Sennheiser Momentum headphones return with stronger bass
German audio device maker Sennheiser’s Momentum 2.0 over-ear headphones have larger ear cups and foldable hinges. / Korea Times photo by Yoon Sung-won
Expanded size too big for outdoors
By Yoon Sung-won
The popularity of premium headphones has increasingly expanded from professionals to ordinary music fans who want to enjoy quality sound from their mobile devices.
German audio device maker Sennheiser’s latest headphones, Momentum 2.0, are a sequel to its predecessor, Momentum, with upgraded sound balance and a foldable design.
The Momentum 2.0’s over-ear version, provided by Sennheiser Korea, was tested. With a well-balanced sound and a comfortable-to-wear design, the device is recommended for those who want portable high-performance headphones.
Enhanced bass
Compared with the first-generation Sennheiser Momentum, the sequel’s larger diaphragm units with 18-ohm closed-type Neodym transducers produce a stronger bass. Added to Momentum’s capability to produce elaborate treble and medium sounds, the new device produced a well-balanced sound in all ranges.
The Momentum 2.0 also provided a natural tone with less distortion or emphasis on certain sound range. This made the device more suitable for all kinds of music. But Sennheiser’s unique sound style still remained, making it more fit for genres such as jazz, instrumentals and classical music, than for electronica.
The ear cups, made of stuffed synthetic leather called Alcantara, which is more durable than ones made of genuine leather, look elegant and are comfortable to wear as they cover the users’ ears. The leather top headband is also designed to provide comfort even when worn for a long time.
Sennheiser provides cables separately designed for devices using Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android mobile operating systems. Customers need to check the marking on the product’s box according to which device they use.
Those who want a wireless headphone should wait for the Bluetooth-version of Momentum 2.0, which is expected to be rolled out later with a higher price tag.
Too big for outdoors
Unlike its predecessor, the new Momentum headphones have foldable hinges. The company says users now can carry the device in the carrying case it provides with the device for more portability.
This may be true. But the Momentum 2.0 over-ear headphones with even larger ear cups may not be perfect choice for those who want to listen to music while walking the streets.
The new headphone’s smaller sister, the Momentum 2.0 on-ear model, can be a lighter and less expensive option for them if they can sacrifice sound quality to some extent.
A Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 over-ear is priced at 449,000 won ($416.16) and the on-ear version is available for 289,000 won in Korea.