Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Have had the Momentum over the ears in my possession for the past couple of days. They’re pretty pricey for an over the ear model and have some quirks from a performance standpoint, but I’m generally a fan of them. Those expecting an acoustically accurate “reference” sound quality won’t find that kind of presentation from these headphones, but that doesn’t appear to be the point of momentums. These are designed to be more of a casual headphone that provides a very nice balance of style and sound quality that, though a bit colored, is worthy of the sennheiser name. In terms of sound quality, the momentum on ears have a relatively laid-back sound quality, with some emphasis on the lower frequencies (bass), and lower treble frequencies. Bass is plentiful with these headphones, perhaps a little overwhelming at times depending on the type of music you’re listening too, but relatively clean, tight, and controlled. This is in stark contrast to the sloppy boomy bass you find in a typical Beats headphones. I tend to prefer some emphasis on the lower frequencies, provided there isn’t a distracting amount of distortion, and the momentums deliver in that regard. That said, for those who prefer a flatter, more ‘reference’ sound quality, I can see how the emphasized lower frequencies can be a detriment. Upper frequencies (treble) are somewhat emphasized as well, though I wouldn’t consider these to have a “bright” timbre to them, as the treble seems to taper down at the extreme the upper frequencies. As such, they will highlight details in the upper frequencies, but lack the sparkle in the top-end that you might find in a headphone with a ‘livelier’ presentation. I wouldn’t consider this a knock against the momentums, as headphones that emphasize the extreme upper frequencies can be very fatiguing and harsh, particularly with low quality source material. The momentums have plenty of detail in the treble frequencies, but seem tame the sibilance found in a lot of “forward” sounding headphones and speakers, making them very easy to listen to. This is a typical quality Sennheiser headphones. If there’s an area I would knock the on the ear momentums, it’s in the mid-range….which is noticeably understated. Male vocals and the lower register of female vocals seem to lack the robustness I’ve come to expect in a lot of recordings. Instrumental recordings seem to lack a bit in terms of depth and richness. This can be a set-back when listening to genres such as jazz, classic rock, or anything instrumental and/or with a lot of vocals, as the mid-range is what gives warmth and life to these genres. It’s less of an issue for contemporary genres such as pop, rap & hip-hop, EDM, etc etc, which tend to have a “colder” presentation that make heavy use of synthetic bass and treble frequencies The larger over the ear model (which I also own) has a fuller more robust mid-range, and a more balanced sound quality overall, however this comes at a rather hefty 50+% price premium. They’re also quite a bit bigger and less portable. Unfortunately, physics still very much come into play in the realm of audio, and when you shrink the design of a headphone down, something will have to give in terms of audio quality. In most cases, this involves rolling the lower frequencies off at a higher point, and providing less bass. In terms of the momentum on-ear vs the over ear, however, it seems that Sennheiser preserved the bass frequencies, at the expense of the performance in the mid-range. This creates a timbre that’s actually more bass heavy, but can at times has a bit of hollowness in the mid-range. If these headphones were positioned as “reference quality” head-phones, I’d consider the boost in the bass frequencies to be a negative, however, both the on ear and over ear momentums are positioned as stylish headphones, with a very laid-back, easy to listen to sound quality for more casual/fun listening vs critical/analytical listening. For this particular type of headphone, a little boost in the bass frequencies can be perceived as a positive, even if it technically isn’t an accurate presentation of a recording. At times, however, the bass can overwhelm the sound-stage and mask details (particularly in the mid-range)….it doesn’t necessarily ruin the experience, but it could be off-putting to the ears of a discerning audiophile….even those like myself who like a little exaggeration of the bass frequencies. All of that said, the Momentum on the ears have a very pleasing sound quality that you can spend hours listening to without the slightest bit of fatigue (and I’ve spent hours listening to them in my office at work). They’re also extremely comfortable, particularly for an on ear model, and, unlike very many other headphones, can be worn for extended period of time without becoming a nuisance. Both the on ear and over ear headphones aesthetically beautiful headphones too. The brushed metal, soft plastics, and faux leather come together and resemble the sophistication of a luxury car interior. Much more of a premium look and feel than the plastic ridden beats. These are something that an adult can be seen in public in without looking like a complete tool, which means quite a lot, given that I listen to these frequently at work (in an office environment). From a style standpoint, these seem to fit into my wardrobe perfectly. If they weren’t so dang expensive, I’d seriously consider purchasing these in multiple colors to match different looks.