Sennheiser Accentum Plus vs Momentum 4 - The TRUE Flagship (Review)
- Reviewed by Aaron on 16 Mar 2024
I gave the Accentum Plus a pretty good review when I compared them to the basic Accentum. I said they’re probably the most attractive option now because they’re much cheaper than the Momentum 4, but perform very closely.
Today we are going to compare them directly to the M4 from an A-B perspective, so you can see the differences in terms of build quality, features, and performance, because seriously, even though these are very attractive, there are some compromises versus getting the M4. Let’s start with build quality because that’s the first thing you’ll notice when you pick these up.
The Momentum 4’s design has a few advantages over the Accentum Plus. The quality of its plastic feels a bit more dense, the synthetic leather on these cushions feel thicker and more durable, and the earcups are a bit more roomy. Since I have large ears it does make a difference for me in terms on comfort. The M4s have bigger drivers also, 42mm compared to 37mm. Aside from the fabric covering the headband, the M4’s headband also feels more flexible.
Also the M4’s case is an actual hard case, not the semi hard one of the Plus model. Overall, the Momentum 4s definitely feel like their weight in gold. And yes, this also means it’s a bit heftier than the Plus, but thankfully not to the point of having an impact on comfort. (Case in point, the AirPods Max.)
In terms of features, both are pretty much identical except that you can’t turn off the touch controls on the Plus, and you don’t get a Hi-Res audio mode, which allows the M4s to stream at the highest level of aptX Adaptive, which is 24-bit 96 kHz. That won’t matter if you’re using a device that does not do aptX Adaptive at all, but if you have invested in a phone that does, the M4s are going to deliver that extra bandwidth for streaming lossless audio. And of course, the M4s have a bit more battery at up to 60 hours of playtime, as opposed to the 50 hours that the Plus offers.
That’s how they compare in terms of buiild quality and features. But to better decide which one to buy, we’ll have to compare their performance in terms of microphone quality, noise canceling, and of course, whether the cheaper ones are going to sound as good.
Microphone comparison
Comparing their microphone quality in both quiet and noisy conditions, while the Plus did do pretty well, the voice pickup of the Momentum 4 is louder. And in noisy conditions, although the Plus cuts a bit more noise, the M4s sound more intelligible too. Listen to the samples.
Active Noise Canceling
In terms of Active noise canceling tested under the same noisy conditions, it appears that they are quite comparable, but the Accentum Plus does cut less low frequency rumble which is what you’ll mostly encounter in public transport or in the plane. In that aspect, the Momentum 4 is a more powerful noise canceler. Have a listen to the samples.
Transparency Mode
In terms of transparency, the Accentum Plus does amplify surrounding noises louder, but it also has quite a bit of high-frequency hiss. So even if the Momentum 4’s not as loud, it does sound more natural. Also, since they both don’t have peak protection, the Momentum 4s won’t amplify sudden loud noises as much as the Plus.
Sound quality
In terms of sound quality, if we look at my frequency sweeps (which are also available on my X feed), they share lots of similarities in their tuning, except that the Momentum 4s are a little more laid back for much of the midrange, so vocals will sound quite a bit darker.
But I have to say, comparing them A-B with different types of music, the Accentum’s Plus are a lot more different from the M4 than what the FR chart suggests. Let me explain.
In terms of soundstaging, the way the different tracks phase and their positions are very similar. But you do get a bit more distance on the M4, so the details that pop up sound more refined. Also, on the Accentum Plus, details like backup vocals and percussions can sound a bit blunt, but those same elements are going to sound crisper and cleaner on the M4. An analogy I can use is getting smacked in the arm by a pillow, versus a smack by a rubber tube. (Ok that sounds painful, but you catch my drift.)
I mean that the M4’s sound is a more focused, less muddy sound which sounds higher res, while the Plus have a heavier, fuller tuning that casual listeners can appreciate. Listen to the samples.
Conclusion
To conclude, should you pay extra and get the Momentum 4?
Well, if they’re on promo and the Accentum Plus is not, absolutely. The Momentum 4 has flagship tier build quality, features, and in terms of sound it is higher res. And promos do happen quite often now, since the M4’s have already been in the market for a few years.
That being said, if it’s not on promo, it can be harder to justify paying that much more since I find the Accentum Plus quite good enough. It’s that pesky law of diminishing returns again. If you pay 50 percent more for a product, is it really 50 percent better? In this case, personally, I don’t think so.
If you want to check their latest prices, use the links to its Amazon page below.
Amazon
Sennheiser Accentum Plus - https://amzn.to/3STxK3U
Sennheiser Momentum 4 - https://amzn.to/3TAxQOb
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