Contemporary music: Sennheiser Momentum 2 on-ear review
Frankly, there are many reasons why I like Sennheiser products. The legendary brand, attention to detail in the development and production, sound quality, extended warranty on all of its products. Below a certain level, the legendary German concern does not allow itself to fall not only in the top ranges, but also in a very affordable price segment. Remember, at least the HD 598 or the super-popular CX 300 II - the level of sound quality and assembly for their price once simply struck me. The more interesting it was for me to pick up or, if you like, in my ears, the representative of the new generation of Sennheiser - the Momentum M2 OE model .
As you already understood from the name - headphones belong to the category of invoices in their form factor. Probably, now I’m risking hearing a muffled murmur of experienced audiophiles who will tell me that in this form factor there can be no good sound in principle, because the size of the drivers will not allow you to “pull out” a truly ultimate sound from them. But, gentlemen, excuse me ... aren't the big, full-sized headphones designed for quiet listening to music at home, coupled with a glass of good cognac and a Cuban cigar? And this is a sacred process that you obviously will not be able to repeat while on the road or sitting at your office laptop.
In-ear's? Yes, I agree, the sound of good in-ear headphones allows you to enjoy music regardless of where you are, but, firstly, not everyone can do it without any discomfort in your ears, and secondly, we’ll be honest, this sound will cost much more expensive for you. That is why the on-ear overhead form factor has become the same compromise option that will allow you not to lose much in sound, and not to part with your beloved music.
In general, as you probably already understood, today I will tell you about this very interesting representative of the Momentum line from Sennheiser - the Momentum 2 On-Ear model
I want to make a reservation right away that I considered this model not only and not so much in terms of sound. I tried to approach the consideration in a more comprehensive way - after all, for representatives of the young generation of lovers of personal audio, in addition to sound, appearance and style are also very important ... Beats will confirm you!
The first thing that pleased me when I opened the box was a cozy velvety cover for storing headphones on the road, which was complemented by a nice cloth bag. To choose from, so to speak.
Visual headphone inspection pleased with a very good quality of materials and assembly.
The ear pads are velvet, the metal headband is finished with tanned leather and stitching, and the plastic cups are pleasant to the touch. The progress of the mechanism, which is adjusted to the size of the head, is solid - tight, pleasant, without a plastic “crack”, the cable is replaceable, with a smartphone control panel.
All this I call "attention to detail."
The advantages of the headphones during operation look very obvious. The fit to the size of the head is comfortable, the cups do not press on the ears, the fit is comfortable, which for on-ear headphones can be safely attributed to tangible advantages. Velvet, soft ear pads allow you to wear headphones for a long time. Ears does not rub and they do not begin to sweat.
With my iPhone (and I got the “apple” version), the headphones normally found a common language, the remote control works as it should, the microphone allows you to talk on the street without really raising your voice. Although, in general, in this regard, I never expect anything supernatural - for me, headphones, even with a headset, remain primarily a means of listening to music.
The design of the model will please the modern resident of the metropolis. It is made in a modern, youth style and clearly speaks about the target audience of headphones. Brightness and unusualness are added to it by holographic laser engraving on cups in the form of a brand logo. In general, bright, stylish, youth ... at the same time, in Sennheiser style, high quality!
In general, the youth orientation of Momentum 2 on-ear is clearly visible in the sound. On the one hand, it is branded, recognizable, Sennheiser - predominantly bass, calm at the top, on the other hand - it differs in character from the sound of the same 650s. If the latter is more classical, then the sound of Momentum is more “tuned” to electronic and pop music, in other words, to where there is a pronounced beat. At the same time, the bass is very well articulated, does not go astray, does not suppress the rest of the spectrum. It simply prevails, as if slightly dominating, pushing, for example, the vocals a little deeper into the background, making live instruments a little less vivid in their sound, a little less passionate.
Probably, for lovers of jazz and classical music this sound may seem unnatural, not bright enough, the dynamic range is not wide enough. But we must be aware that for these genres in this price segment it is generally very difficult (if at all possible) to find portable headphones that meet all the sound requirements, and the model in question is initially positioned for other listeners to manufacturers. The flip side and a very positive side of this feature of the sound of “momenta” was that the headphones perfectly cope with overload, carefully separating the frequencies, without mixing them into a common musical mess, even at a very decent playback volume. In addition, in acoustic compositions, especially where the rhythm is closer to slow, the headphones personally added some dark charm to me, atmospheric sound.
But young people will clearly fall in love with the Momentum M2 OE for their “driveability” or, to use the automotive language, “throttle response” when playing electronic and pop music.
Type closed, dynamic
Ear pads (Supraaural)
Contact pressure 3.2 N
Frequency range 16 - 22000 Hz
Maximum sound pressure level (1 kHz, 1 W RMS) 112 dB
Harmonic distortion coefficient (1 KHz, 100 dB SPL) <0.5 %
Resistance 18 Ohm
Cable 1.4 m, replaceable
3.5 mm jack, angled
Microphone
Frequency range 100 - 10000 Hz
Directivity circular
Sensitivity - 44 dB V / Pa
As a result, in the person of Momentum M2 On-Ear we got not just comfortable on-ear headphones, but also a stylish youth accessory that allows you to stand out from the crowd and show off your involvement with a reputable brand that has established itself in the world of personal audio. The sound itself, at the same time, remains at a very good level for such a form factor.
Headphones are designed primarily for lovers of an active lifestyle, traveling a lot, spending a large amount of their time outside the home with portable gadgets for listening to music. The version in the review is intended for iOS devices, but there is also a universal Momentum M2 OEG that works with Android and other gadgets.
