Overall Score 8.3 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sony WF 1000XM4 | Sennheiser Momentum 3 |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 7.1g | 10.6g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 6mm | 7mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 5Hz | |
highest frequency | 40,000Hz | 21,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 105dB/mW | 107dB/mW | |
POWER | battery life | 8hours | 7hours |
battery life of charging case | 16hours | 21hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | 1.5hours | |
has wireless charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✓ | ✗ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✗ | ✓ | |
has aptx hd | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | 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 refer to the rank of protection offered by an enclosure, against solids and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating refers to protection against solids say dust, followed by the one that refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Scoring IPX4, the Sennheiser Momentum 3'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 Sennheiser Momentum 3, Sony WF 1000XM4 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
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 have a weight of 10.6g . We take in account a lower weight better because lighter devices are easier to transport.
The Sony WF 1000XM4, at 7.1g weigh less than the Sennheiser Momentum 3 with a difference -3.5g For a device to be true wireless it should have no wires linking any part of the device together, Sennheiser Momentum 3 are true wireless for this matter since they have no cables. This is a major distinction as some wireless earbuds have wires connecting the pair of earbuds together. Sony WF 1000XM4 also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables connecting the two earbuds . Sennheiser Momentum 3 have sweat resistance Sony WF 1000XM4's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc Sennheiser Momentum 3 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
Both Sony WF 1000XM4 and Sennheiser Momentum 3 have stereo speakers ANC makes use of more advanced technology to actively counter noise. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to counter it. In simple terms, it's like taking +1 (sound from your surrounding) and producing -1 (inverted noise) to make 0 therefore "diluting" the noise.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 have Active Noise Cancellation allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue since you don't have to crank up the device volume to outcompete background sounds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have ANC which makes both devices ideal for flights and rush hour commutes. Each operate with different noise cancellation modes, pick the mode that you prefer for travel or that suites your chill time.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 stay well in place, creating an acoustic covering that reduces your environment noise and also prevents the device music from leaking out at the same. Both of these devices have passive noise reduction this implies that both limit ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out. Sennheiser Momentum 3 driver unit is 7mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass.
The driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, the unit size determines the loudness of the earbuds. Sony WF 1000XM4 driver unit is 6mm in diameter,
which means that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Sennheiser Momentum 3 by 1mm
, many people have a misconception 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 can generate louder sound, but this does not imply that they deliver better quality sound.
Sennheiser Momentum 3's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio component produces low audible frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Sony WF 1000XM4's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that Sennheiser Momentum 3 make sound with a juicier bass than the Sony WF 1000XM4 Sennheiser Momentum 3's highest frequency is at 21,000Hz, high-frequency response indicates how well an audio component generates high recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal on its way through. Sony WF 1000XM4's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, this implies that Sony WF 1000XM4 can generate a clearer and crispier treble than the Sennheiser Momentum 3 SPL, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, Sennheiser Momentum 3's measurement is 107dB/mW.
Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source. Sony WF 1000XM4's sound pressure level measurement is 105dB/mW. The sound pressure level, a device is can be taken differently by different people, so we need to have the means to get an objective measurement of sound level expressed in numerical terms.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3's battery life is 7 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. Sony WF 1000XM4's battery life is more than that of Sennheiser Momentum 3 by 1 hours . Each time you recharge your earbuds, they get a little less playing time.
The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over a few years, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to. The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and Sennheiser Momentum 3's case is said to have a full charge of 21 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go multiple times before having to recharge the case itself.
Sony WF 1000XM4's charging case has a battery life of 16 hours, less than that of Sennheiser Momentum 3 by 5 hours It requires 1.5 hours to fully charge the Sennheiser Momentum 3's battery. It is highly adivsable to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds for the first time. Sony WF 1000XM4 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, equal to that of the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Sennheiser Momentum 3, the device supports wireless charging.
To charge the earbuds, you simply place down on a supported charging pad. Sony WF 1000XM4 also support wireless charging, always look out for the charging standard of the earbuds. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the device has a low battery.
Its lights indicate the charging status of your device and charging case. Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a battery level indicator, these allow you to tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 have USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Sony WF 1000XM4 too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that allows data movement between devices placed in close proximity, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony WF 1000XM4 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the Sennheiser Momentum 3 . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. Sony WF 1000XM4 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Sennheiser Momentum 3 support AAC, a codec that is used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it can provide better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Sennheiser Momentum 3 will work well with your MacBook.
If you intend on using these with Android , ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well. The Sony WF 1000XM4 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.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps). The Sennheiser Momentum 3 have 6 microphones. The Sony WF 1000XM4 microphones are 4, less than that of Sennheiser Momentum 3 by 2 . More microphones record better sound quality and help the device to filter out background sounds.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 use a noise-canceling type of microphone, these microphones are made to reduce background sounds from the earbuds' sound. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too use a noise-canceling microphone. Especially useful in noisy areas.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises so that they can still be heard even while wearing the earbuds The Sony WF 1000XM4 support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music while being aware of what’s happening around you, for example when you’re having a run but still want to hear traffic. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the device can detect when removed from your ears . The Sony WF 1000XM4 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears improving your listening experience. Sennheiser Momentum 3 support fast charging.
Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to reduce the amount of time it takes to charge the earbuds. Sony WF 1000XM4 too support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery fills up much faster.
Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in 30 minutes. Sennheiser Momentum 3 have a mute function, they support the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have this function.
The mute function means that you unilaterally turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk. The Sennheiser Momentum 3, so you can easily access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the earbuds. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too have a control panel on them.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 have voice prompts. Automatically receive information through audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection. The Sony WF 1000XM4 too support voice prompts .i.e the earbuds notifies you if the battery is running low, and you need to recharge the earbuds.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 come with a special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or placing them inside your bag without a casing can easily put them at risk of getting damaged. Sony WF 1000XM4 also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.