Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: The 60-Hour Audiophile Marathon
In a market saturated with "plastic fantastic" noise-cancelers, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless remains a standout in 2026. While competitors like Sony and Bose have leaned into aggressive noise-canceling at the expense of pure musicality, Sennheiser has doubled down on what they do best: high-fidelity sound. The design has shifted from the "retro-aviator" look of the Momentum 3 to a sleek, "business-chic" aesthetic that prioritizes comfort and weight reduction for all-day wear.
Sound Performance: A "1080p to 4K" Leap
Out of the box, the Momentum 4 delivers a signature soft V-shape tuning.
- The Low End: There is a distinct bass shelf below 100Hz that provides a satisfying rumble without the "boomy" bloat found in many consumer headsets. It feels fast, textured, and deeply supportive of modern genres.
- The Midrange: This is where the Momentum 4 shines. Vocals are natural and forward, avoiding the "boxy" or "recessed" sound common in wireless gear. In 2026, using high-bitrate codecs like aptX Adaptive, the instrument separation is holographic—you can pinpoint the exact placement of a snare or a background synth.
- The Highs: Treble is crisp and energetic. While there is a slight 8kHz peak that adds "sizzle," it rarely tips into harshness. It provides a level of detail and "air" that makes the soundstage feel significantly wider than a typical closed-back headphone.
Technical Feats: 60 Hours and Counting
The headline feature is, and remains, the 60-hour battery life. In our lab testing, even with ANC engaged and using the power-hungry aptX Adaptive codec, these headphones consistently cruised past the two-day mark of continuous playback.
- Fast Charging: A mere 10-minute "emergency charge" via USB-C provides roughly 6 hours of playback—perfect for the traveler who forgot to plug in before a cross-country flight.
- ANC & Transparency: The Active Noise Cancellation is "effective" rather than "absolute." It excels at blocking out the low-frequency drone of airplane engines and air conditioners. However, if you are looking for a "dead silent" void for sleeping, the newer Sony XM6 still holds the crown.
The Hybrid Move: For a high-end home setup, connect your Sennheiser Momentum 4 via the USB-C audio mode to a laptop. This bypasses standard Bluetooth compression and utilizes the internal DAC for a truly lossless experience.
The Lab
THD+N: 0.043% (at 1kHz)