Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless (M3) - Testing The Momentum 3

Monday, 23 September 2019 16:02 Last Updated on Monday, 23 September 2019 16:38 Written by Benjamin "Zeus" Heide
Article Index
Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless (M3)
Features and Info
Testing The Momentum 3
Page 3 of 3

Testing:

Let me get this out of the way; I'm not an audiophile. Granted, I really love good audio. I do have a pretty good ear and I really enjoy music. However, I don't believe that there are a lot of objective ways to test headphones. The experience is very personal, unique and everyone has a different idea of what sounds "good". I did listen to Momentum M2 and Massdrop HD6XX for comparison. I used these wireless as well as wired through my Bottlehead Crack 1.1 OTL amp. Most of my thoughts are going to be through the Bluetooth however as these are designed to provide audio on the move; not strapped to your desk with an amp.

I listened mostly through my Samsung S9+ as I was pretty busy and on the move for the duration of the review period when I had the Momentum 3 on my test bench (aka - head). They have plenty of volume both through the cable and when connected by Bluetooth.

Sennheiser

 

In terms of music specifics, I did listen to a lot of different genres as I'm not really strapped to one type of music. I listened to everything from 90's alternative, modern pop, country and everything in between. I have a few lossless FLAC albums that I purchased that really showcase stereo headphones and I made sure to spend some time listening to these as well. The sources for most of my testing was Google Play Music or SiriusXM with the quality set to maximum.

These headphones provide an incredibly balanced music experience no matter what type of music you listen to. The bass is full and powerful enough to really be appreciated without trying to shake your brain. I never felt I needed more bass, treble or mid-range as it was balanced pretty smoothly for all types of music.

Momentum Brand

 

There are a few bits of music that is treble-heavy where the high-hat seemed a bit harsh and I had to open up the Sennheiser app and tweak the equalizer a bit. Overall, the experience was pretty solid, but after being spoiled with the HD6xx from Massdrop (think Sennheiser HD650), the Momentum 3 clearly aren't quite audiophile quality. They are, however, a fantastic piece of kit for walk-around and travel cans.

In terms of pop music, if you've been brainwashed into "Beats" audio, you may find the Momentum (M2) to be a little lacking, but that has been fixed with the Momentum 3 wireless without being over the top. They've tweaked the bass to be a bit more powerful, but they aren't overly bass heavy like Beats or even the Sennheiser Urbanites. The tradeoff is that they are farther from a reference headphone, but they still are a solid product that offers a more appealing listening experience than the M2.

As far as comfort goes, the Momentum Wireless are over-the-ear headphones that are covered with leather and filled with the hopes and dreams of all that is good in this world. I've worn these on a day when I had a 15-hour shift and I wore them for 14 hours without major discomfort. As they are a closed design, they can get a bit warm if you're in a hot climate. Even with them packing battery and electronics, they don't feel tremendously heavy. They are heavier than the wired-only M2, but they are physically balanced and sit well. 

 

Conclusion:

As I type this conclusion, Sam Smith "How Do You Sleep" is playing in the headphones and this song could not showcase these headphones any better. The opening xylophone notes are perfectly clear, which transitions smoothly into his tenor vocals backed by the electronic bass line and it's blended wonderfully as it drops into the chorus. The bass is phenomenal without overpowering any of the other features of the song. Highs are perfect and there are elements that you won't hear when using inexpensive headphones. While they aren't reference by a long stretch, they do provide a wonderful auditory experience.
 
Billie Eilish "Bad Guy" is a touch bass heavy, but that's the track and it sounds bass heavy on any decent pair of headphones. Lesser headphones produce distortion, but these are clear, clean, crisp and comfortable.
 
Breaking Benjamin "Lights Out" sounded a tad bit muddy on the low end of the mid-range, but that is partly due to the mix of the track. It's hard to make that sound perfect. The HD6XX pull it off perfectly, but they aren't conducive to a portable audio experience. The vocals, highs and thrumming bass line fit and blend well.
 
Audioslave "Show Me How to Live" seems like it was mixed specifically for these. It's a perfect showcase for how headphones and music should sound. As close to portable perfection as possible. Amazing.
 
In terms of physical constructions, while folding headphones can often feel a bit flimsy and construction quality can be an issue, I've never had a bad feeling regarding the quality of these. They feel super durable and the hinge feels tight without any play. Of course, as time goes by the hinge may loosen up a bit, but after using these for about a couple of weeks and folding them dozens of times, they feel just as solid as they did when I first unboxed them.
 
In terms of audio quality - which is probably why you decided to consider these, they perform like champs. Whatever your music choice, these are a very solid choice and won’t leave you feeling disappointed. 
 
Pros:
  • High quality construction
  • Great, balanced audio
  • Excellent fit and finish
  • Elegant looks and feel
  • Super comfortable
  • Works well with Android devices
  • Multi-modes of noise cancellation (Max, Anti Wind, Anti Pressure) 
  • Equalizer through app saves to headphones (not just through software)
  • Tile location feature
  • Long battery life
 
 
Cons:
  • Noise cancellation modes require use of app (can’t be switched directly through hardware)
 
Gold

 

Yes, that's right. They have a lot going for them and I had to be creative to find something that bugged me. The software is my only peeve. The applications are a nice addition, but I don't think it should be required to switch modes. Still, they are a solid piece of hardware that will give you years of listening pleasure and are a nice upgrade to the previous Momentum headphones.

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