Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5: Ready for the next level
21.9.2026
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Florian Bodoky
Two and a half years of waiting have paid off. With a replaceable battery, a new case, better ANC, and Dolby Atmos, Sennheiser has given the MTW 5 a successful update.
Sennheiser is taking the "Right to Repair" into account: with the new Momentum True Wireless (MTW) 5, you can replace the battery yourself – both in the case and in the buds. Previously, only the FairBuds, which are being relaunched in October, offered this. But that is by no means the only thing that distinguishes them from their predecessor.
Goodbye, jewelry box
The MTW 4 came in a fabric-covered, rectangular case. It reminded me of a jewelry box and I liked it. However, Sennheiser (and I) probably realized that fabric wears out faster than plastic. That is why the manufacturer has opted for a much slimmer, upright case made of roughened plastic for the MTW 5. It fits well in the hand and no longer bulges in your pocket like its predecessor.
A small, embedded metal brand logo on the top subtly points to Sennheiser. A small hint: it is NOT a button, just decoration. At first, it might give a different impression. The case is pleasantly light at 55 grams.
Sennheiser has also revised the buds themselves: the design is much rounder, and there are no stabilizers for the ear. The weight is seven grams per bud, similar to before. The MTW 5 are protected against dust and splashing water according to IP54. A gym session with sweat is fine, but you shouldn't take them into the pool or the bathtub. The certification only applies to the buds, not the case.
Comfort is individual
If you put the headphones in your ear, you will notice two things: since Sennheiser has not installed any stabilizers, you have to pay more attention than ever to the correct size of the ear tips. Otherwise, the MTW 5 will fall out of your ears. Especially because of their bean shape. This concentrates the weight on a specific point. Secondly, the MTW 5 are comparatively wide. Not always comfortable for narrow ears. But that's not a dealbreaker. With the fit test in the app, you will find the right tip for you. I advise you to do this, because apart from a good, comfortable fit, an ill-fitting tip weakens the noise canceling.
For operation, Sennheiser relies entirely on touch gestures. With the app, you can freely assign every gesture and define different commands for left and right. The volume can also be controlled this way. The controls react reliably and without noticeable delay. However, the surface is not particularly large. If you generally don't like touch gestures, you can deactivate them completely and control the sound via your phone. This is a useful feature, as the sensors are so sensitive that they often trigger an action just by adjusting the headphones.
Dolby Atmos and Sound Zones – the app is worth it
The app also offers some other helpful functions. For example, an eight-band EQ with editable switches for different genres or quick access to settings for specific functions, such as speech clarity. You can also edit the various presets. Sennheiser also continues to rely on Sound Zones. With this, you link specific EQ profiles and ANC settings to locations. For example: automatic ANC and more bass on the train, transparency mode and pop preset in the office. The location detection is accurate to about 100 meters. Therefore, there are sometimes small delays when switching, but this is acceptable.
New on board is Dolby Atmos with head tracking. The playback adapts to small head movements so that sound sources remain in their virtual place in the room, even when you turn your head. This works well for movies and series, but is more subtle for music. Also because the reaction to head movements has a noticeable delay. You need a Sennheiser user account for some of the functions in the app.
Punchy sound, cleanly contoured
In terms of sound, the MTW 5 build on the strong foundation of their predecessors. But they don't rest on their laurels. The greatest development is in the low frequencies. The bass reaches pleasantly deep, sounds rich, and develops more body than its predecessor. However, you are spared from intrusive booming. Despite the extra weight of the bass lines, they remain under control. This impression continues in the mids. Surprisingly warm, full mid-frequencies ensure many details and finely resolved voices and instruments. I no longer hear the familiar sober-analytical twist of earlier Sennheiser models here.
The highs are present and detailed far up. Cymbals and hi-hats have contour. However, you can hear a certain sharpness at times. But this is complaining at an extremely high level. If you miss the flatness, you can turn down the highs a bit in the EQ.
In terms of transmission, the MTW 5 work with Bluetooth 6.0 as well as the codecs SBC, AAC, aptX (as well as aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless). Provided your source device also supports these. Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair are also supported. There is also the new "Robust Mode". You can activate it in radio-heavy environments to maintain a more stable, uninterrupted Bluetooth connection. Unfortunately, the MTW 5 do not (yet) support LE Audio or Auracast. The hardware is present, and a firmware update is intended to add the functions later.
The sound changes slightly when you activate ANC. However, Sennheiser has invested a lot of work to ensure the effect is minimal. The adaptive hybrid ANC with wind suppression effectively reduces (as is often the case with ANC) primarily low-frequency background noise such as cars or approaching trains. This brings Sennheiser closer to the top dogs from Sony or Bose. Even without activated ANC, i.e., only with the damping provided by the silicone plugs, the noise suppression is quite efficient. Unfortunately, a quiet background hiss remains noticeable in very quiet environments. Nevertheless, Sennheiser does a good job here.
The same applies to phone calls: Sennheiser installs four microphones in each bud for this purpose. One for bone conduction including voice isolation. Your voice reaches the other person clearly and naturally, and background noise is also solidly blocked out. The quality is good enough for everyday use. During longer calls in very noisy environments, some noise sometimes gets through.
Long-lasting, replaceable battery
As with the big brother, there is plenty of battery life in the small in-ears. Sennheiser specifies up to twelve hours. However, this refers to listening enjoyment without ANC. It's six hours with noise canceling. With the charging case, you get a total runtime of 40 hours. The new, improved ANC apparently consumes quite a lot of energy. Nevertheless, you can get through everyday life well with it.
You can replace the batteries yourself in both the case and the buds. It's easy with the case. You loosen a single Phillips screw, slide the bottom to the side, and pull out the battery. It is more complex with the small headphones: you have to loosen two (tiny!) screws per side. Then you have to pry open the housing, which requires a delicate touch. Whether it's worth it in the end depends on how easily available replacement batteries will be – and what they cost. That is not yet clear at the moment.
In a nutshell
A strong successor that you can purchase with a clear conscience
The Momentum True Wireless 5 impress with replaceable batteries in both the case and the buds – fully in line with the Right to Repair. In terms of sound, they have improved: richer bass, warm mids, and detailed highs. They also feature Dolby Atmos with head tracking. The ANC has been audibly improved, bringing it closer to Sony and Bose. The new, slimmer case replaces the fabric version of its predecessor, which is practical for carrying in your pocket. Points of criticism remain a quiet background hiss and a (still) missing Auracast support. Nevertheless, the MTW 5 are a successful, sustainable upgrade.
Pro
- nice sound mix
- powerful battery
- lightweight case
Contra
- slight background noise
- (still) no Auracast
Header image: Florian Bodoky
Florian Bodoky
Senior Editor
Florian.Bodoky@digitecgalaxus.chI've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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