Sennheiser Momentum Sport review; High quality at a higher price
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Two minute review
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport true wireless earbuds follow in the footsteps of Sennheiser’s popular Momentum range (the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 are the most recent) but with added features specially for fitness. The result is a pair of buds that are perfect for sports, with a stable fit, durable build, health sensors, great sound and ANC, and a huge range of features. But they’re not perfect; some might find the features overwhelming, and even if you’re looking for the ultimate sporty pair of buds, there might be better options for you.
Sennheiser is known for its exceptional audio quality, and the Momentum Sport earbuds uphold this reputation. They support high-resolution streaming and are equipped with 10mm drivers, compared to the 7mm drivers found in the brand’s other models. This enhancement allows the earbuds to deliver more power and deeper bass. The sound quality is especially impressive when the Bass Boost profile is activated in the Sennheiser app, making them ideal for sports earbuds where dynamic sound is essential.
Listening to Megan’s Piano by Megan Thee Stallion at the gym, the piano is bright and punchy, while the bass is bouncing and booming. Similarly, Queens of the Stone Age’s Burn the Witch sounds powerful and fun across the range, though cranking up the volume sometimes results in muddied lower frequencies. Overall, the Sennheiser Momentum Sport buds deliver a bold, fun, and engaging sound. The accompanying app offers plenty of customization options, allowing users to adjust EQ settings, select presets, and create their own custom profiles.
Despite the enjoyable listening experience, the audio quality doesn’t quite meet the high standards typically associated with high-end Sennheiser earbuds. While there’s clarity and power, there’s a noticeable lack of richness and detail. The sound is good but not class-leading, which is somewhat disappointing given the price point. When compared to my usual go-to earbuds, the Nothing Ear 2, the Sennheiser Momentum Sport only offers a slight improvement. Now, this is fine because we rate Nothing’s buds. But considering the price, you’d expect a seriously upgraded experience.
I was impressed by the adaptive noise-cancelling (ANC) capabilities of the Sennheiser Momentum Sport. It effectively reduces most background noises, including conversations and transport sounds. However, it’s not the best ANC I’ve tested and doesn’t surpass some of the top contenders in our best noise-cancelling earbuds list. That said, I personally prefer the ANC here for workouts, as it offers solid noise cancellation while still allowing very loud sounds to come through if necessary.
For instance, while testing these earbuds on a train to the airport, I couldn’t hear the conversations of the people sitting opposite me, and most sounds from the moving train were silenced. However, a loud alarm at one of the stations was still audible, which I find important for safety reasons. Others may prefer a more immersive noise-cancelling experience, but for me, this balance was ideal.
The app allows for extensive customization of the ANC settings, including an anti-wind mode that disables the external mics. This feature was particularly useful for calls and voice notes, ensuring they were clear and free from background noise. There’s also a transparency mode that lets you control the level of ambient sound, which can be activated specifically for calls.
Beyond ANC, the app offers several ways to tailor your listening experience. A fit test helps optimize audio and ANC performance, and the Sound Zones feature allows you to apply different sound settings for different environments, such as work or the gym. While these customization options are great for those who enjoy tweaking their settings, they might feel overwhelming for users who prefer a straightforward experience.
As you’d expect from fitness-focused earbuds, the stability of the Sennheiser Momentum Sport is excellent. If the fit isn’t perfect initially, there are various customization options to help you achieve the right fit. Each earbud has a small silicone band around its main casing, which can be removed and replaced with bands featuring ear fins of different sizes. These ear fins fit under your ear cartilage, providing additional stability. There are three ear fin options and three different silicone eartips to choose from.
I spent considerable time adjusting these different options to find the perfect fit. Although the process was a bit tedious, I was very satisfied with the results once I’d found the ideal combination for my ears. The earbuds remained secure during workouts, walking, and running, providing a reliable fit that I haven’t experienced with other earbuds in a long time.
The secure and stable fit is especially important for those with smaller ears, as the earbuds are a bit large and bulky due to all of the additional onboard technology. Weighing 6.4g each, they’re not particularly heavy but feel different from lighter, mid-range earbuds. After several hours of continuous wear, they did start to feel a bit uncomfortable. However, this took some time, and I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t feel discomfort sooner. While this amount of time is more than enough for a workout, it might not be ideal for all-day wear.
The design of the Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds is typical for the brand, featuring a simple aesthetic with minimal branding and clean lines. While some people might find this design a bit plain, it fits well in all sorts of settings and, personally, I appreciate the unobtrusive look. The earbuds are IP55-rated, making them suitable for sweaty workouts, though some other fitness earbuds offer better waterproofing.
One of the standout features of these earbuds is the inclusion of optical health sensors. The earbuds feature heart rate and body temperature tracking, made possible through a partnership with Polar. While other earbuds, like the Bose SoundSport Pulse and Amazfit Powerbuds Pro, have included optical heart rate monitors, the temperature tracking is a new addition. Temperature sensors are relatively new even in the best smartwatches and fitness tech.
