Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wi-fi 3 are its finest true wi-fi buds but, delivering a assured and wealthy sound, improved design and have set, at a value that’s aggressive with its nearest rivals. Whereas they’re not fairly one of the best for sound or noise cancellation, in order for you a enjoyable, participating sound with some dynamic bass, Sennheiser’s newest are an awesome wager. General, they completely entertain.
Execs
- Wealthy, expressive sound
- Improved design
- Superb noise cancelling/transparency modes
- Glorious wi-fi connection
- Cheaper than earlier mannequin
Cons
- Bose higher for noise cancellation
- Sony higher for sound
- Some app options locked behind account registration
Availability
- UKRRP: £219.99
- USARRP: $249.95
- EuropeRRP: €249.99
- CanadaRRP: CA$329.95
- AustraliaRRP: AU$399.95
Key Options
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Adaptive Noise CancellationTailors the energy of the buds’ suppressive abilities in real-time
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TrueReponse transducerAims to supply stereo sound with deep bass, pure mids and detailed highs
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Sound personalisationOffers customers the prospect to boost their very own private listening to expertise by guiding them by a listening check
Introduction
Rather a lot can change in two years. The final time Sennheiser launched a set of Momentum True Wi-fi earbuds, the world had entered a lockdown, with Sennheiser itself experiencing an adjustment within the intervening interval, as the buyer division was purchased by Sonova in 2021.
However regardless of these seismic modifications, Sennheiser’s identification has remained the identical – and with the Momentum True Wi-fi 3, the model is ringing the modifications and pulling out the stops for its most superior pair of wi-fi earbuds but.
We rated the Momentum TW2 mannequin 5 stars in 2020, however that was earlier than Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds and Sony’s WF-1000XM4 entered the fray. The market has intensified, with high quality on an upward trajectory. How properly has Sennheiser tailored?
Design
- Small, light-weight design
- IPX4 safety
- Wing-tip equipment
The Momentum True Wi-fi 3 mark a whole overhaul over the earlier mannequin. It’s a special look, a greater match and a extra accessible outlook.
They’re smaller, extra svelte and slender than the Momentum TW2, which have been larger and positioned extra of an emphasis on noise isolation. They appear like they’ve taken some inspiration from Sennheiser’s reasonably priced CX True Wi-fi sequence by way of form, however they’re not fairly as chunky. I’m impressed by how dainty they’re.
The redesign has resulted in a lighter providing; though I don’t have the precise figures handy, I really feel their low weight has made them extra comfy to put on. They slot in with virtually nonchalant ease, with a slight twist-and-lock to maintain them in place.
I do discover the match loosens barely with a little bit of motion, however not an awesome deal. The Momentum TW3 ship with 4 ear-tip sizes (L, M, S, XS), plus removable silicone fins which might be fastened across the buds’ midriff with the choice of including a wing-tip, too.
I took the Sennheisers on a few runs, and whereas they didn’t fall out, dodging some low-hanging branches did loosen the match and seal. I’d really forgotten there was a wing-tip variant, and I think about it might have offered a safer match for jogging and common train had I taken it. Rated at IPX4, they provide sufficient safety to fight sweat and moist climate.
The charging case has additionally been revised; it’s smaller now, however nonetheless holds the identical stage of cost. The USB-C charging port and battery indicator are on the entrance – a change that makes a lot sense, you marvel why Sennheiser hadn’t completed it earlier than. It’s simpler to maintain monitor of the battery; open the case and the indicator modifications color (inexperienced, amber, crimson) to disclose its present ranges.
The gray wraparound material of the earlier mannequin stays, and it gives a contact of classiness and tactility that you simply don’t at all times get, even at these costs. The buds are available three colors: black, white and graphite (this overview pattern).
Contact controls have been applied very properly right here. I didn’t need to faucet with drive to get a response, and using faucets and holds makes for quite simple operation. General, the Sennheisers are a pleasure to put on and a pleasure to make use of.
Options
- ANC battery life higher than earlier than
- Robust noise cancellation
- Tremendous wi-fi connection
The noise cancellation has been bumped as much as adaptive, which suggests the Momentum True Wi-fi 3 can routinely modify the energy of noise cancellation in actual time. The efficiency is excellent, helped by the design, though they’re not fairly on the stage of one of the best.
