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Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 Review: Just What I Was Asking for

Featuring an improved design, including replaceable batteries, along with better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance, the excellent sounding $300 Momentum TWS 5 are top earbuds contender and earn a CNET Editors’ Choice award. Timecode Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:21 Design Changes 0:41 Replaceable Batteries 0:56 New Features 1:04 Compared to the Momentum True Wireless 4 1:25 Ear…

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Featuring an improved design, including replaceable batteries, along with better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance, the excellent sounding $300 Momentum TWS 5 are top earbuds contender and earn a CNET Editors’ Choice award.

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:21 Design Changes
0:41 Replaceable Batteries
0:56 New Features
1:04 Compared to the Momentum True Wireless 4
1:25 Ear Tips
1:53 Tight Seal is Crucial
2:01 Sound Quality
2:31 Sony vs Sennheiser
2:48 Noise Cancellation
3:23 Sound Test
3:47 Firmware Update Needed
4:03 Audio Dropouts?
4:14 Robust Connection
4:32 Codecs
4:57 Battery Life
5:17 What Do You Think?

Video Credits:
Host: David Carnoy
Scripted by: David Carnoy
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Numi Prasarn
Video Editor: Numi Prasarn
Thumbnail Designer: Zooey Liao

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#sennheiser #momentumtruewireless5 #earbudsreview

34 Comments

  1. @Thisjustced

    September 3, 2026 at 6:18 am

    Unfortunately their quality control sucks… Every series of these buds have the same problem in which one of their earbuds completely dies… Hope the changing of the battery helps

    • @knaw35

      September 3, 2026 at 6:26 am

      @Thisjustced
      JBL buds have the same problem. My right bud getting down battery level faster than the left one. Finally only left bud is playing. After uploading only left one is active. I need left them for 24 hours out of use to get them back again. I think it is a connection between left and right side and this connection uses more power from the right bud.

  2. @sennheiser

    September 3, 2026 at 6:52 am

    Thank you for taking MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 for a spin! If anyone has any questions about it, or anything Sennheiser for that matter, just let us know 👇

    • @TheGamingAudiophile

      September 3, 2026 at 10:50 am

      Please include a 10-band parametric EQ in a future software update. As a company that prides itself on sound quality, offering PEQ is the most powerful tool you can provide to help users achieve the best possible sound. There is no excuse for why it isn’t available across all of your wireless audio products.

    • @ryosaeba5693

      September 3, 2026 at 4:36 pm

      Thank you for the replaceable battery and tool to get into the device and easy screw…you didn’t have to do it till 2028 as per eu regulations yet here we are…dont own a pair yet and wish one day i could afford it….but you are definitely my preferred audio company

    • @Hermulus

      September 3, 2026 at 4:40 pm

      Really intrigued by user-replaceable batteries but not sure I’m ready to step away from my Sony XMs.

    • @sennheiser

      September 3, 2026 at 5:21 pm

      @ryosaeba5693 Thank you that means a lot to us.

    • @GrahamQuigley

      September 3, 2026 at 9:09 pm

      Good for you guys, keep up the good work. I’m hoping you can help me, I have this horrible condition where I throw money at Apple expecting people to be able to hear me from my AirPods while I”m on a call outside. David did a nice job reviewing them, I’m going to get a pair!

  3. @Locksley963

    September 3, 2026 at 7:04 am

    I think it would be good to mention the rrp during the time of this review for people to decide whether they should purchase

  4. @Treborray

    September 3, 2026 at 7:09 am

    I really try not to spend $300 for earbuds but when these go on sale !

    • @dado380

      September 3, 2026 at 12:00 pm

      You will thank me later,just buy Denon Perl and witness by far the best sound on the market and maybe the most balanced earbuds ever.Instrument isolation is insane,there are manny songs which I listen for decades and only now I can hear some instruments which I never heard before while listening on other earbuds. I payed full price of 350€ but now they are very often 150€ so just buy them.
      Perl objectively have one downside cuz Denon are one of rare earbuds where right eartips are crucial for sound quality,they need to fit perfectly in your ear to have studio sound but man the sound on Denon is something unrivaled.

  5. @ChicagoBob123

    September 3, 2026 at 7:12 am

    Do you have a review of sleep ear buds?

  6. @man-muno

    September 3, 2026 at 7:41 am

    I feel you are downplaying that these have user-replaceable batteries. You probably haven’t experienced earbud batteries dying on you because you get new tech from the companies, but I feel that’s a big issue.

