The lifespan of your earphones will change! A review of the "MOMENTUM True Wireless 5" with a replaceable battery.
This review covers the "MOMENTUM True Wireless 5," which allows users to replace the battery themselves. Not only the earbuds, but also the case battery can be replaced.
Sennheiser has released the fifth generation of its MOMENTUM True Wireless series of truly wireless earbuds (TWS). This is the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5, the company's top-of-the-line wireless earbud model.
One of the interesting features of this device is that the user can replace the battery themselves. Especially when purchasing high-end wireless earphones/headphones, it's disappointing when the product's lifespan is cut short due to battery depletion. This is a groundbreaking solution for extending the lifespan of expensive products. So, how exactly does this battery replacement process work? I decided to try it out. Of course, I'll also be giving a thorough review of the sound quality.
"MOMENTUM True Wireless" is a classic choice for true wireless earbuds, chosen for its sound quality.
In addition to the two basic colors, cream (top left) and graphite (top right), limited-edition colors such as denim (center), copper (bottom left), and lavender (bottom right) are also available. Denim and copper are available on Amazon and other retailers, while lavender is available on the official online store.
The "MOMENTUM True Wireless" series is a classic model that has emphasized sound quality since its first generation. This series played a crucial role in transforming truly wireless earphones, which were often seen as merely "convenient gadgets," into "audio devices chosen for their sound quality."
The new model features the same 7mm diameter, proprietary "TrueResponse" dynamic driver as its predecessor, and now supports Bluetooth codecs up to aptX Adaptive/Lossless. With support for playback up to 96kHz/24bit, the sound quality specifications are impeccable.
However, the first thing I want to talk about with the 5th generation isn't the sound. It's the battery. This model is designed so that users can replace the battery themselves, not only in the earbuds but also in the charging case. Let's take a closer look at this feature, which may change the very concept of "lifespan" for true wireless earbuds.
Battery replacement allows for long-term use = high cost-performance!
By removing the bottom of the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 case, the battery could be easily taken out. All that remained was to purchase a replacement battery and swap it out.
As mentioned at the beginning, one of the interesting features of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 is its battery specifications. Amazingly, users can replace the batteries in both the earbuds themselves and the charging case.
True wireless earbuds are battery-powered products. Therefore, even if you have no complaints about the sound or features, you will basically have to consider replacing them when the battery weakens. The fact that the battery is replaceable is a very practical advantage for users who want to use them for a long time. Especially for high-end models costing over 40,000 yen, "how long they can be used" directly translates to cost performance .
The reason behind these specifications is the ongoing battery regulations in the EU.
Article 11 of the European Battery Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1542), enacted in 2023, requires that portable batteries incorporated into products be designed in principle to be easily removable and replaceable by end users. This regulation will come into effect on February 18, 2027. It also stipulates that batteries must be replaceable with commercially available tools and that replacement batteries must be supplied for a minimum of five years after the product is discontinued.
The regulations apply not only to earphones but also to a wide range of battery-powered products, including smartphones. Incidentally, regarding small wearable devices, there are plans to allow replacement by specialized companies, taking into consideration the trade-offs between water resistance and safety. Currently (as of this writing), these plans are awaiting review by the European Parliament and the Council.
Following this trend, Sennheiser's "MOMENTUM True Wireless 5" is a product that supports battery replacement. Of course, this is something that is currently happening in Europe, and the same regulations will not immediately be implemented in Japan. However, for products sold worldwide, it is a natural progression that the design adopted for the European market will also be adopted in Japan.
Currently, the idea of being able to replace the battery in earphones yourself may still be hard to grasp for many people. However, it wouldn't be surprising if this becomes a standard feature in a few years. Considering this, the "MOMENTUM True Wireless 5," which adopted a replaceable battery system ahead of the full implementation of regulations, seems like a product that's a little ahead of the curve for truly wireless earphones.
I actually tried replacing the battery myself, but...
A special tool for opening the earphones (left) is included, but a separate "PH000" precision screwdriver is also required.
Now, regarding the Sennheiser "MOMENTUM True Wireless 5," I have a sample unit that was loaned to me. As a critic, it's only natural that I'd want to try it out myself. According to the instruction manual, the tool used for replacement is a Phillips precision screwdriver "PH000" (sold separately). So I also prepared a "PH000" screwdriver. I even went to the trouble of buying a "high-end" one that costs 1,000 yen.
