Bose 700 vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless (2021): Comparing Premium Noise-Canceling Headphones

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless are both top-of-the-line noise-cancelling headphones from two audio giants. Both are packed with superb noise-cancellation and other features, but they also come with a hefty price tag. If you’re on the fence whether to get the Bose 700 or the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3, this detailed comparison will help you make the call.

Bose NC 700 vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Comparison Chart

Model	Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700	Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless
Price	Check Price	Check Price
Dimensions	2″ x 6.5″ x 8″	4″ x 7.6″ x 9″
Foldable	No	Yes
Active Noise Cancellation	Yes	Yes
ANC Levels	11	3
Customizable EQ	No	Yes
Runtime	Up to 20 hours	Up to 17 hours
Quick Charging	15 minutes for up to 3.5 hours more	10 minutes for up to 1.5 hours more
Wireless Charging	No	No
Bluetooth	5.0	5.0
Multi-Point Pairing	Yes	Yes
Audio Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, aptX™, aptX™ Low Latency, AAC
Touch Controls	Yes	Yes
Voice Controls	Yes	Yes
App Control	Bose Music	Sennheiser Smart Control
Waterproof	No	No
Color Options	Black, Luxe Silver, Soapstone	Black

Design and Build Quality

Both the Bose 700 and the MOMENTUM 3 are well-built and look stylish, but the MOMENTUM 3 feel slightly more comfortable

Users can expect high-quality materials and elegant build that reflect the premium price tags of the Bose 700 and the MOMENTUM 3. At a glance, you will notice that the Bose sport a slimmer profile than the Sennheisers. However, the materials used on the MOMENTUM 3’s earcups feel more plush and comfortable than the Bose 700’s.

The earpads of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 use sheepskin leather, which feels more comfortable than the Bose 700’s leatherette material. Their earcups also feel slightly more comfortable despite the Bose sporting earcups that are more spacious. This is probably because the Bose have more clamping force, so if your head is on the bigger side, you might feel the pressure when wearing the headphones for a long time.

While the MOMENTUM 3’s headphones feel richer and more premium than the Bose 700, the same can’t be said when it comes to their carrying case. The Bose 700’s case is made of a harder material that can protect your headphones well when traveling. As for the Sennheiser’s, they only come with a fabric carrying case. You risk squishing your headphones when in your bag if you don’t buy a harder case for your noise-cancelling headphones.

As for their portability, the Bose 700’s case is slimmer as the headphones can be folded flat, but not inward. You can’t fold the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 flat, but they swivel inward (see photo).

Noise Cancellation

The Bose NC 700 headphones deliver better Active Noise Cancellation than the MOMENTUM 3

Both the Bose 700 and the MOMENTUM 3 deliver impressive Active Noise Cancellation, but the Bose simply does the job better. They can both block off low-frequency noise well, like the noise on the road or from vehicles, but the MOMENTUM 3 struggle with background noise like chatter and other high-frequency sounds.

Another difference between the two is their ANC levels. The Bose NC 700 offer 11 levels of ANC that you can adjust in the app while the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 only have three ANC levels. These levels are Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Hearing, and ANC off. The Sennheiser’s Transparency Hearing mode lets you hear the ambient sound while listening to music.

Users who often take and make calls using their noise-cancelling headphones should go for the Bose 700. Sennheiser’s call quality is decent, but it amplifies the sound and picks up the background noise during the call. In contrast, the Bose 700’s adaptive mic system delivers superb vocal clarity even when making calls in a crowded place.

Sound Quality

Both the Bose 700 and the MOMENTUM 3 deliver stunning neutral audio and wide soundstage, but the MOMENTUMs have slightly better bass

Undoubtedly, both the Bose 700 and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 deliver superb sound and immersive listening experience. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 have Bose’s traditional sound signature of warm bottom ends, slightly scooped mids, and bright trebles. If you’re after a clean, rich and accurate sound, the Bose 700s are for you.

Where the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 shine is in their wider soundstage and better instrument separation than the Bose 700. Another win for the MOMENTUM 3s are their customizable EQ settings found in their companion app. With only a couple of taps and swipes in the app, you can adjust the highs, lows, and mids to achieve your desired sound profile.

Set up and Controls

The Bose NC 700’s earcups have touchpads while the Sennheisers use traditional buttons; both can use app and voice controls

With Bluetooth 5.0, pairing either the Bose NC 700 or the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 with your device is a breeze. They can also be used with their respective apps to adjust ANC levels, manage tracks, and for the Sennheisers, customize their EQ settings. Smart voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant can also be used with either noise-cancelling headphones.

Where they significantly differ though is their controls housed in their earcups. The Bose 700 use a combination of responsive touchpads and physical buttons for playback controls, adjusting volume, taking and ending calls, or activating your voice assistant. As for the MOMENTUM 3, they only come with traditional physical buttons for all the controls.

Additional Features

Both headphones allow multi-point pairing; the Sennheiser MOMENTUM offer adjustable EQ settings and a built-in Tile

Multi-point pairing connectivity is something that doesn’t seem significant at first, but a feature you’ll miss when it’s not available. This lets you pair two devices simultaneously so you can easily switch from one device to another when needed. For example, if you’re watching a video on your tablet or laptop and someone calls you on your phone, you can easily use either the Bose 700 or the MOMENTUM 3 to answer your call.

A unique feature of the MOMENTUM 3 is their Tile integration. Should there be instances where you can’t find your headphones, the Tile feature will come in handy.

Battery life is another department where the Bose 700 trumps the MOMENTUM 3. The Bose 700 offer a runtime of up to 20 hours which means you probably won’t have to charge your Bose every week or so. If you’re in a rush, a 15-minute charge can give you up to 3.5 hours more.

While the MOMENTUM 3’s 17-hour playtime is decent, you might need to charge the Sennheisers every five days or so. A quick 10-minute will add up to 1.5 hours more playtime for the MOMENTUM 3.

Verdict

The Bose NC 700s win when it comes to ANC and vocal clarity while those who want EQ customization should go for the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3s

Check Price

Check Price

Both the Bose 700 and Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 offer superb audio quality and comfort that justify their premium price tag. If you’re getting either headphones for noise-cancelling, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is simply superior. Its 11 ANC levels work effectively in blocking noise in different degrees. Their unparalleled vocal clarity and mic system make them versatile headphones as well.

What’s missing in the Bose 700 that the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless provide are the customizable EQ and better comfort. If you also prefer the straightforward traditional buttons on the earcups and are okay with a black and stainless steel headband, then the MOMENTUM 3 will be a better fit for you.

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