    • @JoeGillian0

      September 3, 2026 at 7:57 am

      I agree thats usuallt a huge issue, the fact that both batteries from the buds and case are easily user replaceable is a great move.
      I still would have liked Sennheiser to implement ldac as well

    • @hunterscrackdealer6650

      September 3, 2026 at 10:12 am

      @man-muno I love my Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro’s… great sound, loud, ANC… but the battery dies relatively quickly now… less than 90-100 minutes… which sucks for going to the Gym and using ANC to cancel out the loud Gym Music

      Having the ability to replace the Battery is huge… I periodically use the Momentum 1 and 2 earbuds and they’re great as well, just not as good for the ANC

  7. @martian-sunset

    September 3, 2026 at 7:59 am

    Any buds at this price should support 3-device multipoint. These only support 2.

  8. @Melanie-z52

    September 3, 2026 at 8:39 am

    Unfortunately their quality control sucks… Every series of these buds have the same problem in which one of their earbuds completely dies… Hope the changing of the battery helps ..

  9. @Ghost818-x8c

    September 3, 2026 at 9:41 am

    Love the look of it, really looks premium and luxury

    • @javtimestwo

      September 3, 2026 at 3:53 pm

      I agree. Too bad I can’t wear this style of earbuds comfortably. I’m sure the sound is terrific

  10. @TheChurch-ArethePeople

    September 3, 2026 at 10:00 am

    The fact that any earphone manufacturer with this many years of experience shipped something out the door with connection issues is not forgivable. This is 2026, and if a company like Earfun can ship a $75 earphone out the door without any drops or connection issues with high-codec use, then there is no excuse for Sennheiser to have connection issues.

    • @tom_from_myspace

      September 3, 2026 at 1:01 pm

      factssssssssssss

  11. @HiFiInsider

    September 3, 2026 at 10:20 am

    I have the 4 and they sound very good.

  12. @levil4012

    September 3, 2026 at 10:55 am

    I hope Sennheiser isnt following everyone else and removing bass from the overall sound..thats where the BEATS line got worse

  13. @richarda3764

    September 3, 2026 at 12:16 pm

    Connection issues with your phone right there in your pocket is pretty big thumbs down.

  14. @nd0nd042

    September 3, 2026 at 12:45 pm

    I really olve the brand, I have the MTW2, 3, and 4. My experience with the 4’s left a lot to be desired because of the case and charging issues. They are dead in just under 18 months. Have them on my Amazon cart but I am little hesitant.

  15. @tonysilva2654

    September 3, 2026 at 1:27 pm

    As much as I want to buy these right now I’m gonna wait. My last two pairs of Momentums died on me. One earbud stopped working with each pair. Their sound was incredible though. I’ll have to keep an ear out (no pun intended) for complaints before I buy.

  16. @_XYZ__

    September 3, 2026 at 2:21 pm

    I still have my Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 wired ear buds and they still sound amazing to this day

  17. @alanrandles6069

    September 3, 2026 at 3:15 pm

    They should be battery free for $300. Why? Most companies do it.

  18. @Ghost818-x8c

    September 3, 2026 at 3:56 pm

    Titan black sounds like a real good colour, even the display size is beautiful as always

  19. @pjmorgan

    September 3, 2026 at 5:58 pm

    Love the nail polish 💅🏼 DC. No judgement ❤

    • @davidcarnoy961

      September 3, 2026 at 9:28 pm

      @pjmorgan Our video producer has better nails than me so I don’t mind her shooting some shots 🤣

  20. @thecaborobo

    September 3, 2026 at 8:24 pm

    Can you set these to auto toggle between the performance levels when at different locations?

  21. @GrahamQuigley

    September 3, 2026 at 8:59 pm

    David! I am so excited to see this (and all) of your videos!!! Big up! 🤙

    • @GrahamQuigley

      September 3, 2026 at 9:07 pm

      I can’t believe that no one can hear me on my AirPodsPro3 while I’m out and about. The wind blows and no one can hear me. My mom can’t hear me…. It’s so frustrating. I wish these companies would fix this real issue. The sound quality sounded really good with those, and as usual your literally do the best job ever at reviewing audio gear. Thank you so much, I wish that we could all do a Q&A with you sometime. Hey CNET – long time viewer over here, please get together these guys to take our questions and talk shop. It would be so fun!

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