Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation) / Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

Apple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation): AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation; USB-C case with speaker and wireless charging. The AirPods 4 without ANC and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless: MOMENTUM 4 Wireless over-ear wireless headphones; Black (509266), White (509267), Graphite (700383) and later Brown, Teal, Copper and Denim colours. MOMENTUM True Wireless in-ear models and MOMENTUM 3 Wireless are separate products.

SpecificationApple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation)Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Release year20242022
ChipApple H2 headphone chip Apple—
Noise controlActive Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness

Without ear tips the ear canal is not sealed like with silicone-tip earbuds, so ANC mainly reduces low-frequency rumble. Adaptive Audio blends ANC and Transparency based on surrounding sound.

Apple		—
AudioCustom high-excursion Apple driver; high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalisation Apple—
Microphones and sensorsDual beamforming microphones and inward-facing microphone; Voice Isolation; optical in-ear sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; force sensor

The force sensor lets you press the stem to control playback, calls and listening modes.

Apple		—
Battery lifeEarbuds: 4 hours with ANC on, 5 hours with noise control off; with case: 20 hours with ANC on, 30 hours off; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple—
Charging caseCharges via USB-C, an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger; speaker for Find My

No USB-C cable is included. The speaker helps locate a lost case by sound.

Apple		—
DurabilityIP54 dust, sweat and water resistance

Not intended for water sports; resistance can decrease over time.

Apple		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3

Works as standard Bluetooth earbuds with non-Apple devices; features such as automatic switching, Spatial Audio and Adaptive Audio need current Apple software.

Apple		—
Size and weightEarbud 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 34.7 g Apple—
Type—Around-ear, closed-back, wireless; active noise cancelling

The ear pads fully surround the ear; Sennheiser cites a lightweight design, padded headband and deep cushioned earpads for long-wear comfort.

Sennheiser
Driver and frequency response—42 mm dynamic driver; 6 Hz–22 kHz; 106 dB SPL (1 kHz / 0 dB FS)

The frequency range describes measurement limits; the sound you hear is also shaped by the in-app equaliser and sound personalisation.

Sennheiser
Impedance—Active 470 Ω, passive 60 Ω Sennheiser
Noise cancelling and microphones—Adaptive hybrid ANC; 4 microphones in total (2 per side, MEMS, beamforming; 50 Hz–10 kHz); anti-wind mode; transparency mode

Hybrid ANC uses both outer and inner microphones; adaptive mode changes the level of cancellation to match ambient noise.

Sennheiser
Bluetooth and codecs—Bluetooth 5.2, Class 1; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP; SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive

aptX Adaptive works only with Android phones that support it; iPhones use AAC. Multipoint connections are managed in the app.

Sennheiser
Battery and charging—700 mAh lithium-ion; up to 60 hours with noise cancelling on; full charge in about 2 hours; up to 4 hours from 5 minutes of charging; USB-C 5 V 800 mA

Sennheiser says the 60 hours was measured with an iPhone at medium volume; higher volume and aptX Adaptive can shorten it.

Sennheiser
Wired use—Hi-res digital audio over USB-C; 3.5 mm / 2.5 mm analogue cable

When listening over USB-C, the headphones decode digital audio internally; the analogue cable works even with a flat battery.

Sennheiser
Controls and app—Touch surface on the right cup; Smart Pause wear detection; Auto On/Off; 5-band equaliser and Sound Personalization in the Smart Control app

Smart Pause stops playback when the headphones are taken off and resumes when they are put back on; Auto On/Off shuts them down to save power when not in use.

Sennheiser
In the box—Carry case; USB-C charging cable; audio cable with 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm jacks; airplane adapter Sennheiser
Water resistance—No IP rating listed

With no certification against sweat or rain, care is needed when it gets wet during exercise.

Sennheiser