Sennheiser Momentum 4 80th anniversary edition. | Photo Credit: Bijoy Ghosh
I spent a few weeks using the Momentum 4 80th Anniversary Edition to see if this vibrant update offers more than just fresh looks — and whether it still holds up as one of the most balanced premium headphones around.
Design
The Momentum 4 80th Anniversary Edition is essentially the same solid hardware as the standard model, utilising quality plastic for the frame. The major difference is the striking, graffiti-inspired aesthetic. Graffiti artist Bond Truluv lends his art to the earcups: a vibrant character on the left, and dynamic sound waves surrounding a yellow “80” on the right, which pays homage to the legendary HD 414 headphone.
These headphones scream premium right out of the box. The yellow faux-leather padding on the headband provides hours of comfortable cushioning against the head. Similarly, the earcup cushions feel soft and durable enough to withstand extended use without irritation. The hinge moves smoothly, making it easy to fine-tune the fit until it feels just right.
The Momentum 4 combines touch-sensitive controls for playback — such as single taps to play or pause, swipes for track changes, and vertical gestures for volume — with a physical multifunction button for power and voice assistants such as Google Assistant or Siri. While generally responsive, the touch controls can feel a bit finicky at times and may take some getting used to compared to other headphones in this price range.
App experience
The headphones work in tandem with the Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app. This app allows you to customise sound profiles through EQ presets, manage noise cancellation and transparency modes, and automatically adjust settings with Sound Zones based on one’s location. The app is packed to the brim with customisable features that does add value to the overall package.
Acoustics
The Momentum 4 headphones offer an engaging, well-balanced sound signature — lively without being harsh, and rich in detail. The bass feels deep and satisfying for everyday listening, while the clear treble brings out texture and nuance in vocals and instrumentals alike.
It felt great listening to Neeye Punchiri – One Side Love from Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra on the Momentum 4, where it was able to give a distinct layering to the voices of Suhail Koya, Hanan Shaah, Jakes Bejoy, Reyan at different points of the song, It does gets the thumps/ sub-bass well moving this to a balanced headphones with a bass tilt. A similar experience was found while listening to Don Toliver – Lose My Mind (feat. Doja Cat) from F1 The Movie.
It also performs well for movies and general multimedia content, delivering clear vocal details in dialogues — such as those between Kevin James and Alan Ritchson in the Playdate trailer on Amazon Prime — along with well-separated background ambiance and music.
Equipped with four beam-forming microphones, the Momentum 4 ensures clear voice pickup and wind noise reduction. This works well for calls and voice assistant access in quiet spaces, but struggles in loud environments.
Overall acoustic performance is commendable—maybe only a step behind the Sony WH-1000XM5, and what’s even better? The device excels at adaptability. My colleague, Rowan, noted that the mics adjust almost instantly upon moving into a noisy environment, quickly suppressing background noise while on calls.
Multipoint connectivity was great with the headphones being able to handle switching seamlessly between my smartphone and the desktop at the same time.
Battery
Battery life on the Momentum 4 was impressive, lasting close to 4–5 days with extended sessions of YouTube watching, audio and video calls, and occasional wireless video editing during an eight-hour workday. Rated at 60 hours, the headphones exceeded my expectations for how long they could run on a single charge. The auto power-off feature, designed to switch off the device when not in use, initially showed erratic behaviour but became more consistent after a software update.
Verdict
So, what’s new with the Momentum 4 80th Anniversary Edition? In essence, it’s the same trusted performer wrapped in a bold new design. Sennheiser has refreshed its flagship headphones with a striking, street-art aesthetic aimed at a younger, style-conscious audience. You still get the stellar audio quality, solid build, and impressive battery life that made the original Momentum 4 a favourite. The ANC remains reliable, though it falls just short of class leaders like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM5. If you’re after excellent sound paired with a fresh, standout look, this edition delivers.
Price: ₹34,990
Pros: Great build, impressive audio quality, long battery life
Cons: ANC isn’t top-notch, finicky touch controls
Published on October 22, 2025
