Sennheiser Momentum 5: The Sustainable Performer
Sennheiser Momentum 5: The Sustainable Performer
Sennheiser’s latest consumer offering, the Momentum 5, aims for a balance of sound and sustainability. While not designed for the hardcore audiophile (Sennheiser has other models for that), these headphones deliver a pleasing sound profile that responds exceptionally well to equalization. We found ourselves tweaking the 8-band EQ to boost mids and trebles, but the flexibility is certainly there.
Comfort is a highlight, with the 290g frame sitting comfortably on the head, offering ample cushioning without excessive clamping force. The design, while largely similar to the Momentum 4, features a pleasant fabric touch on the headband and elegant metal accents on the cups. The earcups, though not the most spacious, are adequate, though they can generate some heat during extended use. A clever addition is the new hard-shell case with a built-in handle, making them surprisingly portable despite not folding.
Where the Momentum 5 truly shines is its future-proofing. With a massive 7000 mAh user-replaceable battery, offering an impressive 57 hours of playback even with ANC and lossless audio enabled, these headphones are built to last. The IP54 rating for dust and water resistance further solidifies their durability, making them ideal for workouts or outdoor use.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a strong Tier A performer, showing significant improvement over its predecessor and even marginally outperforming the HDB 630 for both voices and low-end noises. Transparency mode is exceptional, earning a Tier S rating with no noticeable occlusion or white noise. However, some body noises are audible when walking.
Controls are intuitive, offering basic call management (answer, hang up, volume) and a direct mute option from the headphones. Proximity sensors allow for automatic call answering/hanging up/muting when the headphones are taken on or off. Sidetone control is also available.
Tech Specs
- Weight: 290g
- Battery Life: 57 hours (with ANC & lossless audio)
- Battery: 7000 mAh, user-replaceable
- IP Rating: IP54
- EQ: 8-band
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless
- Connectivity: Audio over USB, audio jack
Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2: The Travel King
Bose has long been synonymous with travel, and the QuietComfort Ultra 2 continues this legacy. Retailing at $450, these headphones are a testament to comfort and industry-leading noise cancellation. At a mere 264g, they are the lightest on this list, a difference you’ll immediately appreciate during long journeys. Bose has truly mastered comfort, from the clamping force to the earcup space, making them a crowd favorite.
The ANC performance is simply unparalleled, earning a solid Tier S rating. Bose’s Active Sense technology is a standout feature, intelligently scooping out sudden spikes in harsh sounds. Transparency mode is equally impressive, also achieving a Tier S, making these some of the best in the business for situational awareness. The ability to fold makes them incredibly portable, a boon for travelers, though the case design can feel a bit like a puzzle when stowing them away.
Sound-wise, the QuietComfort Ultra 2 offers a fun, bass-forward signature with punchy low frequencies. While this can sometimes overpower the mid-range, making voices feel recessed, the timbre remains realistic and the treble is non-fatiguing. The custom-tune technology, which analyzes your ears and customizes the sound upon startup, is a very cool feature, working seamlessly in the background. Customization through the app is limited to a 3-band EQ, and supported codecs include the basics and aptX Lossless.
Battery life stands at a respectable 30 hours, which is more than sufficient for most users. Call quality is average, and while a software update was supposed to enable USB-C audio as a microphone, we found it to be buggy. Controls are limited to answer, hang up, and volume. The headphones automatically power on and off, and the app is straightforward despite its limited customizability.
Tech Specs
- Weight: 264g
- Battery Life: 30 hours
- EQ: 3-band
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless
- Connectivity: Audio over USB-C, audio jack
Apple AirPods Max 2: The Ecosystem Exclusive
Stepping into the luxury segment at $550, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are undeniably a statement piece. Their iconic design, featuring aluminum ear cups, a stainless steel frame, and a mesh canopy, exudes premium quality. However, this premium feel comes with trade-offs: the aluminum can feel cold, and at 385g, they are the heaviest on our list, leading to noticeable weight and ear warmth after prolonged use.
As expected, these headphones are best experienced within the Apple ecosystem, offering seamless device switching, exclusive settings via Apple devices, and deep integration for features like Find My and live translation. Outside of this ecosystem, their value diminishes significantly.
The AirPods Max 2 deliver top-tier ANC and transparency performance, a consistent strength since the first generation. We particularly appreciate the simple, two-button control system, especially the rotating crown for stepless volume control, which we found to be perfection.
However, Apple makes some questionable choices. The protective case offers minimal protection, and the 20-hour battery life is borderline disappointing, especially compared to competitors. Microphone performance is surprisingly poor in windy conditions, though decent in quiet and noisy environments.
Sound-wise, the AirPods Max 2 offer an “uber high-res” presentation that can be hit or miss depending on the music genre. We found the treble, particularly high hats and sibilance, to be “too spicy.” While Apple’s “magic” ensures consistent sound across different users, the lack of customization options is a significant drawback.
