Here’s Why I Gave the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 Earbuds a CNET Editors’ Choice

Key Points:

• Sennheiser’s new Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds, priced at $300, offer improved noise canceling and voice-calling performance compared to their predecessor, though they still fall slightly short of competitors like Sony WF-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Pro 3.
• The earbuds feature a revamped, more streamlined design with user-replaceable batteries, Bluetooth 6.0 support, an expanded microphone array, and spatial audio with head-tracking, enhancing both comfort and functionality.
• Sound quality remains a strong point, delivering clean, natural, and balanced audio with slight tuning improvements, while the upgraded adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation provides better ambient sound muffling, especially at lower frequencies.
• Battery life has improved to 12 hours with noise canceling off but slightly decreased to 6 hours with ANC on due to the more powerful noise cancellation system, and voice-calling quality is rated highly with minimal background noise and clear voice transmission.
• Though lacking some features like advanced find-my-earbuds technology, voice controls, and Auracast support at launch, the Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds are recognized as a top contender in their category, earning a CNET Editors’ Choice award with expected firmware updates to further enhance performance.