Sennheiser Momentum 3 Vs Sony Wh-1000xm3

Headphones Pro Reviews
8 min readApr 1, 2024

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless and Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are brilliant headphones. If you appreciate a snug fit and excellent sound isolation (no ANC) or plan to use your headphones for sports activities, the Momentum 3 Wireless is a better option.

And if you have huge ears, the larger circumference of the Momentum 3’s ear cushions might be more suitable. Let’s compare the best for you: Sennheiser Momentum 3 vs Sony WH-1000XM3.

Sennheiser Momentum 3 vs Sony Wh-1000xm3

The most significant differences between the two headphones are how they sound out of the box and their battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM3 has more than double the battery life of the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3, which is excellent for those who travel a lot, but they both sound very different right out of the box.

If you feel stifled quickly with headphones, you’ll probably prefer the looser fit of the Sony WH-1000XM3. Regarding comfort, the cushions on the Momentum 3 Wireless are thicker. The cushions on the Sony WH-1000XM3 feel softer and more forgiving around the ears.

1. Design

I was sure that the Sony WH-1000XM3 would offer more effective noise cancellation. But to be honest, it’s hard to tell. They are almost the same in this aspect. However, a strong ANC is not always a good thing.

For some, the ear pressure created by the noise-cancelling frequencies can be uncomfortable. While the ANC on both models can be turned off, the Momentum 3 Wireless lets you choose between three different levels of noise cancellation.

Using Sennheiser’s Smart Control app. Sony’s accompanying app also allows for some tweaking. Optimizes the level of noise cancellation based on atmospheric pressure and the surrounding environment.

But we didn’t have enough money to test this app on an airplane. And I couldn’t be bothered to climb a mountain.

Also, I optimized the WH-1000XM3’s ANC inside and then went outside to optimize it again. But I didn’t notice much difference. ANC can also affect the sound.

For example, you’ll hear more detail with ANC turned off in your sound. And especially with Sony, the bass becomes more pronounced when ANC is turned on.

Finally, both models offer an ambient mode, inviting the outside environment’s sound.

2. Controls and Functionality

We have the Sennheiser buttons versus the Sony touchpad. (Sony also uses a couple of buttons.) At first, having a touchpad on the earpiece seemed like a good idea.

After all, who can resist the temptation to swipe and tap nowadays? The only problem is that the touchpad is quite sensitive. And too often,

Both earbuds let you employ your voice assistant, including Google Assistant. So yes, hands-free calling is available on both models.

Both headsets offer standard functionality, including play/pause, track skip, volume control, and answer/end calls.

But Sennheiser has added a couple more bells and whistles regarding calls. Momentum Wireless 3 lets you put the caller on hold and mute your voice.

Another nice feature that the Momentum 3 Wireless offers is Smart Pause. When you take off the headphones, the music will stop.

And when you fold the earphones, they will turn off. They also turn on automatically when you unfold them. However, this function can be turned off in the Smart Control app.

3. Battery Duration

Sony wins in this category. The WH-1000XM3 offers 30 hours of battery life, while the Momentum 3 Wireless only provides 17.

4. Included Apps and Equalizer

Both earbuds come with apps that provide many features, some of which I’ve already mentioned. But the vital thing to note here is that an equalizer is available on both models.

5. Cables and adapters included

In addition to charging cables, both headphones have audio wires (3.5mm ends). So yes, both earbuds give you the option of a wired connection.

Sony also releases an airplane adapter. But Sennheiser has no. However, the Momentum 3 Wireless includes a USB-A adapter and USB-C charging cable.

6. Sound

For this review, I tested the headphones without any equalizer adjustments. And ANC was activated on both models. Regarding relative balance, both earphones display a similar level of bass presence.

However, Momentum 3 Wireless provides extra power and more sub-bass response. Therefore, the bass on pop tracks has more oomph or gravitas on the Momentum 3 Wireless.

And when listening to hip-hop, you’ll feel your love handles vibrate more on the Momentum 3. Overall, it’s better equipped. But what about the details? It is a close decision.

However, when listening to cellos in this range, the WH-1000XM3 reveals more texture. Meanwhile, the Momentum 3 Wireless has a smoother, more fluid character.

And when it comes to classical music in general, the Momentum 3 Wireless offers a more majestic sound in this range.

7. Range

Both headphones show a similar level of midrange presence in the mix. And both earphones offer a good amount of body. ‘’Perhaps the vocals shine brighter on the Momentum 3 Wireless’’.

But if you’re looking for the most expansive sound, you can’t beat the admittedly more expensive Momentum 3 Wireless.

