Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, A Comprehensive Guide to Premium Audio

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 (MTW2), a new upgrade to the Momentum True Wireless series by the German audio and electronics company Sennheiser, has made its way to the market in time for the holiday season. This second-generation Momentum True Wireless series, which a more affordable first-generation Momentum True Wireless earbud was released in 2018, introduces significant improvements in terms of sound fidelity and noise cancellation, and is clearly a notable attempt by Sennheiser to compete with other brands such as Apple, Huawei, Master and Dynamic, and Bose that excel at making premium true wireless earbuds and have done so for a few years now.

Today, I will provide an extended review of the MTW2 in an effort to unpack what the earbuds are and aren’t so good at. The MTW2 has become a favourite among audiophiles and music lovers alike, as it ranks first or shares first at the top of the list of best headphones and earbuds of 2020.

A Legacy of Innovation: Sennheiser's Pursuit of Audio Perfection

Sennheiser is the German name behind one of the most accomplished audio manufacturers in the world, with more than 75 years of experience. From their original dynamic microphone, through to innovations in loudspeakers, headphones and personal sound reinforcement devices, Sennheiser has clung to a mission of revolutionising audio technology for new listeners, with particular staying power in developing advances in headphones such as the stunning fidelity of the Momentum True Wireless 2.

Unveiling the MTW2's Enchanting Features: A Symphony of Innovation

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 is a symphony of technical features, all designed to add a new dimension of quality and control to true wireless, so here’s a brief breakdown of what makes the MTW2 special.

1. Unrivaled Audio Fidelity: The Sound That Captivates

• Tuned, Premium 7mm Dynamic Drivers: At the core of the MTW2’s superior audio is its newly developed 7mm dynamic drivers engineered for an extended frequency response and wider bandwidth. That means more sound reaching your ears from lower bass to airy treble. Every song is richer and sounds exactly like how the artist intended, with absolute clarity in every which way.
• Rich and detailed sound signature: The MTW2 offers a sound signature that’s exquisitely detailed, precise and deep. Whether you’re listening to the delicate nuances of a chamber orchestra, the interlocking beats of hybrid jazz, or the infectious energy of electronic dance music, the MTW2 brings out the smallest sonic details and the full emotionality that good headphones should impart.
• Monster-Tuned for Every Genre: The MTW2 creates an authoritative and enjoyable sound for all of your music, whether edgy rock, classic jazz or EDM. Precise drivers and wide frequency response amplify the articulation you identify with each genre while letting you focus on the artistry of your favourite musicians.

2. Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): Silence the World, Embrace the Music

• Premium Active Noise Cancellation: MTW2’s ANC is highly refined and utilises a bespoke system to create the ultimate acoustic isolation from your surroundings. If you’re riding the underground and just want to be left alone, or just want to get some work done in noisy office, or just want some peaceful time in a crowded café, the ANC on you MTW2 creates an optimal listening experience for consuming media, without interference.
• Customised Noise Cancellation: The MTW2’s ANC technology goes a step further, customising itself to different listening environments to ensure the best possible noise cancellation. The earbuds dynamically self-adjust the ANC level to match your surroundings, providing you with the optimal ANC condition for your environment at all times.
• Transparency Mode: Hear through – don’t hear outI had to have my earbuds in to hear barking dogs.

3. Exceptional Battery Life: Uninterrupted Audio Bliss

• Long Play: With 7 hours of battery life when ANC is enabled and 28 hours with the charging case, the MTW2 gives you the freedom of listening to your music, podcasts or audiobooks uninterrupted for hours. The earbuds’s long battery life makes them unparalleled for a commute or extended travel, or simply enjoy listening to your music all day.
• Rapid Charging: When you do need to finally plug in your MTW2 companions for charging, these earbuds can help you power up quick. You can get up to 1 hour of playtime on a 10-minute charge, which is perfect for an emergency charge up when you’re running late.
• Wireless Charging Compatibility: The charging case for the MTW2 is also equipped for wireless charging, letting you charge your earbuds wirelessly without any cables. Put the charging case on a Qi standard wireless charger, and the earbuds will start charging.

