Should a brand be celebrating the longevity of their battery charge by harnessing the burnout of the daily commute? The ad by Ogilvy is sublimely shot - excellent lenses, creative direction, but, I’m not sure about the brand line and overall message.
What do you think?
LBBO reports, “To highlight the 60 hours of continuous battery life of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless headphones, Ogilvy developed a relatable campaign that finds humour in commuter fatigue.”
And I get it. It's funny, but also tragic. Burnout is real.
Ogilvy Amsterdam released their latest work with Sennheiser to highlight the incredible battery charge of their Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 headphones. These Momentum True Wireless 4 boast a 60-hour battery life for a single charge but the brand’s messaging sounds a bit off.
Sennheiser’s campaign across both video and print, pokes fun at commuter fatigue with people falling asleep during their commute with the tagline “Battery that lasts longer than yours.”
Older generations championed the idea of being exhausted from working hard to put food on the table. Though the next generations that ultimately, Sennheiser will be marketing to for years to come really aren’t buying into this mantra.
Selfcare, wellness and experiencing life are taking priority over the next step up the career ladder in exchange for a 60-hour work week.
Deloitte says, “Generation Z will soon surpass Millennials as the most populous generation on earth, with more than one-third of the world’s population counting themselves as Gen Zers.”
Whilst a report by Stanford University pointed out that “Gen Z cares about mental health and work-life balance. Gen Z grew up in a period that saw the blurring of the 9-to-5 work schedule and the rise of flexible work models – a mode of working that led to older generations feeling a pressure to always be “on.”
Stanford Professor, Roberta R. Katz says, “Work and home life are all so integrated that if you don’t pay attention, you could be working all the time. I think Gen Z is sensitive to that. Having a work-life balance and maintaining mental and physical health is also important to Gen Z. They’re placing a value on the human experience and recognising that life is more than work.”
Now, of course, we don’t want to over generalise, but considering the evidence, I think Ogilvy’s next message for Sennheiser needs to be switched. It’s about technology working for us whilst we experience, explore, recharge.
I’m not going to buy a pair of headphones based on the fact I can do a 60- hour work week, fall asleep on the commute home and rest assured my headphones will be pumping out AC-DC way past my burnout point.
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Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 review
That said, I was intrigued by Sennheiser’s 60-hours of battery-life. Was the battery life the headphone’s highpoint or were these Momentum 4 headphones giving more?
What is the sound quality like on these Momentum 4s? What’s the quality of noise cancellation?
Sennheiser sent me a pair of Momentum True Wireless 4 headphones to test and review. Now, I’ve been testing these headphones for a week now. Before I go into the review, let’s remember that these cost £243.02 in John Lewis in the UK, and $249.95 on Amazon.com. That’s a reasonably priced pair of over ear headphones.
For the price point, Sennheiser has given a lot. Let’s break down the experience.
First Impressions
Sennheiser is known for balancing luxury with performance, and the Momentum 4 maintains this tradition with quiet confidence. From the moment you lay eyes on them, the minimalist design speaks volumes.
They do look and feel better than they sound. The clean, matte finish and soft, faux-leather over-ear cushions are as functional as they are stylish, designed for comfort over extended use—whether you’re settling in for a long-haul flight or simply commuting across town.
The design doesn’t shout luxury which I’m okay with. They’re made for wearing around town and on the commute to the studio; If you’re looking for headphones for your listening room at home, these aren’t the ones. They’re designed to be used, packed in your work bag, bashed around. They’re under £250/$250!
What I’m saying here is leave your Bang & Olufsen H100 at home and just take these for the daily commute. It may sound like half the band were on annual leave in comparison but at least the B&Os are safe.
Sound Profile
At the heart of the Momentum 4’s appeal is its long battery life. That said, the headphones offer a reasonably balanced, neutral sound signature that feels thoughtfully tuned. The bass tends to be boomy and inconsistent across songs.
The midrange, where vocals and instruments live, is where these headphones truly shine. Clear, precise, and detailed, the Momentum 4 delivers a natural sound that lends itself well to everything from acoustic tracks to more intricate classical pieces. Highs are crisp without ever straying into harsh territory, bringing a sense of brightness that complements the overall balance. A Sade playlist would do well here.
If you tend to favour music with a heavier, bass-forward profile, however, the Momentum 4 might feel a little too refined.
Soundstage and Imaging
One of the standout features of the Momentum True Wireless 4 is the wide soundstage. For a pair of wireless headphones at this price point, they offer an impressively spacious feel, giving each instrument and vocal its own distinct place in the mix. Whether you’re listening to a complex orchestral arrangement or a live performance, there’s a sense of openness and clarity that elevates the listening experience.
Imaging, too, is fine. The accuracy with which the headphones place different elements of a track within the soundscape adds to the immersive quality, making it easy to distinguish between subtle details.
Customisation and Features
Via the Sennheiser Smart Control app, you can tweak the equaliser settings to suit your preferences, ensuring the headphones suit your individual listening style. Though, there’s just three bands versus the usual five on competitor’s apps to adjust.
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is highly effective, too, muting external distractions without compromising the audio quality. Whether you’re blocking out the roar of a plane or the background hum of a busy train, the ANC creates a peaceful bubble for your music to take centre stage. Again, the ANC works really well considering the price point. Spend another couple of hundred on a pair of Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones and it’s another level.
Comfort and Practicality
In terms of comfort, Sennheiser really delivers. The Momentum 4 is lightweight, with soft, cushioned ear pads that make extended listening sessions a joy. These headphones are as practical as they are stylish, easily transitioning from professional settings to more relaxed environments without missing a beat.
The battery life is the strong point. These Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4s are offering up to 60 hours of playback, which is another win.
And so I can appreciate why Ogilvy went down the route of a brand line: “Battery that lasts longer than yours.” But it’s perhaps not one of your longer lasting brand lines we’ll see in ten years’ time.
If your headphones do run out of battery or you’ve suddenly started feeling all Gen Z, you can use the headphone jack; there’s no need for power.
The headphones don’t completely fold for portability which is a shame. But, they do at least fold 180 degrees. The Momentum Wireless 4s are also generously flexible and extendable for any larger heads.
Connection
The range is exceptional. I’ve had no issues with connection dropping as I walked to the opposite end of our 160 sqm apartment situated in a 100 year old building with thick, brick walls.
The Momentum Wireless 4s have a touchpad on the right ear that controls much of their functionality. ANC, skipping tracks, volume, answering calls, pausing music. Let’s just say the touchpad is really sensitive and you have the potential to pause music, call your mum, turn the volume up all with an accidental tap. Okay, it’s not that bad but in the absence of a voiceover (found on high-end headphones) telling you what button you’ve tapped it’s a bit of a guessing game. What I did appreciate, though, is the auto off function.
THE GOODS Verdict
Are you likely to choose an Apple Watch SE over an Ultra? Do you appreciate a balanced, natural sound, but don’t see yourself a B&O convert down the line?
The Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 4 is a measured choice. The combination of lightweight design, high-quality materials, and precise sound at this price makes these headphones worth a shot.
However, if you’re after a more bold, bass-heavy audio experience or view your headphones as a statement piece, you may find these a touch underwhelming.
The Momentum Wireless 4 are competent in sound quality, comfort, and boast a ridiculous battery life.
If you’re unlike Ewan Gunn, a true audiophile who enjoys a whiskey listening to his carefully chosen Sunday afternoon soundtrack at home, these Sennheisers will do the job. They’re fine for the commute, good at battling with external noise and you don’t feel they’ll be snatched from your head on the Brighton to Shoreditch commute.
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