Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Wireless (M2 IEBT) Earphones Review

1. Introduction2. Unboxing and First Look3. Testing4. Closing Thoughts5. View All Pages

The audio market is embracing wireless devices now more than ever before. Sennheiser is seeking to tap into this market trend with their Momentum family of devices, and today we are looking at the Momentum In-Ear Wireless (M2 IEBT) pair of earphones. Using a stylish nappa leather neckband, Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity and a claimed 10-hour battery life, could this be the perfect pair of wireless earphones?

Given there are a few different Sennheiser Momentum products, the model we are looking at today is the In-Ear Wireless pair, also known by its M2 IEBT code name. We expect a lot considering the £169.95 price tag, so let's dive right into the review.

Specification

• Supported Profiles: A2DP + AVRCP + HSP + HFP
• Ear coupling: Ear Canal
• Transducer principle: Dynamic
• Charging time: Approx. 1.5 hrs
• Battery Specification: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Polymer (170mAh)
• Connection: Bluetooth 4.1, NFC
• Battery time: 10 hrs (A2DP/HFP)
• Frequency response: 15Hz – 22,000Hz
• Sound pressure level (SPL): 112 dB (1 kHz/0 dBFS)
• THD, total harmonic distortion: <0.5% (1kHz/100dB SPL)

The Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones ship in a simple-looking black box.

Inside, the earphones actually arrive packaged in a hard-shell carry case which is a great inclusion. Alongside the case is a simple quick-start guide.

Inside the carry case, Sennheiser has also included a short USB charging cable, as well as 3 extra pairs of silicon earbuds. This means (considering some are already fitted) there are 4 different sizes of earbuds: S, M, L, XL.

Next, the earphones themselves. The Momentum In-Ear Wireless uses a premium neckband which obviously sits around your neck while you are using the earphones. The neckband itself is actually made of nappa leather, and it is beautifully soft. It is also very light, with the whole package weighing just 52g, so listening to the Momentum In-Ear Wireless should not become a burden over time.

The left-hand side of the neckband features four small buttons, as well as a little indicator LED which flashes different colours depending on whether you are charging, connecting or connected. The control buttons let you adjust volume as well as pausing the music, while the power button is also situated on this side.

At the very end of the neckband is a USB symbol, indicating that the micro-USB charging port is below the small cover.

Lastly, the earbuds themselves are attractive, with a stylish chrome finish. It is also worth mentioning the buds are ergonomically shaped to fit each ear, as opposed to being identical in shape.
To test the Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones, I used them for 3-4 weeks as my go-to pair of earphones. This meant listening to a lot of music and watching videos, while also assessing the performance, comfort and battery life of the device.

I'll start with comfort, as it is still a bit uncommon to see a wireless pair of earphones that use a neckband – most Bluetooth earphones just have some cabling connecting the buds, or have a rigid design and sit across the back of the skull.

In short, I found the neckband to be pretty much perfect. It is very light, and with the weight distributed across your neck, you quickly forget it is there. The nappa leather covering also feels lovely and soft, while it looks very stylish as well.

For me, the buds themselves are also very comfortable. I've always used the medium-sized silicon buds with previous Sennheiser products, and I found medium was again the optimal size for me while using the Momentum In-Ear Wireless. It is good to have 4 different pairs of buds, though, so I am sure most people would be able to find a size that feels right.

As for the ergonomic design of the actual earbuds, both buds fit my ears very well. My previous pair of earphones – Sennhesier CX 300 Mk IIs – used ‘straight' buds, but once the buds are actually in, I can't say I noticed the difference for day-to-day use.

The integrated neckband controls are also easy to access, despite the fact that the buttons are quite small. The play/pause button actually has a slight bump to it, and this is vital as it would be otherwise impossible to know which button is which without taking the neckband off. However, once you know the button with the bump is the play/pause button, it becomes to easy to turn the volume up or down without accidentally pausing your music. Sennheiser has done a good job in that regard, as I was initially concerned when I saw some Momentum In-Ear Wireless product photos, but there is no need to worry.

Before coming to sound quality, I want to touch on one other area – use while exercising. Many people considering a wireless set of earphones would likely be interested in using them while exercising, as traditional wired earphones can get in the way, cause microphonics and just be a general pain in the ass. In that regard, a wireless pair can be liberating.

To try out the Momentums while exercising, I took them to my regular gym sessions and just wore them while working out. I really enjoyed using them at the gym, I did not feel the neckband rubbing or irritating my skin, while it also stayed pretty still while I was exercising. There is plenty of cable length for the earbuds themselves, too, so they were not accidentally yanked out by any sharp movements. All-in-all, the Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones proved great for use in the gym.

In-terms of actual sound quality, the Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones also perform very well. I paired the earphones with my iPhone and whenever I would normally listen to music via speakers or with a headset, I used the Momentums instead.

I'll start with the bass, as everyone loves earphones that have some kick to them. Plenty of cheap earphones over do it, though, and can sound distorted. That is not the case with the Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones, however, as these sound rich and punchy without going too far. I am a big metalhead and listening to some heavy tracks from the likes of Dream Theatre and Tool is very satisfying as the low-end is detailed and nuanced while also very potent.

The mid-range is also well represented, and this is something that some people tend to ignore but it can be vital for making sure female vocals are clear and life-like. Without a full, clear mid-range, speech quickly becomes tinny, but that is not the case here.

A crisp high-end is also key, and you can hear it come through very well using these earphones. The splash of a cymbal is beautifully sharp, while guitars and synthesizers at the higher end are also crisp and vibrant.

All-in-all, the sound is just very well balanced. No single area dominates, and that is good as the low, mids and highs can all be distinguished and this provides an excellent listening experience. In terms of pure sound-quality, I find it very hard to fault the Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones.

Lastly, one of the downsides to a wireless pair of earphones is that you will eventually need to recharge the device. For the Momentum In-Ear Wireless kit, Sennheiser advertises a 10-hour battery life, and while I am unsure of their testing methodology used to pin-point this figure, my experience has been that the earphones last a fair bit longer than that.

I estimate I used the earphones for between 45 minutes to an hour on a daily basis, sometimes more, and I managed to last over 2 weeks from a single charge. I would say that is a great result.All-in-all, I really have only good things to say about the Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones.

For starters, the earphones are very well-designed, with a light and stylish nappa leather neckband that provides great levels of comfort. The ergonomic earbuds are also very comfortable and caused no fatigue, while Sennheiser include 4 different sizes of silicon buds so you can choose the right size for you.

I also took the Momentums to the gym with me, as I am sure many people considering wireless earphones would use them while exercising. I had no problems using the earphones in the gym, they did not bother me at all and I quickly forgot the neckband was there.

Sound quality is also top-notch. For a £169.95 pair of earphones we would expect this, but the sound is beautifully balanced – the bass is punchy but not overbearing, while the mids are full and the treble is still crisp and clear.

As such, I can definitely recommend the Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones. They are a bit more expensive than your average Bluetooth earbuds, but they justify the price thanks to the comfortable and light design, stylish appearance and top sound quality. I really can't fault these.

You can buy a pair from John Lewis for £169.95 inc. VAT HERE.

Pros

• Looks stylish.
• Neckband feels great and is very comfortable.
• 4 pairs of silicon earbuds included.
• Earbuds fit very well.
• Sound-quality is excellent.
• Battery lasts very well.

Cons

• £169.95 will be too much money for a wide audience.

KitGuru says:  The Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear Wireless earphones are excellent. They provide great levels of comfort, a stylish appearance and stellar sound quality. I just can't fault them.

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