What we liked
- The outstanding comfort
- The excellent passive isolation
- The smooth touch controls
- The effective ANC
- The sound quality
We would have liked
- Further improvements compared to the Momentum 4
- Auracast
- For them to have been foldable
Our expert’s opinion
After several days of testing, the new Sennheiser Momentum 5 impressed me above all with their overall balance. Sennheiser is not seeking to revolutionize its formula here, but rather to evolve an already particularly mature Bluetooth model. Comfort remains excellent, the touch-sensitive controls are among the smoothest I've ever used, and the build quality immediately inspires confidence. I also really appreciated the new, more compact case, and the headphones' lighter feel when worn.
In terms of sound, the Momentum 5 retain the musical DNA of the range while gaining in precision and control. The evolution remains measured, but proves particularly effective in everyday use. Noise reduction has also improved, thanks to an architecture that now uses twice as many microphones, resulting in more effective isolation and excellent management of external noise.
All in all, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 are extremely versatile Bluetooth headphones. Highly enjoyable for music, efficient for calls, comfortable over time and particularly impressive in their ergonomics, they achieve virtually everything you'd expect from a pair of modern Bluetooth headphones.
For over a decade, the Sennheiser Momentum range has held a special place in the world of Bluetooth headphones. The German manufacturer has gradually created a true signature with this series: a rich, lively sound, a comfortable design and a versatility capable of accompanying both daily commutes and long listening sessions at home. Generation after generation, Momentum headphones have won over music lovers looking for a wireless headphone with proven technology and a keen sense of musicality. Can this fifth generation still compete with the best in the business?
Introducing the Sennheiser Momentum 5
With the Sennheiser Momentum 5, the German brand continues to evolve the range without changing its DNA. This fifth generation refines an already accomplished formula with improved active noise cancelling, modernized connectivity, and exclusive new features like Dolby Atmos, a first for Sennheiser, designed to enhance the listening experience.
The design has evolved, with metal elements highlighting the external microphones, which play a part in the headphones’ style and create a more premium aesthetic overall. The Momentum 5 are less understated than their predecessor and fully embrace their bold design.
True to the Momentum spirit, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is still all about comfort, with a design that sits very naturally on the head. Its non-folding architecture limits moving parts and mechanical stress to reinforce the feeling of robustness in everyday use. Sennheiser is also committed to durability, with replaceable battery and ear pads. Only the headband is not, which is a shame.
Included accessories
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 headphones come with a hard carrying case so that they are properly protected on the move. Sennheiser also supplies a USB-C cable as well as a 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm mini-jack audio cable, a Sennheiser signature. In addition to charging, the USB-C cable enables the headphones to be used in USB-C wired audio mode with a smartphone or computer.
It’s worth noting that the case is thinner and smaller than that of the Momentum 4, allowing you to slip it easily into your bag.
A particularly nice touch: the cables feature a beige finish that elegantly matches the color of the ear pads, further highlighting the attention to detail in the headphones’ design.
Better musicality
The Sennheiser Momentum 5’s audio section has evolved to reinforce its audiophile ambitions. The headphones retain the 42 mm dynamic transducers dear to the Momentum series, while enriching its Bluetooth compatibility with the arrival of aptX HD and, above all, aptX Lossless codecs. They’re also compatible with the Sennheiser BTD-700 aptX Lossless Bluetooth transmitter. These complement the SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive codecs already present on the previous generation.
The Momentum 5 have also received the Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, confirming their ability to stream high-resolution audio wirelessly from a compatible source. Sennheiser has also extended the headphones’ frequency response, which now reaches 40 kHz via USB and Bluetooth, compared with 22 kHz on the previous generation. These developments enable the Momentum 5 to fully harness the precision and richness of high-definition audio files.
ANC that’s twice as efficient
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 headphones have also had their active noise cancelling upgraded with an adaptive hybrid architecture now based on eight microphones—twice as many as on the Momentum 4. This new configuration enables the headphones to significantly improve attenuation of outside noise and better filter out certain frequencies such as voices or transport noise. The eight microphones also enhance voice pick-up during calls and video meetings.