And we’ll talk more about that next, in the sound department. But again, in terms of transparency, both earbuds will give you a ton of detail.

Still, returning to the strings in this range, the timbre felt more realistic and certainly more elegant on the Momentum 3 Wireless.

And the acoustic instruments, in general, were just more absolute or crystallized in their presentation. So, the Momentum 3 Wireless offers better resolution.

8. Highs

Again, there’s little difference in the overall balance between these headphones. So, the treble has a similar extension.

Listening to percussion on pop tracks, both models offered some crispness and sharpness. But it doesn’t feel too bright or shiny, either. And they are equally suitable for long listening sessions.

9. Sound Studio

I think this is where the Sennheiser engineers are enjoying some severe schadenfreude; you can listen to them on stage or in a dressing room at Target.

Relax; you won’t see them naked. It’s a tough choice, and this may not be the best analogy. But if you want to hear them on stage (front row), choose Momentum 3 Wireless.

If you prefer a more intimate setting, choose the Sony WH-1000XM3. The Momentum 3 offers a much more spacious and multidimensional sound than the Sony WH-1000XM3.

More height, more depth, more width. Instrument placement along these axes is also more precise. This means that Momentum 3 wireless technology offers a much more holographic listening experience overall.

Sony’s app allows you to change soundstage settings, like an outdoor stage or concert hall, but it’s not the same.

Why You Should Buy Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless?

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 3 has excellent sound quality and customizable sound, great comfort with USB-C charging, excellent ANC, and battery life, which could be better but more expensive.

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Why you Should Buy Sony WH-1000XM3?

Sony’s WH-1000XM3s are class-leading in their active noise cancellation (ANC) technology. It also has a long battery life of up to 30 hours on a single charge. They are also very comfortable to wear for long periods.

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People also asked

Is Sennheiser better than Sony earbuds?

The Sennheisers are significantly cheaper than the Sonys, and the sound quality is sharp, energetic, and pleasingly neutral, though not as detailed or dynamic as the Sonys.

Is WH-1000XM4 better than WH-1000XM3?

The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless has more features than the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless. The WH-1000XM4 supports multi-device pairing, has a longer continuous battery life, and offers additional talk-through control options.

Is it worth buying a Sony WH-1000XM3?

Is the Sony WH-1000XM3 worth buying? Yes, the WH-1000XM3 is probably worth buying, even with the release of the WH-1000XM4. Active noise cancellers are the rare headphones that work well in just about any situation, and that’s why they’re so valuable.

Which is the No One earphone brand?

No one earphone brand is Sennheiser. Known for its world-class products, Sennheiser is probably the most sought-after headphone brand globally. Founded in 1945, Sennheiser offers several headphones across a wide range of audio products.

Is there anything better than the Sony WH-1000XM4?

Our tests found that the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 did a better job registering swipes and taps than the Sony WH-1000XM4.

Is WH-1000XM4 an audiophile?

In noisy environments, using the XM4 with its noise canceling turned on is bound to give you a better sense of clarity for your music, but that’s just because of how well it eliminates the noise floor.

Please make no mistake; this is not an audiophile headphone in terms of detail and technicalities.

Are Sony WH-1000XM3 better than Beats?

The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are better headphones than the Beats Studio3 Wireless. The Sony feels slightly more premium and neutral but with a slight excess in thump and rumble.

Additionally, you can easily customize their sound to your liking inside the Sony app, which Beats lacks.

Is Sennheiser as good as Bose?

The Bose is more comfortable and stable. They have a more neutral sound profile, which some may prefer, and their ANC feature can reduce more noise than the Sennheiser.

They also have longer-lasting continuous battery life. However, the Sennheiser has a better overall mic performance.

How long does wh-1000XM3 last?

With a massive 30 hours of battery life, you’ll have enough power for even long trips away. And if you need to charge in a hurry, you can get 5 hours of charge after just 10 minutes with the optional AC adapter.

Conclusion

The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless and the Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless are good headphones but from the general information on Sennheiser Momentum 3 Vs. Sony Wh-1000xm3.

We discovered that the Sennheiser Momentum 3 is better than it because the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless has excellent sound quality and Customizable sound, With great comfort of USB-C charging and Excellent ANC.

Sennheiser headphones have a more distinctive design with a sleek retro look, which some prefer. On the other hand, the XM3s has a touch-sensitive control scheme, which has issues with cold weather, while the Momentum 3 Wireless has physical buttons.

Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless is cheaper, while Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is slightly more expensive. So I think you should go with Sennheiser. It is best with quality, so what if this one is a bit expensive? Quality matters more.

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