Compare Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Headphones vs Audio-Technica ATH-R70XA Headphones

Analog input practicality was mixed to negative because wired listening without power degraded significantly in one review.

ANC opinions were split: several reviewers found it solid, effective, or excellent, while others called it middling, dated, subpar, or behind Sony and Bose.

Advanced software features were a major strength, with reviewers praising app-based personalization, Sound Zones, and feature execution.

The discreet profile was a plus for one reviewer who preferred the understated, normal-looking design.

Aesthetics are generally praised as stylish, sleek, discreet, professional, or modern.

ANC background noise handling was mid-pack: the review said it held up but trailed the best competitors.

ANC effect on sound signature was mildly negative because one review reported a small performance loss with ANC on.

ANC's sound impact was mildly negative because one review heard a small soundstage/imaging loss when ANC was activated.

Android compatibility was positive because aptX and aptX HD were described as more consistent on Android devices.

The app was broadly praised as intuitive, useful, and clean, with strong access to EQ, ANC, device management, and other settings.

aptX support was evaluated positively, especially for Android consistency and codec flexibility.

Audio-video sync was praised in the video review that found audio and video perfectly aligned.

Auto-play and wear detection was praised as an important feature that the reviewer felt was implemented well.

Auto on/off reliability was mixed, with one reviewer disabling it due to misfires while another found auto-off consistent.

Award recognition was strong in TechRadar's evidence, which noted the headphones became its headphones of the year for 2022.

Bass was generally praised for punch, warmth, and control, though several reviewers found the stock low end a little heavy, boomy, or occasionally flabby.

Bass is the most divided sound attribute: some reviewers hear tight, extended, accurate lows, while others want more punch, richness, or sub-bass headroom.

Battery life was the product's clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly describing 49-60 hour results as exceptional, class-leading, or nearly worry-free.

Bluetooth was marked down in one 2025 review because the hardware was described as older compared with newer Bluetooth developments.

Bluetooth version was criticized as feeling older in the context of newer wireless standards.

Build quality was positive in the supporting review, especially the smoother, sturdier-feeling ear cup mechanism.

Build quality is sharply split, ranging from flimsy, rattly, and delicate to solid, sturdy, excellent, and well constructed.

Built-in DAC and wired playback were praised because wired mode tightened and improved bass compared with wireless.

Button usability was criticized because the power/Bluetooth button made powering on feel finicky.

Cable quality was criticized because the supplied analog cable was viewed as thin and underbuilt for expensive travel headphones.

Cable quality is mixed: reviewers like the useful length and dual cable in some contexts, but others criticize the split design, length, memory, and ergonomics.

Case quality was usually praised for protection, structure, compartments, and compactness compared with certain rivals, despite one note that it is large.

Carry case feedback is mixed: one reviewer liked the soft carry case, while another wanted a harder protective case.

Charging was viewed positively because a short charge can deliver several hours of playback.

Clamping force was consistently positive, with reviewers saying it was gentle, balanced, or just right rather than overly tight.

Clamping force is praised as light and low-pressure, including for eyeglass users, while still staying usable on at least one reviewer’s head.

Codec support was praised as a strong, price-appropriate list, despite separate criticism elsewhere about missing LDAC and newer lossless Bluetooth options.

Comfort was one of the strongest areas, with many reviewers praising long-wear comfort, soft padding, lighter feel, glasses compatibility, and all-day listening.

Long-session comfort is a major strength thanks to the light build and soft contact points, though fit can be poor for smaller heads.

Connectivity options were strongly praised, especially the mix of Bluetooth, analog, USB-C, and practical fallback listening modes.

Connectivity is limited to wired use; one review frames that as a drawback versus wireless options, while another appreciates having no wireless complexity.

Design reactions were mixed: reviewers liked the functional, understated approach but also called it plain or less original than prior Momentum models.

One reviewer praises the overall design as professional-looking and good-feeling.

Detachable cable convenience was positive because the wired option kept the headphones usable across different work and casual listening situations.

