I've been loyal to AirPods for years, but these Sennheiser earbuds changed my mind

I’ve always been an Apple loyalist when it comes to wireless earbuds. The AirPods Pro 3 have been my daily drivers ever since they launched, and before that, I was using the AirPods Pro 2. And it’s not necessarily because of their sound quality or active noise cancellation (ANC), but simply because of how convenient they are to use with the rest of Apple’s ecosystem.

That said, I do test new pairs of wireless earbuds from time to time, but more often than not, I end up going back to my AirPods Pro 3. However, after spending the past month with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5, I’ve started to realize there are quite a few things Apple could do better.

The sound quality made the biggest difference

The first thing that stood out to me when I switched from the AirPods Pro 3 to the Momentum True Wireless 5 was just how different the music sounded. Despite all the criticism surrounding the AirPods Pro 3’s sound quality, I’ve never really had an issue with how they sound. But the Sennheisers just sound fuller and richer to my ears. The bass feels punchier, and I also find it much easier to distinguish individual instruments when listening to music.

For example, when listening to Far From Any Road by The Handsome Family, I found the different instruments easier to pick out on the Sennheisers, especially when multiple elements of the track were playing together. And the best part is that I’ve been using the earbuds with their default EQ, without making any adjustments.

Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean the Sennheisers are technically more detailed. As Christian Thomas explained before, the AirPods Pro 3 use loudness-dependent EQ, which adjusts the balance of bass and treble based on listening volume. In our testing, we found that the AirPods Pro 3 significantly boost bass and treble at lower volumes, which can make music sound a little too bass-heavy or sharp for some listeners.

The Sennheisers aren’t exactly perfectly balanced either. In our testing, we found that they put more emphasis on the deeper bass notes, which could explain why I find their sound punchier and fuller. We also noticed that some higher-pitched sounds are more prominent, which can make certain vocals sound a little harsh.

That said, I prefer how the Sennheisers sound. I’m not saying the AirPods Pro 3 sound bad, but after switching between the two, I find myself enjoying music more on the Sennheisers.

I finally have more control over how my earbuds sound

Speaking of EQ, another thing I’ve come to appreciate about the Momentum True Wireless 5 is just how much control Sennheiser gives you. The companion app offers an eight-band equalizer, personalized sound settings, and even the ability to save and share EQ presets.

Now, I’ve been using the earbuds with their default EQ, and I’ve been perfectly happy with how they sound. But I like knowing that if I ever want to dial up the bass or tone down some of the higher frequencies, I have the option to do so.

Apple has also introduced EQ controls with iOS 27, but Sennheiser still offers much more flexibility through its companion app. Sure, not everyone is going to spend time tweaking how their earbuds sound, but if you’re spending this much on a premium pair, I think you should at least have the option.

I prefer the quality of the microphones on the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5

One of the reasons I’ve always preferred using AirPods over other wireless earbuds is their microphone quality. I’ve heard from several people that they can barely tell whether I’m speaking through my AirPods or directly through my iPhone, which says a lot about how good the microphones are. But with the Momentum True Wireless 5, I think I’ve finally found a pair of earbuds that sound even better to the person on the other end of the call.

The difference becomes more apparent when you compare the microphone recordings from our testing. The Sennheisers give voices a fuller, heavier sound, while the AirPods Pro 3 sound a little lighter and clearer. That doesn’t necessarily mean one is objectively better than the other, but I prefer the more natural-sounding presentation of the Sennheisers.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Replaceable batteries are a big deal

I don’t usually talk about replaceable batteries when it comes to electronics. But earbuds are something we tend to hold on to for much longer, provided we don’t lose them. And that’s where the Momentum True Wireless 5 have another big advantage.

Unlike most premium wireless earbuds, Sennheiser has designed the Momentum True Wireless 5 with user-replaceable batteries, and we’re not just talking about the charging case. You can replace the batteries inside the earbuds themselves, too.

So, if you start noticing shorter battery life a few years down the line, you don’t necessarily have to replace the entire pair. You can swap out the batteries yourself using the appropriate replacement parts and a small screwdriver. It’s not quite as straightforward as changing the batteries in a remote, but it’s another win Sennheiser has over Apple.

I’m finally giving up my AirPods Pro 3

After spending a month with the Momentum True Wireless 5, I think I’ve finally found a replacement for my AirPods Pro 3. Sure, I wish the Sennheisers worked as seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem as the AirPods do, and I would’ve loved a slightly smaller charging case.

But when it comes to the things that matter most to me in a pair of earbuds, including sound quality, ANC, and microphone performance, I personally prefer what the Momentum True Wireless 5 offer.