The Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless headphones take everything that’s great about the wired version while also adding in Bluetooth and NFC.
The Sennheiser Momentum headphones have been critically lauded for quite some time now. Many have said they are the best cans you can get under £300. The company has introduced wireless versions in the past and today, we’re looking at the second generation of these popular headphones. Looking at the box, it’s immediately clear that you get what you pay for. The packaging is excellent and exudes quality, while the carry case is thick and well padded for travelling. A flight adapter, 3.5mm AUX cable and micro USB cable are included in the box, the latter of which you’ll need to charge them.
Looking at the cans themselves, little has changed over the first generation. They carry the same retro design and are constructed primarily of metal. The cable has been thickened up this generation for added protection, which is a good move as the flimsy cable was always a cause for concern. The pads still feel a little small for my ears and the fit could be a little more snug. Comfort is good but this does have a negative effect on isolation. My work colleagues could hear the sound leaking and I had to turn things up to drown others out. The active noise cancellation does an average job of cutting out unwanted noise and is definitely an area where Sennheiser could improve on in the future. On the right earpiece, you’ll find all the controls and connectivity. This includes a volume rocker, pairing button and micro USB port for charging. The rocker is a nice addition, being easy to find when wearing the cans and offering quick adjustment on the fly. There’s also a 3.5mm jack for using them wired, which uses a secure lock turning mechanism to hold the cable in place.
It’s clear that Sennheiser has designed these for long listening sessions, since I could quite happily wear them for hours at a time without any noticeable ear fatigue
Bluetooth and NFC pairing with the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless was for the most part flawless, though I did need to pick up the manual to figure it out. When powered on, the LED will flash blue. At first, I was under the impression this was in pairing mode until I realised you need to hold the button a little longer for that mode to be enabled. NFC is a simple case of tapping your phone against the left earpiece and worked without a hitch. Once connected, the cans remained solid throughout testing with very little signal drop-off. I could comfortably carry the phone around in my pocket knowing the signal wouldn’t be interrupted, which is a far cry from other wireless devices. Going hands-free with the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless was a solid experience, though not stellar. Sound quality was fine most of the time, though on occasions an echo would be introduced making it hard for people at the other end to hear what I was saying.
Now we get to the sound quality, which for the most part is excellent. Pairing them with our trusty DiGiGrid Q headphone amp, the listening experience is very smooth and flat, while the treble shows no hint of harshness whatsoever. It’s clear that Sennheiser has designed these for long listening sessions, since I could quite happily wear them for hours at a time without any noticeable ear fatigue. Each part of the frequency spectrum is well defined, with the mid-range punching through with detail and poise. The bass also gets a big thumbs up, having substantial weight without lazy timing. Battery life on the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless is quoted at 22 hours, which is a good figure. I used these extensively during my commutes and in the office without ever draining them fully, so I have to believe that this claim stands true. So long as you charge them in an evening, they should be good for a full days listening without any problems.
[wp-review]