The Bose QC Earbuds stay one of the best noise-cancelling true wi-fi buds; however the efficiency between the Sennheiser and Sony is a little bit nearer, in some respects. The Momentum TW3 take care of persistent droning sounds higher – the sound of the fridge unit in a café at a practice station is smothered higher, as are the fridge/freezer cooling items at an area grocery store.
When coping with voices, the Sennheiser and Sony are once more on comparable phrases. Nevertheless, the Sony suppresses voices a smidgen higher, and people buds are additionally higher on practice journeys, the WF-1000XM4 batting away extra environmental noise. The Sony’s noise isolating match additionally subdues high-frequency tones higher, comparable to these of a tube door closing or the sound at a site visitors crossing.
Nonetheless, the Sennheisers nonetheless supply a formidable efficiency the place ANC is anxious. Massive crowds are calmed impressively, the overall hubbub of a metropolis – vehicles, individuals strolling and speaking, is hushed. You solely need to take the earbuds out to grasp simply how noisy it’s, and due to this fact how a lot noise the Momentum TW3 filter.
A problem is that the Momentum TW3 aren’t nearly as good at coping with wind. On runs and in blustery situations, I observed the sound would stir as much as barely noisy ranges – however there’s a answer. The Sennheiser Good Management app has an Anti-Wind setting that modulates the noise-cancelling wave to take care of wind. It’s very efficient, decreasing all that turbulence to nothing.
I believe the Transparency mode right here is incredible. The impact is of very good readability and element, as for those who weren’t sporting the buds in any respect. There’s not one of the artificiality or hiccups from the microphones that’s typically current on cheaper fashions; every thing was parsed by to my ears in a pure approach. Sennheiser describes the Transparency mode as adjustable, however this adjustability isn’t within the sense of letting in additional or fewer sounds – it’s whether or not music is paused when the Transparency mode is activated.
The aptX Adaptive connection has been wonderful, too – a lot better than Sennheiser’s cheaper makes an attempt or Lypertek’s PurePlay Z5 ANC. Wherever I’ve been, the connection has hardly ever confirmed indicators of abating, whether or not I’m strolling by the concourse at London Victoria, Waterloo and London Bridge stations, or discovering my approach by crowded areas comparable to Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Sq. or Soho. You probably have a suitable Android smartphone, the tether between it and the buds is robust.
Sennheiser says that battery with ANC is improved over the earlier mannequin, and I’d agree with that evaluation. On the Momentum TW2, ANC would sap battery life, however that’s much less the case right here. The quote of seven hours per bud and 28 in whole is similar as earlier than, and utilizing them for 2 hours, they dropped to 70%. If my calculations are proper, that’s round 6hrs 40mins with ANC on. That’s lower than Sony however higher than the Jabra Elite 85t, Bose, Apple AirPods Professional and Bowers & Wilkins Pi7.
The Good Management app has been redesigned from the bottom up and, on the entire, it’s successful – though not with out a few missteps. First, firmware updates are shorter: 20 minutes quite than an excruciating 37 minutes. Aesthetically, the structure is extra logical, maybe taking some inspiration from Jabra’s MySound+ app with the characteristic that permits the consumer to customize what sections are proven.
There’s the same old data on the headphones’ vitals within the settings, EQ changes with a choice of presets from Sennheiser, and the power to create your individual by the three-band EQ possibility. There are areas for ANC and Transparency modes, customisation of contact controls, plus a Uncover space that exhibits information from the Sennheiser mothership.
There’s additionally the Sound Verify and Sound Zones options. These are new – the previous pertains to tailoring the audio to your listening to skill, whereas the latter mimics Sony’s Headphone app in registering your location and citing particular sound modes for that zone (like once you’re on the health club, for instance).
The problem is that these options are locked behind account registration. Now, I don’t thoughts signing up for an account, however I consider it must be as a result of the app expertise is sweet sufficient to make you need to enroll – you shouldn’t have to only to get entry. That, to me, causes pointless pressure.
Different options embody Good Pause, Sennheiser’s put on tech that routinely pauses and restarts music once they’re taken out and put again in (it’s efficient). There’s presently no multi-point pairing for connecting to 2 gadgets, however that’s mentioned to be coming in an replace down the road. Quick-charging (10 minutes for an hour) and wi-fi charging are onboard.