Tech Specs
- Weight: 385g
- Battery Life: 20 hours
Sony 1000X The Collection: Redefining Luxury
Just when we thought headphones couldn’t get pricier than AirPods, Sony introduced their luxury lineup, starting with the 1000X The Collection. The design is a refreshing departure for Sony, taking cues from the Sonos Ace but offering superior comfort with spacious and deep ear cups. Despite the hand-polished stainless steel and 320g weight, these are surprisingly comfortable for extended wear. The use of all vegan leather and the absence of external plastic, coupled with reinforced steel ports, speak to a solid, premium build. We also appreciate the slimmer profile, which avoids the bulky look of many over-ear headphones.
However, this luxury comes with compromises. The 24-hour battery life is underwhelming, especially when compared to the Sennheiser Momentum 5. While the new case design with a built-in handle and magnetic clasp is convenient for quick stowing, it doesn’t compensate for the battery. A word of caution: avoid the platinum color, as the case tends to show wear quickly; black is the safer choice.
Both ANC and transparency performance are excellent, earning Tier S ratings. Call quality is also very good across all conditions, offering controls like answer, hang up, volume, and mic mute directly from the headphones. Sound-wise, these headphones offer a relatively relaxed, darker presentation with a heavy focus on bass, performing well across most music genres. They feature a 360 upmix feature and a highly customizable 10-band EQ in the app, which is packed with extensive settings for those who love to fine-tune their audio. Supported codecs include the basics, LDAC, and LC3.
A notable omission is USB-C audio, a feature present in all other headphones on this list, which is a real bummer for a product in this price bracket.
Tech Specs
- Weight: 320g
- Battery Life: 24 hours
- EQ: 10-band
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2: The Design Icon
The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 stands out for its exquisite design and premium materials. With stainless steel, a braided cable, and luxurious Nappa leather (the same found in high-end sports cars), these headphones take the cake in terms of aesthetics. Weighing 310g, they feature incredibly plush and spacious ear cups that manage heat exceptionally well, contributing to overall comfort.
Connectivity includes the basic codecs along with the aptX suite, and crucially, USB-C audio is supported. The app provides a 5-band EQ for sound customization. While many users praise the sound, we found it to be quite unpredictable, with ANC and transparency modes significantly altering the sound signature. The stock tuning leans towards a brighter, “sparkly” presentation that often requires aggressive EQ adjustments to achieve optimal sound. However, the treble performance is arguably the best among all the headphones reviewed here.
ANC performance is solid at Tier A, on par with the Sennheiser Momentum 5, though not quite reaching the top tier. Transparency, however, is excellent, offering a very natural experience and earning a Tier S rating. Microphone performance is decent across quiet, noisy, and windy conditions.
Tech Specs
- Weight: 310g
- Battery Life: 30 hours (with ANC)
- EQ: 5-band
- Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Lossless
- Connectivity: USB-C audio
- User-replaceable ear pads and headband padding
Microphones
Microphone performance varies across these premium headphones. The Sennheiser Momentum 5 offers “just okay” call quality. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2’s calls are average, even after a software update. The Apple AirPods Max 2 perform surprisingly poorly in wind, though they are decent in quiet and noisy conditions. The Sony 1000X The Collection excels in all conditions, providing very good call quality. The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 delivers “okay” microphone performance.
To hear the raw microphone samples, check out the video embedded at the top of this post!
Rapid Fire Picks
- ANC: Bose
- Microphones: Sony
- Design: Bowers & Wilkins
- Comfort: Bose
- Controls: AirPods Max 2
- Long-term Value: Sennheiser
- Sound (Customizable): Sony, Sennheiser, Bowers & Wilkins
- Sound (Stock Tuning): Bose
Final Verdict
Choosing a single winner from this impressive lineup is challenging, as each excels in different areas. For us, the Sony 1000X The Collection stands out. Its exceptional build quality, comfortable design, excellent ANC and transparency, and superior microphone performance make it a compelling choice. We appreciate the tactile buttons and the highly customizable sound profile through its comprehensive app.
However, if we had to pick a second, it would be the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2. Its unparalleled comfort and industry-leading ANC make it the ultimate travel companion. Despite some minor software quirks and limited sound customization, its core strengths are undeniable.
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 earns an honorable mention for its incredible long-term value, thanks to its user-replaceable battery and IP54 rating, making it a truly sustainable choice. The Apple AirPods Max 2 offers fantastic controls and ANC, but its ecosystem dependency and poor battery life are significant drawbacks. The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 S2 is a design marvel with premium materials and excellent treble, but its inconsistent sound tuning requires too much effort to get right.
Ultimately, your choice will depend on your priorities. But for a blend of luxury, performance, and customization, the Sony 1000X The Collection is a formidable contender.
Products Discussed
===DISCLOSURES===
✅ Sony lent us their headphones. Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Sennheiser sent us the headphones for free for review purposes. We bought the AirPods with our money.
✅ No one got input at any stage in the creation of this content. All opinions and bad jokes are strictly our own.
✅ Affiliate shopping and merchandise links above earn us commission.
