Apple AirPods 4 / Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

Apple AirPods 4: AirPods 4 (2024), the basic model without active noise cancellation; USB‑C charging case. The same-design AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless: MOMENTUM 4 Wireless over-ear wireless headphones; Black (509266), White (509267), Graphite (700383) and later Brown, Teal, Copper and Denim colours. MOMENTUM True Wireless in-ear models and MOMENTUM 3 Wireless are separate products.

SpecificationApple AirPods 4Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Release year20242022
TypeOpen-fit (no silicone tips) wireless earbuds; USB‑C charging case

This is the basic AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation. The identical-looking “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation” is a separate product.

Apple		Around-ear, closed-back, wireless; active noise cancelling

The ear pads fully surround the ear; Sennheiser cites a lightweight design, padded headband and deep cushioned earpads for long-wear comfort.

Sennheiser
Audio technologyCustom high‑excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ

Adaptive EQ tunes the sound to the fit in the ear. Spatial Audio needs supported content; the personal profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera.

Apple		—
Noise controlVent system for pressure equalisation; active noise cancellation only on the separately sold ANC model

At launch Apple offered two distinct models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. This model has an open design that does not seal the ear canal.

Apple		—
ChipH2 headphone chip

H2 enables Voice Isolation, Siri Interactions with head gestures and Personalised Spatial Audio.

Apple		—
Microphones and sensorsDual beamforming microphones, inward‑facing microphone, optical in‑ear sensor, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor

The speech-detecting accelerometer helps detect when you are speaking; the optical sensor resumes playback when the bud is put in.

Apple		—
ControlsPress the stem: once to play/pause or answer, twice to skip forward or end a call, three times to skip back, press and hold for Siri; “Siri” voice activation; nod or shake your head to answer calls

Apple’s control list does not include volume adjustment on the stem.

Apple		—
DurabilityIP54 dust, sweat and water resistance (earbuds and case)

According to Apple this is for non-water sports and exercise; resistance is not permanent and may decrease with wear. Do not charge when wet.

Apple		—
BatteryUp to 5 hours listening per charge; up to 30 hours total with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour listening

Apple measured these figures at 50% volume with Spatial Audio off.

Apple		—
ChargingCharging case with USB‑C port; USB‑C cable sold separately

Apple says the case is more than 10 percent smaller in volume than its predecessor. Charging with an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger is specific to the ANC model.

Apple		—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3

It works as a Bluetooth headset with Android and other devices, but Apple says functions may be limited. Full features require current iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS or tvOS.

Apple		—
Size and weightEarbud: 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case: 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 32.3 g Apple—
AccessibilityLive Listen, headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple—
Driver and frequency response—42 mm dynamic driver; 6 Hz–22 kHz; 106 dB SPL (1 kHz / 0 dB FS)

The frequency range describes measurement limits; the sound you hear is also shaped by the in-app equaliser and sound personalisation.

Sennheiser
Impedance—Active 470 Ω, passive 60 Ω Sennheiser
Noise cancelling and microphones—Adaptive hybrid ANC; 4 microphones in total (2 per side, MEMS, beamforming; 50 Hz–10 kHz); anti-wind mode; transparency mode

Hybrid ANC uses both outer and inner microphones; adaptive mode changes the level of cancellation to match ambient noise.

Sennheiser
Bluetooth and codecs—Bluetooth 5.2, Class 1; A2DP, AVRCP, HFP; SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive

aptX Adaptive works only with Android phones that support it; iPhones use AAC. Multipoint connections are managed in the app.

Sennheiser
Battery and charging—700 mAh lithium-ion; up to 60 hours with noise cancelling on; full charge in about 2 hours; up to 4 hours from 5 minutes of charging; USB-C 5 V 800 mA

Sennheiser says the 60 hours was measured with an iPhone at medium volume; higher volume and aptX Adaptive can shorten it.

Sennheiser
Wired use—Hi-res digital audio over USB-C; 3.5 mm / 2.5 mm analogue cable

When listening over USB-C, the headphones decode digital audio internally; the analogue cable works even with a flat battery.

Sennheiser
Controls and app—Touch surface on the right cup; Smart Pause wear detection; Auto On/Off; 5-band equaliser and Sound Personalization in the Smart Control app

Smart Pause stops playback when the headphones are taken off and resumes when they are put back on; Auto On/Off shuts them down to save power when not in use.

Sennheiser
In the box—Carry case; USB-C charging cable; audio cable with 3.5 mm and 2.5 mm jacks; airplane adapter Sennheiser
Water resistance—No IP rating listed

With no certification against sweat or rain, care is needed when it gets wet during exercise.

Sennheiser