Sennheiser's new Momentum 5 headphones have upgraded ANC and a replaceable battery

Sennheiser has unveiled its Momentum 5 Wireless headphones, marking a significant update nearly four years after the introduction of the Momentum 4 model. Externally, the headphones maintain a familiar aesthetic, characterized by large ear cups and a modern design. However, notable enhancements have been made internally, featuring advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology and the introduction of a user-replaceable battery, a first for this series, aimed at prolonging the product's lifespan.

The Momentum 5 Wireless headphones are set to be launched on June 30th, priced at $399.99, reflecting a $50 increase compared to the Momentum 4. These new headphones utilize the same 42mm drivers as their predecessors, but come with added benefits such as "Hi-Res Audio certification." Furthermore, support for the AptX Lossless Bluetooth codec has been included, allowing for streaming of 16-bit/44.1kHz CD-quality audio, contingent upon the user's device being equipped with a Qualcomm processor that supports this codec via the Snapdragon Sound platform. Compatibility is expected with devices from Sony and Motorola, although Samsung, Google, and Apple products are not supported.

Available color options for the Momentum 5 Wireless include black, white, and denim (blue).

In a move to enhance sound quality, Sennheiser has increased the number of microphones to eight—four on each side—thereby improving noise cancellation performance. The company states that these enhancements render the headphones up to three times more efficient at mitigating background noise such as conversational chatter and the ambient sounds common in airplane cabins. The improved ANC, alongside additional microphones, also boosts call quality by enhancing both voice pick-up and clarity for the listener.

Battery longevity for the Momentum 5 is impressive, offering up to 57 hours of usage. While this marks a slight reduction from the 60-hour capability of the Momentum 4, it remains substantially superior when compared to competitors, such as the Sony WH-1000XM6, which provides a maximum of 30 hours of use with ANC activated. Additional features of the Momentum 5 include a newly designed carrying case that is 20 percent smaller, support for Dolby Atmos and spatial audio with head tracking, and an upgrade path from Bluetooth 5.4 to Bluetooth 6.0 available through a future firmware update, although Sennheiser has yet to disclose a specific timeline for this upgrade.