Divine sound on that stairway to Heaven

The Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear is a pair of headphones with amazingly good sound quality given their compact size. These phones are truly portable, weighing only 160 grams and packed in a carrying case.

The design is simple and sleek. Stainless steel adjustable sliders hold a leather-like headband available in blue, green, pink or ivory. The headband colour will match the back cover of the ear cups, and the black ear pads contrast nicely with the steel.

Momentum On-Ear is comfortable to wear. The headband and ear pads are covered with super-soft, breathable Alcantara. The ear cups are attached to mobile ball joints that glide smoothly along the sliders. The pads are filled with two layers of foam for extra comfort.

The cable is easily changed as well. You get two 1.4-metre cables – one for a computer, smartphone or any other standard connection, and the other for an iPod or iPhone. The latter comes with a sleek-metal in-line control unit and microphone that works for Apple devices. The iRemote can be set to accept phone calls and to stop and play music and adjust volume. I tested this function on the original iPad and found it quite efficient.

The headphones have impedance of 18 ohms and support audio transmission range of 16 to 22,000Hz. The sound quality is very good, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 112dB at 1kHz and total harmonic distortion is less than 0.5 per cent.

In my test I was amazed by the sound. Dynamic, closed transducers of turn these small headphones into powerful bass monsters while maintaining clarity with good highs and middles.

I also tested the Momentum On-Ear on a Samsung Tab S and was equally impressed by the music quality. I enjoyed listening for hours since the phones are comfortable to wear.

The thumping bass is terrific on rock music. AC/DC’s “Black Ice” bellowed with screeching guitars and hammering drums and bass. The high hats and other percussion were crisp and detailed.

My hi-res edition of “The Wall” by Pink Floyd was packed with fine nuances, just as intended in the recording studio, including subtle sound effects and ambient sound. The drum and bass were solid and powerful.

Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” was another treat. The vocal was outstanding and the acoustic guitar and electone were in perfect harmony with the bass guitar kicking in. When the music shifted from slow to fast it sounded really grand, the drums outstanding as well.

I next listened to the album “You’ve Got a Friend of Best Audiophile Voices V”. The singer sounded sweet, in nice contrast to the powerful cello, with good details of piano and percussion.

The Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear is available at iStudio and www.aShop.asia for Bt8,990.

 

KEY SPECS

 

Impedance: 18 ohms

Audio transmission range: 16–22,000Hz

Load rating: 200mW

Ear coupling: Supra-aural

Cable length: 1.4m iPod/iPhone cable, 1.4m cable for computer, telephone, and all standard connections

Weight: 160g (including remote)

Sound pressure level: 112dB at 1kHz (1kHz/1Vrms)

Total harmonic distortion (TDC): Less than 0.5 per cent at 1KHz (1kHz, 100dB SPL)

Contact pressure: 3.2N

Jack plug: 3.5mm with angled plug for iPhone cord, 3.5mm straight plug

Transducer principle: Dynamic, closed