Sennheiser claims that this results in noise reduction that is up to three times greater than that of the previous generation. The Momentum 5 also feature adaptive noise management that automatically adjusts the level of isolation according to the surroundings in order to maintain a natural balance between musical immersion and listening comfort.
Connectors and Bluetooth
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 headphones’ connectivity has also been modernized with the arrival of Bluetooth 5.4 and retains multipoint compatibility so you can stay connected to multiple devices simultaneously.
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Bluetooth headphones keep the connectors simple, with a USB-C port for charging and USB-C audio, plus a mini-jack input for classic wired use, so the headphones need to be switched on even when wired. Five integrated LEDs give a quick overview of battery level and pairing status.
App and controls
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 are accompanied by the Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app, available on iOS and Android. The interface is particularly clear, with an organizable tile layout for quick access to the headphones’ main functions: noise control, spatial audio, sound profiles, connection management, and even customization of the touch-sensitive controls.
The app also lets you activate Dolby Atmos, a first for a pair of Sennheiser Bluetooth headphones. This spatialization provides a fuller, more immersive soundstage, particularly for films, TV series, concerts and certain compatible tracks.
Also in the app, you can create sound zones capable of automatically adapting settings according to location, linked to the phone’s geolocation, or even find the headphones by emitting a sound from a distance.
Sound customization is particularly comprehensive, with several predefined profiles, independent bass boost, podcast mode and an 8-band equalizer. Sennheiser also offers a step-by-step “Sound Check” mode to create a customized sound profile according to the user’s preferences.
The touch-sensitive controls also remain highly intuitive for everyday use, with simple gestures to manage volume, playback, calls, and the transparency mode. The Momentum 5 also support a number of advanced gestures, such as pinching with the multitouch to adjust noise reduction or transparency levels directly from the headphones, without going through the app.
Key specifications
- Closed-back Bluetooth headphones
- 42 mm dynamic transducers
- Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint
- AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless
- Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification
- Hybrid adaptive active noise cancelling
- 8 microphones for noise reduction and voice pickup
- Dolby Atmos
- Frequency response: 6 Hz to 40 kHz
- 57 h autonomy (ANC activated)
- Fast recharge: 10 min for 7 h of playback
- Replaceable battery, cables and ear pads
Test conditions
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 headphones were tested to assess their performance in a variety of everyday settings. Wireless listening was carried out on smartphones and PCs, with and without the Sennheiser BTD 700 Bluetooth dongle. Audio tests were carried out using Spotify Lossless, Qobuz, YouTube and Netflix, to assess both musical performance and multimedia use. The headphones were also tested with USB-C audio, as well as an analog connection.
The quality of the microphones for voice pickup and ANC was tested on calls made outdoors, in transport and in an open-plan office.
My impressions
All Momentum 4 accessories remain compatible with this new generation, whether they’re ear pads or Sennheiser Bluetooth dongles. This is great news for Momentum 4 users who want to upgrade to the new model without having to start from scratch.
At first glance, I was most impressed by the perceived quality of the headphones. The metal elements immediately reinforce the impression of sturdiness and sophistication, while the smoother ear cups significantly modernize the design. The Momentum 5 headphones keep the elegance of the Momentum range while time embracing its technological side, with microphones now clearly visible and integrated into the headphones’ visual design. The new, more compact case is also an excellent surprise for everyday use, taking up less space and being much more practical in a bag.
Daily use and controls
Comfort is also excellent. Far from a surprise given the comfort of the previous generation, only 3 grams separate the two models, yet the new Sennheiser headphones feel considerably lighter when worn. Weight distribution seems better controlled, and the headphones sit very naturally on the head, with pressure particularly well distributed. Even with glasses or earrings, comfort remains excellent during long listening sessions. I also appreciated the excellent passive isolation, which effectively reduces external noise even before the ANC is activated.
