Compare Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Headphones

Reviewers generally liked the sound, describing it as pleasing, energetic, balanced, or excellent, with the strongest praise for rock and instrument-driven listening.

Reviewers overwhelmingly liked the sound, describing it as excellent, detailed, crisp, engaging, or exceptional; criticism focused more on tuning taste than basic audio quality.

Audio-video sync was a concern for gaming because one reviewer tied the lack of low-latency codecs to more noticeable latency.

Audio-video sync was praised in the video review that found audio and video perfectly aligned.

Wear detection performance was a weakness in one longer test because the sensor randomly triggered.

Wear detection performance was praised because playback resumed automatically and was described as fantastic.

Passive isolation was praised for the soft cushions and seal, which helped block noise even before ANC was considered.

Passive isolation was a weakness, with reviewers saying the Momentum 4 let in more ambient sound than competitors or had weaker isolation than the prior model.

Microphone noise reduction was praised for handling simulated or real wind well, despite some vocal-clarity caveats elsewhere.

Microphone noise reduction was mixed: one reviewer noted issues rejecting noise, while another test found the microphones clearly picked up speech through traffic noise.

Spatial audio was divisive: some liked the extra space, but others found it unnatural, underwhelming, or below true Atmos-style experiences.

Spatial audio was a weakness in the 2025 video review, which described the feature as weak compared with newer headphone tech.

Wind handling was mixed: one reviewer found wind susceptibility in ANC/transparency, while another found moderate wind manageable.

Wind noise handling was praised in one video review, which said the wind reduction worked effectively.

Immersive audio quality was mixed, with some reviewers enjoying the added atmosphere and others finding the effect limited or not truly immersive.

Immersive audio was praised in the supporting review for intimate, holographic vocal presentation.

ANC background noise performance was decent: one review measured strong overall noise reduction, and another said white noise was not bad.

ANC background noise handling was mid-pack: the review said it held up but trailed the best competitors.

Soundstage width drew mixed reactions, from solid or opened-up presentation to narrow, cluttered, or not true-spatial enough.

Soundstage was usually considered good for wireless closed-back ANC headphones, with some reviewers praising width while others found it intimate or not as expansive as software-enhanced rivals.

The default frequency response was judged broadly listener-friendly, especially for casual listeners.

Frequency response accuracy was strongly praised by the lab-style review that found the measured response close to its preference curve.

ANC-off listening measured slightly better in one review, suggesting ANC can subtly affect the sound signature.

ANC effect on sound signature was mildly negative because one review reported a small performance loss with ANC on.

ANC slightly affects audio performance, with one review noting higher sound-quality scores when ANC is disabled.

ANC's sound impact was mildly negative because one review heard a small soundstage/imaging loss when ANC was activated.

Sound leakage was viewed positively in one review because the plush ear cups helped minimize leak.

Sound leakage was positive in the one supporting review, which said the closed-back design and pads minimized leakage.

Bass was usually described as punchy or well-balanced, though several reviewers said it could use more impact, cleaner control, or stronger low-end weight.

Bass was generally praised for punch, warmth, and control, though several reviewers found the stock low end a little heavy, boomy, or occasionally flabby.

ANC was usually judged good, solid, or decent for daily use, but several reviewers said it still trails Bose, Sony, or the top tier.

ANC opinions were split: several reviewers found it solid, effective, or excellent, while others called it middling, dated, subpar, or behind Sony and Bose.

Cable quality received praise in one review for the black cable with brass tips and premium-feeling presentation.

Cable quality was criticized because the supplied analog cable was viewed as thin and underbuilt for expensive travel headphones.

aptX support was criticized as absent, especially for Android or lossless-codec users.

aptX support was evaluated positively, especially for Android consistency and codec flexibility.

Hi-res playback support was a weakness because reviewers repeatedly noted no hi-res Bluetooth audio support.

Built-in DAC and wired playback were praised because wired mode tightened and improved bass compared with wireless.

