When it comes to offering a complete package, it’s hard to beat Sennheiser headphones. Backed by over 65 years of experience in audio research and development, the brand prides itself in offering a ‘true-to-life’sound, which is why the headphones are so popular among professional musicians and live sound engineers. But with so many models to choose from, buying one that suits the user’s needs can be a challenge. For those looking for a premium listening experience with their MP3 players and tablets, then go for the Sennheiser Momentum.
<<Latest customer reviews and prices of Sennheiser Momentum Headphones>>
Audio Performance
Optimized for portable devices, the Momentum has a larger-than-life sound, delivering crisp and clear audio across all frequencies. While most headphones designed for smartphones and MP3s tend to favour bass or mid-range, the Momentum has a well-balanced sound and a flatter response. Featuring a pair of dynamic neodymium drivers, they have a wide frequency response of 16Hz and 20,000Hz and are able to handle both low and high frequencies well. Although they are not as bassy as models such as the Beats or V-Moda M-100, the lower end still packs a punch .Mids are detailed and trebles are crisp and clear. The headphones work best with modern music genres such as pop and rock, whilst still being able to highlight subtle nuances in mellow tracks such as acoustic and classical.
You wouldn’t expect headphones made for portable devices to have accurate 3D sound imaging, but that is the case with the Momentum. Their wide and expansive sound stage is especially apparent with ambient tunes, creating a high quality stereo sound that seems to come from all around you. When watching movies, this gives users a spatial sense of their surroundings and heightens their listening experience. For example, a ringing phone in the film might sound like it’s coming from far away. This makes it a good pair of headphones for gaming as well, as users can accurately pinpoint the direction of enemy gunfire, or locate in-game objects.
Since they are designed for portable devices, the headphones have a very low impedance of just 18ohms. Their high sensitivity rating of 113dB means that they are not recommended with amps, or high-power audio sources that might blow out the headphones. The distortion is less than 0.5%, even at loud volumes.
Design and Build
You get what you pay for with the Momentum headphones. Although pricey, they look and feel luxurious. Like most full-sized over-the-ear headphones, they are large and bulky, measuring 10.87 inches by 4.84 inches by 8.66 inches when fully extended. Despite their size, they are surprisingly lightweight at just 6.7 ounces. Their ergonomic design distributes the weight evenly, so users will barely feel them on their heads, even after long hours of wear.
The cups sport a closed back design for better noise isolation. Isolation is moderate at high volumes, but users should not have to worry about their music bothering others while on the commute. They also do a decent job at blocking out ambient noise, such as the sound of crying babies on the plane. Topped off with a metallic finish, the cups can be tilted up and down on the slotted steel headband for a customized fit. Pleather-covered earpads feel soft and comfy on the ears. The material is breathable and should dissipate heat well, even in warmer environments, and is sweat and water resistant.
As the body is made from tough metal, the headphones should be able to live up to abuse and last users many years to come. The steel headband is also padded with pleather at the point of contact for maximum comfort.
The only complaint with the design is the bulk. Since they aren’t hinged, the headphones don’t fold down flat for easy storage. The dimensions given above are the smallest they’ll get, which can be a bother when trying to fit them into luggage bags.
Users can customize their style with three different colors, namely brown, black and ivory. The color schemes are subdued, but lend the headphones a modern, minimalist look that will never go out of style.
Additional Features
The Momentum comes two cables – a plain one that measures 56 inches long, as well as a 52 inch cable with an Apple-compatible three-button remote and in-line microphone. The Apple cable features a metal plug with standard 3.5mm audio jack connectivity. It can be set to either vertical or a 90 degree angle for added flexibility.
Meanwhile, the in-line controls allow users to pause and play, as well as adjust volume, without having to reach for their smartphone screens. While most headphone models will have flimsy plastic controls, the Momentum’s remote is also made from metal, lending them a robust and luxurious finish.
Both cables are detachable, so users can swap out the mic-cable when not in use and vice versa. The cables are single-sided and feature connectors that lock into a port in the left ear cup, so there are no worries of snagging or tangling.
Also included is a cloth-covered, hard carrying case and a 6.3mm gold-plated adapater jack. The hard-cover case takes knocks and bumps so that your headphones don’t have to, and keeps them secure in transit. For added peace of mind, the headphones come with a two-year parts and labor warranty.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flat response, well-balanced across all ranges, detailed sound
- Accurate sound imaging with wide sound stage
- Designed especially to work with portable devices
- Lightweight and portable
- Durable, tough steel construction
- Breathable pleather ear pads, sweat and water resistant
- Good noise isolation and noise blocking capabilities
- In-line microphone and controls, also includes regular cable
Cons
- Bulky design, non-foldable
- Expensive
Verdict
For those looking for a premium pair of headphones especially for their portable music devices, then the Momentum offers a great package: comfort, durability, function and form. Audio is clear and packs a punch, whether you’re listening to music, watching movies or gaming. Made from high quality materials, the leather and steel components makes for a luxurious finish. All these factors combined make the Momentum a worthy investment.
