GoKawiilBatteries Matter: Sennheiser has just introduced its latest premium earbuds. The Momentum True Wireless 5 have been completely redesigned and include several noteworthy features that could offer significantly better value, despite their substantially higher upfront cost.
Sennheiser said that the Momentum True Wireless 5 are the company's most advanced earbuds yet. The buds have been engineered – or reengineered – to provide an uncompromising listening experience for customers on the go. However, one of the device's most interesting features is likely the result of external pressures that Sennheiser has had to adapt to.
The Momentum True Wireless 5 are the first earbuds from the German manufacturer to feature user-replaceable batteries. Building on the same concept used in the Momentum Wireless 5 headphones, the True Wireless 5 can significantly extend their lifespan beyond the point when standard battery degradation would typically render them less useful. Users can replace the power cells in both the earbuds and the charging case using only a compact screwdriver, Sennheiser said.
The replaceable battery design likely stems from newly introduced European regulations that are forcing manufacturers to make batteries easier to replace. Nintendo has already redesigned the Switch 2 gaming console to comply with the new rules, and other major technology companies will likely follow suit sooner rather than later.
Sennheiser said that the new design is significantly more comfortable than the previous generation. According to figures provided by the company, 73% of testers rated the Momentum 5 earbuds as more comfortable than the Momentum 4 model. The charging case has also been redesigned and is now more compact and easier to store in "tight pockets."
Design and batteries aside, the Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds include several technological advancements aimed at traveling audiophiles and affluent mobile users. The device is optimized for spatial Dolby Atmos audio with interactive head-tracking capabilities and features improved noise cancellation and an AI-based voice enhancement option.
Thanks to Bluetooth 6.0 and aptX Adaptive codec support, the buds should provide faster, more stable wireless connections while supporting high-resolution audio at up to 24-bit/96 kHz. The free Smart Control Plus app, which should be an improved version of the Smart Control app I use on my Android phone to manage my HD 450BT headphones, provides a new eight-band equalizer and other customizable features.
Available in five metallic color finishes – Graphite, Cream, Copper, Denim, and Lavender – the Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds will launch on September 3 with a suggested price of $300. The batteries should provide up to 12 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, while the total battery life can reach 40 hours when combined with the included Qi-enabled charging case.