One reviewer found the headphones plenty loud, with comfortable listening volume well below maximum.

Volume output drew caution because reviewers said the headphones were quieter than some competitors even though usable listening remained possible.

Travel friendliness was a major strength due to battery life, compact folding, wired flexibility, and protective case design.

Travel friendliness was mixed because battery and case helped, but weak noise cancellation limited travel and commuting recommendations.

Portability and foldability were major strengths thanks to the compact folding design and small travel footprint.

Portability was mixed because the case and non-folding design were criticized despite some travel-friendly organization.

Auto-play and wear detection worked but was slow to react in one test.

Auto-play and wear detection was praised as an important feature that the reviewer felt was implemented well.

Headband comfort was praised for reducing top-of-head pressure through light weight and support-strap design.

Headband padding was a comfort caveat, with reviewers noting pressure concentration or possible digging during careless fit or very long sessions.

Wear detection auto-pause was only moderately successful, working but reacting slowly.

Wear detection auto-pause was praised because music paused and resumed automatically in a way the reviewer liked.

USB-C was useful for charging and wired listening, but reviewers criticized the one-port limitation and need for power in wired use.

USB-C was praised as a meaningful listening option that gives users another practical way to use the headphones.

Connection stability was praised as stable and high-performance in one review.

Stability was limited because the headphones stayed usable for walking but not more active movement.

Connectivity options were mixed: wired and wireless playback were useful, but the lack of a built-in 3.5mm jack and coiled cable hurt convenience.

Connectivity options were strongly praised, especially the mix of Bluetooth, analog, USB-C, and practical fallback listening modes.

Premium feel was praised through richer materials, superior build impressions, and a luxurious presentation.

Premium feel was mixed: one reviewer missed the more premium older build, while another found the textured case and fabric experience high-end.

Sustainability and repairability were praised for replaceable parts and repair-minded design, with a caveat that batteries are not user-replaceable.

Sustainability and repairability evidence was limited and mixed, with praise for paper/cardboard-forward packaging but a call for better retail hangers.

Transparency mode was considered usable and sometimes natural, but reviewers also noted hiss, limited realism, or weaker performance than the best rivals.

Transparency mode was usable but not a standout, with reviewers calling it serviceable while criticizing it as less natural or less crisp than leading alternatives.

Maximum-volume clarity was strong in the reviews that addressed it, with no audible or max-volume distortion reported.

Maximum-volume clarity was positive in the one supporting review, which said the headphones still sounded great even at max volume.

Ear cup padding was widely praised as extremely soft, plush, pillow-like, and important to comfort and sealing.

Ear cup padding was praised for being soft, comfortable, and accommodating without making the headphones feel insecure.

Integrated microphone feedback was mixed, with clear/crisp quiet-room results but criticism of vocal clarity or noisy-environment performance.

The integrated microphone array was positively described in one test as clearly picking up the speaker's voice.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive where tested on both iOS and Android.

Multi-platform compatibility was positive because the wired and wireless options helped across work and casual listening.

The preset EQ experience was praised in one review, especially the bass boost setting for adding dynamic sound without excess bass.

Preset EQ quality was positive where discussed, especially the podcast preset's ability to improve midrange balance.

Ear cup rotation and swivel helped portability, though one reviewer found the twisting mechanism odd on the head.

Ear cup rotation was viewed positively because the rotation felt smoother and contributed to a sturdier fit.

Android compatibility was positive in one review that found the headphones sounded good on Android.

Android compatibility was positive because aptX and aptX HD were described as more consistent on Android devices.

Treble feedback was split between clear, impressive highs and complaints about sibilance, fatigue, or sharpness on some tracks.

Treble was mostly viewed as clear and energetic, with praise for shimmer and accuracy tempered by notes about forwardness, sizzle, or slight harshness for sensitive listeners.

Included accessories received praise for the attractive red-velvet case and included cables.

