[ericpalonen]

Very interested to have someone comfirm the inner ear dimensions as well. Ryan's Tech on YouTube states "Earcup hole: 35*58mm." If that is accurate then either these earcups are really small, or my big ears (72+ mm long) are even bigger than I thought. (My ears are probably even bigger than I thought. )

I don't have the Momentum 3 on hand anymore to direct compare, but off memory, the M4 has a little less bass and a little more accuracy/detail. It's closer to neutral and not as warm in character as the M3. I can see some missing the big, fun, dynamic sound of the M3. The M4 still has some fun to it, but not to the same degree as the M3. I personally think the M4 is an improvement and is one of the better sounding wireless ANC headphones out there, even rivaling wireless ANC headphones twice its price. Maybe someone who has both can do a direct compare in case my memory isn't accurate in some respects.

I've got M4W and an M3W to side x side tonight with calipers. More to come. Sorry I'm a bit behind after a 2nd bout of 'Rona. Also, we'll be kicking off the M4W TOUR, and have a (3) more tours to announce in the coming weeks

 

[ericpalonen]

Alright, here we go! M3W v M4W dims
(pics compressed and shrunk for 'netiquette)

Portability
M3W In the case depth (light grey): ~100mm
M4W In the case depth (dark grey): ~65mm

As you can see below, the overall footprint seems similar from a facing standpoint, but in practical volume, the M4W is much flatter to store due to the revised earcup axis & yoke design.

Earpad Size (outer dims)
M3W: ~102mm x ~84mm
M4W: ~101mm x ~84mm

Again, the footprint is pretty similar. M4W pads should measure more consistently from model to model as they are not stitched.

Earpad Size (inner aperture dims)
M3W: ~60mm x ~43mm x ~27mm (overall thickness)
M4W: ~58mm x ~37mm x ~17mm (overall thickness)

Similar aperture for the ear inside the pad; the M3W pad is thicker, putting the transducer at a slightly further distance from the ear. Caliper pressure (relative to your own head size) is a large factor in how much each pad compresses; the improved yolk axis on M4W practically negates the 10mm difference with a more natural coupling, but of course YMMV.

Distance from head to first contact point (inner aperture of the earpad)
M3W: ~21mm
M4W: ~21mm

Most Head-Fi'ers know that this is the measurement you should actually try to ignore, and instead try a set for yourself because your own ear's unique shape and angle combined with the shape and radius of your own head (not to mention any hair or hats) will dictate if your ear will actually touch anything inside the earcup (the fabric + foam cover over the transducer). However, it's not always possible for prospective owners to try a set so here we go! Note: there is a slight angle to the transducer facing on both M3W and M4W; think of the earcup as having a shallow end and a deep end like a swimming pool. Compression of the earpad from caliper pressure will also affect whether or not your ear touches the wall of the inner earcup, and where it does if so.

I hope this helps and feel free to ask away as I have both sets to compare side by side.

 

[starfly]

Ok so these are tiny pads. Bummer. I have them coming in tomorrow and will give them a go, but I don't think these will be winners. The PX7 S2 I'm also trying out are 60x40 roughly, and those definitely touch my ears, requires a lot of repositioning to get it just right. The XM4 is actually great, if they weren't so shallow where they just sit on your ears.

For a Momentum 5, they should have HD600 size pads that can fit the ear of an elephant

 

[Tuomas L]

The Sennheiser MW4 plays at the level of Sony, not at the level of the Apple AirPods Max. It's a different class of ANC headphone.

I was initially very tempted to buy the Maxes, but after trying them out in the shop i felt that the highs had an unnatural glassy sheen, which put me off.
The ANC might be more effective on the Apple and the transparency mode is clearly superior, but at least for me for pure music listening the Sennheisers are better.

 

[DeTinux]

@ericpalonen I hear a creaking sound in the right cup whenever I adjust my head. Some people on Reddit have the same issue. I can deal with it if this is a normal function of the materials and the design interacting with my head. However, some have reported that this might be an issue with the first batches, since the issue disappeared after an exchange.

