Sennheiser’s latest Momentum 5 Wireless headphones stand out in a saturated market by emphasising battery longevity, noise cancellation and sound tuning, despite modest design updates and some trade-offs in build quality.
Sennheiser’s Momentum 5 Wireless arrives in a crowded premium headphone market, but it still finds a clear place for itself. The model keeps the familiar over-ear formula of its predecessor while refining the proposition around long battery life, stronger noise cancellation and a more tunable sound profile. At RM1,999, it is not aimed at impulse buyers, yet the combination of features and longevity gives it a practical appeal that several rivals cannot easily match, according to Lowyat, SoundGuys and TechRadar. The trade-off is that Sennheiser has not turned the design into something radically new, and some of the same questions about comfort and finish remain.
The headphone uses a largely plastic construction with faux-leather padding and a slim carrying case, and the control layout stays concentrated on the right earcup. Lowyat noted that touch controls handle playback, volume and noise modes, while a physical power button and 3.5mm jack provide the only other direct inputs. TechRadar also praised the battery story, pointing to Sennheiser’s 57-hour claim, and SoundGuys highlighted the user-replaceable battery as a major advantage for long-term ownership. That replaceable cell is one of the more meaningful updates in the category, especially as more brands treat premium headphones as sealed products with limited service life.
Noise cancellation is one of the Momentum 5 Wireless’ stronger areas, although not necessarily the absolute best in class. Lowyat described both passive isolation and active noise cancellation as highly effective, while TechRadar and SoundGuys said the system is improved but still stops short of the strongest offerings from Sony and Bose. Transparency mode also appears to be a clear strength, with Lowyat reporting that it allows outside sound through so naturally that conversation can continue without removing the headphones. Call performance, however, seems less impressive: Lowyat found voice pickup and listening volume merely average, with background noise still leaking through on calls.
Sound is where the Momentum 5 Wireless arguably makes its most convincing case. Lowyat said the tuning leans bassier than Sennheiser’s more neutral audiophile models, but without smothering the midrange. That matters because vocals and instruments remain distinct even when low-end energy is increased. WIRED similarly described the sound as strong but bass-forward, while TechRadar pointed to Sennheiser’s sound personalisation tools as a useful way to adapt the signature to different tastes. The app also offers a multiband equaliser and other controls, giving the headphones considerably more flexibility than simpler rivals, though Lowyat found the treble less convincing than the rest of the frequency range.
The result is a headphone that makes a strong case on battery life, sound customisation and durability, while leaving some room for improvement in finish, call quality and treble refinement. Lowyat reported occasional Bluetooth instability, imperfect wear detection and surface wear on the faux leather after short use, all of which are unwelcome at this price. Even so, the broader verdict from the review cycle is positive: the Momentum 5 Wireless is not flawless, but it is a capable, feature-rich option for listeners who value endurance and sound quality over luxury-grade materials or class-leading ANC. For buyers willing to live with a few rough edges, it looks like one of Sennheiser’s more practical high-end releases.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
