Get a good look at Sennheiser’s new Momentum Wireless headphones

By Ryan Waniata March 8, 2015

Sennheiser’s stylish new Momentum Wireless headphones sport some fancy upgrades over their wired counterparts. Apart from a newly sculpted design that allows these classy cans to collapse for better portability, the Momentum Wireless offer Bluetooth connection and active noise cancelling. The upgrades are welcome, but at $500, they don’t come cheap.

That price tag puts the new-look Momentum in a class all their own, skyrocketing past similar offerings from the likes of Phiaton’s Chord MS 530, and even the always-pricey Beats Studio Wireless, both of which offer similar features, but run $100-200 less. That’s a ton of cash, but you do get a lot for your money.

Highlights include classic styling and excellent build quality, intuitive control, and premium features like a rechargeable battery with a claimed 22 hours of runtime per charge, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC pairing, and apt-X for CD-quality sound from compatible devices. Sennheiser’s new 4-microphone NoiseGard active noise cancellation is good, but not great — the Bose QC25 best them there, though they aren’t wireless.

As for audio performance, the Momentum Wireless offer that same auditorium sound we loved in the original Momentum, arranging instrumentation throughout a deep soundstage with plenty of dimension and pinpoint accuracy. Bass is firm and occasionally heavy here, and the sound signature is definitely painted with a lot of extra color, but there’s plenty of detail in the midrange and treble, providing intimate moments of real beauty.

If you’re looking for a clean, bass-forward sound with no strings attached, and you’ve got the green, the Momentum Wireless are available now.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Audio / Video

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…

Audio / Video

Sennheiser’s most affordable true wireless earbuds cost just $130

Sennheiser CX True Wireless earbuds in white.

Sennheiser has taken the wraps off its $130 CX True Wireless (CX TW), the company's most affordably priced true wireless earbuds to date. The new earbuds come in white and black and will be available starting on July 8 at various retailers and Sennheiser.com.

Though they look similar to the more expensive CX 400BT and Momentum True Wireless 2 models, the new earbuds keep things simple. There's no active noise cancellation (ANC) or wireless charging, but Sennheiser says the CX True Wireless get nine hours of battery life per charge and up to 27 hours of playing time when you include their charging case -- considerably more juice than the CX 400BT's seven-hour/20-hour capability.

Audio / Video

Jaybird’s new Vista 2 wireless earbuds are tough enough for the U.S. military

Jaybird Vista 2 earbuds in palm with water pouring.

Many brands claim that their headphones are catered to consumers who are "on the go," but usually this sort of language refers more to going to the coffee shop for a latte than, say, going on a trek through the Andes. Jaybird, however, is more interested in the latter, and its newest pair of true wireless earbuds is designed to be your companion through even the most extreme of journeys.

When Jaybird says that the Vista 2 True Wireless Sport Earbuds are built for athletes and adventurers, they mean it. To begin with, the company claims to have pioneered a "signature fit" to help the earbuds stay in your ears while climbing, running, biking, etc. They also come with three sizes of interchangeable "eargels" that, Jaybird claims, will make you forget that they're even in your ears. Fit is enormously important with active headphones, and when we reviewed the Vista 2's predecessors -- the Jaybird Vista -- we found they delivered in that department.

Audio / Video

House of Marley’s new headphones look to provide ‘powerful sound with a purpose’

House of Marley Positive Vibration XL ANC Headphones

House of Marley a socially conscious audio outfit distinguished by its support for reforestation and ocean conservation, has released the Positive Vibration XL ANC headphones. These high-performance cans feature active noise cancellation (ANC) technology and memory foam ear cushions, with the goal of allowing you to tune out while you tune in.

The headphones can connect to any Bluetooth-capable device and House of Marley touts their ability to provide deep bass and premium clarity. A pair of 40mm high-definition drivers helps achieve the desired sonic balance and House of Marley claims these cans can blare forth for 35 hours of playing time with ANC off, and 26 with the feature turned on.