Introduction
In the world of premium wireless headphones, two models stand above the rest: the Apple AirPods Max and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. Both offer exceptional sound quality, cutting-edge features, and stylish designs. But which one is the ultimate over-ear headphone? As a digital technology expert, I‘ve put these two headphones through their paces to determine a winner.
Sound Quality
The most important factor in any headphone comparison is sound quality. The AirPods Max feature custom 40mm dynamic drivers with a unique dual neodymium ring magnet motor. This allows them to maintain total harmonic distortion of less than 1% across the entire audible range. The result is a wide, spacious soundstage with precise imaging and crisp, detailed highs.
The Momentum 4 Wireless are no slouch in the audio department either. They use 42mm transducers that Sennheiser has tuned for a more balanced, neutral sound signature. The mids are lush and full-bodied, with natural-sounding vocals and instruments. The bass is tight and controlled, never bloated or overpowering.
To get a sense of how these headphones perform with different types of content, I tested them with a variety of music genres, movies, and video games. The AirPods Max excelled with dynamic, energetic tracks like "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. The driving beat and horn section had plenty of punch and presence.
For more delicate acoustic fare, the Momentum 4 Wireless took the lead. Listening to "Rusty Cage" by Chris Stapleton, the guitar and vocal harmonies sounded incredibly lifelike and nuanced. It was almost like being in the studio with the band.
When it came to movies, the AirPods Max had the advantage thanks to their spatial audio capabilities. Watching action scenes in "Mad Max: Fury Road," the swirling, immersive sound put me right in the middle of the chaos. The head tracking was particularly impressive, keeping the audio locked in place even as I moved my head.
The Momentum 4 Wireless, while lacking spatial audio, still held their own for cinematic content. Explosions had real weight and impact, while dialogue was always clear and easy to understand. And for gaming, both headphones delivered detailed, precise sound that allowed me to pinpoint enemy footsteps and gunfire.
Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is a key feature in premium wireless headphones, and both the AirPods Max and Momentum 4 Wireless have advanced ANC systems. The AirPods Max use six outward-facing microphones to detect external sound, and two inward-facing mics to monitor what you‘re hearing. The H1 chip then uses computational audio to continuously adapt the noise cancellation to your environment.
The AirPods Max use an advanced noise cancellation system with 8 microphones. (Source: Apple)
In practice, the AirPods Max have some of the best noise cancellation I‘ve ever experienced. Low-frequency sounds like airplane engines and train rumble are almost completely eliminated. Even in a noisy coffee shop, I was able to focus on my music without any distractions. The transparency mode is also excellent, allowing outside sound in without compromising audio quality.
The Momentum 4 Wireless use a hybrid ANC system with four microphones (two inside the earcups and two outside). Sennheiser says this allows for a wider range of frequencies to be cancelled out. There‘s also an anti-wind ANC mode that reduces noise from strong gusts, which is handy for outdoor use.
While not quite as eerily silent as the AirPods Max, the Momentum 4 Wireless still do an admirable job of attenuating external noise. In back-to-back testing on a busy city street, I found the AirPods Max reduced about 90% of the ambient sound, while the Momentum 4 Wireless cut out around 80%. Both are more than sufficient for most situations, but the AirPods Max have the edge.
Design and Comfort
Headphones are as much a fashion accessory as they are an audio tool, so design matters. The AirPods Max have a striking, modern aesthetic with aluminum ear cups and a stainless steel headband. The unique mesh canopy is designed to distribute weight evenly and reduce on-head pressure.
The AirPods Max have a premium, eye-catching design. (Source: Apple)
In practice, the AirPods Max are incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods. The ear cushions use memory foam to create a secure, encompassing seal without excess clamping force. And despite their weight (13.6 ounces or 384.8 grams), the headband does an excellent job of making them feel lighter than they are.
The Momentum 4 Wireless take a more subdued approach with an all-black design and matte finish. The ear cups are made of durable plastic with a leather-like coating, while the headband uses genuine leather. They have a classic, understated look that some may prefer to the more attention-grabbing AirPods Max.
Comfort-wise, the Momentum 4 Wireless are also a pleasure to wear. The earpads are plush and spacious, with plenty of room for your ears to breathe. And at 10.3 ounces (293 grams), they‘re significantly lighter than the AirPods Max. For extended listening sessions or long flights, the Momentum 4 Wireless may be the better choice.
Battery Life and Connectivity
When it comes to battery life, the Momentum 4 Wireless are in a league of their own. Sennheiser claims up to 60 hours of playback with ANC enabled, which is nearly double that of most competitors. In my testing, I was able to use them for an entire week of commuting without needing to recharge.
The AirPods Max, on the other hand, offer a more typical 20 hours of battery life with ANC on. That‘s still enough to get you through a long flight or workday, but you‘ll need to charge them more often than the Momentum 4 Wireless. The lack of any fast charging is also a bit disappointing – you‘ll need to plan ahead if the battery runs low.
For connectivity, both headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 for a stable, high-quality wireless connection. The AirPods Max have the advantage of the H1 chip, which enables seamless pairing and switching with Apple devices. They also support spatial audio on compatible iOS devices for a more immersive listening experience.