The touch-sensitive controls are another of the headphones’ strong points. Gestures respond with remarkable fluidity and quickly become natural in everyday use. Pinching to adjust the level of noise reduction or transparency is particularly practical and contributes greatly to the Momentum 5’s excellent user experience. The wearing detection also proves highly effective, instantly pausing content, including YouTube videos. Audio transitions between different apps are also very smooth, when launching a YouTube video while listening to a track on Spotify or Qobuz, for example.
I was pleasantly surprised by the Bluetooth range of Sennheiser’s new headphones. During my tests, it remained perfectly stable and without any noticeable interruption on the two floors of our offices. Outdoors in the city, the first disturbances appeared at a distance of around 55 meters between the headphones and the music source, with several walls and obstacles in between.
A few minor shortcomings remain, however. When switching between ANC and transparency mode via the touch controls, playback automatically pauses and requires pressing play again to resume. I also noticed a few rare Bluetooth disconnections and some occasional forced pauses, despite using a recent smartphone and having the latest firmware on the headphones. As this is a review model, it’s likely that the manufacturer plans to fix these issues soon.
Musicality
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Bluetooth headphones retain what has made the range so successful for several generations: a lively, dynamic reproduction that’s particularly enjoyable with a wide variety of musical styles. Compared to the Momentum 4, the evolution remains perceptible without radically transforming the headphones’ sound signature. Above all, the Momentum 5 version gains in precision, definition and overall control. However, the difference remains relatively modest and is felt more in the overall experience offered by the headphones, rather than the sound.
During the test, Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy illustrated this behavior quite well. This track makes heavy demands on the bass, as well as on the headphones’ overall precision. In Bluetooth and USB-C on Qobuz Hi-Res, the Momentum 5 proved particularly convincing, with powerful, well-maintained bass and excellent legibility. In analog mode, on the other hand, the reproduction was less precise.
These 2026 Sennheiser wireless headphones also need to be switched when using them with their cable. This preserves certain functions such as the ANC, touch-sensitive controls and wearing detection, but not app-related functions like Bluetooth or Dolby Atmos.
Calls and ANC
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 also impress with the quality of their microphones. Calls benefit from particularly clear voice pickup, even in noisy environments such as the street or in public transport. Voices remain natural and detached from ambient noise.
Naturally, the active noise cancelling has also been improved compared to the Momentum 4, with more convincing isolation. The adaptive ANC mode proves particularly effective in everyday use, thanks in particular to fast, intuitive touch controls for instant adjustment of the level of isolation or transparency.
Sennheiser Momentum 5 vs B&W Px7 S3
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and the Sennheiser Momentum 5 adopt two different visions of Bluetooth headphones in the same price segment. The British model focuses on a more luxurious approach, with a particularly polished finish and a wide choice of elegant colors. The Sennheiser Momentum 5, on the other hand, retain a more discreet, technical approach, with ergonomics geared more towards intensive use.
On the technical front, both headphones use 42 mm dynamic transducers and feature aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless compatibility. However, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 take the lead on several counts, offering a claimed battery life of up to 57 hours with ANC activated, compared to around 30 hours for the B&W Px7 S3. Sennheiser’s headphones also feature eight microphones for noise reduction and calls, a Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, a frequency response up to 40 kHz and an easily replaceable battery.
The Momentum 5 also boast a particularly convincing user experience, with extremely smooth touch-sensitive controls, a comprehensive app and a highly scalable approach. The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Bluetooth headphones, on the other hand, retain a more object-oriented approach to beauty and pure musicality, with excellent noise reduction. The Sennheiser Momentum 5, on the other hand, favor a more global balance.
Who are the Sennheiser Momentum 5 headphones designed for?
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 are aimed at users looking for Bluetooth headphones capable of excelling in virtually all everyday situations. Highly convincing with music, efficient for calls, particularly comfortable and featuring effective noise reduction, they’re equally at home on the move, in the office or at home.
This new generation will also appeal to users looking for modern, upgradeable headphones, thanks to the many planned software updates, replaceable battery and numerous customization options. Compared with the Momentum 4, the Momentum 5 Bluetooth headphones represent a more modern and versatile evolution of the formula devised by Sennheiser. The Momentum 5 Wireless will be available for pre-order from Son-Vidéo.com on June 1, priced at €399.
