Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 / Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 (2024); Black Graphite 700365, White Silver 700366, Black Copper 700367 (Denim and Gold were added later). The over-ear MOMENTUM 4 Wireless and the in-ear MOMENTUM True Wireless 3/5 are separate models.

Apple AirPods (3rd generation): AirPods (3rd generation) launched in 2021 with the MagSafe Charging Case; from 2022 a version with the Lightning Charging Case was also sold. The earbuds are the same with either case. AirPods 4, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro are separate models.

SpecificationSennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Release year20242021
TypeTrue wireless stereo in-ear earbuds; ear-canal fit with ear fins

The box includes four sets of ear tips (XS/S/M/L) and three sets of ear fins (S/M/L).

Sennheiser
—
DriverTrueResponse dynamic, 7 mm; 5 Hz–21 kHz; 107 dB SPL (1 kHz / 1 mW)

According to Sennheiser, audio resolution up to 24-bit/96 kHz is supported with a compatible source.

Sennheiser
—
Noise cancellationHybrid ANC, adaptive to surroundings; Transparency Mode

Adaptive mode sets the cancellation level automatically for the surrounding noise; Transparency Mode lets outside sound in without removing the earbuds.

Sennheiser
—
Bluetooth and codecsBluetooth 5.4 (Classic and LE Audio); SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive/Lossless, LC3; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, TMAP, PBP

aptX Lossless needs a Snapdragon Sound phone that supports it; an iPhone uses AAC. According to Sennheiser, Auracast broadcast listening only arrives through a firmware update. Multipoint lets it switch between two devices.

Sennheiser
—
Microphones3 MEMS microphones per earbud (6 in total), beamforming noise reduction; 100 Hz–10 kHz Sennheiser—
BatteryUp to 7.5 hours per charge (ANC off) / up to 7 hours (ANC on); up to 30 hours total with the case; lithium-ion, 75 mAh per earbud, 820 mAh case

Times were measured with an iPhone at medium volume (85 dB). According to Sennheiser, 8 minutes of charging gives about 1 hour of playback; the battery protect mode in the app slows charging and slightly lowers maximum capacity to extend battery lifespan.

Sennheiser
Up to 6 hours of listening per charge (5 hours with Personalised Spatial Audio on); up to 30 hours with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple
ChargingUSB-C socket on the case (5 V, 1,000 mA max) and Qi wireless charging

A USB-C cable is in the box; there is no adapter.

Sennheiser
—
DurabilityIP54 dust and splash resistance (earbuds only)

The charging case is not covered by the IP rating.

Sennheiser
—
Weight and sizeSingle earbud 6.2 g; case 66.4 g; total 72.4 g; 70.1 × 44.6 × 34.8 mm with the case Sennheiser—
AppSennheiser Smart Control for iOS and Android: 5-band EQ, Sound Personalization, Sound Zones, touch control settings

Sound Personalization was developed with Fraunhofer IDMT and builds a sound profile from the user’s reactions to sample sounds.

Sennheiser
—
Operating conditionsOperating 0 to +40 °C; charging 5 to 35 °C Sennheiser—
Design and fit—Open-fit in-ear design without silicone tips; short stem

Because the earbud does not seal the canal, ambient sound is heard; fit depends on ear shape and there are no interchangeable tips.

Apple
Audio technology—Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ

Adaptive EQ measures what is heard in the ear with the inward-facing microphone and adjusts the tuning to the fit in real time. Head tracking anchors sound to the Apple device’s screen. There is no active noise cancellation or transparency mode.

Apple
Chip and connectivity—H1 headphone chip; Bluetooth 5.0

Automatic device switching, “Hey Siri” and one-tap pairing work with Apple devices.

Apple
Sensors and microphones—Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor

The skin-detect sensor pauses playback when an earbud is removed.

Apple
Controls—Press the stem once to play/pause or answer a call; twice to skip forward or end a call; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri

There is no on-bud volume control.

Apple
Charging case—MagSafe Charging Case (MagSafe, Qi and Lightning) or Lightning Charging Case

The included cable is Lightning to USB-C; there is no adapter.

Apple
Sweat and water resistance—IPX4: earbuds and charging case

IPX4 protects against splashes; it is not for submersion.

Apple
Size and weight—Earbud (each): 30.79 × 18.26 × 19.21 mm, 4.28 g; case: 46.40 × 54.40 × 21.38 mm, 37.91 g Apple