4. Sennheiser Smart Control App: Your Personal Audio Maestro

• Spirit-Level Sound Curve Adjustment: The Sennheiser Smart Control app lets you adjust how the MTW2 sounds, with several accessible EQ settings that can work as presets. Whether you’re gay for the base and want to boost the music’s sub-bass, or crave crispy highs, you could shape the MTW2’s frequency response to fit your favourite genres’ demands.
• Customisable sound profiles: You can create and save as many sound profiles as you need for different listening circumstances. You can, for example, create a profile with boosted bass for electronic music, and a more neutral profile with balanced sound for classical music.
• Seamless Control: Customise and control features like noise-cancelling, Transparency Mode activation and firmware updates if you download the free Sennheiser Smart Control app.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2: A Deeper Dive into Pros and Cons

It’s worth noting that there’s no single fault with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, only a series of benefits and potential downsides. The following list of pros and cons will enable you to assess whether the MTW2 fits your requirements and tastes.

Pros:

• Exceptional Audio Quality: Rich and detailed sound with a large 20-20,000Hz frequency rangeThe MTW2 bring an audiophile quality of sound that easily rivals its wired counterparts for standard audio. Whether you’re listening to classical, jazz, rock, pop or EDM, every subtle detail and nuance of the audio will be experienced in all its raw, unadulterated glory, delivering an end result that is richly intimate and highly emotionally engaging.
• Great Active Noise Cancellation: It does a good job of passive isolation and its ANC is very good for blocking out noise – so the picture of being in a quiet airplane or peaceful commute setting fills your head. Great for anyone listening to music or podcasts in a busy train or street when they want to be able to focus on what they’re listening to (and not the world around them).
• Some of the best battery life: Even the most voracious listener will struggle to burn through the MTW2’s ample playtime. They can last up to 7 hours with ANC on and 28 hours with the charging case. This makes them ideal for travel over a long period of time, like on a backpacking trip or transatlantic commute.
• Comfort and security of fit: this is exactly what Sennheiser achieved here in a way that is unfortunately not so common even in many more expensive models of in-ear headphones. There is a nice set of silicone ear tips to go with the earpieces, so they can fit into the varying contours of different shaped ears – something that is key, since you really want these to fit your ear snuggly in order to maximise sound quality (too loose, and you lose an appreciable amount of bass) without risking any unwanted discomfort or an earbud falling out. This means you can listen to music very conveniently for a period.
• IPX4 Water Resistance: With an IPX4 rating, the MTW2 rivals many pricier wireless earbuds. The fact that they can be sprayed with water from any direction means that it’s no longer a worry whether you’ll sweat through your usual running session, or if you’ll be caught in a light rain with your MTW2 buds and case in tow.
• Preset Sound Profiles: If you’re looking for preset sound settings, the Sennheiser Smart Control app gives you the option to choose between a standard sound signature or a bass-boosted profile, depending on your preference
• Voice Assistant Support: The MTW2 also integrates with voice assistants, so you can use Siri or Google Assistant to control your music, answer phone calls or access other functions, without having to pull out your phone from your pocket, making the user experience handsfree and intuitive.

Cons:

• High Price Point: The price point of the MTW2 might scare off consumers who are on tight budgets. For those who listen to music for the sheer enjoyment of it, not just any music will do; the level of audio quality, features and fidelity represent a high-end listening experience and audio technology for those willing to pay for it.
• Bulky Charging Case: The MTW2’s charging case is slightly bulky – which could be an issue for those trying to avoid a chunky set-up with earbuds and case, especially considering that other options in the ‘true wireless’ market exist. However, the charging case’s bulk again comes down to providing extended battery life and wireless charging, not that the latter is a deal-breaker for those wearing the earbuds at the same time.
• Limited Effectiveness Of Transparency Mode: The Transparency Mode of the MTW2 is a useful feature, however some reviews suggest that it is not as effective in accurately reproducing ambient sounds than other similarly performing earbuds. Nonetheless, the Transparency Mode is still good for anyone who still needs to keep in touch with their surrounding sounds while listening to their music or podcasts.

Conclusion: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 - A Triumph of Audio Engineering

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 embody Sennheiser’s dedication to purity of sound and immersivity of experience in a blinding combination of lovers of quality audio, music in general, and those who are generally just looking to upgrade their daily life with some of the most premium product a company can offer for a specific use case.

The price tag pales in comparison to the sheer potential of the experience behind them: these earbuds offer and deliver some of the best true wireless active noise cancellation and sound in the industry, coupled with an excellent fit, IP54 waterproofing, and excellent user-friendliness and controls. If you can afford them and want to experience what the very best of audio tech has to offer in a generally mobile scenario, these are a surefire upgrade you can make. If you’re on the lookout for a pair of true wireless earbuds that’ll eventually unhinge your jaw like a shrieking pylosaur and transform your mortal ears into bowls of iridescent cochlear-flavoured candy, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 are a great contender for a hefty splurge – as long as you’re willing to drop some serious coin on the complete experience.