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The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5’s biggest advantage over its competitors is the user replaceable batteries. You can literally buy replacement batteries from Sennheiser and replace them for the earbuds and the charging case.

They even provide a tool to do that in the box. Granted, this is actually because of the new EU laws coming into effect next year, so we should see other brands following suit. But kudos to Sennheiser for being the first to do this.

I was also concerned about their fit, but it seems that they fit just fine. The tips are plugging in properly, and the buds are sitting snugly, even without stability fins. It’s now also got Dolby Atmos support, but it’s weird, because turning on this setting doesn’t actually add Spatial Audio to what you’re listening to. It only seems to focus the midrange frequencies more, and enable head tracking as an option - that’s it. Kind of like how Sony and Apple does it, actually.

But how are they compared to other popular earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM6, AirPods Pro 3 and Technics AZ100? We’re going to talk about their mic pickup, active noise canceling and transparency, and at the end of the video, which one you should buy. So buckle up!

Microphone Quality

Their microphone pickup is pretty decent. I’ve actually tested it in the subway train and it did a great job canceling background noise, while letting my voice through. And in this group it does fare pretty well. In quiet conditions, the mics are okay, similar to the others, and in noisy, windy conditions, it’s got great background noise reduction. But the noise gating is a bit too strong so some parts of my voice was chopped out.

In contrast, the Technics and Sony kept much of my voice intact. The AirPods are a special case because on iOS it uses ultrawideband capture which is super clear, but it can’t filter wind noise, and on non-Apple devices it’s the worst performing of the group in noisy conditions.

👉🏻 Listen to the mic quality samples

Active Noise Cancelling

As for active noise canceling, the MTW5 is indeed a powerful noise canceler. I used them in public places, public transport, and it delivers deep silence against the sounds of footfall, human chatter, and rumbling noises. It is a bit quieter than the Technics AZ100 in general, and quite similar to the ANC performance of the Sonys.

In fact it performs better than the Sonys against the noise of wind and fans, but the Sonys do cut more below the lower mid frequencies, so the noises of everyday human traffic and the rumbling of machinery are occluded better.

The AirPods Pro 3 is still the best noise canceler of this group, better against human chatter and low frequency rumble, but not significantly better than the MTW5.

👉🏻 Listen to the ANC quality samples

Transparency Mode

For transparency mode, the MTW5s sound pretty transparent. Not exactly like not wearing earbuds, but it’s got more amplification of the midrange sounds, which means voices are very amplified, making it easy to have conversations face to face while wearing the MTW5s. In fact it amplifies voices louder than the Sonys, but the Sonys amplify the higher pitched noises more so transparency feels more natural.

Compared to the MTW5, the Technics voice passthrough sounds louder, but transparency in general does sound more occluded in other areas. It is actually the AirPods Pro 3 that has the most natural sounding transparency in this group, a bit more natural than the Sennheisers so it feels more like not wearing earbuds.

Sound Quality

In terms of sound quality, we’re going to listen to some sound samples, and after that, I’m going to compare them individually, but here’s what the MTW5 sounds like compared to the others.

👉🏻 Listen to the quality samples

Sennheiser MTW5 VS Sony WF-1000XM6

Comparing the Sennheiser MTW5 to the Sony WF-1000XM6 on their stock tuning, the MTW5 sounds more relaxed in the soundstage so the different track elements seem a bit more spread out. Its midrange and bass frequencies are less emphasized which brings out a bit more texture in the bass, whereas the Sony has a heavier, more intimate sound.

The Sennheiser also displays more hi-frequency extension in strings and hi-hats whereas the same instrument on the Sony sounds more forward and aggressive. I would say both are enjoyable because the Sony delivers more thumpiness and impact, but the Sennheisers are more ‘balanced’, like how audiophiles would describe it.

One reason I prefer the Sony is because of its Spatial Audio options that work with any content. Background music mode is awesome. it’s a feature that creates virtual overhead speakers to simulate background music. (I use it a lot for working because it’s less distracting than listening to music in regular stereo)

The Sonys are also a bit better in terms of sound options because it’s got a 10-band EQ versus the Sennheiser’s 8-band, and it supports LDAC codec which is a very common Hi-Res codec, whereas the Sennheisers support the far less common aptX Lossless.

