Sennheiser is a respected audio brand, and their headphones have been a staple for our editorial team across various models for nearly two decades. Their German audio engineering consistently delivers quality. In 2018, they entered the True Wireless earbud market with the first Momentum series, which had some shortcomings in battery life and fit. Now, with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, they aim to address those issues and establish a stronger presence in the competitive TWS landscape. Reception has been mixed, with reviews ranging from high praise to lukewarm assessments, with bass performance often being a point of contention. We will delve into the sound quality (and how to enhance the bass) below.
In terms of aesthetics, the Momentum TWS 2 stand out as one of the more stylish True Wireless options, competing with models like the Technics EAH-AZ70, which utilize more premium materials. Interestingly, both are similarly priced. Build quality is excellent, with a focus on plastic construction delivering a clear and refined sound expected at this price point. Fit is subjective, but similar to the EAH-AZ70, the earpiece “body” has a substantial feel. To achieve optimal fit and sound isolation, ensure a proper seal within the ear canal, potentially using the largest comfortable silicone eartip.
But what about the bass performance?
The sound of clarity
We intentionally delayed our review of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, as initial impressions indicated connectivity and app stability issues that we anticipated would be resolved through updates. Fortunately, our assumption proved correct; stability has improved, although some bugs remain. Connection reliability with smartphones has increased, and the app’s software, particularly the equalizer, is now significantly more functional. However, the auto-pause functionality, activated by default when an earpiece is removed, exhibits inconsistent behavior. Similar to the Momentum Wireless 3 (over-ear), this feature can be unreliable. In the worst cases, the headphones may disconnect entirely, ceasing audio output even while remaining connected to the source device (e.g., Spotify). A temporary fix involves returning both earpieces to the case and restarting the program. Disabling the auto-pause function alleviates these issues, allowing for manual pausing as needed. Furthermore, the Sennheiser app may occasionally lose connection with the headphones, necessitating re-pairing. While not critical flaws, these minor inconveniences are noteworthy for a premium product.
Upon evaluating a reference list of songs, two characteristics become immediately apparent:
1) The Sennheiser Momentum TWS 2 prioritizes sonic clarity. 2) The bass response, in its default EQ setting, is relatively subdued. This seems to be a result of both the headphones’ physical design and Sennheiser’s deliberate tuning choices, potentially aimed at a more neutral reproduction. While this approach can be successful in over-ear headphones like the Audio-Technica M50XBT, the smaller drivers of the TWS 2 result in a bass response that is noticeably lacking in certain musical genres. However, the enhanced equalizer allows for significant bass augmentation, providing a foundation that should satisfy most listeners.
Consider the lower guitar frequencies in Carolina Wallin Perez‘s acoustic cover of Kent’s Pärlor. The Momentum TWS 2 renders the warm vocals in the midrange with impressive fidelity, alongside clear bass reproduction in the lower registers – commendable for this form factor. Sticking to acoustic or cinematic compositions, such as Steve Jablonsky‘s My name is Lincoln (from the film The Island), the Momentum TWS 2 performs admirably. However, with complex tracks and faster basslines, such as Ludacris‘ Get Back, the TWS 2 struggles somewhat. The deepest bassline is noticeably absent, and portions of the bass frequencies sound slightly muddy, lacking the responsiveness desired for this genre (try The Knife‘s Silent Shout). That said, not all hip hop is poorly represented. Kanye West‘s classic album 808s and Heartbreak sounds quite good overall, including its bass performance.
Podcasts and audiobooks sound warm and pleasant. Depending on the vocal characteristics, the audio presents a full and grounded feel at its best.
The inclusion of aptX support (provided your device is compatible) is a significant advantage, improving audio quality and reducing latency. Bluetooth 5.1 and IPX4 certification provide a stable wireless connection and protection against splashes (e.g., light rain).
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is incorporated, requiring a specific triple-press gesture to activate, though it is more easily controlled via the app. The ANC provides decent noise reduction in moderately noisy environments, such as public transportation, but is less effective than top-tier over-ear headphones. Volume adjustment utilizes long presses on the earpieces, which can lead to unintentional misclicks. Controlling volume directly on the phone or via voice assistants (e.g., “Siri, lower the volume”) may prove more convenient.
Battery life is commendable. The earpieces provide approximately seven hours on a full charge, and the charging case (slightly larger than average, comparable to Technics) extends playback time by an additional 21 hours. The total battery life easily exceeds a full day of use.
Summary Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2
Overall, Sennheiser’s second entry into the TWS market is a successful product that has matured through firmware and software updates during our evaluation. Sonic clarity is a strong point, and bass response can be enhanced via EQ, although the deepest bass frequencies remain somewhat lacking. The headphones offer a stylish design, good battery life, a reasonable weight and size, along with ANC and aptX support (for compatible Android devices and computers). The primary drawbacks include the price point and remaining software bugs, as detailed previously.
In conclusion, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 represent a very good option for consumers prioritizing sound quality and design, willing to invest in a premium audio experience.
