Bose QC Ultra Earbuds vs Sennheiser Momentum TW4 Comparison

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

The second generation brought upgraded microphones and processing for calls, one of the main complaints about the first model. The mics focus on your voice and reduce surrounding noise and wind before the signal reaches the phone. Unlike many business earbuds, they ship without a USB adapter for laptop calls.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Each bud has multiple microphones for calls, with processing to reduce wind and background noise. Calls work over standard Bluetooth on phones and laptops. Voice quality is clear in quiet places and acceptable in busier ones, though not a strength compared with business buds. Background noise is reduced, but voices can sound a bit processed in loud spaces.

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

Bose's ActiveSense ANC is among the strongest in any earbud. It removes engine drone and air-conditioning hum, and does better than most rivals with voices and office chatter. Aware mode lets sound in naturally, and ActiveSense reduces sudden loud noises while staying in Aware. That is useful on city streets.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Adaptive ANC adjusts to your surroundings, and a transparency mode lets sound in. There is also an anti-wind mode for outdoor use. Cancellation is good on buses and in offices, cutting steady noise well. Against Bose and Sony flagships it lets more mid-frequency sound through, including voices and keyboard chatter.

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

Bose quotes about 6 hours of listening per charge, or about 4 hours with Immersive Audio, and the case adds roughly three more charges. That is enough for most flights and workdays, though Sony and Poly last longer per charge. Immersive Audio is the main battery drain, so switch it off on long trips and save it for films.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Sennheiser quotes up to 7.5 hours with ANC on and up to 30 hours in total with the case. A quick charge restores about an hour in minutes. That is fine for a working day with mixed listening, though Sony and Poly last a little longer per charge. Lossless streaming draws slightly more power, so expect a little less when using aptX Lossless all day.

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

The buds are larger than most, and they use ear tips plus stability bands in three sizes to hold them in place. The water rating is IPX4, which covers sweat on a run and rain on the way to the station, but not a drop into water.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

The buds are compact with a smooth outer shell, and Sennheiser includes ear tips in four sizes. The water rating is IP54 for dust and splashes. The shape sits fairly flush, so they work while lying back on a headrest, though some find the fit loosens with jaw movement. Touch panels cover much of the outer surface, so adjusting the fit can accidentally pause music.

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

Bluetooth 5.3 brings two-device multipoint and Google Fast Pair, and aptX Adaptive kicks in on compatible Snapdragon phones. Switching from a laptop call to a phone call happens without re-pairing. Bose says the second generation has a more stable connection, especially in crowded places such as stations and airports. Bose offers no USB adapter and no meeting-platform certification for these buds.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Bluetooth 5.4 supports multipoint, Google Fast Pair and Auracast broadcast audio. Auracast lets you join shared audio streams in airports, gyms and venues that support it, without pairing to each transmitter. The Smart Control app handles firmware, EQ and gesture settings, and LE Audio support should improve over time as more phones and laptops adopt the newer standard.

Bose QC Ultra Earbuds

CustomTune plays a chime when you put the buds in, measures your ear canal and adjusts EQ and ANC to match. Bose's Immersive Audio adds a spatial mode with Still and Motion settings. The tuning is warm and full, with strong bass and smooth highs. On Snapdragon Sound phones aptX Adaptive improves quality, while iPhones use AAC.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Each bud uses Sennheiser's 7 mm TrueResponse dynamic driver, and Snapdragon Sound supports aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC and LC3. The Smart Control app adds EQ and a Sound Check personalisation tool. The Sony WF-1000XM5 is its closest flagship rival. With an iPhone you get AAC, which is still excellent but loses the lossless advantage that Snapdragon phones enjoy.