promises durability. The aluminum earcups are suspended on adjustable arms attached to the headband which allows rotation, so the earcups can sit flush on your head.
The main advantage of Momentum 4 over AirPods Max is its lightweight which makes it more comfortable to wear for long periods as Momentum 4 weighs 293g whereas AirPods Max weighs 384g.
Winner: Momentum 4
Features: Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Airpods Max
1. Noise Cancellation:
When it comes to Noise cancellation the Sennheiser did a pretty well job with its new Momentum 4. The headphone reduces noise like fans, Street noise rumbles, and engine noise to a significant level.
When it comes to the higher-pitched sound like keyboard taps or the voice of a person close by, it did a reasonable job but not as effective as the Sony WH 1000XM5 or Bose Noise Cancellation 700.
Just like Airpod Max, The Momentum 4 also has an adaptive system which means the headphone will automatically adjust its noise-canceling performance according to the level of ambient noise.
Moreover, the transparency mode of the headphones is quite handy, On the maximum level, it will let all the noise in, and on the minimum level, you will be able to hear people close by without taking off your headphones.
When we talk about the Airpod Max, Apple did a fantastic job with its new noise-canceling feature. Airpod Max uses 4 microphones both inside and outside the earcups to cancel the noise. Not to mention, with the Airpod Max, Apple drowned out the sounds of traffic, drones, and even a roaring boiler.
The class-leading transparency mode of the Airpod Max lets you hear the music as well as the people around you without taking off your headphone. One thing more, the bleed sound is very minimal with the Airpod Max.
To put it simply, both Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Airpod Max did a great job when it comes to noise cancellation, But if we have to choose one, we will go with the Airpod Max because of its better overall performance.
Winner: Airpod Max
2. Voice Assistant
This feature is a very important factor to consider, as it can be the deciding factor for some people. When we look at the voice Assistant functionality of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and the AirPods Max, we see that there is a very clear difference between the two.
The Momentum 4 supports Siri, Google Assistant, as well as Bixby. On the other hand, the Airpods Max only supports Siri.
With the help of voice assistants, you can perform various tasks such as making phone calls, sending text messages, setting alarms, and much more.
Winner: Momentum 4
3. Bluetooth Connectivity and Codecs
Another thing to look for is Bluetooth Connectivity and Codecs. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has the latest Bluetooth tech with support for AAC and SBC codecs, but it also has aptX Adaptive support which helps to achieve higher and excellent audio quality as well as no Bluetooth connectivity issue.
Lastly, the Bluetooth version is the latest and greatest 5.2 which Provides a more stable and stronger connection between the Momentum 4 and other devices.
On the other hand, Airpods Max doesn’t have aptX Adaptive codecs instead uses the universal AAC and SBC codecs for streaming audio. It also uses an older Bluetooth 5.0 connection which isn’t as good as the 5.2 in the Momentum 4.
Winner: Momentum 4
4. Special Features
In this department, both headphones are pretty evenly matched. They have adaptive sound settings which automatically adjust the sound to your environment and equalizer settings so you can customize the sound to your liking.
They also have multipoint technology, meaning they can connect to two devices at the same time. The Motion-detecting sensors allow the headphones to pause when you take them off and resume when you put them back on.
The speech-detecting sensors allow the headphones to focus on your voice and filter out background noise.
Moreover, Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Airpod Max have 360 Reality Audio which creates a more immersive soundscape, and Spotify Tap which allows you to play, pause, and skip tracks with a simple tap.
However, Sennheiser Momentum 4 has an additional feature called Google Fast Pair which allows you to seamlessly connect your headphones to your Android device.
Winner: Momentum 4
Sound: Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs. Airpods Max
In the department of sound, it’s no surprise that the Sennheiser Momentum 4 came out on top. These headphones feature Sennheiser’s renowned 42mm audio drivers, which deliver exceptional sound quality.
The AirPods Max, on the other hand, features Apple’s 40mm H1 audio drivers. While these are good drivers, they can’t match the quality of the Sennheisers.
In addition, the Momentum 4 has a well-balanced sound with deep bass, powerful mids, and detailed highs. On the other hand, the AirPods Max has powerful bass which is controlled and doesn’t overtake the mids and highs.
Both headphones did a great job on all music genres that we tested, but the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is the better choice if you’re looking for exceptional sound quality.
Winner: Momentum 4
Battery Life: Sennheiser Momentum 4 vs Airpods Max
In terms of battery life, there is no competition with Sennheiser Momentum 4 as they offer up to 60 hours of playback time with the ANC turned ON. This is exceptional in the industry as most premium headphones only offer 20-30 hours with the ANC feature turned ON.
However, Airpods Max only offers 20 hours of battery life while using it with ANC. In addition, a 5-minute charge of Momentum 4 provides up to 4 hours of playback time while Airpods Max offers only 1.5-hour charges.
Both headphones, Momentum 4 and AirPods Max take 2 hours to charge from 0%-100% using the USB-C and Lightning connector respectively.
Winner: Momentum 4
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Conclusion
Sennheiser Momentum 4 and AirPods Max both offer unique features that cater to different user preferences.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is known for its superior overall sound quality, with more bass presence and detailed treble. On the other hand, the Airpods Max excels in the mid-range for vocals and instruments.
While the Momentum 4 is lighter and more affordable, the Airpods Max offers seamless pairing with Apple devices.
Ultimately, the choice between Sennheiser Momentum 4 and AirPods Max would depend on the specific needs and budget of the user.
FAQs
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is lighter, weighing 293g, compared to the Airpods Max, which weighs 386g. This could make the Momentum 4 more comfortable for extended use, especially for those who are sensitive to the weight of headphones.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 offers great battery life and an OS-agnostic mobile app. The Airpods Max supports Spatial Audio and has an H1 chip for seamless pairing with Apple devices. These features cater to different user preferences, enhancing the user experience in their respective ways.