Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds comparison, as someone who has purchased both pairs of earbuds with my own money.
I’ve conducted thorough testing of both wireless earbuds, and I will break down a winner for each category including:
- Comfort and Fit
- Features
- Battery Life
- Microphone Quality
- Noise Cancelling Performance
- Sound Quality
- Value
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, and tech journalist. I also run the RecordingNOW YouTube channel with over 18,000+ subscribers and over 4 million+ views, where you can watch the video versions of all of our reviews and comparisons.
Let’s dive right in!
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Comparison in Short
Although the sound quality is still competitive on the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds, the newer Apple AirPods Pro 3rd Generation is simply a better all-arounder once you factor in noise cancelling performance, microphone quality, comfort, and fit.
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Comfort, Features, Microphone Quality, and Battery Life
Comfort
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes with 4 pairs of foam-infused silicone eartips.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 comes with 4 pairs of silicone eartips, along with 3 sizes of fins to help lock in the fit in the outer ear.
I much prefer the comfort and fit of the AirPods Pro 3 over the bulkier and less form-fitting Sennheiser MTW4.
Not only is the Sennheiser’s earbud design much larger, but it’s significantly less ergonomic than the newer AirPods Pro 3.
Aside from the earbud, I also prefer the smaller eartip design of the AirPods Pro 3 over the very round Senneheiser MTW4 (see above photo for reference).
Features
The first notable feature difference between these two is that the Sennheiser MTW4 has native app support for both iOS and Android, while the AirPods Pro 3 is exclusively managed on iOS devices like iPhone.
The AirPods Pro 3 can still work fine on any Bluetooth device, but it can’t be fully managed or firmware updated unless it’s an iOS device.
Next, the Sennheiser MTW4 offers high-res codec support via aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive. This gives an inherent advantage for audiophiles seeking higher resolution and transmission quality.
Technically, the AirPods Pro 3 offers Lossless Audio via a proprietary protocol known as “SPR-AVS”, but this is exclusively offered on iPhone 17 and Apple Vision Pro, so not as accessible as aptX Adaptive.
Two very interesting features of the AirPods Pro 3 is that it doubles as a clinical-grade hearing aid, and the “Live Translation” feature which is stuff from science fiction.
Now if you’re an Apple ecosystem user, the AirPods Pro 3 has a clear advantage when it comes to seamless connectivity and switching across multiple Apple devices.
The MTW4 earbuds also have multi-point, but it’s limited to 2 devices and the switching/connecting isn’t as effortless as the AirPods Pro 3.
Microphone Quality
Unfortunately for the Sennheiser MTW4, microphone quality is one of its weakest aspects.
This is exposed even further when contrasted against the excellent mic quality on the newer AirPods Pro 3.
The newer AirPods Pro 3 makes a case for being the #1 in mic quality for a wireless earbud today, and Apple seriously cooked up some magic with its ability to filter out the human voice from background noise, while making it sound natural.
So if peak microphone quality is important for you, the AirPods Pro 3 wins here.
Battery Life
AirPods Pro 3 Battery Life
- With ANC on: 8 hours of battery life on a single charge / 24 hours total with charging case
- With ANC off: 10 hours on a single charge / 24 hours total with charging case
- Fast Charge: 20 minutes = 2 hours of playback
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Battery Life
- With ANC on: 7 hours of battery life on a single charge / 30 hours total with charging case
- With ANC off: 7.5 hours on a single charge / 30 hours total with charging case
- Fast Charge: 8 minutes = 1 hour of playback
The AirPods Pro 3 has the advantage for battery life, especially with ANC off.
AirPods Pro 3 Score: 9.5 out of 10
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Score: 8.0 out of 10
Winner: AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3 vs Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Noise Cancelling Performance Compared
When it comes to noise cancelling performance, the newer AirPods Pro 3 has a clear advantage over the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4.
The Sennheiser MTW4’s noise cancelling is pretty average for the class, and competed a bit better against the previous-generation AirPods Pro 2.
This is bad news as the AirPods Pro 3 has twice the noise cancelling performance of the previous AirPods Pro 2.
Simply put, the AirPods Pro 3 is in a level above the Sennheiser MTW4 for noise cancelling.
Now when comparing Transparency Modes, this is where the Sennheiser MTW4 is a lot more competitive with the AirPods Pro 3.
Both are very usable and fairly natural when using their Transparency Mode out in the real world.
AirPods Pro 3 Score: 9.0 out of 10
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Score: 7.5 out of 10
Winner: AirPods Pro 3
Sound Quality
Sennheiser is a well-respected brand in the audiophile world, whereas Apple AirPods is a bit more controversial and polarizing.
The previous-generation AirPods Pro 2 actually had a very pleasing tuning to my ears, but the Sennheiser MTW4 still reigned supreme over it for sound quality.
So how does the newer AirPods Pro 3 stack up?
First off, the Sennheiser MTW4 supports high-res aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive codecs. On paper, this should give it an audiophile advantage for resolution and source quality.
