GoKawiilJada Jones/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
The premium noise-canceling headphone market is crowded at the top. The Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2), and Apple AirPods Max 2 have dominated the conversation, but two stronger challengers come from brands with much deeper audio heritage: Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins.
Also: I flew 2,700 miles with Apple, Sony, and Sennheiser headphones - this pair had the best audio
The Sennheiser Momentum 5 headphones are Sennheiser's latest flagship headphones, leaning hard into practical performance. They offer huge battery life, strong ANC, deep app customization, and a spec sheet built for people who wear their headphones all day, every day.
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, a 2025 update to the Px7 series, takes a different route. It's pitched at listeners who care about hi-fi musicality and luxury design, and who may already have a foot in the B&W ecosystem.
Both are excellent headphones, but they're built for different people. Here's how to figure out which one is for you.
Specifications
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 Wired connectivity USB-C; 3.5mm jack USB-C; 3.5mm jack Codec support SBC; AAC; AptX Adaptive; AptX Lossless SBC; AAC; AptX Classic, Adaptive, Lossless, HD Spatial audio Optimized for Dolby Atmos No Foldable No No Audio modes ANC; Transparency; Adaptive ANC ANC; Ambient Sound Mode; Adaptive ANC Battery life 57 hours (with ANC on) 30 hours (with ANC on) Price $ 400 $ 479
... continue reading