Included accessories were praised for adding a hard case, cable, and airplane adapter convenience.

Instrument separation was a consistent strength when mentioned, with reviewers noting solid layering, instrument placement, and separation across bass, mids, and highs.

Instrument separation was a recurring strength, with reviewers noting resolving performance, spatial separation, and distinct instruments, though one comparison found stronger separation elsewhere.

The carry case was usually praised as sturdy, compact, premium, or travel-friendly, though a few reviewers found it bulky or unnecessary.

Case quality was usually praised for protection, structure, compartments, and compactness compared with certain rivals, despite one note that it is large.

Midrange impressions were mixed: some praised vocals and instruments, while others heard under-emphasized mids, prominent high mids, or occasional clutter.

Midrange reactions were mixed: some reviewers heard clean vocals and exceptional reproduction, while others found the mids less rich, blunted, or not the main strength.

The lack of a built-in 3.5mm analog jack was a repeated drawback, even though USB-C-to-3.5mm wired listening is possible.

Analog input practicality was mixed to negative because wired listening without power degraded significantly in one review.

Aesthetics were distinctive and often praised, but some reviewers noted the retro Marshall look will not suit everyone.

The discreet profile was a plus for one reviewer who preferred the understated, normal-looking design.

Overall recommendations were positive but caveated: reviewers liked the package, especially for travel and rock-focused listening, while noting ANC, codecs, and wired tradeoffs.

Overall recommendation was positive across many reviews, especially for sound, comfort, features, battery, and value, with caveats around ANC, calls, and newer tech.

Headband adjustability earned a small positive note for visible adjustment numbering.

Headband adjustability was praised for fitting comfortably and adjusting easily.

LDAC was only discussed as an absent higher-quality codec, making it a codec-support weakness.

LDAC was a clear omission for reviewers who wanted higher-bitrate or lossless-style wireless options.

Water and sweat resistance was a weakness because reviewers noted the headphones are not waterproof and should avoid rain or gym use.

Water and sweat resistance was a weakness because the review advised against wearing them in the rain.

Setup simplicity received praise from one reviewer who called pairing/setup easy.

Setup simplicity was criticized in one video because the app onboarding had too many pop-ups and needed streamlining.

Button controls were a standout strength, with reviewers preferring the tactile joystick and physical buttons over touch controls.

Button usability was criticized because the power/Bluetooth button made powering on feel finicky.

Voice prompts and feedback added personality through Marshall-style guitar sounds during power and pairing.

Voice prompts and feedback were criticized for inconsistent verbal and musical cues that made status feedback less clear.

Bluetooth performance was praised in one review as stable and high-performance.

Bluetooth was marked down in one 2025 review because the hardware was described as older compared with newer Bluetooth developments.

Bluetooth version support was tied to a stable, high-performance wireless connection in one review.

Bluetooth version was criticized as feeling older in the context of newer wireless standards.

Call microphone quality received strong praise from one reviewer, especially for windy phone calls.

Call quality was inconsistent, ranging from usable in some cases to disappointing when background noise interfered or when walking and biking were considered.

Smart Pause performance was criticized for random triggering in one longer test.

Smart Pause performance was positive in the review that said the app-enabled features worked as advertised.

Advanced software features were considered solid and modern, but reviewers did not see them as uniquely class-leading.

Advanced software features were a major strength, with reviewers praising app-based personalization, Sound Zones, and feature execution.

Smart listening features were mixed: adaptive volume, Spotify Tap, and battery preservation drew praise, while missing convenience features held the score down.

Smart listening features were praised through Sound Zones, which one reviewer found useful and effective in real testing.

EQ customization was broadly useful and responsive, though one reviewer wanted more precision than the five-band setup provides.

EQ customization was a strength, with reviewers praising useful app EQ, many options, and accurate frequency adjustment.

The app was viewed positively for customization, controls, battery options, and a generally intuitive experience.