...However, to put it bluntly, it didn't work out.
First, I was able to successfully remove the battery from the charging case. Then, the screws on the main body of the true wireless earbuds, the earbuds themselves, turned without any problems. However, I couldn't remove the earbud cover no matter what. To be able to open it while maintaining the IP54 dust and water resistance rating requires a fairly tight seal. Forcing it could damage it, and this was a sample unit. So, to be honest, I gave up at this point. I'll show you how to replace it using the manufacturer's provided materials.
Image showing how to replace the battery in earphones. The removed battery is in the left hand (Image provided by the manufacturer).
The charging case battery is also replaceable (according to manufacturer's information).
However, there's absolutely no need to panic at this point. This is because the replacement batteries (BA 501, a set of two for the earphones, and BA 502, for the charging case) are planned to be available in the EU and some other countries according to the instruction manual, and the method of distribution in Japan is still under consideration. In other words, even if you were to open the case, you wouldn't be able to get your hands on replacement batteries yet.
Furthermore, the battery won't be degrading anytime soon. There's plenty of time to wait until replacement batteries become available domestically and detailed instructions are provided before attempting this. In fact , the very fact that you can replace it if necessary is what makes this device valuable from the start. I, too, would like to try again once everything is ready.
The design is high-quality and the fit is excellent.
With a metallic texture and a high-quality design.
Now, let's move on to the regular review of the "MOMENTUM True Wireless 5". First of all, what's immediately noticeable when you pick them up is their very high-quality construction. The earphones and charging case, unified by a metallic texture, look more like a high-end accessory than an audio device.
The charging case has been completely redesigned from the fabric-like case of previous generations, now featuring a slim, elongated design that fits better in pockets. The shift towards a more luxurious direction is clear and undeniably high-quality.
Each earbud weighs approximately 7g, and the charging case weighs approximately 55g. The earbuds themselves are IP54 dustproof and splashproof. In addition to USB Type-C charging, they also support Qi wireless charging. The battery provides up to 12 hours of use on a single charge, and up to 40 hours with the charging case (with ANC off). It also supports fast charging, allowing for approximately 1 hour of playback with an 8-minute charge.
On the left is the previous model, "MOMENTUM True Wireless 4". The charging case has been redesigned to be longer and thinner than before, making it easier to fit in a pocket. You can also see that the earbuds themselves have been made smaller.
The fit is standard for in-ear headphones. The eartips have a new design for improved sealing and come in four sizes: XS/S/M/L. The shape is standard for true wireless earphones and has no particular quirks. If you choose the correct eartip size, you should be able to use them stably even for extended listening sessions.
The fit was also good.
And an essential tool for making the most of this device is the smartphone app "Smart Control Plus".
It boasts a wealth of features, including an 8-band equalizer, preset EQs, "Sound Personalization" developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, spatial audio with head tracking (Dolby Atmos), and "Sound Zones" that allow you to switch sound quality and noise cancellation settings depending on your location. It also supports multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously, and LE Audio/Auracast will be enabled in a future firmware update.
The "Smart Control Plus" app allows you to configure a variety of functions.
ANC is a moderate way to enhance listening comfort.
The active noise cancellation (ANC) function is a hybrid adaptive ANC that automatically adjusts its effectiveness according to the surrounding noise. It also features a new adaptive wind noise reduction function that suppresses wind noise in real time. Ambient sound passthrough is available under the name "Natural Transparency."
I tested the effectiveness of active noise cancellation on the subway (inside the station/inside the train).
I actually took the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 out on the subway. To sum up how the active noise cancellation works, it's like it lowers the overall volume of ambient noise, mainly in the low frequencies, by one notch. It's not the type of "noise cancellation king" that completely silences the sound of the train.
Nevertheless, the comfort of listening to music in noisy environments definitely improves. As low-frequency noise is reduced, the bass and vocals in the music are less likely to be drowned out, and you can hear the music without having to turn up the volume unnecessarily. Noise cancellation is ultimately about creating an environment for enjoying music. This sense of balance is typical of Sennheiser, which puts sound quality first.
