beyerdynamic DT 1990 vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 at a Glance
• beyerdynamic DT 1990 — biggest strength: an open-back, 45 mm Tesla driver design with a 5 Hz–40 kHz frequency range that is explicitly built as a reference for mixing and mastering, with two sets of ear pads voiced differently so you can shift the presentation.
• beyerdynamic DT 1990 — biggest trade-off: it is wired only, 250 ohms, about 1.5 pounds, and open-back by design, so it doesn't isolate you from the room and it doesn't travel light.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 — biggest strength: adaptive noise cancellation, a transparency mode, up to 60 hours of battery with fast charging, and app-based EQ and sound personalization — all in a fold-flat 10.3-ounce package.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 — biggest trade-off: it's a plastic-bodied Bluetooth headphone with a 6 Hz–22 kHz range; it's tuned to be enjoyable and adaptable rather than to serve as a flat studio reference.
• Choose the DT 1990 if you sit at a desk, work with audio, and want one honest wired pair that lasts and can be serviced. Choose the MOMENTUM 4 if you want one pair for the couch, the commute and the flight, and you value quiet and convenience over studio neutrality.
The DT 1990 Pro is a purpose-built tool. The spec sheet says it plainly: open studio reference class headphones for mixing and mastering, made in Germany, with 250-ohm, 45 mm dynamic Tesla neodymium drivers. That combination of an open-back enclosure and a large Tesla driver is what produces the wide, natural stereo image the design is known for — you get a sense of instruments sitting in space rather than being pressed flat against your ears. The frequency range runs from 5 Hz to 40,000 Hz with a 102 dB nominal sound pressure level, which is a deliberately extended, high-resolution presentation rather than a bass-forward one.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-20 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
What I find genuinely smart is the included kit. You get two sets of ear pads with different sound characteristics — one analytical, one well-balanced — plus two cable options (a 3 m straight and a coiled pair) with single-sided mini-XLR connectors, and a premium hard case. That means the headphone can be re-voiced and repaired rather than replaced. The ear pads and headband are soft and replaceable, which matters a lot for anyone who wears a headphone for six-hour sessions. A 2-year manufacturer warranty applies when bought from an authorized dealer.
Buy it if you do audio work, you want a wired reference you can trust, and you like gear that can be maintained for years. Skip it if you need isolation, wireless freedom, or something pocketable — the 250-ohm impedance also means you should plan on a capable headphone output or a dedicated amp rather than a phone dongle. It's also worth noting it's not a noise-cancelling product at all; noise control is listed as none. This is the pick for someone who wants the best open ear headphones for TV watching in the sense of sheer spaciousness — an open-back design throws a wide, airy image — as long as they accept that open-back means sound goes both ways.
The MOMENTUM 4 is the opposite philosophy executed well. At 10.3 ounces it's less than half the weight of the beyerdynamic, it folds flat, and it ships with a carry case, a USB-C cable, a 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable and an airplane adapter — the whole travel kit in one box. Battery life is rated up to 60 hours, with a fast charge that gives you roughly 6 more hours from a 10-minute top-up. That's the kind of number that changes how you use a headphone: you stop thinking about charging it.
The feature set is where it earns its place. Adaptive noise cancellation adjusts to your surroundings, and transparency mode lets you hear the room without taking the headphones off — genuinely useful for TV watching when someone walks in and starts talking. Four digital beamforming microphones handle calls with wind noise suppression, and you get voice assistant access via Google Assistant or Siri. Bluetooth 5.2 with a 10-metre range covers normal household use. Inside, a 42 mm transducer system with aptX Adaptive does the audio work, and the Smart Control Plus app adds an equalizer, presets, sound modes and a sound personalization feature that tailors output to your hearing. Frequency range is 6 Hz–22 kHz with 106 dB sensitivity.
Buy it if you want one headphone for everything and you don't want to think about cables or charging. Skip it if you need a neutral reference for critical mixing — a 22 kHz ceiling and an app-tuned sound signature are aimed at enjoyment and customization, not at being a flat studio monitor. It's also a plastic-bodied design with a 1-year manufacturer warranty, a shorter coverage window than the beyerdynamic's 2 years.
• Best for TV and movie watching → Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. Wireless freedom, 60-hour battery, transparency mode for interruptions, and a 3.5 mm cable included if you'd rather go wired to the TV.
• Best for spatial, wide-sounding presentation → beyerdynamic DT 1990. The open-back Tesla design is specifically engineered for a natural, dynamic stereo image.
• Best for blocking out the room → Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. Adaptive ANC plus transparency mode; the DT 1990 has no noise control at all.
• Best for mixing, mastering and reference work → beyerdynamic DT 1990. That's literally what it's built and voiced to do, with an analytical pad option in the box.
• Best for battery life → Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. Up to 60 hours, with 2-hour charging and a fast-charge top-up.
• Best for long-term ownership and repairability → beyerdynamic DT 1990. Replaceable pads and headband, detachable mini-XLR cable, two cable types, hard case, 2-year warranty.
• Best for calls and voice work → Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. Four beamforming mics with wind noise suppression.
• Best for tuning the sound to your taste → Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. App EQ, presets, sound modes and sound personalization versus a fixed, pad-swappable voicing.
If I were buying one pair today and TV watching was a real part of how I'd use it, I'd take the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. In my opinion the combination of adaptive ANC, transparency mode, up to 60 hours of battery, a 10.3-ounce build and a full travel kit makes it the more useful object for the way most people actually listen — on a couch, on a plane, in a shared room. The DT 1990 is the better headphone for a narrow, serious job: open-back reference listening and studio work, with a serviceable design I genuinely respect. If you're the type who wants the best spatial audio headband headphones for TV watching and you have a quiet room plus a proper amp, the beyerdynamic is the more interesting listen. For everyone else, the Sennheiser is the safer, more flexible pick — check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
FAQ
They're 250 ohms, which is on the high side, so plan on a decent headphone output or a dedicated amp rather than a basic dongle. The reward is a 45 mm Tesla driver with a 5 Hz–40 kHz range built for reference work.
Yes. The box includes a 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable plus an airplane adapter, so you can run it passively from a TV, seat-back system or interface when you don't want Bluetooth.
Look at what each bundle includes rather than the headline number: the beyerdynamic gives you two pad sets, two cables, a hard case and 2-year coverage; the Sennheiser gives you ANC, 60-hour battery, app tuning and a travel case with 1-year coverage. Check the latest price on Amazon for each and match the kit to your actual use.
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