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Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM TW 4: Best sounding earbuds?
The true wireless earbuds space is becoming increasingly competitive, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 both aim to take the crown in 2024, promising cutting-edge features and exceptional sound quality. In this comparison, we’ll dive deep into what sets these premium earbuds apart and help you decide which pair might be the better fit for your listening needs and lifestyle.
Editor’s note: this article was published on July 26, 2024, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.
What’s it like to use the Galaxy Buds3 Pro compared to the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 offer distinctly different form factors and user experiences.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro features a sleek, blade-shaped stem design reminiscent of a futuristic take on Apple’s AirPods. This design also houses aesthetic lights along the stem and utilizes swipe and pinch controls. The earbuds are relatively small and lightweight at 5.4g each, making them comfortable for extended wear. However, their unique shape may not suit all ear types, and some users might find them less secure than traditional in-ear designs.
In contrast, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 sports a more classic true wireless earbud design, with a circular touch panel on each bud. These earbuds are slightly heavier at 6.2g each and have a larger housing that protrudes more from the ear. Sennheiser has included three sizes of concha fins to help secure the fit, but users with smaller ears might find them a bit bulky.
Both earbuds offer strong durability ratings, with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro boasting an impressive IP57 rating for water and dust resistance, while the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 carries a respectable IP54 rating. This makes both suitable for workouts and light rain, though the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have a slight edge in this department.
In terms of case design, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro comes with a compact plastic case featuring a clear window lid. The Sennheiser case is larger and fabric-covered. Both offer USB-C and Qi wireless charging.
How do you control the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?
The control schemes of these two earbuds differ significantly, each offering unique advantages. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro utilize a series of pinches and swipes on the stem for control. The touch-sensitive area is located near the bottom of the stem, which can be a bit unintuitive at first. Users can adjust volume, play/pause music, skip tracks, and toggle between ANC and ambient sound modes using various combinations of pinches and swipes. Additionally, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer voice command functionality, although this feature can be hit-or-miss in noisy environments or with background conversations.
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input Slide up / down | Left earbud Volume | Right earbud Volume |
| Input Pinch once | Left earbud Play / pause | Right earbud Play / pause |
| Input Pinch twice | Left earbud Track forward | Right earbud Track forward |
| Input Pinch three times | Left earbud Track backward | Right earbud Track backward |
| Input Long pinch | Left earbud ANC/ ambient mode | Right earbud ANC / ambient mode |
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, on the other hand, employ a more traditional touch panel on the outer surface of each earbud. The default control scheme is straightforward: single taps control transparency mode and play/pause, double taps skip tracks, triple taps toggle ANC and activate voice assistants, while long presses adjust volume. This layout may be more intuitive for users familiar with other true wireless earbuds, and the larger touch surface can make inputs more reliable.
| Input | Left earbud | Right earbud |
|---|---|---|
| Input Single tap | Left earbud Transparency mode | Right earbud Play / Pause |
| Input Double tap | Left earbud Track backward | Right earbud Track forward |
| Input Triple tap | Left earbud ANC | Right earbud Voice assistant |
| Input Long press | Left earbud Volume down | Right earbud Volume up |
Should you use the apps of either Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?
Both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 come with companion apps that enhance their functionality, making app usage highly recommended for both devices.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro uses the Samsung Wearable app, which is essential for accessing many of the earbuds’ advanced features, especially for Samsung phone users. The app allows for customization of touch controls, enables voice commands, and provides access to features like 360 audio, adaptive noise control, and AI translation services. It also includes a 9-band equalizer for sound customization and a “Find My” feature for locating lost earbuds. Users with Android phones other than Samsung or iPhones may find some features limited or unavailable.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 pairs with the Sennheiser Smart Control app, which offers a comprehensive suite of features. It includes a fit test to ensure optimal seal and sound quality, a 5-band equalizer for audio tweaking, and the ability to set geofenced behaviors for ANC strength. The app also facilitates firmware updates and offers a unique Sound Check feature that creates a personalized listening profile, though this requires creating a Sennheiser account. The Sennheiser app also includes a “Battery Protection Mode” that optimizes charging to preserve long-term battery health.
How do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 connect?
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro utilizes Bluetooth 5.4 and supports a range of codecs, including SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable Codec, and Samsung Seamless Codecc, which are only available on newer Samsung devices. Likewise, they offer instant pairing and easy switching between Samsung devices.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 also employs Bluetooth 5.4 but offers a wider array of codec support. They’re compatible with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and after a firmware update, LC3 and LE Audio. This broader codec support makes the Sennheiser earbuds more versatile across different devices and potentially future-proof.
Both earbuds support multipoint connectivity, allowing users to connect to multiple devices simultaneously. They also both feature Auracast support, a new Bluetooth capability that enables public audio sharing and improved broadcasting features.
Is battery life better on the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?
When it comes to battery life, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 clearly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. In standardized battery tests, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 delivered an impressive 7 hours and 45 minutes of continuous playback at a safe listening volume. This performance puts them well ahead of many competitors in the true wireless earbud market.
In contrast, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro fell short in battery longevity, managing only 4 hours and 31 minutes under similar test conditions. This significant difference in battery life could be a crucial factor for users who require extended listening sessions without needing to recharge, such as on flights or road trips.
In terms of fast charging capabilities, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 can provide about 1 hour of listening time from just 8 minutes of charging. Samsung does not list fast charging on the product page, but given the relatively small size, we expect the earbuds to charge pretty quickly.
Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 block noise better?
When it comes to noise cancelation, both the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 offer strong performance but with some notable differences. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 demonstrates superior overall noise attenuation, achieving an impressive 83% average noise attenuation in laboratory tests. This performance puts them in the upper echelon of noise canceling earbuds.
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The Galaxy Buds3 Pro, while still competent in noise cancelation, falls slightly short of the Sennheiser’s performance. They manage to attenuate about 76% of outside noise with ANC enabled, which is good but not exceptional for their price point. However, it’s worth noting that the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers strong passive isolation, blocking out almost 57% of external noise even without ANC activated. Still, the Sennheiser could also physically block up to 50dB in some frequency ranges.
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One unique feature of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro is their adaptive noise control, which can automatically adjust ANC levels based on your environment. They also offer a siren detection feature, though the reviewer noted that given the overall ANC performance, this feature might not be as necessary as Samsung suggests. Both earbuds offer transparency or ambient sound modes to allow external sounds in when needed.
Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro sound better than the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?
When it comes to sound quality, both the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 deliver impressive performance, but with distinct characteristics that cater to different listening preferences.
In real-world listening tests, we praised the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 for their handling of various genres, particularly excelling with funk, psych rock, and 70s-80s era music. We noted the Galaxy Buds3 Pro for their full and detailed sound, though some listeners might find the treble emphasis fatiguing over long listening sessions.
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 showcases Sennheiser’s renowned audio expertise. It received high marks in the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) assessment, with particularly high ratings in Timbre (4.9) and less Distortion, as indicated by the lower score. They did score slightly lower in Immersion, however.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro also performed admirably in their MDAQS results. They received the same score for Timbre score of 4.9, matching the Sennheiser, but scored higher in Distortion (3.3), indicating there is more.
Objective Measurements
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In terms of frequency repsonse, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a slightly V-shaped response, with emphasized bass and treble. This tuning can make certain genres like pop and electronic music sound more exciting, but it may not be ideal for listeners seeking a more neutral sound. The Sennheiser earbuds, on the other hand, follow our house curve a little more closely, offering a more balanced sound profile out of the box, with a slight bass emphasis that doesn’t overpower the mids and highs.
Both earbuds offer customizable EQ settings through their respective apps, allowing users to tailor the sound to their preferences. The Sennheiser app provides a 5-band EQ, while the Samsung app offers a more detailed 9-band EQ.
Do the Galaxy Buds3 Pro or MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 have a better microphone?
When it comes to microphone performance, neither the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro nor the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 particularly excel.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphones offer decent performance in ideal conditions, with clear voice reproduction. However, they struggle significantly with noise rejection. In office environments, louder noises tend to come through while quieter ones are attenuated, leading to inconsistent call quality. The earbuds particularly struggle in windy conditions, with wind noise severely impacting speech intelligibility.
For the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, we found the speech quality to be highly variable, and environmental noise suppression was noted as poor and inconsistent. Like the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, the Sennheiser earbuds also struggled significantly with rejecting wind noise.
Those prioritizing call quality in their true wireless earbuds might want to consider other options on the market that specialize in this area.
Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):
Galaxy Buds3 Pro microphone demo (Windy conditions):
MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4: Price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are both positioned as premium true wireless earbuds, reflected in their pricing. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are priced at $249.99 at Samsung, while the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 come in at a slightly higher price point of $269.95 at Amazon. This $50 difference puts both earbuds in the upper tier of the true wireless market, competing with other high-end offerings from brands like Apple, Sony, and Bose.
Both earbuds are widely available through their respective manufacturer’s websites, major electronics retailers, and online marketplaces. However, Samsung has temporarily paused shipments of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro due to quality control issues with early production units. This may affect short-term availability, with some pre-orders potentially delayed until late August 2024.
Should you get the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4?
Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 ultimately depends on your personal preferences, device ecosystem, and specific needs. Both are among the best earbuds, offering future-proof features and high-quality audio experiences, but they cater to slightly different audiences.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro are an excellent choice for users deeply integrated into the Samsung ecosystem. They offer seamless pairing with Samsung devices, access to Samsung-specific high-quality audio codecs, and AI-powered features that work best within the Samsung environment. Their sleek design with Blade Lights make them a fashion-forward option. However, their shorter battery life and some limitations in ANC performance are notable drawbacks.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, on the other hand, offer a more universal appeal. They boast superior sound quality with excellent clarity and soundstage, longer battery life, and support for a wider range of high-quality audio codecs, including aptX Lossless.
For most Android users, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 are likely the better choice. They offer superior sound quality, more effective noise cancelation, and longer battery life. However, Samsung phone owners might find more value in the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. While they don’t match the Sennheiser’s audio quality or ANC performance, their seamless integration with Samsung’s ecosystem unlocks exclusive features like real-time translation and adaptive sound control.
Auracast and LE Audio support
Sound quality
Frequently asked questions
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro have an IP57 rating, making them waterproof. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 have an IP54 rating, which makes them water-resistant but not fully waterproof.
Yes, both earbuds support multipoint connectivity.
Yes, both earbuds come with multiple sizes of ear tips for a customizable fit.
Yes, both earbuds feature active noise cancelation (ANC).
Yes, both are compatible with iPhones. However, some advanced features of the Galaxy Buds3 Pro may only work with Samsung devices, and the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 will be limited to the AAC (and SBC) codecs.