Superior quality and neutrality. The true value of this unit lies in the Sennheiser sound, which maximizes the amount of detail it provides.
I used an Android smartphone and connected via aptX Adaptive. I checked the sound quality.
Next, let's review the sound quality. For this test, I connected it to an aptX Adaptive-compatible Android smartphone and used the aptX Adaptive codec. The equalizer was initially set to "Neutral".
To begin with , playing Utada Hikaru & Yonezu Kenshi's "JANE DOE" immediately reveals its high-quality sound. The bass is three-dimensional, and above all, it's neutral. Both Utada Hikaru's and Yonezu Kenshi's voices float in the space with abundant emotion and texture. Both voices are packed with information. Moreover, the piano sounds beautiful, and the bass has both a tight texture and volume. This sound is tremendous.
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The EQ presets include a neutral setting that avoids any particular coloration, as well as modes named after genres, for a total of eight options. We encourage you to try them out.
Rira Ikuta's "Hyakka Ryoran" is also interesting. It's an anime song with a strong beat, but her singing voice is very clear. However, it's not too sharp, but neutral and rich in detail. The bass is also three-dimensional, but even there, the focus is on detail. And the moment the chorus comes in, the sound fills the space. Even as the number of sounds increases, the quality of each individual sound does not break down. This incredibly rich sound is truly worthy of Sennheiser.
Furthermore, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 is an earphone that you can confidently use the equalizer (EQ) on. Because the original sound quality is neutral and rich in detail, the sound doesn't easily break down even when you adjust the EQ. For example, if you select the "Pop" mode, the overall detail of the song "Hyakka Ryoran" remains the same, but the vocals become sharper. This was superb. If you mainly listen to vocals, you should definitely try it. Another mode I personally liked was "Jazz," which enriches the mid-range and increases clarity.
Supports customizable sound quality and spatial audio.
While the default settings already provide excellent sound quality, you can further customize the sound to your liking using "Sound Personalization."
Another feature worth trying is "Sound Personalization." This function allows you to customize the sound quality to your liking by listening to sample sounds, including string instruments, bass, and drums. It was developed based on joint research with the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany.
Incidentally, when I adjusted it to my liking, I settled on a setting very close to the default (almost in the center of the graphical display in the photo above), which slightly increased the clarity of the vocals and the bass. It's only a slight difference, but being able to fine-tune it to your own ears is a luxury befitting a high-end device.
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Supports spatial audio with head tracking.
Furthermore, these are the first Sennheiser true wireless earbuds to support spatial audio (Dolby Atmos) with head tracking. Spatial audio, simply put, is a function that reproduces music in a three-dimensional way, and the effect is most noticeable when head tracking is enabled. However, in that case, you may notice a slight decrease in sound quality . If you want a feeling closer to listening to speakers, you can use head tracking, but basically, it's best to enjoy the original sound, which is neutral and rich in detail, without using head tracking.
When enjoying video content with surround sound, such as on Netflix, you'll want to actively utilize spatial audio playback without head tracking. Enjoy music without special effects, and video content with spatial audio. This ability to differentiate between these uses is one of the device's strengths.
[Summary] The sound quality and design for long-term use are truly what you'd expect from Sennheiser.
When you start using Sennheiser's "MOMENTUM True Wireless 5," the first thing that strikes you is the superior sound quality. The neutral sound, packed with detail, is truly characteristic of Sennheiser. On top of that, there's the freedom to fine-tune it to your liking with EQ and "Sound Personalization." Of course, the luxurious design is also befitting of a high-end product.
And, as mentioned at the beginning, the biggest topic is how to replace the battery. I struggled to open the lid this time, but the important thing is that this device has taken a step beyond the fate of true wireless earphones, which are typically met with no complaints about sound or functionality, but only due to battery problems.
Especially for high-end earphones costing over 40,000 yen (lowest price on Kakaku.com as of October 5, 2026), the value of being able to use them for a long time is significant. Although there are uncertainties about how EU regulations will be implemented, Sennheiser has chosen a battery-replaceable system, which offers significant user benefits. This stance also inspires the kind of reliability you'd expect from a long-established audio manufacturer. Whether you choose it simply for its sound quality or as a long-term companion, this model is truly perfect .
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