Introduction
Sennheiser released the Momentum True Wireless 2 not too long ago. Are these an improvement over the previous generation? What does Sennheiser deliver and how long do the earphones last? Let’s find out!
Specifications
First, of course, the specifications!
Dimensions: 76.8 x 43.8 x 34.7 mm (earphones and charging case)
USB Standard: USB-C
Power supply: 5 V⎓ 650 mA max
Speaker type: Sennheiser 7mm dynamic driver
Frequency response (Microphone): 100 Hz to 10 kHz
Frequency response: 5 – 21,000 Hz
Noise cancellation: Single-Mic ANC per earphone side
Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 compliant
Charging time: 1.5 h for full charge / 10 min for 1.5 h playtime
App support:Sennheiser Smart Control app for iOS™ and Android™
Battery Specification: Built-in Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries
Battery time: Up to 7 hours of music playtime with earphones, up to 28 hours of music playtime with charging case
Supported Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX™
Ear coupling: In-ear, closed acoustics
Package dimensions: (L x B x H) 170 x 115 x 45 mm
THD, total harmonic distortion: <0,08% (1kHz / 94dB)
Warranty: 2 years
What’s in the box?
– Charging Case
– MTW2 Earphones
– Silicone Ear Adapter Sets (In Size XS, S, M, L)
– USB-A to USB-C Charging Cable
Unpacking
It is time to unpack the earphones.
Again, the earphones and case are neatly packed in a foam layer.
At first glance, it is clear that the case of the True Wireless 2 is darker than that of the first generation.
Sennheiser delivers quite a bit with the True Wireless 2, namely:
– Manuals
– XS, S, M, and L silicone adapters to adjust the in-ears to your liking
– USB-C cable to charge the case.
– Of course the case and earphones.
What I find a bit unfortunate is that the USB cable is so short (25cm from end to end).
I must confess that I think both the case and the earphones themselves look very neat. It looks qualitative. And playing with (again) the earphones, feels qualitative as well. Both earphones have a Sennheiser logo on the front. These are both touch-sensitive. What you can do with it is reflected in the software chapter!
The bottom is not very exciting. Still, I include it for the curious among us! 😛
At the back of the case is the USB-C connection that can be used to charge the case. The button next to it can activate the charging function – if this is not done automatically.
There is a small LED on the back (left of the USB-C connector) that blinks orange when the case is being charged, and it turns green when fully charged.
Hidden behind the holes in the casing of the True Wireless 2 are microphones used for active noise cancellation (ANC), for the ‘Transparent Hearing’ function, and telephone calls. The latter is also very noticeable. During the call, I can be clearly heard, provided you walk against the wind. But this is also true when talking on the phone against the wind – then you cannot be heard either.
The four pins charge the earphones, and the two larger spots – per earphone – hold them magnetically. And pretty well, too. Whether you move back and forth quite a bit, the earphones stay in place just fine.
Software
The software is easy to use. The most important things come up; battery life and EQ.
That is all you want to be able to see or control with the earphones. The EQ is very easy to work with – just slide the pointer to more/less bass or treble and enjoy the adjustments right away. This way, the earphones are customizable.
Through Google Play and the App Store, you can download the Smart Control app to control the earphones.
It’s an easy process. Pairing the earphones via Bluetooth and opening the app worked best for me.
Why this appears in the menu, while the earphones are already paired, is a mystery to me.
What is nice is that each earphone has its options, which can be operated with a light touch.
That it’s fun to use touch controls is obvious. But the fact that you can also customize it is, of course, totally epic!
The app checks for software updates when opened (this can also be checked manually via the menu at the top right).
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless has a Transparent Hearing feature – this can be enabled or disabled in the app.
The microphones in the earphones ensure that the active noise canceling is affected. For example, while using the Transparent Hearing function, the ambient sounds are reproduced clearly.
Compared to the Momentum True Wireless 1, that is the True Wireless 2.
Basically, should you want to isolate yourself – just play a song. If you still want to listen to your surroundings with music in the background; then turn on the Transparent Hearing function!
You can easily influence the EQ of the True Wireless via the Smart Control App. When it is in the middle, it is ‘normal’ or off. By influencing the slider, the sound is affected. If you shift more to the left, the bass will come out more. Central is fine for these earphones in my opinion!
Of course, there is also the option to save the presets yourself and to easily select them afterwards.
Through the settings, the earphones can be further customized.
Through the app setting, the settings of the app can be adjusted.
Phone
Making calls via the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 works fine. The other party could hear me clearly. When I asked my wife to put in the earphones and call me, I also experienced the same thing. This is also because there are several microphones in each earpiece. In short, a big plus in that regard.
