Noise-canceling, Bluetooth, over-ear headphones: what are the options? It seems like every brand has their own version of what could be the best option for your everyday, casual listening. Our top three contenders come from three very well known brands. From Sony, there is the ever-popular WH-1000XM5, and Sennheiser has the MOMENTUM 4. Beyerdynamic has entered with the AVENTHO 300, making waves in the market and impressing a lot of listeners. Today, we take a look at the three side by side and compare all the details in design, features, and sound quality.

What Comes In The Box

Overall, the three headphones come with a lot of the same accessories. You get a carrying case, USB-C charging cables, and an additional cable for wired listening. Beyerdynamic sets themselves above the others by providing a drawstring bag as well as an adapter from USB-A to USB-C for easier adaptability.

Aesthetics

Over-ear headphones have room for a lot of variation and individuality. Looking at these three models side-by-side, you’ll see that they are a bit different in shape and style. Each comes in a couple different color options, mainly black and white. Sony takes it a step further and has a pink edition. With the Sony XM5, you’ll see the earcup is a bit larger and caves outward a little more. The Sennheiser Momentum and the Beyerdynamic Aventho lay flatter and more flush with your head. Though it may be a bigger design, you will see that the Sony is the most lightweight of the three. Beyerdynamic’s Aventho comes in as the heaviest of the three, and the Sennheiser sits at a happy medium between the two.

The earcup shapes are all relatively the same. The Aventho has the most ergonomic design, modeling the shape of the ear as opposed to just an oval like the other two contenders. This design makes it great for fitting snugly over the ear, but the tight clamping force makes it a bit uncomfortable for my preferences. While all three do swivel to lay flat, the Aventho is the only of the three to showcase a collapsible design. 

Functionality

Functionality across these headphones remains pretty consistent, both in pairing, controls, and features. You'll see that there are few tactile buttons on any of the headphones; they favor smart control features instead. You can use the right earcup on each and swipe to skip between songs, bring volume up and down, and much more. Between the three, the Sony XM5 has the most sensitive controls,and the Beyerdynamic had the least sensitive. All three worked incredibly well and did the job they needed; I could see people becoming frustrated with the Aventho 300 and preferring the ease of use coming from the Sony XM5. 

Connecting each headphone was incredibly simple and the same to do across the board. Holding down the power button prompted a sonic cue to start pairing, and another for when it was successfully connected. Connectivity was strong and stayed consistent throughout hours of testing side by side. 

One aspect I found really great in the functionality of these headphones was the ability for them to pair to multiple devices. each headphone has multipoint connectivity capabilities, making these compatible and versatile in any environment. When it comes to ease of use and functionality, people will be pleased with how easy they will be able to start listening with these. 

Tech Specs

The Sony WH-1000XM5, Sennheiser Momentum 4, and Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 headphones differ significantly in technical specs. The Momentum 4 offers the longest battery life at 60 hours, while the Aventho 300 provides a slightly shorter 50 hours and the WH-1000XM5 30 hours. In frequency response, Sony excels with a wide range of 4 Hz–40 kHz, compared to the Aventho’s 5 Hz–22 kHz and Sennheiser’s 6 Hz–22 kHz. The Aventho 300 uses the latest Bluetooth 5.4 and has the longest range (15 m), surpassing the others’ 10 m. Codec support varies: Sony focuses on LDAC, while Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic lean into aptX™ and aptX Adaptive™, with Beyerdynamic adding aptX Lossless and LE Audio for cutting-edge performance.

Listening Review

Soundstage & ANC

When comparing soundstage and ANC, the Sony WH-1000XM5 stands out with an expansive, three-dimensional soundstage that delivers impressive depth and height. It provides precise imaging, allowing you to effortlessly pinpoint elements in the mix. This creates a fully immersive experience, especially when paired with its exceptional ANC. Sony’s noise cancellation is among the best in its class, with distinct modes that cater to a variety of environments and preferences.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 offers a similarly immersive soundstage but with slightly less width compared to the Sony. Its flatter sound signature ensures a well-balanced presentation, where no frequency range dominates the others. The Momentum 4’s ANC is highly customizable, offering smooth transitions between modes. This personalized approach to ANC enhances its usability, even if its isolation performance isn’t quite as aggressive as Sony’s.