Audio codecs that the Sennheiser MTW5 decodes.

That aside, I think the Sennheiser is a stronger choice here because of the user replaceable batteries, and performance is comparable to the Sonys in almost every aspect. Even the case is comparable in terms of size and portability.

In terms of fit, I prefer the Sennheiser because the Sony’s foam tips are harder to plug in, otherwise, they’re quite similar in terms of stability.

Sennheiser MTW5 VS Technics AZ100

Comparing the Sennheiser MTW5 to the Technics AZ100 on their default settings, the Technics are more exciting to listen to because it’s got more thumpiness in the bass and more gravity in the mids. It’s got a bit more air in the soudnstage, but otherwise comparable to the Sennheisers in terms of high frequency extension, so you can hear just as much of hi-hats and percussions.

Dynamic range is also comparable to the Sennheisers in that you can hear the subtle details in instruments and in the soundstage. But where the Sennheiser is better is that it sounds more relaxed in the soundstage, and track separation is slightly cleaner than the Technics. Some reasons to choose the Technics is that it supports 3-way multipoint, which lets you connect up to three different devices to them at the same time - a valuable feature for working professionals.

The Technics can also convert any content into Spatial Audio while the MTW5 doesn’t convert, only decodes, and you can also turn down Technics noise canceling level whereas the Sennheiser has fixed noise canceling. It also supports the more common Hi-Res codec LDAC, while the MTW5 does up to aptX Lossless. And the AZ100’s case is smaller, more portable than the Sennheisers.

On the other hand, the Sennheiser has user-replaceable batteries so if the batteries don’t hold their charge anymore, you don’t have to buy new earbuds, you can just replace the batteries. They have better noise canceling performance, and in terms of fit, I feel that they have a looser, more comfortable fit than the Technics.

Sennheiser MTW5 VS AirPods Pro 3

Comparing the Sennheiser MTW5 to the AirPods Pro 3 based on their default sound settings, I have to say, the Sennheiser sounds more musical, more energetic, punchier and crisper than the AirPods Pro 3. Even on the iPhone with headphone accommodations turned on, yes the AirPods did have better high-frequency performance, it still sounded very sterile like there’s something held back.

Now, I am still on iOS 26 so I don’t have the new 3-Band EQ for the AirPods which could make it possible to add some energy to its sound, but I wouldn’t put them in the same league as the Sennheisers, it’s just not as musical and fun to listen to. Other reasons I prefer the Sennheisers are their app support and features being available on iOS and Android instead of just being on iOS, the 8-band graphic EQ, the user-replaceable batteries, aptX Lossless support, and head tracking regardless of content.

Those are reasons I would pick the Sennheisers, but there are reasons to buy the AirPods instead. The AirPods Pro 3’s noise canceling is still the best among wireless earbuds now, it’s got supr clear ultrawideband voice capture with its microphones, the slightly more portable case, and if you’re on Apple devices, I just love how you can seamlessly switch the audio and calls between your devices without needing to pair, regardless of the number of Apple devices, whereas the Sennheiser can stay connected to 2 devices max.

Also, I prefer the squeeze and swipe controls of the AirPods. This lets me access all of its controls like volume up down, pause play, music and call controls even if I’m using just one earbud. Whereas to access all controls on the MTW5, I need both earbuds in my ears.

And finally, the AirPods Pro 3 has better water resistance, IP57 for both the buds and the case, versus IP54 for the MTW5 earbuds only, no rating for case.

So that’s how the Sennheiser MTW5 stacks up to these earbuds. Check the links below for their latest prices on Amazon!

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 - https://amzn.to/4xwdtmI
AirPods Pro 3 - https://amzn.to/4oB4xHL
Sony WF-1000XM6 - https://amzn.to/4bgWGeA
Technics EAH-AZ100 - https://amzn.to/4hcKrQD

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