Skip to main content

Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 2 boost battery life, add noise cancellation

Sennheiser has announced the Momentum True Wireless 2 earbuds, the second generation of the original Momentum earbuds. The successors to Sennheiser’s solid first shot at true wireless sound will feature active noise cancellation and improve battery life.

The earbuds will cost $300, with a black version hitting stores in April 2020. A white variation will follow, according to a Sennheiser press release.

Retooled design

In our review of the first-generation Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless, we noted that while they weren’t the most comfortable buds we’ve used, they were fine for longer listening sessions. With the new Momentum True Wireless 2 , Sennheiser has taken measures to provide more comfort, starting by shrinking the buds by nearly 2mm compared to the previous model.

Sennheiser said it took this route to “improve ergonomics for the best possible fit and to minimize fatigue.” Until we try them, we won’t be able to comment on whether this has improved comfort. However, if our experience tells us anything, more compact, lightweight designs tend to be easier on the ears.

Beefed-up battery life

The original Momentum had lackluster battery life. The Momentum had up to four hours of battery life in a single charge, and up to 12 hours of total lifewith the included charging case. In a world where the Samsung Galaxy Buds+ offers up to 11 hours of playback on a single charge, that wasn’t enough.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sennheiser has addressed that by boosting the Momentum True Wireless 2 to seven hours of life per charge, with a total of 28 hours of battery included with the device’s case. These aren’t industry-leading numbers, but they’re a major step up.

Features and extras

The Momentum True Wireless 2 will have customizable touch controls that let you control audio volum, or answer phone calls. It will let you activate the voice assistant of your choice, whether it be Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri. And, in line with many other buds, the Momentum True Wireless 2 will have a Smart Pause feature that stops playback when you remove an earbud, and resumes when you put it back in.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sennheiser hasn’t commented on the earbuds’ weather resistance. The first-gen Momentum were IPX4 rated to be splash resistant, so we can assume the newer version will have at least that rating. Also, Amazon’s Alexa was excluded from its list of compatible voice assistants.

Audio quality

The highlight here is the inclusion of active noise cancellation, a feature that Sennheiser claims will let listeners experience “incredible high-fidelity sound even in noisy environments.” That’s paired with a Transparent Hearing feature that mixes in ambient sound with the touch of a bud. This is a common, and increasingly necessary, feature on earbuds with active noise cancellation.

The Momentum True Wireless 2 also feature 7mm dynamics drivers, a built-in equalizer, and Sennheiser’s Smart Control App. The original Momentum were incredibly clear, so we’re intrigued to see what these features mean for the new Sennheiser’s sound.

The catch here, from what we can tell, is price. For the added features, including active noise cancellation and the stronger battery life, the Momentum True Wireless 2 will come in at a full $100 more than the current cost of the original.

Editors' Recommendations

Nick Woodard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
  As an A/V Staff Writer at Digital Trends, Nick Woodard covers topics that include 4K HDR TVs, headphones…
Montblanc’s first wireless earbuds get a little help from Axel Grell
Montblanc MTB 03 wireless earbuds inside charging case.

Montblanc, the iconic maker of luxury writing instruments, is expanding its reach into the audio world with its first set of wireless earbuds. The MTB 03 are small and stylish, with active noise cancellation (ANC) and a design that incorporates the company's instantly recognizable glossy black finish and rounded star motifs. They're available starting July 1 at all Montblanc boutiques and Montblanc.com, for 345 British pounds (about $438).

The MTB 03 benefit from the expertise of Axel Grell, the man behind the development of many of Sennheiser's headphones and earbuds. Montblanc says that Grell was responsible for creating the MTB 03's sound signature. This is a consistent pattern for Montblanc, which partnered with Audeze’s founder, Alex Rosson when it began its audio journey with the MTB 01 wireless ANC headphones, which launched in 2020.

Read more
Anker Soundcore says its new wireless buds will block up to 98% of external noise
Woman wearing Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC.

Anker's Soundcore division has got a new set of wireless earbuds. And while the name may sound familiar -- they're called the Liberty 4 NC -- their price is a nice surprise: just $100. That buys you a set of hi-res-capable wireless earbuds that Anker claims have really impressive active noise cancellation (ANC) and battery life.

Anker calls it "Adaptive ANC 2.0" a system that uses two mics -- one inside your ear and one on the outside of the earbuds -- to adapt ANC performance instantly in any environment. The company must be confident that the system works well; it claims it blocks out up to 98.5% of external noise. Not even the superb Apple AirPods Pro 2 claim that kind of performance.

Read more
Skullcandy’s new $20 wireless earbuds get 20 hours of battery life
Skullcandy Smokin Buds True Wireless.

What can you expect from a $20 set of wireless earbuds? More than you probably expect, according to Skullcandy. The company's latest model, the Smokin' Buds True Wireless, boast an eight-hour battery life per charge, with a total of 20 hours when you include their charging case. That's a considerable bump up in longevity from Skullcandy's other budget earbuds, the Dime, which only last 3.5 hours on a charge, with 12 hours total.

The rest of the Smokin' Buds' features and specifications are fairly standard for the budget segment:

Read more