Overall Score 7.8 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Bose QuietComfort 2 | Sennheiser Momentum 3 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 12.5g | 10.6g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
wingtips included | ✓ | ✗ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 9.3mm | 7mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 5Hz | |
highest frequency | 20,000Hz | 21,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | ✗ | 107dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 18hours | 21hours | |
charge time | 2hours | 1.5hours | |
has wireless charging | ✗ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.3 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✓ | ✓ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 8only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✓ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✓ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✗ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | ✗ | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
IP ratings is the rating of protection given by a casing, against solids and liquids. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating means protection against solids such as dust, followed by the one that refers to protection against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IPX4, the Bose QuietComfort 2's rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. In comparison to the Bose QuietComfort 2, Sennheiser Momentum 3 have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
Bose QuietComfort 2 have a weight of 12.5g . We prefer a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to move with.
Sennheiser Momentum 3, at 10.6g weigh less than the Bose QuietComfort 2 by -1.9g True wireless devices have no cables linking any part of the device together, Bose QuietComfort 2 are true wireless for this case since they don't have cables. This is a major distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the 2 earbuds . Sennheiser Momentum 3 also is true wireless because it has no wires linking the two earbuds together. The Bose QuietComfort 2 come with wingtips, these are commonly used for workout earbuds and are usually an optional add-on to each silicone ear tip for a more secure fit.
Bose QuietComfort 2 are resistant to sweat Sennheiser Momentum 3's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Bose QuietComfort 2 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both Sennheiser Momentum 3 and Bose QuietComfort 2 have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation uses more advanced kind of tech to actively counter noise. How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and inverts the soundwaves to counter it.
Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) and adding -1 (counter sound by the device) giving 0 which results in a reduced level of noise.
The Bose QuietComfort 2 have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears as you don't have to crank up the device volume to overcome background noise. Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have Active Noise Cancellation making both earbuds ideal for flights and morning travels.
The Bose QuietComfort 2 and Sennheiser Momentum 3 operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that suits your travel or that suites your chill time. The Bose QuietComfort 2 sit well in place, this creates an acoustic covering that reduces background sounds and also prevents the earbuds music from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this means that both limit ambient noise instead of actively using ANC to cancel it out.
The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a unit size of 9.3mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, therefor producing better bass. A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the sound made by the earbuds. Sennheiser Momentum 3 driver unit is 7mm in diameter, which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 2.3mm , a common assumption that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers usually have difficulty producing high frequencies so yeah, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound. Bose QuietComfort 2's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well an audio device produces low frequencies that can be heard, and if it alters the signal while at it. Sennheiser Momentum 3's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, this implies that
Sennheiser Momentum 3 can produce a juicier bass than the Bose QuietComfort 2
The Bose QuietComfort 2's highest frequency is at 20,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well a particular audio component generates high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through.
Sennheiser Momentum 3's highest frequency is at 21,000Hz, this implies that Sennheiser Momentum 3 generate a clearer and crispier treble than the Bose QuietComfort 2 The Bose QuietComfort 2's battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. Sennheiser Momentum 3's battery life is more than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 1 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time.
The effect is not noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. This is given by the vendor, and Bose QuietComfort 2's case is said to have a charge of 18 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life enables you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.
Sennheiser Momentum 3's charging case has a battery life of 21 hours, more than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 3 hours It requires 2 hours to fully charge the Bose QuietComfort 2's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for long periods. Sennheiser Momentum 3 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 0.5 hours The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights show the charging status of your device and case. Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you determine the charging state of your earbuds, if charged fully, or having a low battery. The Bose QuietComfort 2 use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power through a single cable.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current laptops, phones, and tablets. The Bose QuietComfort 2 have Bluetooth version of 5.3, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, older than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. Sennheiser Momentum 3 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Bose QuietComfort 2 Bose QuietComfort 2 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Since its the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Bose QuietComfort 2 will work fine with your MacBook.
If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
Bose QuietComfort 2 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps). Sennheiser Momentum 3 support APTX Adaptive as well which means both can adjust the bit rate for different scenarios, such as listening to HD audio from other devices. The Bose QuietComfort 2 have 8 microphones.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 microphones are 6, less than that of Bose QuietComfort 2 by 2 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out noise. The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are intended to filter out background sounds from the earbuds' sound. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 too use a noise-canceling microphone.
This is useful in noisy areas. The Bose QuietComfort 2 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing them The Sennheiser Momentum 3 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a jog but would still want to be able to hear traffic. The Bose QuietComfort 2 have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 too support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. If lost in a room, or can't easily find them in your bag, Bose QuietComfort 2 have a find earbuds feature. Bose QuietComfort 2 support fast charging.
Commonly, technologies like Qualcomm’s Quick Charge, are used to lower the time it takes to charge the earbuds. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, just that the battery is filling up much faster.
For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery can be charged to 50% in just 30 minutes. The Bose QuietComfort 2 support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you to link to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Bose QuietComfort 2 have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have this function. It means that you can turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
The Bose QuietComfort 2, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have a control panel on them. Bose QuietComfort 2 have voice prompts.
Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 also support voice prompts meaning the earbuds will notify you when the battery is low, and it's time to recharge the earbuds. The Bose QuietComfort 2 come with their own special pouch.
Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them inside your bag without a cover can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sennheiser Momentum 3 also have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.