There are three microphones in every earbud and name high quality is sweet, though maybe a shade behind one of the best. It picked up my voice properly, however the particular person on the opposite finish did point out it sounded barely suppressed. It didn’t decide up an excessive amount of noise from the background both, so the efficiency could be thought of as passable.
Sound High quality
- Expressive bass efficiency
- Interesting mid-range and treble efficiency
- 7mm TrueResponse transducer
Sennheiser’s method to sound with the Momentum True Wi-fi 3 was for a wealthy and accessible efficiency, and on that foundation, I believe they’ve completely hit the proverbial nail on the pinnacle. This sound is what Grasp & Dynamic buds have been aiming for, however didn’t attain with anyplace close to as a lot satisfaction.
In comparison with the older mannequin, they’re extra dynamic and livelier; the TW2 sound flatter, compared. The place the older mannequin has a leg up is that they describe the soundstage in wider phrases.
The soundstage for the brand new Sennheisers is smaller and extra tight knit, however devices are even perhaps clearer of their description and the power the TW3 provides them. The opening bars of Metallica’s Enter Sandman draw you in and hold you concerned for the rest of the five-minute runtime. Tonally, the True Wi-fi 3’s heat brings out a richness in devices and vocals that makes the older model staid and extra static. Timing is healthier, too – rhythmically, the Sennheisers can talk shifts in, ahem, momentum higher.
Vocals are introduced ahead and nearer to the listener – {smooth}, however pure and expressive in how they’re conveyed. The mid-range displays extra dynamism and vibrancy – the guitars in Papa Roach’s Final Resort show a lot better definition and naturalness, the place they appear a little bit chilly by the Momentum TW2.
The bass is a lot extra emphatically described on the brand new mannequin, too. Often, a “rich-sounding” pair of headphones is extra “accessible”, and accessibility tends to imply heaps extra bass. That’s what the Sennheisers do, however they don’t go overboard; the bass depth and extension provides loads of vibrancy and dynamic vary to music. Listening to soul music, rap, hip-hop and R&B, there’s extra low-frequency extension than could be felt on the Sony WF-1000XM4.
The highest-end of the frequency vary is each candy sounding and distinctively vibrant. In comparison with the older mannequin, there’s extra shine, extra perception and readability – the notes in Backyard Shadows (Piano) from Alex Ebert’s A Most Violent 12 months show tremendous tonal variation, loud and quiet notes emphasised with confidence, the piano keys expressed with no small quantity of weight and feeling, too.
Nevertheless, the Sony are extra delicate and nuanced, and I don’t suppose the Sennheiser can beat them when seen in that context – however that’s not what the Momentum True Wi-fi 3 are aiming for, actually. These are vibrant and expressive entertainers, free-flowing buds with a silky-smooth supply. If enjoyable is what you need out of your music, then signal proper as much as Sennheiser’s newest and best Momentum True Wi-fi 3 earbuds.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
For his or her wealthy, interesting sound The Momentum TW3 don’t fairly have the subtlety of constancy of Sony’s premium buds, however they arguably have extra enjoyable with their affect bass, properly heat mid-range and candy highs.
If you need one of the best noise cancelling Each Bose and Sony providing higher noise-cancelling experiences than the Sennheiser, however the Momentum TW3 aren’t far behind. They’re a assured performer the place noise cancelling is anxious.
Ultimate Ideas
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 3 aren’t one of the best noise-cancelling earbuds – that might be Bose. They’re not the best-sounding earbuds, both – that might be Sony. Nevertheless, they’re one of the enjoyable and accessible-sounding premium buds in the marketplace.
The design is improved, the brand new app is healthier, and sound is past that of the older mannequin. In just about each space the Sennheiser Momentum TW3 are an enchancment over their predecessor, providing sharp competitors to the likes of Bose and Sony. Additionally they launch at a less expensive value than the older fashions, lopping practically £60 off. You get extra for much less – and who can argue towards that form of worth?
Trusted Rating
How we check
We check each headphones we overview completely over an prolonged time frame. We use business customary exams to check options correctly. We’ll at all times inform you what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to overview a product.
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Examined for 10 days
Examined with actual world use
Examined with a variety of music
