Apple AirPods Pro vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2

Apple and Sennheiser take drastically different approaches to their true wireless earbuds, but both share the goal of winning you over. The Apple AirPods Pro is the default headset for iPhone users, and Sennheiser is one of many competitors trying to usurp the big Apple. Let’s find out which pair of noise canceling earbuds is right for you.

New product: Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)

Editor’s note: this versus article was updated on July 1, 2021, to include new frequency response and noise canceling charts for the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Wireless 2 and Apple AirPods Pro and to add an alternatives section.

Sennheiser and Apple take different approaches to build and design

Simplicity is at the core of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 and Apple AirPods Pro designs, but the end results differ. Sennheiser’s earbuds appear refined, sophisticated, and mature, while Apple’s look sleek and futuristic. Neither aesthetic is right or wrong, but there’s a good chance that if you’re drawn to one, you may not like the other.

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Apple’s stemmed design makes it easy to remove and insert the earbuds. On the other hand, Sennheiser takes a more traditional approach to its earbuds, which are free from descending stems. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 may be better for exercise because stemmed earbuds can get caught and fly out as you towel off. However, you can still work out with either, as they both merit the same IPX4 rating.

Both earbuds have ear tips that seal to your ear, but Apple includes a vent system to alleviate inner-ear pressure. This design is great if you’re sensitive to the suction-like sensation that some earbuds cause. You can change out the ear tips on either headset for the optimal fit, and you should do so for the best noise canceling experience.

The charging cases are quite different from one another too: Apple’s sleek, texture-free case starkly contrasts Sennheiser’s cloth-wrapped charging case. Both are sturdy, but most people will probably have an easier time gripping the MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 case. If all of your electronics require USB-C inputs, Sennheiser’s case will also slot in more neatly next to everything else; Apple’s case requires a Lightning connector or Qi wireless charger.

You need an iOS device to remap the AirPods Pro controls

Both Sennheiser and Apple let listeners remap the onboard controls, and disable automatic ear detection for auto-pause/resume functionality. The AirPods Pro has a big catch, though: you can’t customize its controls from an Android device. Sennheiser makes its app available on iOS and Android. All Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 owners can download the Smart Control app to reassign any of the following gestures:

If you have an iOS device, it’s easy to reconfigure the AirPods Pro touch and gesture controls. All you have to do is open the Settings app, and select the Bluetooth tab. Once you press the “i” button next to your AirPods Pro, you may adjust the following controls:

You may also select which earbud’s microphone is used during calls. Alternatively, you can just let the AirPods Pro decide.

The AirPods Pro has more sophisticated software, but it’s limited to iOS

Nearly all of the AirPods Pro’s features require an iOS device to function properly. If you want to take Apple’s ear tip fit test, you need an iPhone or iPad. The same can be said if you want to enjoy Spatial Audio, Apple’s take on surround sound. In order to switch seamlessly between devices or share audio, you need a host of Apple devices all associated with the same iCloud account. Fast switching for audio playback isn’t available between operating systems, either.

Love or hate Apple’s closed-off ecosystem, the experience is seamless—so long as you operate within Apple’s parameters. If you don’t want to restrict yourself to Apple products, you may prefer the OS-agnostic Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2, which operates just as well on iOS as it does on Android.

The Sennheiser Smart Control app lets you edit features like transparent voice and equalization. The most important thing about the Smart Control app is that it lets you access firmware updates for the earbuds, which can’t be done with the AirPods Pro unless you have an iOS device.

Does Apple or Sennheiser have better noise canceling?

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 overall attenuation outperforms the AirPods Pro because Sennheiser more effectively reduces midrange frequency sounds. Sennheiser’s earbuds do a rather good job of quieting the sounds of cars, trains, and indistinguishable background noise. However, you’ll notice a greater difference with the Apple AirPods pro when you toggle ANC on and off: the AirPods Pro’s low-frequency passive isolation is much less effective than Sennheiser’s.

Sennheiser’s earphones support more Bluetooth codecs

Sennheiser’s earphones support three major Bluetooth codecs: SBC, AAC, and aptX for high-quality audio playback from any device. This is great if you value audio quality, and want to cut as few sound quality corners as possible. The AirPods Pro, on the other hand, support just SBC and AAC, which means only iPhone users benefit from consistent high-quality audio. This isn’t a knock against Apple, necessarily—AAC is sometimes inconsistent on Android depending on the hardware.

