Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST experience with the Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 and tell you which is better, after personally owning both products. I have thoroughly tested each of these headphones for hundreds of hours, and aim to offer a critical opinion from the perspective of an audiophile and professional music producer.
I’ll be comparing these two head to head on categories like price, comfort, features, battery life, noise cancelling performance, and sound quality.
Then at the end, I’ll share which is the best overall value for the money, and my overall recommendation on which you should buy.
I’ve also conducted a separate in-depth Sony WH-1000XM6 Review and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Review, for those who are interested in reading more detailed thoughts about each headphone after. (Links open in a new tab.)
Key Takeaways
- Sony WH-1000XM6 is lighter, with slightly better comfort, superior noise cancelling performance, and comparable sound quality.
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 has double the battery life and competitive sound quality.
- The Sony XM6 is about $150 more expensive than the older Momentum 4, based on current market prices.
Watch the Full Comparison on YouTube!
Have any QUESTIONS for me?
Leave it in the YouTube COMMENTS and I’ll do my best to get back to you 🙂
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Price Compared
Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is about $200 more expensive than the XM4 at current market prices for brand new. They can be much closer in price depending on current sales, and whether you’re buying new, renewed, or used.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Prices
- Retail: $449.99
- New: $448
- Used: $443 (save up to $5!)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Prices
- Retail: $379.95
- New: $290
- Renewed: $199.95 (save up to $90!)
- Used: $240 (save up to $50!)
Order Here for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE (Do NOT pay retail):
Save up to $40 with LIKE NEW!
Want to save up to an additional $90?
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 🙂
Comfort
On my scale, the Sony XM6 is 40.1 grams lighter than the Sennheiser Momentum 4:
- Sony WH-1000XM6 weight: 252.8 grams
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 weight: 292.9 grams
I do immediately notice and appreciate the 40 gram weight difference of the lighter Sony XM6 over the Momentum 4.
What I like about the Momentum 4 is that it has bigger earcup space, so my ears are much freer inside versus the XM6.
What I dislike about the Momentum 4, aside from the extra weight, is that the headband cushion is a bit tough with more top of head pressure.
Also, these had a lot of clamping force from the factory but has loosened nicely in the 2+ years I’ve owned them.
The XM6 has a lot of clamping force from the factory, a lack of cushioning, and less interior earcup space, so my ears are pressing against the fabric inside.
Sony improved the headband design over the XM5 so it has less top of head pressure than before.
That said, I expect the clamping force to loosen up over time like the previous-generation XM5. After this, the XM6 should settle into being one of the more comfortable headphones in its class, due to its light weight.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Comfort: 4.0 out of 5
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Features / Build Quality / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling
Features
These are both modern headphones with roughly the same features such as built-in microphones for calls, Active Noise Cancelling, and Transparency Mode.
(I’ve written more in-depth about each headphones’ full features list in their individual reviews, if you’d like to check those out after.)
But one feature I love about the Sony XM6 is a new “Cinema Mode” that adds its own spatial audio effect that is perfect for watching movies, TV, and even just YouTube.
The XM6 folds and collapses into a slightly smaller hardshell case versus the Momentum 4, which doesn’t fold, but includes a nice premium hardshell case as well.
Build Quality
When it comes to build quality, I slightly lean towards the Momentum 4 feeling a bit more durable with a bit more premium materials.
The Sennheisers have been pretty solid in the 2+ years I’ve owned them thus far, no complaints.
The Sony XM6 feels very similar and plasticky to the XM5, with a slight upgrade to the hinges with the addition of a small aluminum piece that is supposed to reinforce them, hopefully fixing the “broken hinge issue” of the XM5.
Neither headphone feels particularly premium compared to something like the AirPods Max, but the XM6’s build quality is a bit disappointing for its pricetag.
Looks
Neither headphone is particularly good-looking IMO but I think I prefer the look and proportions of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 over the XM6.
The XM6 has the same blocky earcup and skinny headband disproportion of the previous generation XM5.
I wouldn’t call either headphone a fashion statement in this department, like the AirPods Max or Sonos Ace.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Battery Life Compared
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has double the battery life as the Sony XM6 on a single charge and with ANC on.
- Sony WH-1000XM6 Battery Life: Up to 30 hours (with ANC on)
- Sennheiser Momentum 4 Battery Life: Up to 60 hours
In my testing, I found both of these manufacturer’s battery ratings to be accurate.
It’s worth noting that the XM6 can actually get up to 40 hours of battery life with ANC set to OFF.
The XM6 is about average or slightly above average for the class, and the Momentum 4 is up there towards the top, just overshadowed by the Cambridge Audio P100 and Marshall Monitor 3.
Honestly, 60 hours is an incredible amount of battery life and rarely needs charging, so anything past that is a bit of diminishing returns IMO.
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Noise Cancelling Performance: Which is better?
The Sony WH-1000XM6 has superior noise cancelling performance to the Sennheiser Momentum 4.
Reading online, there is a bit of debate to whether the Momentum 4’s active noise cancelling is good or not.
Based on what I’ve read, most seem to agree that the Sennheisers are on the underwhelming side.
Personally, I actually find the Momentum 4 to be “good enough” for flights and such.
That said, I would definitely rate it a tier below the XM6, in terms of strength, consistency, and Transparency mode.
What I like most about the XM6’s noise cancelling performance is its consistency with lack of “intrusive” side effects like hiss, white noise, or a “pressurized” feeling that I get with other ANC headphones.
If you prioritize having the best noise cancelling available today, it might be worth springing for the new and improved XM6.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 5 out of 5
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Sound Quality Comparison
On the Stock Sound…
Out of the box, these are two of the rare “no EQ needed” headphones in the wireless over-ear active noise cancelling headphone class.