The detachable cable system is convenient for some because it locks, removes, and routes either way, but others dislike the proprietary or over-complicated design.

Durability evidence was mixed: one review called the plastic build not especially rugged, while another long-use video said the headphones still looked pristine.

One reviewer raises a clear durability concern, saying the light construction did not inspire confidence for longevity.

Ear cup padding was praised for being soft, comfortable, and accommodating without making the headphones feel insecure.

The ear pads are generally described as soft, comfortable, breathable, and well padded, with one caveat that they can feel slightly shallow.

Ear cup rotation was viewed positively because the rotation felt smoother and contributed to a sturdier fit.

One review criticizes the ear cup swivel for not rotating enough to help the fit and seal.

Ecosystem integration was limited for Apple-centric users because one review noted the lack of iOS-only features.

EQ customization was a strength, with reviewers praising useful app EQ, many options, and accurate frequency adjustment.

Feature depth is limited, with one review calling the features sparse despite a few useful extras.

Frequency response accuracy was strongly praised by the lab-style review that found the measured response close to its preference curve.

Frequency response is mostly praised as neutral, flat, even, and suitable for critical listening, though one reviewer heard a warm-but-lean tonal balance.

Headband adjustability was praised for fitting comfortably and adjusting easily.

Headband adjustability is inconsistent, with serious complaints about fit and the strap design alongside one reviewer who found adjustment easy.

Headband padding was a comfort caveat, with reviewers noting pressure concentration or possible digging during careless fit or very long sessions.

Headband padding feedback is split between one complaint that the pad collapses into the metal and one praise for comfort.

One review criticizes the hinge/swivel area as weak and a source of rattles.

Immersive audio was praised in the supporting review for intimate, holographic vocal presentation.

Immersive audio impressions are positive, with reviewers describing an entrancing and surrounding presentation.

Included accessories were praised for adding a hard case, cable, and airplane adapter convenience.

One review positively notes the included long lead as a useful standard accessory.

Instrument separation was a recurring strength, with reviewers noting resolving performance, spatial separation, and distinct instruments, though one comparison found stronger separation elsewhere.

Instrument separation and imaging are repeatedly praised, especially for stereo placement, mix decisions, and hearing individual elements clearly.

The integrated microphone array was positively described in one test as clearly picking up the speaker's voice.

The left/right-independent cable routing is repeatedly treated as useful, clever, or cool.

LDAC was a clear omission for reviewers who wanted higher-bitrate or lossless-style wireless options.

Maximum-volume clarity was positive in the one supporting review, which said the headphones still sounded great even at max volume.

One reviewer found resolution and clarity weaker at low levels, saying the headphone opens up more when played louder.

Microphone noise reduction was mixed: one reviewer noted issues rejecting noise, while another test found the microphones clearly picked up speech through traffic noise.

Call quality was inconsistent, ranging from usable in some cases to disappointing when background noise interfered or when walking and biking were considered.

Midrange reactions were mixed: some reviewers heard clean vocals and exceptional reproduction, while others found the mids less rich, blunted, or not the main strength.

Midrange clarity is usually a strength, with vocals and mids described as clear, present, and revealing, though one reviewer found the mids shouty and honky.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive because the wired and wireless options helped across work and casual listening.

Multipoint was useful when working well, but reliability was mixed because one review reported seamless switching while another saw glitches near previously paired devices.

Passive isolation was a weakness, with reviewers saying the Momentum 4 let in more ambient sound than competitors or had weaker isolation than the prior model.

Passive isolation is limited by the open-back design, making the headphones unsuitable for recording or noisy environments despite one reviewer finding outside sounds not too distracting.

Overall recommendation was positive across many reviews, especially for sound, comfort, features, battery, and value, with caveats around ANC, calls, and newer tech.

Overall recommendations are mostly positive for critical listening, mixing, and mastering, but fit, bass needs, build expectations, and use case shape the verdict.

Portability was mixed because the case and non-folding design were criticized despite some travel-friendly organization.