 

[ubs28]

I was initially very tempted to buy the Maxes, but after trying them out in the shop i felt that the highs had an unnatural glassy sheen, which put me off.
The ANC might be more effective on the Apple and the transparency mode is clearly superior, but at least for me for pure music listening the Sennheisers are better.

Not a chance.

The Apple AirPods Max is not that far off from the Sennheiser HD 650 (wired headphone). Yes, the Sennheiser HD 650 is better (not a surprise), but the APM puts up a very good fight against the Sennheiser HD 650.

But the sound quality was not even my biggest complaint about the Sennheiser Momentum 4, it is comfort. My ears touch the inside of a headphone. That is an automatic 1/10 for me.

And I'm not singling out Sennheiser. Sony does the same crap every year too.

 

[ubs28]

Btw, I'm just providing feedback so that problems like these gets avoided with the Momentum 5 next year. Because there not a chance I am buying these headphones.

I was interested in replacing my Apple AirPods Max due to comfort issues, only for both Sony (not a surprise, they do this every year) and Sennheiser (this was a surprise to me though) to make headphones that are even less comfortable.

Guess I'll have to keep using the Apple AirPods Max for an other year.

 

[matteventu]

Btw, I'm just providing feedback so that problems like these gets avoided with the Momentum 5 next year. Because there not a chance I am buying these headphones.

I was interested in replacing my Apple AirPods Max due to comfort issues, only for both Sony (not a surprise, they do this every year) and Sennheiser (this was a surprise to me though) to make headphones that are even less comfortable.

Guess I'll have to keep using the Apple AirPods Max for an other year.

Out of curiosity, what's the most comfortable headphones you've ever tried/had?

 

[ubs28]

Out of curiosity, what's the most comfortable headphones you've ever tried/had?

Probably the Sennheiser HD 800S is the most comfortable headphone.

 

[ericpalonen]

@ericpalonen I hear a creaking sound in the right cup whenever I adjust my head. Some people on Reddit have the same issue. I can deal with it if this is a normal function of the materials and the design interacting with my head. However, some have reported that this might be an issue with the first batches, since the issue disappeared after an exchange.

I too have an early production run model but cannot replicate it. I'll DM you.

 

[Tuomas L]

The Apple AirPods Max is not that far off from the Sennheiser HD 650 (wired headphone). Yes, the Sennheiser HD 650 is better (not a surprise), but the APM puts up a very good fight against the Sennheiser HD 650.

I’ve had HD650’s for twelve years now, and i’m pretty sure it wasn’t that i was hearing, but YMMV.

 

[meringo]

I've had the M4 for a full week now. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. Subbass was a bit much at first but was easily EQd out in the app. Otherwise, I'm surprised by the sound signature! They are remarkably balanced for the product category and are mighty comfy. ooh... I also haven't yet had to charge them.

Edit: only odd thing, they don't seem to properly fit in the case. I have to kind of wiggle, and push around the case/one of the cups in order to fit them in. Not sure if this is a case QC issue, or if it was designed this way. @Sennheiser ?

 

[DeTinux]

If you turn the cups upside down, they’ll fit perfectly. Had me startled as well

 

[ericpalonen]

I've had the M4 for a full week now. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. Subbass was a bit much at first but was easily EQd out in the app. Otherwise, I'm surprised by the sound signature! They are remarkably balanced for the product category and are mighty comfy. ooh... I also haven't yet had to charge them.

Edit: only odd thing, they don't seem to properly fit in the case. I have to kind of wiggle, and push around the case/one of the cups in order to fit them in. Not sure if this is a case QC issue, or if it was designed this way. @Sennheiser ?

You'll have to collapse them all the way (headband too) and make sure the L compartment is matched up the the L cup (you may just have them upside down).

I feel that the sound signature has a dotted line to the infamous HD 25. Nice note about the EQ: they take EQ very well too, if you're into tweakin' via the app. Enjoy!

 

[meringo]

lol yep... upside down. Thanks!