They are both pleasing to listen to straight from the factory, with more neutral-ish sound profiles that most would find enjoyable.
The Momentum 4 is just a bit overzealous with the bass from the factory, but it still retains great separation, clarity, and spacious soundstage for a closed-back.
The XM6 is detailed and impactful, perhaps on the darker and slightly muffled side compared to the brighter Momentum 4.
Now where these headphones start to really shine, is after applying EQ.
Sennheiser has an effective and useful 5-band EQ, while the Sony comes with an improved 10-band EQ for the XM6.
The rest of this comparison will be using the EQ settings linked below.
Links to Latest Equalizer Settings
Links open in a new tab. Scroll down to the “Sound Quality” portion to see the settings.
Comparing Sound Quality After EQ…
Wow, I can’t help but be impressed by how well the Momentum 4 is still holding up today, to Sony’s latest and greatest.
A good amount of that is probably due to the “V2” EQ that I’ve developed recently for the Momentum 4, which was inspired after testing the incredible (and incredibly pricy) Focal Bathys.
The Momentum 4 impresses me more on its sense of spacing, soundstage, and perhaps separation and clarity.
The XM6 impresses me with its glorious bass response, which is somehow more impactful AND tighter than the Momentum 4.
Don’t get me wrong, prior to the XM6, I viewed the Momentum 4 as the best bass in this class, thanks to its massive sub-bass response and satisfying slam.
But what gets exposed by the XM6 is that the Momentum 4 bass is a bit looser and unfocused.
What I do find impressive about the XM6 is that it’s able to have better bass and mids, with a more natural and accurate timbre over the Momentum 4.
I prefer the detailed, yet smoother treble and audiophile technicalities of the Momentum 4, but the XM6 seems more “complete” overall.
The XM6 struggles with sibilance and harshness in its treble, which is thankfully mitigated with EQ, but limits its ceiling for treble detail.
One last note, the “Cinema Mode” on the XM6 is a notable advantage for making media OTHER than music, like TV, movies, and podcasts, to be more engaging and “3D” versus the Momentum 4. I factor this slightly into the XM6’s sound quality score.
Overall, I find the XM6 to be more fun, consumer-friendly, and engaging to listen to, while the Momentum 4 is slightly superior for critical listening.
This is way closer than I originally had thought, and I walk away feeling a bit more impressed by the EQ’d Momentum 4, all things considered. If you end up finding the Momentum 4 to be superior here, I wouldn’t argue, it’s really that close.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Sound Quality: 9.0 out of 10 (after EQ)
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Sound Quality: 8.8 out of 10 (after EQ)
Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
Value
At the time of this writing, the Sony WH-1000XM6 retails for $449.99, with the older Sennheiser Momentum 4 retailing for $379.95.
Based on current market prices, the newer XM6 can be over $150 more expensive than the Momentum 4, which can be found for under $300 brand new.
Considering just how competitive the Momentum 4 is to the newer XM6, especially on sound quality and battery life, the older Momentum 4 is easily the better value today.
In the XM6’s defense, for about $150 you are getting a noticeable upgrade in active noise cancelling performance, and a slight improvement in comfort.
Depending on your priorities, these are primarily noise-cancelling headphones after all, then the XM6 is simply one of the “safest” and more future-proof choices you can make today considering its overall package.
So I think they are fairly priced, but not a bargain.
Sony WH-1000XM6 Value: 4.0 out of 5
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Value: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: Sennheiser Momentum 4
Sony WH-1000XM6 Overall Rating
- Excellent sound quality after EQ
- Best noise cancelling available
- Lightweight
- Hinge issue has been improved
- Clamping force
- Small interior earcup space
- Sibilance without EQ
- Smaller soundstage
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Overall Rating
- Excellent sound quality
- Good noise cancelling
- Impressive bass response and impact
- Amazing 60 hour battery life
- Relatively good value
- Sony / Bose have better noise cancelling
- Headband and clamping force not as comfy
Overall Winner: Sony WH-1000XM6
From the start, it was a tough assignment for the older Momentum 4 to go up against Sony’s latest and greatest.
But to my surprise, the Momentum 4 holds up beautifully and is very much competitive today.
That said, the WH-1000XM6 is simply one of the strongest all-arounders for this class of over-ear noise cancelling headphones.
Its noise cancelling is at the top, lightweight comfort is improved over the XM5, and now has the sound quality to be competitive and appreciated by audiophiles and consumers alike.
Personally, although I still thoroughly enjoy the Momentum 4 today, I would pick the XM6 for its better noise cancelling, comfort, and more “fun” sound quality.
I walk away from this comparison being even more excited for the next generation Momentum 5 from Sennheiser, which should shake things up nicely.
Some very Strong Alternatives in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- Apple AirPods Max
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- Bowers and Wilkins Px8
- Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
- Sonos Ace
- Bose QuietComfort (2023 model)
- Beats Studio Pro
- Sony ULT Wear
Some Relevant Comparisons in this class of noise cancelling headphones are:
- Sony WH-1000XM6 vs WH-1000XM5
- Sony WH-1000XM4 vs WH-1000XM5
- Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
- Sony WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max
- Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM5
I highly recommend you check those out next!
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):
Save up to $40 with LIKE NEW!
Want to save up to an additional $90?
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 all of 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. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, audio engineer, musician, tech journalist, and audiophile.
Read Next
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Review
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S3 Review
Bowers and Wilkins Px7 S2e Review
Bose QuietComfort Review (2023 Model)
