Overall Score 7.5 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 7 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Sennheiser Momentum 3 | Sony LinkBuds S |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 10.6g | 9.6g | |
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 | 7mm | 5mm | |
lowest frequency | 5Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 21,000Hz | 40,000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 107dB/mW | ✗ | |
POWER | battery life | 7hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 21hours | 14hours | |
charge time | 1.5hours | 2hours | |
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 | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 6only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✗ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✓ | ✓ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✗ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
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 offered by a casing, against dust and water. In the format of IPXX, 'X' represents a number The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids such as dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (water).
Scoring IPX4, the Sony LinkBuds S's rating is read as, the first number of X denotes that no data available to specify a protection rating, and the second value of 4 means that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes. Compared to the Sony LinkBuds S, 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
The Sony LinkBuds S have a weight of 9.6g . We prefer a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to move with.
Sennheiser Momentum 3, at 10.6g are heavier than the Sony LinkBuds S with a difference of 1g For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables connecting any part of the device together, Sony LinkBuds S are true wireless for this matter since they don't have cables. This is an important distinction as some wireless earbuds have cables linking the two earbuds . Sennheiser Momentum 3 also is true wireless because it doesn't have cables connecting the 2 earbuds . Sony LinkBuds S have sweat resistance 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 Sony LinkBuds S have stereo speakers, what this means is that Sony LinkBuds S's speakers deliver sound from separate channels on both left and right sides, this creates a richer sound and a better listening experience. Both Sennheiser Momentum 3 and Sony LinkBuds S have stereo speakers Active noise cancellation makes use of more advanced technology to actively cancel noise.
How it works, it detects and analyzes the sound pattern outside and inside the earbud and generates a mirror signal to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (noise) then adding -1 (inverted noise) to make zero which results in a reduced level of noise.
The Sony LinkBuds S have ANC allowing you to listen at lower volume levels, good for your ears since you don't have to crank up the earbuds volume to overcome background sounds.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have ANC which makes either of the devices ideal for plane rides and morning travels. Each operate with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that suits your commute or that suites your chill time. Sony LinkBuds S stay tightly in place, creating an acoustic seal that tones down background noise and also prevents the earbuds sound from leaking out . Both Sennheiser Momentum 3, and Sony LinkBuds S have passive noise reduction which means that both tone down ambient noise without using ANC to cancel it out.
The Sony LinkBuds S have a unit size of 5mm in diameter, bigger drivers are more powerful, and can produce better bass. A driver unit is the component that produces sound in the device, its size corellates with the loudness of the earbuds. Sennheiser Momentum 3 driver unit is 7mm in diameter, making them have a larger driver unit than that of Sony LinkBuds S by 2mm , 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 it's true that, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not imply that they produce better quality sound. Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response inidcates how well a particular audio device produces low recognizable frequencies and if it makes any changes to the signal while at it. Sennheiser Momentum 3's lowest frequency is at 5Hz, this means that
Sennheiser Momentum 3 can produce a juicier bass than the Sony LinkBuds S
The Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40,000Hz, high-frequency response measures if and how well an audio device generates high human frequencies and if it changes to the signal while at it.
Sennheiser Momentum 3's highest frequency is at 21,000Hz, this implies that Sony LinkBuds S produce a clearer and crispier treble than the Sennheiser Momentum 3 The Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average for a single charge. A device's battery life is usually given by the manufacturer, and with longer battery life, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings. Sennheiser Momentum 3's battery life is more than that of Sony LinkBuds S by 1 hours . Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time.
The effect is not noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will have shorter listening time. This is given by the manufacturer, and Sony LinkBuds S's case has a full charge of 14 hours. A charging case with a longer battery life allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before recharging the case itself.
Sennheiser Momentum 3's charging case has a battery life of 21 hours, more than that of Sony LinkBuds S by 7 hours It takes 2 hours to fully charge the Sony LinkBuds S's battery. It is recommended to charge fully the battery before using the earbuds when they have been unused for extended periods. Sennheiser Momentum 3 takes 1.5 hours to fully charge the battery, less than that of Sony LinkBuds S by 0.5 hours Sony LinkBuds S have a battery level indicator, an indicator alerts you when the earbuds has a low battery.
The battery indicator lights indicate the charging state of your earbuds and case. Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you tell the charging state of your device, if charged fully, or having a low battery. The Sony LinkBuds S use USB TYPE-C, an industry-standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 too use USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug is part and parcel of most current electronics. Sony LinkBuds S have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 has a Bluetooth version of 5.2, equal to that of the Sony LinkBuds S . Newer versions provide faster data transfers. Sony LinkBuds S have a 10meters distance connecting via Bluetooth. Sennheiser Momentum 3 have a maximum range of 10meters, equal to that of the Sony LinkBuds S Sony LinkBuds S support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio.
It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Because it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at a similar bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Sony LinkBuds S will work well with your iPhone.
If you are planning 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.
The Sony LinkBuds S support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It can reach a high bitrate of 990kbps, which provides high-resolution audio. The Sony LinkBuds S have 6 microphones.
Sennheiser Momentum 3 microphones are 6, equal to that of the Sony LinkBuds S . More microphones record better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background sounds. Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient sound so that they can still be heard even while 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 your surrounding, for example when you’re having a run but still want to be able to hear traffic. The Sony LinkBuds S have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears . The Sennheiser Momentum 3 support in/on-ear detection, automatically pauses your music, or audiobook when you remove earbuds from your ears saving battery life.
If misplaced in a room, or can't be found in your bag, the Sony LinkBuds S have a find earbuds feature. The Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging. Most often, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the time it takes to fully charge a device.
The Sennheiser Momentum 3 support fast charging. This kind is similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. For example, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in just thirty minutes.
Sony LinkBuds S have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 also have this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the earbuds' microphone, but still hear the other party talk.
The Sony LinkBuds S, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever features are supported on the earbuds. The Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have a control panel on them. The Sony LinkBuds S support voice prompts.
Automatically receive information via audio messages, like if there is an issue with the connection. Sennheiser Momentum 3 too support voice prompts meaning the device will notify you when the battery is low, and you need to recharge them. Sony LinkBuds S come with a special case.
Carrying earphones without a case, or putting them in your bag without a cover may easily damage them. Sennheiser Momentum 3 too have a case included, which is useful for safe transportation.