The AirPods Pro operate via Bluetooth 5.0 firmware, while the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 earbuds use Bluetooth 5.1 firmware. Both stay connected to a source device, and neither support Bluetooth multipoint. Bluetooth 5.1 reads well on paper, but the biggest benefit is location accuracy and power efficiency.

The AirPods Pro have better battery life

Even with the slightly outdated Bluetooth firmware, the AirPods Pro earbuds last longer than the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 with ANC enabled. The AirPods Pro provide just over five hours of playtime on a single charge, while the MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 supply nearly four hours of playtime. The Apple AirPods Pro case supports Qi wireless charging and can be charged with a Lightning connector. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 case may be charged via USB-C only.

Do the AirPods Pro or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True wireless 2 sound better?

The Apple AirPods Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 both reproduce clear audio, but they take philosophically different approaches to sound quality.

Everything about the Apple experience is hands-off, including its earbuds. You can’t create a custom sound profile with the AirPods Pro. As a compensatory feature, Apple includes Adaptive EQ, which is akin to Google Nest Audio’s Media EQ setting; both features adjust certain frequency responses according to the environment. The AirPods Pro feature a nearly imperceptible bass bump that adds just a bit of oomph to music and aggressively amplifies treble notes. Modern music sounds good through the AirPods Pro, but you may notice cymbal clashes and triangle dings ring a little too loud.

Sennheiser knows a thing or two about good audio quality, and its MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 earphones follow a consumer-friendly response without off-the-walls bass and treble exaggeration. The dip from 2-7kHz may appear strange, but it’s strategic. This de-emphasis reduces the unpleasant sound of naturally occurring resonances within the human ear canal. The trade-off is that some notes can sometimes sound a bit muffled (think string instrument detail). Vocals stand out, though, thanks to the nice low-end bump and even mids.

You can’t go wrong with either headset, but Sennheiser offers its listeners a bit more leeway thanks to the Smart Control app’s EQ module. This means you can create a custom sound profile and save it directly to the earbuds for use with any device. Even if you’re not a hands-on tinkerer, you’ll have more freedom to tailor your experience if get the MOMENTUM True Wireless 2.

Are the AirPods Pro better for phone calls?

Apple and Sennheiser both equipped their true wireless earbuds with competent microphone systems, but even with all of the advanced technology, embedded mics have their limits. Listen below, and decide which sounds best to you.

Apple AirPods Pro microphone demo:

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 microphone demo:

Apple AirPods Pro vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2: Which should you get?

As with almost any comparison, matters of taste and circumstance don’t lead to an objective winner. Instead, your needs and your hardware will inform your decision. It’s no surprise that iPhone users will have the easiest time with the AirPods Pro: pairing the Pro to your iPhone is a breeze, and sound quality is good enough for most listeners. If you already live within the walls of Apple’s ecosystem, you probably have your answer.

For the rest of us, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 is the better pick: noise canceling, sound quality, and the degree of customization are all better with Sennheiser’s sophomore true wireless earbuds. If you own an Android smartphone, and want to futureproof your expensive earbuds as much as possible, Sennheiser’s headset is the smarter option, because you can access firmware updates from any device.

Next: Best Apple AirPods Pro alternatives

What should you get instead of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 and Apple AirPods Pro?

The Sony WF-1000XM4 is the noise canceling true wireless headset to rule them all. Sony’s ANC handily outperforms both Apple and Sennheiser’s and the earbuds are much more compact and comfortable than the previous WF-1000XM3. The earbuds sport an IPX4 rating and pressure relief vents to reduce the suction-like sensation that occurs when you enable noise cancellation.

Another great option is the Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen), which costs quite a bit less than any of the earphones presented today at $119 USD for the base model. You get a pair of IPX4 earbuds, a USB-C/wireless charging case, and a host of software features. Like the AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4, the Echo Buds (2nd Gen) supports an ear tip fit test that gives you immediate feedback on your selected ear tips. This is key to getting a good fit and optimizes ANC perfomrance.

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