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

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 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.

SpecificationApple AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation)Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4
Release year20242024
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		IP54 dust and splash resistance (earbuds only)

The charging case is not covered by the IP rating.

Sennheiser
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—True 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
Driver—TrueResponse 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 cancellation—Hybrid 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 codecs—Bluetooth 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
Microphones—3 MEMS microphones per earbud (6 in total), beamforming noise reduction; 100 Hz–10 kHz Sennheiser
Battery—Up 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
Charging—USB-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
Weight and size—Single earbud 6.2 g; case 66.4 g; total 72.4 g; 70.1 × 44.6 × 34.8 mm with the case Sennheiser
App—Sennheiser 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 conditions—Operating 0 to +40 °C; charging 5 to 35 °C Sennheiser