You can quickly check the health readings in the Sennheiser app, but for more detailed information, the Polar Flow app or compatible Polar watches provide better context. The earbuds can also connect to other devices, such as smartwatches or fitness tech, via Bluetooth. Although I didn’t test the earbuds against a chest strap heart rate monitor – considered the gold standard – I compared the heart rate readings to my Apple Watch and the temperature readings to my Ultrahuman Ring Air, both indicating a high level of accuracy from the buds.
Beyond sound and ANC settings, the Sennheiser app is packed with features and customization options, delivering the high-end experience you’d expect. Users can customize gestures and touch controls on the earbuds, although there is no single-tap option and the touch controls can be overly sensitive at times. For example, a thick strand of hair once tangled around the buds and inadvertently activated the controls. Additionally, the app offers a Battery ECO mode to deactivate high-quality streaming and save battery, and a Smart Pause feature that pauses music when you remove an earbud.
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport earbuds come with one of the nicest charging cases I’ve tested. It features a quality build that feels far from plasticky , with a square design and a rubber magnetic lid that closes quietly and satisfyingly. . The earbuds themselves offer six hours of battery life, extending to 24 hours with the fully charged case. This isn’t great battery life, but is standard for high-end sound and lots of features. The charging case is IP54-rated, providing some protection against sprays and dust, though it offers less waterproofing than the earbuds.
My biggest issue with these buds is figuring out who they’re for. If you’re on a budget, they’re expensive. There’s a lot going on with these earbuds, and I worry that some people just don’t need all of these bells and whistles. It might make more sense to get affordable or mid-range earbuds and pair them with one of the best cheap fitness trackers. While I enjoyed experimenting with the health sensor technology, I wonder if anyone willing to spend this much on earbuds and take fitness seriously wouldn’t already have a tracker capable of collecting heart rate data.
That said, there are scenarios where these earbuds might be a good fit. Perhaps you had a capable fitness tracker that broke, or you’ve had it for years and want to replace it. Or maybe you’re a fan of Polar’s ecosystem. There are certainly valid use cases here. If you appreciate the idea of health sensors and would utilize the other features, especially if you’re a fan of Sennheiser’s high-end products, then these earbuds are worth considering. However, for most users, there are better options available at a lower price point.
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Price and availability
- Priced at $329.95/£279.99/AU$529.95
- Available from Spring 2024
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport cost $329.95/£279.99/AU$529.95. Although the buds are currently discounted on the Sennheiser website in some regions. At the time of writing, the price in the UK has dropped from £279.99 to £218.49.
This price makes the Sennheiser Momentum Sport expensive as far as true wireless earbuds are concerned. More expensive than some of our top favorite true wireless picks, like the Nothing Ear (a) at $99 / £99 / around AU$192 and our top buds for working out, the Beats Fit Pro at $199 / £199 / AU$299. They’re even a little more expensive than the Apple AirPods Pro 2 at $249 / £229 / AU$399.
However, the Technics EAH-AZ80 that are currently at the top of our best true wireless earbuds guide are similarly priced at $299/£259/AU$499. As are some of the best noise-canceling buds in the world, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds at $299 / £299 / AU$449.
So the price might be high-end, but it isn’t unheard of or out of this world for a quality pair of buds. It still means you should only consider them if you want them for fitness and you love the sound of health sensors and loads of customization options. Anyone else won’t make the most of everything on offer and could find a much cheaper alternative.
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Specifications
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Scorecard
Sennheiser Momentum Sport: Should I buy?
Buy it if...
You want loads of customization options
You can tweak the sound, set up different sound profiles and sound zones, change the tips and wings to get the best fit and more. If you like to feel in control, these are the buds for you.
You want buds built for workouts
Everything about these buds is built with fitness in mind, from the super stable fit to the durable build to the added optical health sensors.
You want ultimate stability
Not ideal for very small ears, but otherwise you can achieve a fantastic fit. It’ll take some faffing, but then there’s no budging. So it’s worth it.
Don't buy it if...
You already have a great fitness tracker
There’s a lot to love about these buds beyond their health sensors, but if you already have that covered, there are better, more affordable options.
You want the best sound and ANC
I rate the sound and ANC of these buds, but it’s not the best, and if that’s a priority, you’ll want to look at what rivals have to offer.
You want to save money
There are more savvy ways to get health tracking, good sound and a solid fit with other buds and fitness trackers.
Also consider
Beats Fit Pro
Cheaper than the Sennheiser buds also with solid sound and ANC. They have a smaller build and a similar battery life.
JBL Endurance Peak 3
An affordable alternative. Sound and ANC aren’t as strong, but you get a secure fit with an ear hook and better battery life.
How I tested
I tested the Sennheiser Momentum Sport buds every day for a month. This gave me the chance to trial them in a range of different situations and environments.
I mostly used them to listen to music and podcasts on my iPhone 14 Pro with Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube music. I tested them when I was traveling abroad, walking around cities and along the beach and jogging in the countryside. I also took them to the gym when I was using the cardio machines and lifting weights.
I’ve tested lots of different headphones and earbuds for more than 12 years now, especially fitness devices. I’m particularly interested in tech that prioritizes ease of use and comfort.
First reviewed: August 2024
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