Active Noise Canceling
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 has Active Noise Canceling and that works fine in my opinion. However, there are no different modes, so there is only a choice between on/off. However, when it is turned on, the world around you is put on ‘silent’ for a while. While getting your groceries, you don’t immediately hear the people talking around you. This also applies to working in the office, or even at home, which is nice. When you turn on the option for Transparent Hearing, the environment is simulated on the earphones. So you can have a nice conversation or hear what is being announced on the train. By tapping the earphones again (depending on how you have set it up yourself via the software), the Transparent Hearing is turned off again and you can then isolate yourself from the world again.
The advantage of these earphones is that the ANC does not affect the music. The ‘anti noise’ is not annoying and does not distort the sound or songs you are listening to. For example, I could noticeably enjoy listening to classical music while ANC is on, while that can also be experienced as ‘oppressive’. So in my opinion, this is not the case.
Sound
What strikes me personally is that it does not differ much for me in terms of audio quality as with the previous generation. The previous generation, I was already very pleased with that. And even with this generation, I feel I hear the same thing. The only addition is the ANC.
One of the first songs I accidentally heard through True Wireless was Dusky – Staunch (KETTAMA Remix). At first, I didn’t realize anything during the first few seconds until the drop fell. My first reaction was “holy moly what a sound”. And before you knew it, a battery charge was over, through both heavy songs like the ones below, to quiet classic tracks.
For the songs below, I turned off the presets to hear how the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless sounds.
Gregory Porter, how the man can sing! The Claptone Remix sounds to me with the True Wireless just as Claptone would have intended. The instruments come out wonderfully in combination with the lows and vocals.
Alan Walker’s ‘Da Tweekaz Bootleg – Faded’ sounds great with both the default preset and the preset where the lows are cranked up. The lows are wonderful (not too and not too low, I think it is perfect), and the vocals sound on point.
That’s how reviewing sometimes feels like “nobody said it was easy”. Let’s move on to another hard track that is a lot of fun to listen to. Even now (when I hear this song for the umpteenth time in a short time) I have a smile on my face again.
I often add the number below in my reviews. Not because I don’t know more songs, but because I can enjoy this one immensely. Even though, the song on YouTube is in this case not very great. It’s a beautiful song to listen to.
The deep voices of Pavarotti and James Brown are perfectly rendered.
Tip: the CD Pavarotti – The Greatest Hits has this song in higher quality! 😉
Metallica also listens wonderfully. I honestly notice, even with older songs that may be a bit lower in quality… it just sounds very clear when there is singing, instruments also come through clearly.
And I think that’s pretty good, such sound for such small earphones.
Closing with Above & Beyond, holy moly… Feelings all around! What a beautiful song! Especially how the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 reflects this.
It sounds very full, and clear. The mids and high come through very well.
In summary, in terms of music, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 gives a very full feeling. The lows are lovely. Highs sound wonderful when listening to beautiful vocal songs and the mids are spot-on with every song in my opinion! If the bass is too high or too low for you, you can still adjust it via the app.
When I compare this to the B&O E8, the Momentum True Wireless 2 is much more direct, clearer, and deeper. It is that you notice that you have earphones in your ears, but it could sound ‘almost’ like over-ear headphones. And I think that’s pretty good for in-ears.
Conclusion
Headbanging or not, Sennheiser has once again released in-ears with the Momentum True Wireless 2 that last for hours. During a workday, for example, I virtually didn’t touch the earphones – until I was able to recharge them in the accompanying case during lunch.
For fairly small earphones like the Momentum True Wireless 2, I am quite impressed with the battery life. With about 7 hours of playing time and to charge for another 28 hours via the case, the True Wireless 2 can get ahead!
The in-ears stay in place perfectly and don’t feel irritating. After all, they are also very light, and that makes a difference!
It is also an advantage that Sennheiser provides different silicone adapters so that the right size can always be found.
Compared to the B&O E8 (which I was able to review earlier), I am impressed with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. I personally like this one a lot better than the E8.
In terms of sound, in my opinion, there is more character, but also more sound from the Momentum True Wireless 2.
I like this second version better than the first – especially because of the possibility to use ANC.
The advantage of this Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 is that it can also be controlled via the app. If it has too much bass, it can be reduced by a simple adjustment – and vice versa!
During the review, I switched from a lot of different genres. Trance, techno to classical, or hardstyle can be played with great pleasure.
If you are looking for a set of more luxurious earphones with a lot of options – and a reasonable battery life, I would certainly give the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 a try in this case.
I give the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 the full 5 stars and I put it on my wish list.
Edit: this review has been on the shelf for quite some time, I wanted to upload it a month earlier. In the meantime, I have been able to listen to the Apple AirPods (Pro) several times, and how disappointing it is. The True Wireless has a much better bass, something that quite surprised me.
Personal advice, try the True Wireless 2, I think they are genuinely better than the AirPods Pro.