The app was broadly praised as intuitive, useful, and clean, with strong access to EQ, ANC, device management, and other settings.

Codec support was a clear weakness because reviewers noted no hi-res, lossless, or low-latency codec support.

Codec support was praised as a strong, price-appropriate list, despite separate criticism elsewhere about missing LDAC and newer lossless Bluetooth options.

Multipoint reliability was strong where tested, with seamless switching or extremely reliable two-device use.

Multipoint was useful when working well, but reliability was mixed because one review reported seamless switching while another saw glitches near previously paired devices.

Value was generally fair to good, especially on sale, but reviewers noted strong cheaper or better-performing rivals.

Value for money was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly describing the Momentum 4 as a bargain, steal, or high-value alternative to pricier rivals.

Durability over time was viewed positively because reviewers described more durable, repairable construction and long-term toughness.

Durability evidence was mixed: one review called the plastic build not especially rugged, while another long-use video said the headphones still looked pristine.

Design and aesthetics were mostly praised for the distinctive Marshall look, premium detailing, and rugged styling, though taste varied.

Design reactions were mixed: reviewers liked the functional, understated approach but also called it plain or less original than prior Momentum models.

Weight comfort was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling the headphones light for the class and easy to wear.

Weight comfort was positive in one review, which found the headphones relatively light despite being near 293 grams.

Sustainability materials received a modest positive note for recycled plastic use.

Sustainability materials were mixed, with paper/cardboard-forward packaging praised but retail packaging improvements suggested.

Clamping comfort was rated very highly, with reviewers reporting little to virtually zero pressure.

Clamping force was consistently positive, with reviewers saying it was gentle, balanced, or just right rather than overly tight.

Comfort was one of the strongest consensus wins, with reviewers repeatedly praising all-day wear, soft fit, and low fatigue.

Comfort was one of the strongest areas, with many reviewers praising long-wear comfort, soft padding, lighter feel, glasses compatibility, and all-day listening.

Build quality was generally strong and rugged, with praise for durability and materials, offset by one report of creaking.

Build quality was positive in the supporting review, especially the smoother, sturdier-feeling ear cup mechanism.

Charging was praised for fast top-ups, with reviewers citing up to 12 hours of playback from a short charge.

Charging was viewed positively because a short charge can deliver several hours of playback.

Battery life had the strongest agreement: reviewers repeatedly described it as class-leading, incredible, extraordinary, or far ahead of competitors.

Battery life was the product's clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly describing 49-60 hour results as exceptional, class-leading, or nearly worry-free.

Auracast support was treated as a positive future-facing feature, especially for Android and LE Audio readiness.

Auto on/off reliability was mixed, with one reviewer disabling it due to misfires while another found auto-off consistent.

Award recognition was strong in TechRadar's evidence, which noted the headphones became its headphones of the year for 2022.

Detachable cable convenience was positive because the wired option kept the headphones usable across different work and casual listening situations.

Ecosystem integration was limited for Apple-centric users because one review noted the lack of iOS-only features.

Features at launch were adequate but not standout, with one reviewer saying the standard feature set lacked a truly distinctive tool.

Replaceable earpads were praised as easy to remove or replace and useful for longevity.

Replaceable pads and headband parts were a repairability plus where described.

Sensor performance was a concern because one reviewer reported random wear-sensor triggers.

Sidetone was praised by TechRadar for improving call handling and making conversations feel more natural.

Streaming service integration was praised strongly for Spotify Tap, especially for starting playback without pulling out a phone.

Touch controls were divisive: several reviewers found them intuitive and dependable, while others reported sensitivity, accidental inputs, or startup glitches.

Earpad/body-borne noise was a notable negative for one reviewer, who heard footsteps and heartbeat-like sounds.

LE Audio readiness was treated as a positive future-proofing feature by multiple reviewers.

Hinge durability was praised for being able to twist without showing signs of breaking.