Premium feel was mixed: one reviewer missed the more premium older build, while another found the textured case and fabric experience high-end.

Premium feel is mixed: some reviewers praise the finish and feel, while another says the simple build lacks premium materials.

Preset EQ quality was positive where discussed, especially the podcast preset's ability to improve midrange balance.

Sidetone was praised by TechRadar for improving call handling and making conversations feel more natural.

Smart listening features were praised through Sound Zones, which one reviewer found useful and effective in real testing.

Smart Pause performance was positive in the review that said the app-enabled features worked as advertised.

Setup simplicity was criticized in one video because the app onboarding had too many pop-ups and needed streamlining.

Setup simplicity is praised because the wired, app-free design is plug-and-play.

Sound leakage was positive in the one supporting review, which said the closed-back design and pads minimized leakage.

Sound leakage is a consistent downside because the open-back design lets others hear the music.

Reviewers overwhelmingly liked the sound, describing it as excellent, detailed, crisp, engaging, or exceptional; criticism focused more on tuning taste than basic audio quality.

Reviewers broadly praise the ATH-R70xa for natural, detailed, clean open-back sound, with only one dissenting review calling it merely fine and not personally compelling.

Soundstage was usually considered good for wireless closed-back ANC headphones, with some reviewers praising width while others found it intimate or not as expansive as software-enhanced rivals.

Soundstage width is a consistent highlight, with reviewers describing the presentation as wide, spacious, airy, large, and open.

Spatial audio was a weakness in the 2025 video review, which described the feature as weak compared with newer headphone tech.

Spatial performance is praised for impressive imaging and positional cues, including mixing placement and gaming directionality.

Stability was limited because the headphones stayed usable for walking but not more active movement.

Stability depends on fit: one reviewer with a smaller head had slippage, while another found the light clamp still secure.

Sustainability and repairability evidence was limited and mixed, with praise for paper/cardboard-forward packaging but a call for better retail hangers.

Sustainability materials were mixed, with paper/cardboard-forward packaging praised but retail packaging improvements suggested.

Touch controls were divisive: several reviewers found them intuitive and dependable, while others reported sensitivity, accidental inputs, or startup glitches.

Transparency mode was usable but not a standout, with reviewers calling it serviceable while criticizing it as less natural or less crisp than leading alternatives.

Travel friendliness was mixed because battery and case helped, but weak noise cancellation limited travel and commuting recommendations.

Travel friendliness is poor because reviewers repeatedly say the open-back design is bad for commuting, public listening, and shared spaces.

Treble was mostly viewed as clear and energetic, with praise for shimmer and accuracy tempered by notes about forwardness, sizzle, or slight harshness for sensitive listeners.

Treble is generally praised as clear, smooth, detailed, and not harsh, with caveats about slight restraint or peakiness in a few reviews.

USB-C was praised as a meaningful listening option that gives users another practical way to use the headphones.

Value for money was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly describing the Momentum 4 as a bargain, steal, or high-value alternative to pricier rivals.

Value is generally positive for sound quality and flagship-level pricing, though reviewers still note that the headphones are not cheap.

Voice prompts and feedback were criticized for inconsistent verbal and musical cues that made status feedback less clear.

Volume output drew caution because reviewers said the headphones were quieter than some competitors even though usable listening remained possible.

Volume output is a practical weakness because several reviewers note the 470-ohm load needs a capable amplifier and can be too quiet from weaker sources.

Water and sweat resistance was a weakness because the review advised against wearing them in the rain.

Wear detection auto-pause was praised because music paused and resumed automatically in a way the reviewer liked.

Wear detection performance was praised because playback resumed automatically and was described as fantastic.

Weight comfort was positive in one review, which found the headphones relatively light despite being near 293 grams.

Weight comfort is the strongest point of agreement: reviewers repeatedly describe the headphones as extremely light and easy to forget during wear.

Wind noise handling was praised in one video review, which said the wind reduction worked effectively.