Being a stylish youth thing, Momentum 2 on-ear did not lose Sennheiser's signature solidity and attention to details that distinguish Sennheiser products from many other manufacturers of portable electronics. Because, as I said above, the Germans never fall below a certain bar. And the bar is very high.
As you already understood from the name - headphones belong to the category of invoices in their form factor. Probably, now I’m risking hearing a muffled murmur of experienced audiophiles who will tell me that in this form factor there can be no good sound in principle, because the size of the drivers will not allow you to “pull out” a truly ultimate sound from them. But, gentlemen, excuse me ... aren't the big, full-sized headphones designed for quiet listening to music at home, coupled with a glass of good cognac and a Cuban cigar? And this is a sacred process that you obviously will not be able to repeat while on the road or sitting at your office laptop.
In-ear's? Yes, I agree, the sound of good in-ear headphones allows you to enjoy music regardless of where you are, but, firstly, not everyone can do it without any discomfort in your ears, and secondly, we’ll be honest, this sound will cost much more expensive for you. That is why the on-ear overhead form factor has become the same compromise option that will allow you not to lose much in sound, and not to part with your beloved music.
In general, as you probably already understood, today I will tell you about this very interesting representative of the Momentum line from Sennheiser - the Momentum 2 On-Ear model
I want to make a reservation right away that I considered this model not only and not so much in terms of sound. I tried to approach the consideration in a more comprehensive way - after all, for representatives of the young generation of lovers of personal audio, in addition to sound, appearance and style are also very important ... Beats will confirm you!
First impression
The first thing that pleased me when I opened the box was a cozy velvety cover for storing headphones on the road, which was complemented by a nice cloth bag. To choose from, so to speak.
Visual headphone inspection pleased with a very good quality of materials and assembly.
The ear pads are velvet, the metal headband is finished with tanned leather and stitching, and the plastic cups are pleasant to the touch. The progress of the mechanism, which is adjusted to the size of the head, is solid - tight, pleasant, without a plastic “crack”, the cable is replaceable, with a smartphone control panel.
All this I call "attention to detail."
The advantages of the headphones during operation look very obvious. The fit to the size of the head is comfortable, the cups do not press on the ears, the fit is comfortable, which for on-ear headphones can be safely attributed to tangible advantages. Velvet, soft ear pads allow you to wear headphones for a long time. Ears does not rub and they do not begin to sweat.
With my iPhone (and I got the “apple” version), the headphones normally found a common language, the remote control works as it should, the microphone allows you to talk on the street without really raising your voice. Although, in general, in this regard, I never expect anything supernatural - for me, headphones, even with a headset, remain primarily a means of listening to music.
Design
The design of the model will please the modern resident of the metropolis. It is made in a modern, youth style and clearly speaks about the target audience of headphones. Brightness and unusualness are added to it by holographic laser engraving on cups in the form of a brand logo. In general, bright, stylish, youth ... at the same time, in Sennheiser style, high quality!
In general, the youth orientation of Momentum 2 on-ear is clearly visible in the sound. On the one hand, it is branded, recognizable, Sennheiser - predominantly bass, calm at the top, on the other hand - it differs in character from the sound of the same 650s. If the latter is more classical, then the sound of Momentum is more “tuned” to electronic and pop music, in other words, to where there is a pronounced beat. At the same time, the bass is very well articulated, does not go astray, does not suppress the rest of the spectrum. It simply prevails, as if slightly dominating, pushing, for example, the vocals a little deeper into the background, making live instruments a little less vivid in their sound, a little less passionate.
Sound
Probably, for lovers of jazz and classical music this sound may seem unnatural, not bright enough, the dynamic range is not wide enough. But we must be aware that for these genres in this price segment it is generally very difficult (if at all possible) to find portable headphones that meet all the sound requirements, and the model in question is initially positioned for other listeners to manufacturers. The flip side and a very positive side of this feature of the sound of “momenta” was that the headphones perfectly cope with overload, carefully separating the frequencies, without mixing them into a common musical mess, even at a very decent playback volume. In addition, in acoustic compositions, especially where the rhythm is closer to slow, the headphones personally added some dark charm to me, atmospheric sound.
But young people will clearly fall in love with the Momentum M2 OE for their “driveability” or, to use the automotive language, “throttle response” when playing electronic and pop music.
Several technical specifications
Type closed, dynamic
Ear pads (Supraaural)
Contact pressure 3.2 N
Frequency range 16 - 22000 Hz
Maximum sound pressure level (1 kHz, 1 W RMS) 112 dB
Harmonic distortion coefficient (1 KHz, 100 dB SPL) <0.5 %
Resistance 18 Ohm
Cable 1.4 m, replaceable
3.5 mm jack, angled
Microphone
Frequency range 100 - 10000 Hz
Directivity circular
Sensitivity - 44 dB V / Pa
conclusions
As a result, in the person of Momentum M2 On-Ear we got not just comfortable on-ear headphones, but also a stylish youth accessory that allows you to stand out from the crowd and show off your involvement with a reputable brand that has established itself in the world of personal audio. The sound itself, at the same time, remains at a very good level for such a form factor.
Headphones are designed primarily for lovers of an active lifestyle, traveling a lot, spending a large amount of their time outside the home with portable gadgets for listening to music. The version in the review is intended for iOS devices, but there is also a universal Momentum M2 OEG that works with Android and other gadgets.
Being a stylish youth thing, Momentum 2 on-ear did not lose Sennheiser's signature solidity and attention to details that distinguish Sennheiser products from many other manufacturers of portable electronics. Because, as I said above, the Germans never fall below a certain bar. And the bar is very high.