Sennheiser introduces Momentum 5 headphones with upgraded sound and noise cancellation

Sennheiser has unveiled its latest premium wireless headphones, the Momentum 5 Wireless, nearly 4 years after the release of the previous Momentum 4 model. While the overall appearance remains largely unchanged, the company has focused heavily on improving sound performance and active noise cancellation.

The new headphones arrive with a higher price tag than their predecessor, costing US$400 at launch, which is US$50 more than the earlier model. Despite the increase, Sennheiser says the Momentum 5 has been designed to deliver stronger audio performance, more effective noise reduction, and improved future-ready connectivity.

The Momentum 5 continues to use the same 42mm transducers found in the Momentum 4 headphones. According to the company, these drivers were inspired by the well-known HD 600 headphone range and have been tuned to deliver fuller sound and stronger bass. Although the core hardware remains familiar, Sennheiser has added several new software and wireless audio improvements.

Among the major additions is Hi-Res Audio certification and support for Snapdragon Sound. This allows compatibility with advanced Bluetooth codecs, including aptX Lossless, which is designed to improve wireless audio quality. The company has also updated its Smart Control Plus application, adding an eight-band equaliser alongside sound presets and personalised listening options.

New software features target immersive listening

Sennheiser confirmed that additional audio enhancements are already planned through future software updates. One of the most significant upgrades arriving after launch will be Dolby Atmos support with head tracking for compatible content. At launch, the Momentum 5 supports Dolby Atmos playback but lacks head-tracking.

The company said a firmware update scheduled shortly after release will introduce the more immersive listening feature. Head-tracking technology adjusts audio positioning based on the listener’s head movement, creating a more cinema-like sound experience when watching films or listening to supported music.

The Momentum 5 also ships with Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, although Sennheiser noted that the headphones were designed with future Bluetooth 6.0 compatibility in mind. The company plans to enable support for the newer standard through another firmware update once Bluetooth 6.0 becomes widely available.

Sennheiser has also expanded compatibility with its own BTD 700 Bluetooth dongle, introduced alongside the HD 630 headphones. The accessory is designed to support lossless wireless audio performance and improve connection stability across compatible devices.

The company’s continued focus on software upgrades reflects a wider trend in the premium headphone market, where brands increasingly rely on firmware updates to extend product lifespans after launch. Rather than limiting features to hardware changes alone, manufacturers are now using software updates to introduce new capabilities over time.

Noise cancellation receives major microphone upgrade

Alongside the audio improvements, Sennheiser has made significant changes to the active noise cancellation system. The Momentum 5 now includes four microphones per ear cup, doubling the number from the previous model.

According to the company, the additional microphones provide “across-the-board improvements” to noise cancellation performance. Sennheiser specifically claimed the updated system can offer up to three times more effective cancellation of human voices compared with earlier models.

The company also stated that the new microphone arrangement improves call clarity. By using more microphones to isolate speech, the headphones are intended to deliver more natural-sounding conversations while reducing surrounding background noise.

Active noise cancellation has become one of the most competitive areas in the wireless headphone market, particularly among premium models aimed at commuters and frequent travellers. Brands such as Sony, Bose, and Apple have focused heavily on improving voice isolation and reducing environmental noise in recent years.

Although Sennheiser has focused on performance upgrades, it has made only minor adjustments to battery performance. The Momentum 5 offers up to 57 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation enabled, slightly below the 60-hour figure quoted for the Momentum 4.

Despite the small reduction, battery endurance remains significantly longer than that of many competing premium headphones. The Momentum 5 also supports fast charging, with Sennheiser claiming users can get up to 3 hours of playback from a 5-minute charge.

User-replaceable battery adds long-term flexibility

One of the more unusual features included in the Momentum 5 is its user-replaceable battery design. The headphones use a 700 mAh battery that owners can replace themselves with a standard Phillips-head screwdriver.

The inclusion of a replaceable battery comes at a time when many consumer electronics manufacturers face increasing pressure to improve product repairability and reduce electronic waste. By allowing users to replace the battery independently, Sennheiser may help extend the headphones’ usable lifespan beyond that of many rivals.

The Momentum 5 Wireless headphones will become available from 16 June. Buyers will be able to choose between black, white, and blue at launch.

Sennheiser’s latest release highlights the company’s strategy of refining existing hardware while expanding software capabilities and connectivity support. Rather than redesigning the product completely, the Momentum 5 focuses on incremental upgrades for audio enthusiasts seeking improved wireless sound quality and stronger noise cancellation.