Sennheiser Momentum 4 Vs Sony WH-1000XM4 and Codecs

chewbot on 21/07/2024 - 15:10
Last edited 21/07/2024 - 15:13

Hi,

I am hoping some knowledgeable people can help me with my indecision.

Use case:
50% streaming music from phone whilst doing housework, walking, etc - moving around but not particularly vigourously
30% streaming music from phone whilst sitting and doing stuff on unrelated things on laptop - although in theory I could connect to the laptop if sound quality was going to be a worthy improvement.
10% just sitting and listening
10% watching tv or listening to audiobooks.

Big range of musical styles. Late Baroque through to Shoenberg, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Afro-beat, Post punk, Rock, a little metal. I also even appreciate the extreme production values of some of the modern pop stuff (Mark Ronson, etc).

90% of source material is a paid premium youtube music account. In theory, one day I'll rip all my old cds for the better sound quality but I've been saying that for years.

I currently have old Sony 1000X and a Samsung Galaxy s22. So I am used to LDAC.

I am leaning heavily towards the M4s as I am prioritizing sound quality over noise cancellation. So long as the noise cancellation is at least comparable to the Sony 1000x. Plus, I could use them with usb c when on my laptop and theoretically get a good sound card in the future.

But my hesitation is, "am i going to miss LDAC?"

I realise the M4s have APTx adaptive. But that's no good if my device doesn't support it.

Will the other improvements (compared to my old 1000x) result in an overall better sound for mostly just streaming from Youtube Music even with lack of LDAC or APTx?

I mean I don't love my phone, and hopefully will replace in about a year. But not immediately.

Comfort is also important, but it's so user dependent that I figure it's impossible to predict beyond ruling out the worst ones. I don't have a particularly big head or ears.

I do live in Brisbane, so if one pair is going to get way more hot and sweaty, then that would be relevant. But only if it's extreme.

Current promo pricing is comparable, so not worried about $10 difference.

Any input appreciated.

Thanks,

Chewbot.

Electrical & Electronics Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Headphones Sennheiser Sony Wireless Headphones

Comments

  • boomramada on 21/07/2024 - 15:32

    Why you asking from a bargain forum? Why not use
    https://www.google.com/search?q=sennheiser+momentum+4+vs+son…

    If you into sound quality, avoid noise cancelling.

    • chewbot on 21/07/2024 - 19:25

      Because ….. context.

      I have done many googles.
      Read many reviews and comparisons.
      I have read opposing opinions on the significance of codecs.

      None of those take into consideration the current local market. The price (after discounts), availability and support that is relevant to me and my use case, in this part of the world, right now.

      Also, perhaps I failed to clearly communicate, that I very much want decent noise cancelling. It's just that I don't need it to be the world's best noise cancelling and certainly would not preference it over sound quality. My primary concern is/was that would the lack of LDAC mean that the better sound quality of the M4s would be negated in my specific combination of hardware and sources.

      • Mibo on 21/07/2024 - 19:56

        If you're just streaming songs from Youtube Music you wouldn't notice the difference. The lack of LDAC wouldn't change anything. As long as you're not stuck using SBC it should be fine.

        • chewbot on 22/07/2024 - 14:51

          Thanks

      • boomramada on 21/07/2024 - 22:42
        +1

        You are thinking too hard, why not just set a budget and buy a headphone that is close to it?
        I use WF-1000XM5 for noise cancelling on travel and Philips Fidelio for home. People here buy products for a variety of reasons, mainly as a brand preference/user reviews.

  • dmkst56 on 21/07/2024 - 16:56
    +1

    The Momentum 4 will be better for your use case, particularly given the wide variety of genres you listen to. The Sony WH-1000XM range has class-leading ANC, but you don't need that with your use case. The XM series has a pretty average sound to them, but with a decent EQ (at least 10 bands) you can get them sounding pretty good. Meanwhile the M4 has a better sound out of the box and though I can hear where they're not perfect, they sound good enough to not bother with EQing them. They are much, MUCH better for jazz and classical than the Sonys are. They might be a little too bassy for some out of the box, but they are boosted in the low-bass so they have impact and force without being muddy like the Sonys. They also have much better detail retrieval than the Sonys and better soundstage too (of course, the soundstage is never going to be great on closed-backs). The ANC is good enough for office use and home use, and in the event you do travel with the M4, the ANC is still pretty decent.

    Don't worry too much about the codecs, the difference they make is way overblown particularly with LDAC (people assume higher number equals more better - things are not that simple actually).

    • chewbot on 21/07/2024 - 19:12

      Thanks for that response.

      It pretty much sums up my research, but I just got spooked by the codec stuff. And that was a whole other rabbit warren that I started down and was half beginning to understand - or half understand how much I didn't really understand!

      Part of the problem is that with my current combo of phone and headphones the difference with LDAC turned on has been very noticeable with some tracks. Not at all with others.

      But I assumed the overall upgrade would compensate for it. But glad for the reassurance.

  • mbck on 21/07/2024 - 17:25

    Honestly, codecs have a minor effect. Whats more importsnt is the hardware and quality of the tuning.

    The devialet gemini ii doesnt have fancy codecs, but seems to sound extremely well.

    Find one that fits your budget and ticks more of your boxes and go with it.

    There is nothing out there that is the best at everything.

    • chewbot on 21/07/2024 - 19:16

      Thanks.

      That's pretty much what I suspected and wanted to hear.

      I think with my current combo of phone and headphones the difference with LDAC turned on has been very noticeable with some tracks. Not at all with others. So that had me second guessing my choice.

      Thanks

  • p1 ama on 21/07/2024 - 22:17

    All I've heard about the M4s are countless issues with regards to the connectivity and electronics. I would personally steer clear.

    My opinion is that you're better off buying a reliable pair of wireless noise cancelling headphones from a manufacturer who has the technology and electronics dialled in (i.e. basically Sony or Bose), and prioritise reliability and connectivity over just sound quality. They all sound relatively similar, and are designed with practical use cases in mind.

    If you want better audio quality, you're better off buying a set of audiophile cans, that run through a proper DAC and amplifier, playing from high quality sources.

    • dmkst56 on 22/07/2024 - 00:42

      Yeah those issues are all historic. They were fixed with firmware updates. I should know as I have some (and Sonys, and a set of Bose, and some Focals…). Shitty of Senny to release them in a broken state, but they're fine now.

  • NocteRegem on 22/07/2024 - 08:42

    I have the M4's and my SO has the XM4's. Music quality is noticeably better with the M4's and noise cancelling is noticeably better with the XM4's. Took both on a Europe trip with flights etc and both are good but I prefer the M4's due to battery life and music quality. No connectivity issues or stutters with either but I also wouldn't enjoy doing any more exercise than walking in them, maybe the XM4 are slightly better here.

    • chewbot on 22/07/2024 - 14:53

      Excellent info. Thanks heaps.

      I do suspect the XM4 would be slightly better for exercise, but decided that I will only use them when doing light walking etc and use cheapies for anything vigorous anyway.

  • chewbot on 22/07/2024 - 14:54

    Just to update all the helpful peoples, I have ordered the M4s.

    Pretty excited.

    Thanks for all the responses.

  • Jaxy on 22/07/2024 - 15:22

    Just buy both? It's only money.

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