The Beyerdynamic AVENTHO 300 takes a different approach with its V-shaped sound signature and STELLAR.45 drivers, which deliver a soundstage that feels equally wide but with a more dynamic energy. The imaging is excellent, rivaling the Sony in precision, while the soundstage’s depth and liveliness contribute to a vivid listening experience. Its ANC is effective and comparable in performance to the Sennheiser, though its toggle-based functionality lacks the nuanced control of the Momentum 4.

Low Frequencies

In terms of bass, the Sony WH-1000XM5 leads with its deep, powerful, and textured low end. The bass has a strong presence, which can be felt in bass-heavy tracks, yet it retains clarity and avoids muddiness. Sony's EQ allows listeners to tone down or enhance the bass, making it adaptable for different genres and preferences.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4, by contrast, takes a more subtle approach to low frequencies. The bass is warm and detailed but restrained compared to the Sony and Beyerdynamic models. This makes the Momentum 4 ideal for listeners who prefer a more balanced sound that doesn’t overwhelm the mix. Even so, the low-end clarity allows listeners to appreciate finer details in tracks, even if the bass lacks the weight and intensity of the others.

The Beyerdynamic AVENTHO 300 matches Sony’s bass performance in terms of power and impact. Its low end is vibrant and textured, with a deep resonance that adds excitement to bass-heavy tracks. However, unlike Sony, which balances its bass with other frequencies, the AVENTHO’s V-shaped signature emphasizes the bass more prominently, making it a strong choice for listeners who prioritize a dynamic, bass-driven sound.

Midrange Frequencies

The midrange is a defining area where these headphones diverge. The Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers a natural and layered midrange, with vocals and instruments sounding lifelike and well-placed. The background details in tracks are particularly impressive, making the midrange feel dynamic and immersive.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4, with its balanced tuning, brings exceptional clarity and detail to the midrange. Vocals and instruments are represented with remarkable accuracy, making this the most neutral and transparent option of the three. This balance ensures that the midrange doesn’t get overshadowed by the lows or highs, which is particularly appealing for genres like acoustic, rock, or classical.

Beyerdynamic’s AVENTHO 300 offers a midrange that is more unique and polarizing. While it delivers clear details, it has a synthetic quality that may feel less natural compared to the Sony or Sennheiser. This tonal quality takes some adjustment, but it can add a distinct character to tracks, especially for listeners who prefer an engaging, colorful midrange presentation.

High Frequencies

The treble response varies significantly between the three headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a bright and vibrant high end, which complements its bass-heavy signature by adding air and space to the overall sound. The treble is smooth and non-fatiguing, making it a great option for extended listening sessions.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 delivers the most prominent and energetic highs of the three. The treble is bright and detailed, adding texture and brilliance to tracks. This high-frequency emphasis makes pop, electronic, and other energetic genres shine, while maintaining balance with the rest of the sound signature.

Beyerdynamic’s AVENTHO 300 features a treble that is clever and colorful, interacting dynamically with the other frequency ranges. While its high end is vibrant and engaging, there is a slight cutoff near the uppermost frequencies. However, this doesn’t detract from the listening experience, as the treble remains smooth and detailed, with enough energy to bring tracks to life.

Summary

When considering these three headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 stands out for its expansive soundstage, powerful bass, and stellar ANC, making it ideal for immersive and dynamic listening experiences. The Sennheiser Momentum 4, with its flat frequency response and prominent treble, caters to listeners seeking balance, clarity, and neutrality across all ranges. Finally, the Beyerdynamic AVENTHO 300 brings a lively and engaging character with its vibrant bass and treble, appealing to those who enjoy a more colorful and dynamic sound signature.

Each model has distinct strengths, and choosing the right one depends on your personal listening preferences and priorities.

You can get all three headphones -- the Sony WH-1000XM5, the Sennheiser Momentum 4, and the Beyerdynamic AVENTHO 300 -- at Audio46.