Now, the AirPods Pro 3 actually has a proprietary Lossless Audio support via a new technology called “SPR-AVS”. The only problem is that this protocol is only supported by the newest Apple devices, including iPhone 17 and newer.
To conduct this test, I used my Questyle QCC Dongle Pro to unlock aptX support:
![Questyle QCC Dongle Pro [MFi Certified] USB-C Bluetooth Audio Adapter with LDAC,aptX Lossless&aptX-Adaptive,Low Latency Bluetooth 5.4 Dongle for PS5,Wireless Lossless Transmitter for PC/Headphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21jT-Cm5ZVL._SL500_.jpg)
If you’re an iPhone user, or if your phone doesn’t support aptX codecs, then I highly recommend you pick up the dongle above which will cover both LDAC and aptX Adaptive high-res codecs. It’s the only one of its kind that supports both, to my knowledge.
Sound Profiles
When comparing stock sound profiles, I find the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 to be the more tonally-balanced between the two, with the AirPods Pro 3 being a bit more “consumer-friendly”.
This is arguably the expectation on paper, but it’s actually a departure from the AirPods Pro 2’s natural tuning that was loved by many.
Both earbuds are quite detailed-sounding, with the AirPods Pro 3 being more exciting, and the MTW4 being warmer and arguably more musical.
Bass
Both earbuds have strong bass response, with the AirPods Pro 3 being a bit cleaner and tighter over the Sennheiser MTW4.
I prefer the cleaner sub-bass response on the AirPods Pro 3 over the MTW4 that has more of a warmth to it.
Both are pretty satisfying in the bass department, but there are better options for bassheads.
Mids
I think the mids is where the Sennheiser MTW4 shines over the AirPods Pro 3.
The mids are still present on the AirPods Pro 3, but a bit overshadowed by its bass and treble due to its V-shaped tuning.
Meanwhile, the Sennheiser MTW4 is fuller and more detailed in the mids, leading to a better timbre for vocals and instruments.
Treble
I prefer the more detailed treble of the AirPods Pro 3 over the Sennheiser MTW4.
Both earbuds are detailed in this department, but I find the AirPods Pro 3 to push just a bit more detail, perhaps due to its tuning and sound profile.
With the mids being less prominent on the AirPods Pro 3, it makes room for the treble to cut through the mix more effortlessly.
The Sennheiser MTW4 is still nicely detailed, especially when listening via aptX Lossless.
Overall
Overall, this one is too close to call for me.
I think it really just boils down to sound profile preference.
Do you prefer a more fun, energetic sound of the AirPods Pro 3, or the more balanced and warmer tuning of the Sennheiser MTW4?
As for the technical sound quality, these are two of the best-sounding “mainstream” earbuds, but there is still a level of sound quality above both of these that I would consider true audiophile.
AirPods Pro 3 Score: 8.1 out of 10
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Score: 8.2 out of 10
Winner: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
Value
The AirPods Pro 3rd Generation retails at $249 USD, but is currently available for $229 market price brand new.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 retails at $299.95 USD, but can be found on sale between $199 to $269.
Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 is a more complete package while being in the same price-range, depending on sales for both.
For that reason, the AirPods Pro 3 is the better value over the Sennheiser MTW4.
But depending on sales, the MTW4 can be cheaper while still heavily competing on sound quality, and having native Android support in addition.
Just don’t expect the noise cancelling or mic quality to be on the same level as the newer AirPods Pro 3.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Value Score: 9.0 out of 10
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Value Score: 8.0 out of 10
Winner: AirPods Pro 3
Overall Scoring Breakdown
- World-class noise cancelling performance
- One of the most comfortable fits
- Excellent microphone quality
- Decent sound quality
- There’s better pure sound quality options
- No native Android app
- Audiophile-friendly sound quality
- aptX Lossless and Adaptive support
- Decent noise cancelling performance
- Decent value
- Mediocre microphone quality
- There’s better noise cancelling performance
- There’s better pure sound quality options
Our Verdict: AirPods Pro 3
Although the sound quality is still competitive on the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, the newer AirPods Pro 3 is simply a better all-arounder once you factor in noise cancelling performance, microphone quality, comfort, and fit.
It would be one thing if the Sennheiser MTW4 was at least somewhat competitive on noise cancelling, mic quality, and comfort, but the AirPods Pro 3 is simply on another level.
A couple reasons that I would still recommend the Sennheiser MTW4 are if you prefer a warmer, more balanced tonality (or custom EQ), and are an Android smartphone user since it offers native app support.
Otherwise, the AirPods Pro 3 is the better buy, while Sennheiser needs to go back to the drawing board for the 5th generation Momentum True Wireless.
Lastly, if you’d like to save some money and keep supporting RecordingNOW.com’s 100% independent, unbiased reviews, do consider using some of our affiliate links below to shop and even just compare prices. We purchase all products we review with our own money to maintain the highest level of integrity, and your support goes into that plus a continuously improving site experience.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
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