The Momentum 4 Wireless support the high-quality aptX Adaptive codec, which can transmit 24-bit/96kHz audio over Bluetooth. However, you‘ll need a compatible source device to take advantage of this. They also support AAC and SBC codecs for broad compatibility with most smartphones and laptops.
Features and Software
Both headphones offer a variety of smart features and customization options through their companion apps. The AirPods Max seamlessly integrate with iOS devices, allowing you to manage settings, customize the digital crown controls, and enable spatial audio.
The Sennheiser Smart Control app for the Momentum 4 Wireless is more full-featured, with a graphic EQ, sound modes, and the ability to customize the touch controls on the right earcup. You can also adjust the level of ANC and transparency mode, and even set up location-based sound profiles.
One unique feature of the AirPods Max is the inclusion of gyroscopes and accelerometers for dynamic head tracking. This allows for a more realistic spatial audio experience, with the sound field staying fixed in place as you move your head. It‘s a cool party trick, but only works with compatible Apple devices and content.
The Momentum 4 Wireless, while lacking head tracking, support a wider range of voice assistants including Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Simply press the voice assistant button on the right earcup to activate your preferred AI helper.
Call Quality and Microphones
For many people, wireless headphones double as a hands-free headset for taking calls. Both the AirPods Max and Momentum 4 Wireless perform admirably in this regard, with clear, natural-sounding voice pickup.
The AirPods Max have three microphones on each earcup for voice calls, with beamforming and wind noise reduction. In testing, my voice came through loud and clear on the other end, even in noisy environments like a busy street or windy park.
The Momentum 4 Wireless have two beamforming mics on the right earcup that work together to isolate your voice from background noise. Callers said I sounded crisp and easy to understand, though perhaps not quite as full and natural as with the AirPods Max.
Sustainability and Repairability
One area where both headphones could improve is sustainability and repairability. The AirPods Max and Momentum 4 Wireless are premium products with a high price tag, but they‘re not designed to be easily repaired or recycled.
The AirPods Max received a low 3/10 repairability score from iFixit. (Source: iFixit)
The AirPods Max in particular have been criticized for their lack of repairability. In a teardown by iFixit, they received a dismal repairability score of 3/10 due to the use of glue, soldered components, and lack of replacement parts. If something breaks outside of the warranty period, you‘re pretty much out of luck.
The Momentum 4 Wireless fare slightly better, with a modular design that allows for the replacement of the battery, ear cushions, and cables. However, Sennheiser doesn‘t sell these parts directly to consumers, so you‘ll need to go through an authorized repair center.
As consumers become more environmentally conscious, it would be great to see Apple and Sennheiser prioritize sustainability in future headphone designs. This could include the use of recycled materials, modular components for easy repair, and trade-in programs to reduce e-waste.
Price and Value
There‘s no getting around the fact that both of these headphones are expensive. The AirPods Max retail for $549, while the Momentum 4 Wireless come in at $349. That‘s a significant investment for a pair of headphones, no matter how good they sound.
For Apple users who prize seamless integration and spatial audio, the AirPods Max may be worth the premium. The build quality is exceptional, and the noise cancellation is best-in-class. However, the lack of a 3.5mm jack or analog input means you‘re locked into the Apple ecosystem.
The Momentum 4 Wireless offer better value for money, with a more versatile design, longer battery life, and a lower price tag. They also support a wider range of Bluetooth codecs and have a companion app with more customization options.
Comparisons
Of course, the AirPods Max and Momentum 4 Wireless aren‘t the only premium noise-cancelling headphones on the market. Other strong contenders include the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose 700.
Compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399), the AirPods Max have slightly better noise cancellation and a more premium build. However, the Sony headphones have longer battery life (30 hours vs 20 hours), LDAC support for high-resolution audio, and a more compact, travel-friendly design.
The Bose 700 ($379) are another popular choice, with excellent noise cancellation and voice call performance. They have a sleek, modern design similar to the AirPods Max, but with touch controls instead of a digital crown. The Bose Music app also offers more customization options than the barebones AirPods interface.
Against these competitors, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless stand out for their exceptional battery life, balanced sound profile, and granular EQ controls. They may not have quite the same brand recognition as Sony or Bose, but they offer comparable (if not better) performance at a lower price point.
Conclusion
After weeks of testing, it‘s clear that both the Apple AirPods Max and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are exceptional headphones. They offer premium build quality, advanced features, and best-in-class noise cancellation. However, there are some key differences that may sway you one way or the other.
If you‘re entrenched in the Apple ecosystem and value features like spatial audio and seamless device switching, the AirPods Max are a compelling choice. The noise cancellation is second to none, and the build quality is outstanding. Just be prepared to pay a premium for those Apple-exclusive features.
For everyone else, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are the better value. They offer comparable sound quality and noise cancellation to the AirPods Max, with longer battery life, more customization options, and a more palatable price tag. The understated design may not turn as many heads, but they‘re a pleasure to wear for extended periods.
Ultimately, you can‘t go wrong with either of these headphones. They represent the pinnacle of wireless audio technology, with sound quality and features that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Whether you choose the AirPods Max or Momentum 4 Wireless, you‘re getting a top-tier listening experience that will make your music and movies sound better than ever before.
